Vehicles authorised for repair under the written-off vehicle reforms
New laws regarding the management of written-off vehicles applying to ALL NSW light vehicles up to 15 years old were introduced on 31 January 2011.
A light vehicle is a registrable vehicle that is 4.5 tonnes or less gross vehicle mass (GVM). Light vehicles include cars, trailers, caravans and motorbikes.
The registered vehicle operator (or owner if it's not registered) can apply to Roads and Maritime Services for an 'Authorisation to Repair a written-off vehicle' if the vehicle is:
- in an exempt vehicle category and
- is able to be repaired to legislated vehicle safety standards.
Exempt vehicle categories include:
- Hail damaged
- Inherited
- Applicant was the registered operator for more than 28 days before damage occurred.
A person who will only use the vehicle for designated motorsport activities may also apply for an exemption.
Applications for exemptions under this category may be considered in combination with controlled, conditional registration, in cases where the vehicle is not retained by the same operator.
Before the exemption application is considered by Roads and Maritime Services
Before an exemption application can be considered by Roads and Maritime Services, the damage to the vehicle must be assessed by a competent person using the prescribed vehicle damage assessment criteria, and manufacturers repair guidelines or recognised industry standards.
Applications for repairs will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be made using the form 'Application to repair a written-off vehicle' or 'Application to repair a written-off motorbike'.
Hail damaged
For registered owners of hail damaged vehicles that:
- were written-off because of hail damage, and
- are being retained by the person who was the registered operator for more than 28 days prior to the vehicle sustaining the hail damage:
Should contact their insurer.
Inherited
The applicant on the ‘Authorisation to Repair’ form received the vehicle under a will or letters of administration.
Applicant was the registered operator for more than 28 days before damage occurred.
The applicant on the ‘Authorisation to Repair’ form was the registered operator of the vehicle for more than 28 days before the date of the damage that caused it to be written-off.
Motor bikes
Special provisions have been included in the legislation for certain superficially-damaged motor bikes. These provisions will expire on 1 November 2012.
These temporary provisions apply to motor bikes that have sustained cosmetic damage only, and no structural or non-repairable damage.
Before the motor bike is eligible for exemption, the insurer must provide Roads and Maritime Services with the following information, in addition to the information provided to the WOVR:
- Documentary and photographic records of the damage that resulted in the motor bike being presented for a vehicle damage assessment
- A written statement from the insurer that the motor bike is not structurally damaged.
A customer can only seek to register an exempt motor bike if the customer bought the motor bike from its insurer (or the insurer’s agent).