WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS (COF)?
A Certificate of Fitness (CoF) is a regular safety inspection required for:
​
-
Heavy vehicles (e.g. trucks, motorhomes, trailers over 3,500kg GVM)
-
Passenger service vehicles (e.g. taxis, shuttles, buses)
-
Rental vehicles
There are two types:
-
CoF A – Light vehicles under 3,500kg GVM (taxis, Ubers, shuttles)
-
CoF B – Heavy vehicles over 3,500kg GVM (motorhomes, trucks)
TOWBAR COMPLIANCE FOR COF A & COF B VEHICLES
CoF A ​
Towbars must be labelled with:
-
Make and model
-
Towing capacity
-
Towbar code
-
Build number
-
Vertical load rating
CoF B:
Towbars must be:
-
Designed and engineered to NZS standards
-
Installed and certified by a heavy vehicle certifing engineer
-
Issued an LT400 Certificate and compliance plate
WHAT IS AN LT400 CERTIFICATE?
The LT400 is an official certification issued by a Waka Kotahi–approved heavy vehicle certifier. It confirms your towbar and installation meet the NZ safety and engineering standards for heavy vehicles. It’s required when presenting your vehicle for a CoF B inspection.
You’ll receive:
-
An LT400 certificate (uploaded to Waka Kotahi) Heavy Vehicle Compliance Certificate
-
A compliance plate fixed to the vehicle or issued separately
Towbar Compliance Plate
LT400 Certificate
WHY CHOOSE LOADMASTER
-
NZS-compliant towbar designs
-
LT400 Certification through trusted partners
-
Experience with complex setups (e.g. campers, 5th wheelers and trucks)
-
Custom engineering solutions for vehicles like campers with chassis extensions
-
Solutions for rear obstructions (tanks, septic systems)
-
Camera integration and height setup for safe towing
-
Guidance on GVM, GCM, and towing mass limits
SPECIALIST TOWBAR SOLUTINS
-
Campervans and motorhomes
-
Trucks and 5th wheel setups
-
Passenger buses requiring Low Volume Certification (PSV)
-
Motorhomes with chassis extension