15+ year old cars, RHD and compliance question

[Foresight]

Guys the import legislation for post 1989 cars is hard to follow so I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the following.

Some background info:
15+ year old cars in Western Australia can be left LHD (other states are pre 1989 only I believe)
Certain cars are allowed to be imported which are on the SEVS registry

If a SEVS approved LHD car was imported from the states that was 15 years old for use on WA roads would the car be able to be licensed without being converted to RHD? My thoughts would be as long as all the other compliance issues were sorted ie lights, indicators, tyres etc then it would be ok right?

I've tied the licensing center but all I get is referrals to same documents which explain sweet FA.

Cheers

[ponyride]

Don't expect a clear answer Foresight, it's a minefield. It's not just roadworthy aspects you'll need to look at, it's also compliance with the ADRs (Australian Design Rules) and they get heavier as the car gets newer.

You will have to get an engineer to sign off on it. In my experience every engineer has their own interpretation and there is no clear direction from licensing either, one engineer told me recently that they're in a state of confusion.

Here's a classic example: Last week I was knocked back at the pits because the '66 Mustang that was being examined had front disc brakes and the examiner insisted (because, of course he knew everything) that Mustangs could not have disc brakes in 1966 unless they were GTs. No amount of polite discussion on the subject could convince him. Even when I went back armed with factory manuals etc it was too bad for me, off to an engineer I had to go, he couldn't understand it either.

You're going to have to get an engineer's report anyway so I'd do some homework with one of them now before you bring "it" in. Anything interesting?

What is SEVS??

[Foresight]

That guy sounds like a knob.

SEVS is the Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme which covers cars that are post 1989 which are allowed to be imported to Australia. Basically only cars that meet certain criteria are added to the SEVS schedule which allows them to be imported and complied by RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme) workshops.

I am trying to figure out if because a 15+ year old car car can be left LHD in Western Australia does that mean that it does not need to be converted to comply. The rest of the compliance would be carried out by a RAWS workshop which already comply cars (usually with a RHD conversion) so I cant see what the issue would be.

This is not something I'm looking to doing immediately but the car in questions is a dodge viper (When a 1998 GTS is 15 years old and don't laugh but I've always wanted one). There are shops out there that convert and certify them so Im trying to figure out if they could get them compliant without a RHD conversion (if its not needed in WA) which would make the price bearable.

[ponyride]

Hmm, interesting then. I'll send you some numbers of engineers if you like. They're supposed to know.
And yes you're right, he was.

[Foresight]

Thanks Rick but I think I will dig a little deeper/drill licensing a bit more. I just don't want to call and bug and engineer about something that's potentially 2-3 years away. Licensing on the other hand, I can bug all day given how much they've stuffed me around in the past :rotfl:

[S[_]SPECT]

I know you said not too.. but im laughing.. Lee, seriously.. a Viper..?

BTW,
I'll send a link to someone who might have an answer for you...

[nassi]

Sorry to put a dampener on this but in WA anything post 31/12/1988 requires conversion. Not aware of anyone gaining an exception under SEVs.
Aware of a couple of people that have been able to register LHD for 6 months, they lived and owned the car in the US for a period before importing.
cheers

[Foresight]

Thanks Birchy

C'monnnn whats wrong with a viper mannnnn??

Are you sure about that Nassi? I was reading this which is where I got the idea from.

Special Provisions for Light Left Hand Drive Vehicles
Older than 15, but less than 30 years
Vehicles not exceeding 4.5 tonnes GVM

This policy has now been incorporated in the published Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002 (Rules-2002) and applies to vehicles which are more than 15 years, but less than 30 years old, and are not over 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).

The Rules-2002 does not allow LHD vehicles less than 30 years old to be used for commercial purposes, e.g. motor wagons, taxis, private taxis, omnibuses, school buses and all manner of hire vehicles.

Full document can be found here
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFil ... IB_106.pdf

[mikes68]

Sorry to put a dampener on this but in WA anything post 31/12/1988 requires conversion. Not aware of anyone gaining an exception under SEVs.
Aware of a couple of people that have been able to register LHD for 6 months, they lived and owned the car in the US for a period before importing.
cheers

Just to throw in my 2c worth here but it was just a couple of weeks back I was speaking with an authorised engineer and his response to my comment on the 15 years old limit was that "actually no, that is not correct as an engineer CAN sign off ANY car as LHD for use on Aus Roads"...

Now I am not saying that he is correct in his statement but it just goes to show different interpretations on the regs. Be interesting if he was indeed correct...

[nassi]

Sorry Lee, but I'm sure. December 31 1988 is the newest not requiring conversion unless comming under SEVs or some other special clause.
Mike your right, an engineer can sign off on anything but that dosnt mean you can register it. They do their bit then the rego boys do theirs.
cheers

[mikes68]

Mike your right, an engineer can sign off on anything but that dosnt mean you can register it. They do their bit then the rego boys do theirs.

Now that makes sense...

[Pinto-Pete]

Mike your right, an engineer can sign off on anything but that dosnt mean you can register it. They do their bit then the rego boys do theirs.

Now that makes sense...

and now we circle back to ponyrides comment.......

[ponyride]

Foresight I'd go down to Office Works and buy a "too hard basket" for this one.

[rock66]

Rick, which pit are you going to for your inspections? (Just for future reference)

[ponyride]

Rick, which pit are you going to for your inspections? (Just for future reference)

Warwick! Good point.