Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P

The Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) licenses competent individuals to inspect non-standard vehicles and certify compliance with the relevant vehicle safety standards.

On this page

About the VSCCS J&P

The Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) is a Transport for NSW third party licensing scheme which licenses competent individuals to inspect body fit (J code) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P code) modifications on heavy vehicles and certify compliance with the applicable vehicle standards (see Reference Material). This is a new requirement for certification in New South Wales following the introduction of the Heavy Vehicles National Law in February 2014.

In New South Wales, all modified heavy vehicles must be assessed by a VSCCS licensed certifier to insure the modification(s) is performed to the applicable vehicle standards. The VSCCS J&P is a second tier to this scheme for licensed certifiers who are restricted to certifying J and P code modifications to heavy vehicles.

Certifiers use an online system to electronically issue VSCCS Compliance Certificates.

Required qualifications

Suitable applicants will require a minimum of a Certificate III in a relevant discipline (for example, Heavy Vehicle Fabrication, Automotive Mechanical Technology or Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology). You will also need at least five years' experience, post-apprenticeship, in the relevant industry OR two years experience as a Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme examiner.

Insurance

As a certifier, you need to hold $20 million public liability insurance and $5 million professional indemnity insurance. This insurance is available under Transport for NSW’s Principal Arranged Insurance cover. Alternatively, you can operate under your employers insurance, if it meets the required criteria.

Fees

Fees for inspecting and certifying vehicles are not set by legislation and can be negotiated between certifiers and their customers.

Transport for NSW charges an application fee and a triennial fee for continuation of the VSCCS J&P licence. The application fee is non-refundable. Fees also apply for administration functions and insurance. Transport for NSW will also receive an administration fee for every certificate of modification issued by the certifier. See Inspection scheme fees.

Applying for certification

If you would like to apply to become a licensed VSCCS J&P certifier, start by reading the guide Becoming a VSCCS J&P certifier. The guide includes information on:

  • Working as a VSCCS J&P licensed certifier
  • Applying for a certifier’s licence.

To make your application, complete the Application for a certifier’s licence – vehicle safety compliance scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) and submit as instructed on the form.

Once your application is received, Transport for NSW will confirm your eligibility to continue with the application based on your qualifications, third party evidence and work experience. Transport for NSW will also conduct as criminal record check.

Your application will not progress further until you have met the minimum qualification requirement.

  • You will be required to submit a self assessment form outlining your experience and nominating referees who can confirm your suitability to certify J&P code modifications
  • You will be required to undergo an online assessment to confirm your knowledge and understanding of J&P code modifications and your obligations as a third party provider to Transport for NSW.

Please read the VSCCS J&P fact sheet for more information. The fact sheet includes information on:

  • What is involved in a competency assessment?
  • What happens to my application?

Documents and forms

Application for a Certifier's Licence (VSCCS J&P)

Application for Self-Certification (VSCCS J&P)

Application Self-Declaration

Third Party Evidence Template

Becoming a VSCCS J&P licensed certifier

May 2015

A guide to applying for a certifier's licence

VSCCS J&P fact sheet

VSCCS J&P code of conduct for licensed certifiers

May 2015

VSCCS bulletin 01 - Licensed Certifiers

VSCCS Bulletin 02 - Modified or individually constructed vehicles

NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications

Australian Design Rules

Heavy Vehicle Modifications - Body Mounting (Section J)

Heavy Vehicle Modifications - Tow Coupling/Fifth Wheels (Section P)

Frequently asked questions

  • J and P code refers to the modification of heavy vehicle body fits and tow coupling/fifth wheels, respectively.

    These modifications are listed in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6) which sets out the requirements for modifying a heavy vehicle (see the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website for modifications listed on the VSB6).

  • NSW adopted the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in February 2014 which requires heavy vehicle modifications in NSW to be certified by licensed certifiers including body-fit (J) and tow-coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications.

    In the meantime, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has issued a National Operational Advice exempting J and P code modifications until 1 July 2015.

  • Transport for NSW is adding a second tier to the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) to allow suitably qualified licensed certifiers to solely certify body-fit (J) and tow-coupling/fifth wheel (P) modifications for heavy vehicles.

    Transport for NSW predicts the VSCCS J&P will increase the number of licensed certifiers able to certify J and P code modifications throughout NSW, including in regional areas.

  • Transport for NSW sets fees for all schemes on a cost recovery basis. This means Transport for NSW only charge what it costs to run the scheme.

    Transport for NSW will charge Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) licensed certifiers in order to meet the costs for delivering the expanded Vehicle Safety Compliance Certificate Scheme J&P. See Fees for details.

    This fee reflects the fact that VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers will be restricted to certifying only body fit (J) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications and not able to certify other modifications listed on Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (see the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website).

  • VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers have two options:

    • Obtain insurance cover with Transport for NSW’s Principal Arranged Insurance (PAI) to protect against public liability and professional indemnity. The costs are $2,000 for public liability and $800 for professional identity. More information will be published on this website when the scheme starts in mid-2015
    • Arrange your own insurance, as an individual or under your employer’s insurance coverage, to meet the following requirements:
      1. The name, address and contact details of the individual insured under the insurance policy and, if appropriate, the company insured under the policy (including the ABN).
      2. The business description must explicitly cover vehicle certification activities of the individual Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) licensed certifiers and include vehicle inspection, testing, operation and certification that the vehicle complies with the applicable vehicle standards and any other work incidental thereto as undertaken in accordance with Part 5A of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2007 and the VSCCS J&P Licence Conditions for licensed certifiers.
      3. The period of insurance, being a minimum of 12 months.
      4. The limits of liability being a minimum of:
        1. combined liability with $20 million public liability insurance for any one claim or series of claims arising from one occurrence, and
        2. $5 million professional indemnity insurance for any one claim or series of claims arising from one event and in the annual aggregate for all claims combined during the period of insurance.
      5. Transport for NSW must be a named insured under the combined liability policy for public liability or indemnified under the insurance policy for public liability.
      6. If the policy is held in a company name, a natural person who has made an application for a certifier’s licence or renewal of a certifier’s licence must be a named insured.
      7. The insurance policy must cover each person for the certification of vehicles or vehicle modifications in accordance with Part 5A of the Regulation, the VSCCS J&P Conditions of Licence for licensed certifiers and any other activity incidental thereto. The certification of vehicles and vehicle modifications work covered must be to Heavy Vehicle National Law applicable vehicle standards.
      8. The insurance cover must be provided by an Australian Prudential Regulation Authority approved insurer.
  • Transport for NSW will not set fees. Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P licensed certifiers should set fair and reasonable prices. Customers can shop around to get the best deal.

  • The Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) will require licensed certifiers to have significant experience with five or more years post-apprenticeship in the relevant industry.

    Alternatively, the scheme will be open to licensed certifiers in the Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) with at least two years experience.

    In addition, licensed certifiers will be required to have Certificate III trade qualification in one of the following areas:

    Relevant qualifications for VSCCS J & P (all are Certificate III)

    • Course No. 6258 - Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment
    • Course No. 7296 - Vehicle Body (Fabrication)
    • Course No. 6260 - Heavy Vehicle Road Transport
    • AUR30999 - Automotive (Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment, Plant/Earth Moving/Agriculture)
    • AUR30899 - Automotive (Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle Road Transport)
    • AUM35101 - Automotive manufacturing (Bus, Truck & Trailer)
    • AUR30405 - Automotive Mechanical Technology (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport) (Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment)
    • AUM35108 - Automotive Manufacturing (Bus/Truck/Trailer)
    • AUR31812 - Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology
    • AUR31112 - Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
    • AUR31212 - Mobile Plant Technology
    • AUM30212 - Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck and Trailer
    • AUM30213 - Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck and Trailer

  • The reduced entry requirements for VSCCS J&P reflect the limited scope of work that these licensed certifiers will be able to perform.

    Transport for NSW has conducted extensive consultation and research in conjunction with industry groups and their training and qualification experts and with the Automotive Training Board of NSW. These discussions revealed that a Certificate III in a relevant discipline combined with suitable experience reflect appropriate entry requirements for entry into the scheme.

  • Yes. Applicants to the second tier VSCCS J&P who wish to self-certify must:

    • Complete the self certification form
    • Be the holder of a Motor Vehicle Repairers licence with NSW Fair Trading
    • Ensure that the premises you are operating from are licensed for the purpose
    • Provide evidence of any specialist equipment requirements
    • Provide evidence of quality assurance procedures that ensure the completed vehicle that is the end product of the modification and certification process complies with all Australian Design Rules.
  • No. Licensed certifiers in the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P will only be allowed to certify body fit (J) and tow/fifth wheel coupling (P) code modifications.

  • Transport for NSW audits participants in its schemes including the current Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS). Transport for NSW plans and conducts scheduled and targeted audits. Targeted audits are based on intelligence.

    Transport for NSW applies the NSW Government’s Better Regulation Principles when designing regulatory schemes, including the VSSCS J&P. See the Better Regulation website for more information on the NSW Government’s approach to regulation.

  • Licensed certifiers under the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) continue to certify modifications in specific licence categories according to their competence.

    Licensed certifiers under the VSCCS can apply to add body fit (J) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications to their licences if they are not already licensed to do so.

  • Yes. Members of the Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) will be able to join the scheme as long as they have appropriate insurance cover, meet the entry requirements and meet the licence conditions.

  • If you meet entry requirements to join the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P you are welcome to submit an online application.

    Further details on enrolment start dates and application processes will be published on this website and shared with industry.

    Applicants will also need to meet the conditions of the licence as well as a fit and proper test.

  • You will be able to find a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P licensed certifiers through this website when the scheme starts officially in mid-2015. View the current licensed certifiers.
  • In addition to the recent Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P Discussion Paper, Transport for NSW welcomes ongoing feedback and consultation. Please send your comments or questions to heavyvehicles@transport.nsw.gov.au and we will respond promptly.

  • See:

Share this page: