Vehicle Standards

So a Locost Clubman is classified as an Individually Constructed Vehicle (ICV) and needs to compy with all regulations as normal vehicles do. As it is an ICV, it does not need to be crash tested as only a small number are being built (in my case 1), but will need to comply with all relevant ADR's (Australian Design Rules) including emissions testing.

My research has lead me to http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx

Which i'm really hoping that this will actually be how NSW wants to regulate ICV projects and builds. If it does then it is a straight forward process of going through the checklist for the vehicle i am wanting to make. according to the VSB 14

"This national code of practice titled, National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (VSB 14) outlines the minimum design, construction, installation and performance requirements for modifications to light vehicles1, for building Individually Constructed Vehicles (ICVs) and for the certification2 of certain imported vehicles. Compliance with VSB 14 requirements will help ensure that work undertaken satisfies the regulatory requirements of jurisdictions."

It does kind of leave it open for the different states to add their extra rulings on top though. And I guess the NSW RTA, being what it is and a ridiculous government agency when it comes to adding fees and conditions, will add as many headaches as possible.

My aim at the moment is to attempt to meet the VSB 14 requirements, and then attempt to engineer or substitute around extra regulations.

Again the VSB 14 guidelines

"An ICV is not a production vehicle; rather it is manufactured as a one-off vehicle. If 3 or more ICVs are manufactured by a person in a 12 month period VSB 14 does not apply to these vehicles. These vehicles are subject to the vehicle certification procedures under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act. Vehicles manufactured on a commercial basis are not ICVs. An ICV may be composed of parts from one or more Production Vehicles. The parts do not need to be new. 

ICVs include certain kit cars and certain production vehicle replicas that have been assembled in accordance with the production limitations mentioned above. 

An ICV should comply with the ADRs applicable to its date of manufacture. Each Registration Authority will determine the date of manufacture of an ICV. It is important that prospective builders discuss this issue with the appropriate jurisdiction before commencing a project. Alternative methods of demonstrating ADR compliance for ICVs are also acceptable. Registration Authorities may grant exemptions from compliance with ADRs that require vehicle crash testing.

An ICV is considered to be a new vehicle for registration purposes and therefore will always require a new Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to be issued for it. An ICV, being a new design, need not comply with the requirements of the Modification Codes that relate to modifications of existing Production Vehicles - for example, the ratios of engine size to vehicle weight requirements of Section LA- Engine do not apply."

For an ICV, I will need to refer to section LO2 - ICV Passenger Cars and Derivatives so I will be required to comply with all the ADR's listed in the LO1-1 and LO1-3 checklists.

Holy crap, when you look at it all it's a hell of a lot of work. I'll start documenting all this in the next few weeks as I get access and time to the internet.