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RVMAP

RAV – Motorhomes

QUICK LINKS:

VSS RAV Webpage
RAV Enrolment Form
XML Tool
RAV Submission CSV Template
RAV Search

What is the RAV?

The RVSA introduces a Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) which will be an online, publicly searchable database of vehicles. The details of each vehicle approved for road use will be entered on the RAV.  The RAV will replace the need to fit motor vehicles with physical compliance plates. 

Every category NA, NB or NC vehicle must bear one or more items of ‘Secure Vehicle Identification Marking’, in the form of a durable self-adhesive label or a durable metal plate for (NB and NC vehicles).

For a demonstration of how the RAV works, please head to the Videos section of this website.

The RAV is searchable using the vehicle’s permanently marked Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  Search the vehicle’s details through the RAV Search site.

RAV Identification

An organisation ID, a submitter ID number and an email address are required to create a submission. These unique ID numbers are validations to access to the RAV and should be kept confidential. IDs are in the format:

  • an organisation ID: RAV00000X
  • a submitter ID: RS000000X.

In ROVER, you can use the Authority To Act function to self-serve – looking up identifications and changing submitters for the RAV.  To set up, refer to the ‘RAV Identification Details Available via ROVER’ section of the RAV Guide.

Motorhome and Campervan Manufacturers or Importers should have received their Organisation ID’s directly from NEVDIS and will only be required to set up unique Submitter ID’s.

This Guide shows the steps to follow in ROVER to add a person as an authorised RAV submitter to allow them to enter vehicle details on the RAV on behalf of a vehicle type approval holder.

NOTE:  RAV Identifications issued by the Department for the Test RAV are still valid as these identifications are migrated to the RAV in mid-2021.

RAV Data File Format

The RAV can receive data files in one of two formats:

  • XML (recommended for type approval holders), or
  • CSV. 

The Department has an XML File Generator available for all RAV submitters to assist with creating a valid data file in XML format. The Department recommends that RAV submitters either use the file generator or develop a system to produce the file data in either format.

The RAV validation process happens automatically upon receipt of a submission and an automated email response is provided with the validation status of each record.  Successfully validated records will appear on the public search the day after the RAV submission at the latest, subject to payment of the RAV levy.  The public search data will be updated twice a day – at approximately 12 noon and 12 midnight.

Up to 20,000 RAV records may be provided in a single submission data file.

Further information can be found in the RAV Guide.

When Can a Vehicle Be Added To The RAV?

A RAV submission can only occur when the:

  • Vehicle’s manufacturing is complete.
  • Vehicle is covered by a type approval.
  • Vehicle is in Australia (except when the type approval specifically allows the vehicle to be outside Australia); and
  • Vehicle complies with the requirements of the RVS legislation.

Once added to the RAV, the electronic record can be searched by using the VIN only.  Access the RAV Public Search page HERE.

Adding Second Stage of Manufacture (SSM) Vehicle to the RAV

Second Stage of Manufacture (SSM) involves modifying or adding to a new vehicle (the base vehicle) to create an alternate vehicle (eg. motorhome).  Under the RVSA, type approval holders can modify base vehicles that are on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) and base vehicles fitted with a Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA) identification plate.

RVSA type approval holders of SSM vehicles are responsible for adding their SSM vehicles to the RAV.  If an SSM is performed on a base vehicle that is on the RAV, the completed vehicle will also need to be added to the RAV.

  • Where the base vehicle is on the RAV, the RAV entry pathway sub-category will be type approval – second stage of manufacture.
  • Where the base vehicle is not on the RAV but is fitted with an identification plate by an MVSA approval holder, the RAV entry pathway sub-category will be type approval – standard or type approval – non-standard, as applicable.

For SSM, the RAV Entry Process should follow as outlined below:

OEM VTA approval holder

  • Manufactures base vehicle in accordance with approval
  • Confirms vehicle complies with all conditions of approval and is eligible to be entered on the RAV
  • Enters vehicle onto the RAV
  • Provides vehicle to the SSM

SSM approval holder

  • Receives base vehicle
  • Checks that vehicle is on the RAV or has a Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA) identification plate
  • Modifies/manufactures vehicle in accordance with approval
    • How a vehicle is added to the RAV is slightly different during the transition period for base vehicles fitted with an identification plate
  • Confirms vehicle complies with all conditions of approval and is eligible to be entered on the RAV
  • Enters vehicle onto the RAV
  • Provides vehicle to the customer

NOTE: SSM performed according to an approval granted under the MVSA can continue in accordance with the MVSA Identification Plate Approval (IPA) until 30 June 2023.  MVSA approval holders cannot fit an identification plate to a base vehicle that has been added to the RAV.

