Vehicle standards

information
52
Rev 1, Published 6 November 2006

Certification of new trailers up to and including

4.5 tonnes aggregate trailer mass

Purpose
To inform trailer manufacturers and/or distributors of the process for the certification and registration of
new or revised light trailers. For the purposes of this Vehicle standards information (VSI) sheet, a light
trailer is defined as one with an aggregate trailer mass (ATM) up to and including 4.5 tonnes.

Construction requirements
A light trailer must be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of Vehicle Standards Bulletin
(VSB) No. 1 Building Small Trailers issued by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and
Regional Services (DOTARS) – see page 2 for contact details.

Registration information
Inspections of light trailers are conducted at:
1. Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Stations (AUVIS) for:
ƒ Trailers up to and including 2 tonnes Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) except those fitted with
break-away brakes.
2. Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Stations (HVAIS) for:
ƒ Trailers exceeding 2 tonnes GTM up to and including 4.5 tonnes GTM.
ƒ All trailers fitted with break-away brakes.

A light trailer may be registered on an individual basis by obtaining a weighbridge ticket and undergoing
an appropriate inspection (identity, safety and design check) before registration is established.
Alternatively, manufacturers/distributors may apply to the RTA for certification of a ‘batch’ of identical
trailers. To do this an application form must be completed, along with an appropriate inspection and a
weighbridge ticket for the first of each trailer make and model.

For manufacturers/distributors applying for certification and registration of light trailers in New South Wales

Supersedes VSI 52 Published September 2006 1 (2 pages)

 For light trailer manufacturers/distributors that undertake the certification process and are:
ƒ An appropriate Authorised New Vehicle Inspection Station (ANVIS), the applicant is exempt from
the requirements to present a weighbridge ticket and an inspection report for the registration of
each subsequent trailer that has been endorsed by the RTA.
ƒ Not an appropriate ANVIS, the applicant is exempt from the requirements to present a weighbridge
ticket and the ‘design check’ component of an inspection, for the registration of each subsequent
trailer that has been endorsed by the RTA. However, the identity and safety check inspection
components are still required.

Application process
To apply for a new or revised model trailer to be endorsed by the RTA, the manufacturer/distributor
must:
ƒ Obtain a weighbridge ticket for the first trailer of each make and model to be certified.
ƒ Obtain an appropriate inspection report (identity, safety and design check) for the first trailer of each
make and model to be certified.
ƒ Complete and sign the form ‘Application for certification of new trailer’. A copy of the form is
attached to this VSI 52 – photocopy as required.
ƒ Mail the completed form, the original inspection report for each make and model, and a copy of the
weighbridge ticket/s to:
Team Leader,
Technical Enquiries,
PO Box 1120, Parramatta NSW 2124
ƒ The RTA will issue written notification of the endorsed trailers to the manufacturer/distributor who
may then arrange for registration of subsequent trailer/s.

Note: To register a trailer immediately without undergoing the application process outlined in this information
sheet, present an appropriate inspection report and a weighbridge ticket in person at any RTA Motor
Registry and complete an 'Application for Registration' form.

Contact details for additional information

VSB No. 1 Building Small Trailers is available from:
Vehicle Safety Standards,
Department of Transport & Regional Services,
GPO Box 594,
CANBERRA ACT 2601,
T 1800 815 272, F 6274 6013, www.dotars.gov.au

Attachment
Form ‘’Application for certification of new trailer’

For further enquiries: RTA Technical Enquiries, PO Box 1120, Parramatta NSW 2124

1300 137 302 02 9843 3821 www.rta.nsw.gov.au / tech-enq@rta.nsw.gov.au

Vehicle standards information No. 52 / Published 6 November 2006 / RTA/Pub. 06.305 / Cat No. 45070730 2
 Application for certification of new trailer
This form is intended for the certification of new trailers up to and including 4.5 tonnes aggregate trailer mass. To assist
you in completing this form please refer to the notes overleaf and the application process outlined in VSI 52.

