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Customer specified equipment is often added to goods vehicle (light commercial vehicles) before they are registered and supplied to the customer. Modifications to a vehicle prior to registration could invalidate it’s ECWVTA and thus require a new Type Approval or an IVA to register the modified vehicle. In February 2013, the VCA introduced the UK National N1 Enhancement Scheme to cater for certain commercial vehicles that are fitted with minor modifications (or enhancements) before registration. This provides a simple and cost effective way for some commercial vehicles to be fitted with minor modifications before registration to meet the requirements introduced by the ECWVTA from 29th April 2013.
The N1 Enhancement Scheme can be applied to some panel vans and some pick-up trucks that have ECWVTA from the original vehicle manufacturer. The minor modifications that are allowed under the scheme, such as the fitting of a tow-bar or security locks fitted to vehicle door, must meet the national legislative requirements. Major modifications, such as those that modify the base vehicle’s emissions, or additional/alternative seats, are not allowed under the N1 Enhancement Scheme, vehicles with major modifications will require to go down the formal IVA route or type approval being sought.
The N1 Enhancement Scheme allows enterprises who are responsible for the complete enhancement process, such as vehicle dealers and commercial vehicle body-builders to apply for and receive an IVA using a mainly administrative process (eliminating the need for every vehicle built to be inspected). In order to qualify for this Scheme the enterprise will need to obtain CoP clearance to demonstrate that they have suitable production processes, procedures, controls and documentation. They will also have to submit documentation and provide a modified vehicle for inspection to show that the enhancements fitted to the vehicle and their whole enhancement process produces vehicles that are in compliance with the required national standards. Upon a successful outcome, the VCA will issue a report confirming that the modifications are acceptable as part of the N1 Enhancement Scheme. The Enterprise can then send details of modified vehicles which require an IVA electronically to the VCA, who then check the application against the Enterprises Enhancement Report which covers the modifications concerned. If all is in order the VCA will allocate an IVA number for the Vehicle that can be used for vehicle registration purposes. This process will be conducted electronically with no need for a physical vehicle inspection at a DVSA IVA Test Station. An IVA application under the N1 Enhancement Scheme costs less than £2 per vehicle.
Who can benefit from the N1 Enhancement Scheme?
Enterprises such as Light Commercial Vehicle Dealers and Commercial Bodybuilders can benefit from the N1 Enhancement Scheme as it will avoid them having to apply for an IVA test for each modified vehicle which can take a few months to complete from start to finish (some test stations can have a 6 - 8 week inspection lead time), reduce costs as a N1 vehicle IVA test fee is £199 / vehicle and avoid the additional costs and risks of transportation of each modified vehicle to and from a DVSA IVA Test Station (there are fewer than 20 DVSA IVA Test Stations in the UK).
Please visit our Consultancy services page to see how GTO Automotive can help your company to obtain N1 Enhancement Scheme approval as soon as possible and at minimum costs.
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