CIRCULAR 0-3-3

MOTOR VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL DESIGNATION

1. INTRODUCTION

This circular provides general requirements and guidelines to assist vehicle manufacturers in deciding acceptable motor vehicle make and model designations when making applications for Identification Plate Approval (IPA).

This circular is not applicable to trailers.

This circular should be read in conjunction with circular 0-3-2 : Identification Plates.

Identification Plates were formerly known as Compliance Plates.

2. GENERAL

2.1. A separate application for IPA must be made for each different motor vehicle make and model. The make and model must be consistent with the criteria outlined below.

2.2. Each motor vehicle make and model designation must be unique, and the make and the model designations must not exceed 30 characters each, including qualifiers and embodied spaces.

3. MAKE

3.1. The make of a motor vehicle must be the marque or name by which that range of motor vehicles is popularly known, or the name of the manufacturer. Make should be the trading name, business name or trademark associated with the manufacturer.

4. MODEL

4.1. The model designation of a motor vehicle is the name given to a class or family of motor vehicles that is:

(a) of the same make; and

(b) of the same general type or appearance.

4.2. For the purposes of IPA, the following would result in a different model requiring a

separate application:

(a) motor vehicles which differ significantly in respect of body or cab structure and/or profile;

(b) or vehicles with a different number of axles;

(c) motor vehicles which are of a different vehicle category or subcategory for the purpose of certification, such as Light Goods Vehicle with a ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’ not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (category NA) and a Medium Goods Vehicle with a ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’ exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12.0 tonnes (category NB);

(d) motor vehicles which are advertised and sold as a new model which supersedes an existing model even though the model name may be retained. In this case the model designation must include a qualifier or series designation to distinguish between the new and superseded vehicles; eg. a Delta 10 is superseded by a Delta 20;

(e) non-standard or special purpose vehicles which are variants of approved

models, eg. dual-control, over-mass, over-dimension.

4.3. The following do not constitute a different model:

(a) variant of the model in relation to trim or optional features for which compliance has been fully demonstrated;

(b) motor vehicles which are manufactured in a number of configurations such as sedan, hatchback and/or station wagon and single and dual cab may be regarded as one model for the purposes of IPA;

(c) different engine transmission combinations, including petrol and diesel engines, and manual and automatic transmissions;

(d) minor variations in profile, such as front air dams or rear spoilers on a passenger car;

(e) a different number of doors;

(f) sleeper cabs on truck cabs;

(g) wheelbase variations for commercial vehicles;

(h) cargo bodies or equipment fitted to a cab chassis which have no effect on compliance with ADRs;

(i) change in year of manufacture.

4.4. For the purposes of matching the Identification Plate to the vehicle it is desirable that the model designation include, at least in part, that designation which appears elsewhere on the exterior of the vehicle.

If the model designation is not shown on the exterior of the vehicle a marketing designation which is shown on the exterior of the vehicle must be provided on the RVD. If the marketing designation is also not shown on the motor vehicle, then a marking shown on the motor vehicle and uniquely associated with that make and model should be shown on the RVD in the remarks section.

4.5. The marketing designation or variant shown on the RVD form must be the name by which the motor vehicle is advertised and sold. It may be the same as the model name only if it is advertised and sold by that model name.

4.6. Applications for IPA will not be approved until the model and marketing designation and where applicable, the information referred to in clause 4.3, which is to appear on the vehicle, is provided in the application including the RVD form.

5. VARIANT

5.1. Each motor vehicle model may have a number of variants. Each variant must have a variant name (or code) entered in the Road Vehicle Descriptor (RVD) form as the variant name.

5.2. Where a variant is identified for marketing purposes that identifier must be used in the RVD form as its variant name. The variant name in the RVD form must be traceable to vehicle build specifications.

Examples of this would be different variant codes for body style identifiers, engine options or distinct trim levels, which set the variant apart from other variants of the same model. It is expected that the variant name or manufacturer’s code would appear on the vehicle.