Specifications
Brake assessment manual Ver 1.0 Published October 2013 5 (48 pages)
Limits of assessments
The assessments detailed in this Manual apply to vehicles intended to be registered for use
on the road, in normal driving operations at posted speed limits. If it is intended to also use a
vehicle for specialised activities, such as track racing, more rigorous assessment and tests
may be required to ensure the braking system will withstand the additional stresses imposed
on it.
If a vehicle equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) is modified, the ESC must remain
functional. If the modification renders the ESC non-functioning, the vehicle can not be issued
a compliance certificate.
Competence of licensed certifiers
The Roads and Maritime Services has assessed the competencies of persons registered as
licensed certifiers. The areas of competence for every licensed certifier are published on the
Roads and Maritime’s website. Only licensed certifiers identified as being competent in
brakes must be engaged in assessing and certifying vehicles with modifications to, or that
affect, their brakes.
Changes that do not require assessing or certification
The following are not considered to be modifications and do NOT require assessing or
certification:
1. Replacement of parts or components by identical or equivalent parts or components.
2. Replacement of parts or components with equivalent functional performance.
3. Optional parts or components as prescribed by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Modifications that require assessing
Table 1 sets out significant modifications that require the vehicle’s brake system to be
assessed. The vehicle may be subject to a single modification or a combination of
modifications. If the vehicle has been subject to a number of modifications, the assessment
must ensure that all the modifications are considered.
TABLE 1: MODIFICATIONS THAT REQUIRE BRAKE SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
Mod. Description
1 Relocation of brake pedal/master cylinder.
Typical example from the engine bay to the passenger compartment or the underside of the
vehicle and no other brake modifications.
2 Single-circuit master cylinder replaced with dual-circuit master cylinder with the same bore
diameter and no other brake modifications.
3 Conversion from left-hand drive to right-hand drive by re-fitting original brake master
cylinder/booster to right-hand side of vehicle or by cross-shafting the original brake master
cylinder/booster and no other brake modifications.
4 Fitting an ‘inline vacuum assisted’ brake booster or fitting a full power brake unit to an
unmodified braking system or to a modified braking system which has been previously
tested.
Typical vacuum assist example: PBR VH40/VH44.
Typical full power example: Chev/GMC unit.
5 Fitting a twin diaphragm, direct-acting brake booster in place of the original single
diaphragm, direct-acting brake booster.