Registering a trailer - RVSA Application for Individuals

Entering a light trailer on the RAV (Register of Approved Vehicles) as a DIY builder (ie: up to 4 trailers per year) is not a difficult process. You will need to register on ROVER and then make application for a SINGLE VEHICLE APPROVAL. This is pretty straight forward and requires you to enter information about the trailer, load ratings, size etc. The trailer must comply with all relevant ADRs. The process will require you to make a declaration that the trailer complies with the RVSA. If your trailer was built to our plans and complies with the requirements of VSB 1 Rev 6, then you can make the declaration with a clear conscious. Our plans now include a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for ADR 62 – Drawbar, provided to you free of charge. If your copy of the plans does not include a CoC, please contact us and a CoC will be provided to you free of charge.

Although it is not a requirement to submit evidence of compliance during your ROVER application, you must be able to provide evidence of compliance if requested to do so by the department of infrastructure (ROVER). All our trailer plans include a drawbar certificate of compliance. We also have a drawbar and safety chain compliance test report available. However, costs apply for obtaining the test report.

VIN number:

You will need to have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If your trailer does not have a VIN and would like the department to provide one, you need to write Please provide a VIN in the Chassis number field.

Supporting documentation validating the ATM, GTM & TARE weight ratings:

A weighbridge certificate of the trailer TARE weight,
Calculations or test report validating the ATM and GTM weight ratings.

Completing the ROVER ADR section and how to get the Evidence of Compliance:

The easiest way to show compliance is with a Component Type Approval (CTA) number. Compliant components e.g. lights, chains, coupling will have a CTA number.

The supplier of your components should be able to tell you if the component is approved or provide you with the CTA number. If you purchase online, the listing may show a CTA No. You can check the CTA number on ROVER to make sure it is valid.

For each of the relevant ADRs listed in the ROVER application, select the EXTENT OF COMPLIANCE of your trailer. In most cases your answer should be FULL COMPLIANCE or NOT APPLICABLE. If NOT APPLICABLE is selected, you must provide a reason.

For example, ADR 1 – Reversing Lamps. Trailers are not required to be fitted with reversing lamps. If you have not fitted reversing lamps, you can select NOT APPLICABLE and enter the text “not fitted” in the information box.

Here is a link for the ADR’s applicable to Trailers:

T – CATEGORY TRAILERS APPLICABILITY SUMMARY AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES

The RAV (Register of Approved Vehicles) fee is approximately $50.

Once your RAV entry has been approved, the trailer will appear on the RAV and can then be registered with your state authority.

The inspection of your trailer will depend on your local registration authority (ie. In Queensland the trailer will be inspected by TMR or an approved HVRAS officer.)

More information can be found on the ROVER guide: How to apply for a low ATM trailer concessional RAV entry approval.

If you are a manufacturer and building more than 4 trailers a year, it is a different route – see the FAQ – Trailer Registration – DIY/Low Volume vs Manufacturers – ROVER. Contact us if you require more information on this.