The RAV entry requires the following information:

  • Entry Pathway Sub-Category
    The method through which the vehicle was approved to be provided for the first time in Australia (eg. Type Approval – Standard).
    • Type Approval – Second Stage of Manufacture – the base vehicle is on the RAV
    • Type Approval – Standard or Type Approval – Non-standard (as applicable) – the base vehicle is not on the RAV
  • VIN
    Vehicle Identification Number consisting of 17 alphanumeric characters.
  • Approval Number
    Approval number is the type approval number for vehicle’s supplied under the type approval entry pathway (eg. VTA – 000001)
  • Vehicle Category Code (VCC)
  • Approval Holder
    The name of the entity who accepts responsibility for the vehicle’s compliance with the relevant ADRs.
  • Make
    The name by which the range of vehicle type is popularly known, or the trading name, or business name of the manufacturing company.
  • Model
    The name or code number by which the vehicles are identified.
  • Power (Kw)
    Maximum engine power as defined by Regulation 85 of the UN Economic Commission for Europe
  • Seats
    The maximum number of seated adult persons that the vehicle is designed to carry and for which seating positions are provided.
  • Build Date
    The Month and Year (MM/YYYY) on which the vehicle is completed and moved from the production line.
  • Authorised By Number
    The number of entity or authority authorised to add the vehicle Organization ID (eg. RAV000001).
  • Authorised By Name
    The name of entity or authority authorised to add the vehicle – Type approval holder name.

Refer to the RAV Guide (Attachment B) for optional fields applicable to relevant VCC of a goods vehicle (N Category).

NOTE: SSM performed according to an approval granted under the MVSA can continue in accordance with the MVSA Identification Plate Approval (IPA) until 30 June 2023.  MVSA approval holders cannot fit an identification plate to a base vehicle that has been added to the RAV.

Adding Vehicles with an IPA to the RAV

For vehicles manufactured or imported with an Identification Plate Approval (IPA) before an entity transitioned to a Vehicle Type Approval, the RVSA allows those vehicles to be entered to the RAV with the following prerequisite conditions:

  • The approval holder has:
    • manufactured the vehicle in accordance with their IPA, or
    • imported a vehicle under a valid import approval (including blanket approval) that allowed them to take delivery of IPA plated vehicles.
  • The approval holder elected to ‘opt-in’ and transition the applicable IPA to a vehicle type approval under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) framework and paid the $20 application fee before 1 January 2022, using the Department’s online application system – ROVER.
  • When the vehicles are entered on the RAV, the vehicles comply with applicable national road vehicle standards, as set out in the vehicle type approval.
    • The build date of the vehicles is irrelevant to this requirement of the type approval pathway (see paragraph 15(d) of the Rules).

It is the responsibility of the vehicle type approval holder to check whether there have been any changes to the applicable national road vehicle standards between when vehicles were manufactured and/or imported under MVSA approvals and when the approval holder intends to add the vehicles to the RAV.

NOTE: Where a vehicle was validly fitted with an IPA identification plate (either before opt-in or where the IPA holder does not intend to opt-in the specific IPA applicable to the vehicle), there is no requirement to add the vehicle to the RAV. Any such vehicles may continue to be supplied to the market until 30 June 2023.

More information can be found from the Department’s Second Stage of Manufacture webpage.

Payment of Type Approval RAV Entry Charges

The Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019 (the Rules) require the RAV entry charge to be paid before a vehicle is entered on the RAV.

A vehicle type approval holder can request to enter into an agreement with the Department to pay RAV entry charges after vehicles have been entered on the RAV.  A separate agreement is required for each RAV organisation, which may hold one or more type approvals.

For more information about the payment agreement and to download the template written agreement, click HERE.

You may apply for this written agreement any time after your organisation has created an account in ROVER – even if you have not yet had your vehicle type application approved. You only require one agreement per organisation, no matter how many vehicle type approvals the organisation holds.

Correcting or Notifying an Error on the RAV

Where there is an error relating to a record on the RAV, the approval holder or another person must amend the record by notifying the Department.  Notification of an error on the RAV is done through ROVER.

For more information about correcting or notifying an error on the RAV, click HERE.

RAV Tips for a Successful RAV Submission

It is important that the RAV remains accurate as the RAV is an authoritative source that is relied on by the Department, other regulators, law enforcement, insurance companies, owners and potential future owners of vehicles.  Errors in a RAV entry could delay a SSM business in providing vehicles to customers and may also lead to non-compliance with the RVS Legislation.

For a successful SSM vehicle submission, check that the:

  • new vehicle (base vehicle) is on the RAV or that you have made the necessary adjustments to submit the vehicle to the RAV for the first time
  • RAV submission contains the right RAV entry pathway
  • make and model exactly match your approval details.

To find out more tips for a successful RAV entry, download the Department’s presentation through this link.

More information can also be found on the Rover Resources Page.

For questions or assistance, head to the Department’s RVSA-dedicated Contact Us page.