HVIA welcomes revised modifications code

Code for body builders, trailer manufacturers, truck dealers and vehicle modifiers has been simplified and is now easier to follow

The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has said it welcomes the release of the revised Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6: National Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modifications (VSB6) by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

HVIA Chief Executive, Brett Wright (pictured), said the revisions simplify VSB6, making it easier to understand and will result in more consistent interpretation.

“As HVIA has long advocated, the approval of modifications needs to be brought under a single, national process to ensure consistency in the interpretation of standards, and in the approval process,” Wright said.

For body builders, trailer manufacturers, truck dealers and vehicle modifiers VSB6 is the documented code of practice that outlines minimum design, construction, installation and performance requirements for modifications to heavy vehicles.

HVIA told us it has had a long association with VSB 6 over the past thirty years, overseeing its development together with Transport Main Roads (Qld) as lead agent for the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board (AMVCB).

HVIA has coordinated workshops, provided countless submissions as well as drafting many of the codes that exist today in the document.

“HVIA is pleased that the NHVR, as the new custodian of VSB6, has not only put in a lot of hard work to update the code, but has also committed to its ongoing maintenance,” Wright said.

“HVIA is also committed to working closely with the NHVR as part of the VSB6 working group, to ensure that the code remains relevant to industry as technology changes.”

Mr Wright said that the new release bears testimony to the NHVR’s collaborative approach to the project.

“Very much to their credit, the NHVR sent senior executives to take part in a series of heavy vehicle modification workshops conducted by HVIA in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

“We brought together manufacturers, modifiers and engineers of vehicles, equipment and bodies together from all parts of Australia,” Mr Wright said. “To that end, I’d like to thank our members for their valued contributions.

Mr Wright said that HVIA is now looking forward to the next phase, with the development of the National Approved Vehicle Examiner’s (AVE) scheme which will replace the existing state and territory based inspection and certification schemes.

“HVIA and its members are already engaged in this work and are at the ready when the NHVR commences its review,” he said.

“HVIA will again be fully engaged to ensure our members are able to be a part of the process and contribute to the scheme to ensure it meets the needs of industry.”

HVIA welcomes revised modifications code

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