Trailer description
Make Type

1 2 3 4

Model designation

Tare mass

Gross trailer mass

Aggregate trailer mass

NSW vehicle shape code

Axle code

Applicant details (print)

Manufacturer/distributors name

Street address Suburb State Postcode

Postal address (if different to above)

Telephone Facsimile Email

Name of person completing form (applicant) Position in Company *

* If manufacturer/distributor is a company, this section must be completed

by Company Director.

Declaration
Please read carefully before you sign. If you do not tell the truth you can be prosecuted.
My personal information is collected and held by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) 260 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
I understand my personal information is being collected for registration purposes.
I must supply the information under the Road Transport Vehicle Registration Act
Failure to supply full details and sign/confirm this declaration can result in the vehicle not being certified
My personal information held by the RTA may be disclosed inside and outside NSW to driver licensing and vehicle registration agencies, law
enforcement agencies, and to verify and validate the contents of this application and any supporting documentation, for the administration of driver
licensing and vehicle registration legislation law enforcement and road safety.
I have a right to access or correct my personal information in accordance with the provisions of the relevant privacy legislation.
I declare that the information supplied is complete, true and correct in every detail and that trailers appearing on this application form are
manufactured to comply with the requirements of Vehicle Standards Bulletin No.1 Building Small Trailers.

Signature of applicant Date

Attachment to Vehicle standards information No. 52 September 2006 Page 1 (2 pages)

Notes for completing ‘Application for certification of new trailer’
The following notes will assist you in completing the form on the previous page. The specifications for up to four
(4) different models of the same type of trailer (eg ‘boat’ or ‘box’) can be provided on a single form.
‘Make’
Your manufacturer’s name as it appears on the trailer plate.
‘Type’
The type of trailer/s for which certification is sought eg ‘boat’ or ‘box’.
‘Model designation’
The name that appears on trailer plate as trailer model.
‘Tare mass’
Must be shown in kilograms, as it appears on the weighbridge ticket. Note the original weighbridge ticket for each
model must be retained by the applicant.
‘Gross trailer mass’
Must be shown in kilograms. The mass transmitted to the ground by the axle or axles of the trailer when coupled
to a towing vehicle and carrying its maximum load approximately uniformly distributed over the load bearing area.
(see page 9, Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) No.1 Building Small Trailers).
‘Aggregate trailer mass’
Must be shown in kilograms. The total mass of the laden trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended
by the manufacturer. This includes any mass imposed onto the towing vehicle when the combination vehicle is
resting on a horizontal supporting plane (see page 9, VSB No.1 Building Small Trailers).
‘NSW vehicle shape code’
From the following table select the three-letter code that corresponds with the type of body fitted to the trailer eg
caravan = CVT.
ACT Animal carrier DLT Dolly RCT Roadwork plant carrier
AIT Air compressor DTT Dump truck RPT Recreational plant
APT Agricultural plant ELT Electrical plant RVT Refrigerated van
BCT Bulk carrier EPT Earthwork plant RWT Roadwork plant
BLT Bolster trailer FFT Fire fighting plant SMT Semi trailer
BST Barrier stall/totalisator HPT Honey extracting plant TFT Table top with fittings
BTT Boat IPT Industrial plant TKT Tanker
BXT Box JKT Jinker TPT Tipper
CCT Concrete carrier LOT Low loader TTT Table top without fittings
CMT Concrete mixer OPT Plant VCT Motor vehicle carrier
CVT Caravan PAT Pantechnicon VNT Van

‘Axle code’
From the following table select the three-character code that corresponds with the configuration of the axle/s or axle group/s
fitted to the trailer eg two axles with 2 tyres per axle = T9.

Any trailer with a steerable axle or axle group towards its front
Trailer with one axle/axle group
and an axle or axle group towards its rear
No. of wheels and tyres per axle Axle code No. of wheels and tyres per axle Axle code
2 T1
2 2 or 2 4 or
4 T2 T22
4 4
2 2 T9

2 4 T3
4 2 2 or 4 4 4 T24
4 4 T4

2 2 2 T0
4 4 4 4 T44
2 4 4 T5

4 4 4 T6
4 4 4 4 T8

Attachment to Vehicle standards information No. 52 September 2006 Page 2 (2 pages)