Were probably a tad out of touch with the real issue that faces the modified car scene at present with the proposed and almost legislated changes to the rules for modified cars.
 
The real point of concern is that the new system will see almost anyone within the trade able to obtain a qualification to pass modifications on light vehicles...that is anyone who can afford a $2800pa mandatory insurance premium, $25000 personal indemnity excess and a $10000 joint liability excess...not to mention a scheme exit cost of 7 years worth of premiums, all payable on exit.
 
This is a double whammy for the current signatory group as they must still hold the same insurance seperately for their private/non registered vehicle engineering work. Insurances they privately hold cover the same things that the mandatory RTA insurance covers with nowhere near the excess or other running cost liabilities. Effectively the RTA are forcing new scheme participants to pay twice for insurance.
 
I currently hold sufficient qualification to apply and be accepted a cert IV trade certificate...not to mention many many shady characters with almost limitless supplies of cash that hold the same qualification. We are faced with a situation where any shady character with cash and a cert IV can enter the program....no uni degree in engineering required. If I was to be selfish...this could be a great thing, but in reality it will result in the biggest level of risk we have ever seen(post signatory scheme introduction)as the new scheme is dollar driven with little regard for safety.
 
After all this...the rules for modifications wont be changing very much...but the people that will be able to sign off the mods will be changing.
 
Most of the current highly qualified signatories cant afford to enter the program. The cost of an engineers report will likely head into the $2000+ range....out of most enthusiasts range of justification.
 
All this is due to come into effect on the 1st of October...very cunningly delivered by the RTA under covert conditions.
 
The best thing that could happen is the scheme be suspended pending a thorough investigation by industry professionals...and qualified professionals at that.
 
If the new system gets in we are screwed...not by restrictions on mods but by the costs we will incur.... and the dangerous cars that cashed up shady characters can afford to have passed by their cashed up shady mates with authorisation to pass their cars.
 
The RTA are no longer providing a service....they are a business that is hungry to generate income...the personalised and custom number plate system is proof of this, not to mention what we are now looking at with the new modified vehicle scheme.
 
Laurie, the new scheme will be your worst nightmare if the current one gives you headaches
 
Cheers,
Phil.

And just to wiegh in on the previous debate...its the nut behind the wheel that is the issue, not the nut that holds the wheel on. If my car crashes...rest assured it will be by my mistake, not its spec or the way it is built....

I agree Phil and Fehlbie and Peter(and whoever else) but it is the element of car builders/modifiers that over power vehicles that came out with asthmatic engines and replace them with blown/ turbo V8's etc. This is the element the "revenue raisers" complainants should be targeting with their barbs. I am just one of the people that have to "Police" these regulations.(Plus I am one of the Highway Patrol that know what I am looking at Peter) Please remember I own a modified vehicle built to an engineers certificate. I also know that people Engineer shop to get certain improvements past the keeper so to speak. People modify their Older cars to go faster,stop and handle while driving that vehicle faster be it on the track or a blast up the old road.(Yes Fehlbie I have been on club runs 'nuff said) People who think that these mods are to run down to the corner shop for a bottle of milk or church on Sunday are dreaming.  

Any news on this one Phil?

Any news on this one Phil?

3LMK1Project

Any news on this one Phil?

 
At the moment we are awaiting a reply from the Minister for Transport. Our local member sent in my letter with his correspondance asking that the VSCCS scheme be suspended pending review by qualified stakeholders. Apparently the minister has 35 days to reply, and is compelled to reply as the letter was sent on official government letterhead. We should hear back within the next 4 weeks.
 
Cheers,
Phil.

Insider information (from reliable informed industry sources) is that the proposed NSW laws are being driven by at least two powerful people:
- one guy is an ex police big chief,
- the other is an ex WorkCover big chief.
 
The mentality is (quote) "why do you need to modify cars anyway".
The mentality is that it will be too difficult/impossible and unpalatable for owners to own modified vehicles and drive on the road, and/or making RTA certifiers do their job properly by the amount of accountabilty they will inherit via enormous liabilities. 
 
I understand any modification will be criticised. This includes details down to not being able to increase the rolling diameter of tyres no more than 15% from factory standard.
Many existing vehicles will have extreme difficulties in being registered.
 
I understand even now, many owners with vehicles that carry proper NSW RTA certification/s as modified vehicles are receiving letters from the RTA demanding that the vehicle and the owner attend  RTA checking stations for inspections. On arrival for inspection the car is taken into the closed RTA workshop while the owner is told to wait outside while the inspection takes place. Should any defects be found the plates are removed, a list made up and the owner is instructed to remove the vehicle until resolved.
 
The only way to try to stop this happening is for every one to hammer the minister day and night.
 
Don't forget should the new laws be implemented several entire industries (accessories, body builders, spare parts etc etc) will immediately collapse.

Makes the Nazi Party and Uncle Adolph look like a bunch of party goers....
 
 

 
 

I think this is who everyone needs to contact.
Hon. Gladys BEREJIKLIAN, BA, DIntS, MCom MP And her email address is office@berejiklian.minister.nsw.gov.au
 

Nothing like living in a nanny state. I have to say that I am very sick and tired of new laws infringing on my civil liberties. It really has gotten out of control, I don't know where this mentality has come from, but we have gone from a nation of people who used to say she'll be right mate, to a nation that says no you can't do that. We have to go out on a witch hunt and punish everyone for the mistakes and stupidity of a few. There are even current laws in place that deem my part of being in a group/club/gathering (eg car forum) as illegal behaviour and could potentially be prosecuted. I personally would like this stupid crap to stop, but while we are overrun by all the nanny's out there, I don't see any end in sight.

 
The sad fact is that our civil liberties are slowly being eroded away every day.
The sad fact is that a few powerful untouchable (and behind closed doors) people are reducing the ability for us to make informed choices for ourselves.
The proposed new laws for modified motor vehicles are only a tiny part of the bigger picture that I do not like.