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Varying an Opted-in Approval for the First Time | RVSA Ready

Varying an Opted-in Approval for the First Time

What to provide with a first variation of an opted-in approval

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When varying an opted-in vehicle type approval for the first time, approval holders and people authorised to act on their behalf must provide certain information and documents to demonstrate compliance with the Road Vehicle Standards legislation.

When applying to vary an opted-in vehicle type approval for the first time, ROVER requires more than just an explanation of the changes the applicant is seeking. It also requires supporting information directly linked to the requested changes. To complete the first variation application, the applicant must:

  • review information imported from the Road Vehicle Certification System and ensure it is current and accurate
  • confirm applicant details and the vehicle type details of the approval
  • provide Road Vehicle Descriptor information for the vehicles
  • identify the design and manufacturing facilities for the road vehicles
  • update compliance information for applicable Australian Design Rules, as required
  • provide information to confirm that the applicant meets the requirements for holding a vehicle type approval under section 19 of the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019, which includes providing information about the design and manufacturing facilities, and confirming that the applicant either controls all stages of the design, componentry and manufacturing of the road vehicle type, or has access to information, including information about any changes in design, componentry and manufacturing process for the type of vehicle that may affect the vehicle type’s compliance with ADRs.

Refer to Table 1 of the guide to understand how ROVER applies these requirements across the steps in the variation application process.

ROVER ADR applicability check

ROVER performs an ADR applicability check to identify all ADRs that may apply to the opted-in vehicle type approval. When applying to vary an opted-in approval for the first time, the applicant will be asked to address the ADRs the system has identified as being potentially applicable to the road vehicles the applicant is providing.

Being an automated applicability check, ROVER may identify newer ADRs that came into effect after the opt-in approval was first granted and yet do not apply to the type of vehicle the applicant is providing to the Australian market. When this happens, the applicant must provide a reason for the ADR not being applicable.

Advice for adding variants and Road Vehicle Descriptor information

ROVER does not import road vehicle variant details from the Road Vehicle Certification System. The approval holder is required to add and provide Road Vehicle Descriptor details for a significant number of road vehicle variants when applying to vary an opted-in vehicle type approval for the first time. The vehicle type details section of the variation application will allow the applicant to add variants to the approval. The applicant only needs to include current variants, not variants that are no longer being provided.

Varying opted-in approvals to satisfy new or revised ADRs

If making the first application to vary an opted-in vehicle type approval to satisfy a new or revised ADR, the approval holder or a person authorised to act on their behalf will need to provide compliance information forms for the new ADRs.

Note that each of the application requirements set out in Table 1 will need to be satisfied if making a variation application:

  • to ensure an opted-in vehicle type approval is compliant with a new or revised standard, so it is not automatically suspended under section 202 of the Rules, or
  • to reinstate an opted-in vehicle type approval that has been automatically suspended when a new or revised standard came into effect.

Before submitting a variation application

It is recommended that the applicant, or a person authorised to act on their behalf, reads the guide to varying approvals in ROVER in full, as it provides useful information and helps ensure an application is correct and complete. An applicant cannot edit a variation application after it has been submitted through ROVER. The applicant can withdraw the application to make changes, but note that this will delay the variation assessment.

More information about varying an opt-in approval for the first time is in the Department’s guidance.