Eddy Langmair

Vehicle Identity Assessment Station (VIDAS) DTEI in South Australia

It appeared SA was a dumping ground for re-birthed / re-identified vehicles under theguise of written-off vehicles. The interstate successes when inspecting these vehicles meantthat SA was falling behind and would continue to do so if a new inspection processaimed at identifying vehicles of interest was not introduced

November 1st 2004 South Australia implemented new legislation through aredesigned Inspection regime for the purpose of coming into line with the other Statesand Territories in Australia when inspecting and processing registration requests specificallytargeting repaired Written-Off Vehicles

Vehicle Identity Assessment Station (VIDAS) DTEI in South Australia

The Vehicle Identity function was undertaken in South Australia by theSouth Australian Police (SAPOL) until 1996 when it was decided that this function was notcore business of SAPOL

The function of conducting Vehicle Identity/Stolen Vehicle checks was then handed over toTransport SA. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles was seen as the major stakeholder for thisresponsibility as identified in the Motor Vehicles Act 1959

Initially there were 2 inspectors employed in this area, but with high volumes of vehiclesundergoing identity inspections on any given day, staff resources were readily identified asinadequate. Growth over time sees the team conducting Vehicle Identity inspections inSA presently at 13 inspectors

Vehicle Identity Assessment Station (VIDAS) DTEI in South Australia

Vehicle Identity Assessment TeamCoordinator, Eddy Langmair4 x Tier 3 Assessors1 x Tier 3 Assistant Investigator1 x Tier 2 Supervisor6.5 x Tier 2 Assessors (6 metro & 0.5 Mt Gambier)1 x Receptionist (also a gazetted assessor)

Vehicle Identity Inspection Authorities

Identity Inspector Government Gazetted Authorities

Vehicle identity assessment officers are an Officer of the Safety and Regulation Division for the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure

Each inspector is an Authorised Officer under to: -• Road Traffic Act and Regulations 1961• Motor Vehicles Act and Regulations 1959

Inspectors are required to: -Conduct vehicle identity assessmentsConduct basic vehicle safety checks

Issue ‘Notice of Defect’ to un-roadworthy vehiclesSeize Suspect or Stolen Vehicles for further investigationsto be conducted by the South Australian Police (SAPOL)

Vehicle Identity Inspections are conducted in South Australia on all -

Interstate transfers – change of ownershipImported vehicles – RAWS / Personal / 15yr plusModified vehiclesVehicles of InterestRepaired Written-OffVehicles directed by Registrar of Motor Vehicles

VIDAS Inspections Station locationsRegency Park, Adelaide, Monday to FridayBedford Park, Adelaide, Wednesdays & Thursday onlyMt Gambier, South East, ½ days Monday to Friday

Vehicle Identity Assessment Station (VIDAS) DTEI in South Australia

Vehicle Inspection Categories

Level One – Identity InspectionsNew Vehicle Dealerships – registering new vehicles

Level Two – Identity InspectionsTier 1

Vehicle Dealerships with Authorised persons conductingidentity inspections on vehicles they guarantee title

• Tier 2Identity inspections conducted by VIDAS assessors(Adelaide) SA Police (Country & Rural areas)

• Tier 3Inspection of ‘Repaired Written-Off Vehicles’ conductedby VIDAS assessors only

Level Three – Roadworthy Inspectionsconducted State-wide by DTEI Vehicle Inspectors

Level 2 Tier 1

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 1 - Vehicle DealershipsPersons authorised by the Registrar of Motor VehiclesConduct identity inspections on vehicles dealership guarantees titleUndertake physical inspection of vehicle and record identity dataCompletes application for registration – MR29AFax MR29A to VIDAS inspection office for processing by assessor

Pass report authorised/stamped by inspector then faxed backto dealershipFail report – Reject report faxed to dealership – vehicle directedto attend VIDAS for inspection by DTEI assessor

Vehicle dealerships Approved Persons can not undertake identity inspectionson the following types of vehicles: -imports, modified, vehicles unladen mass > 4500kgs, Non-compliance plated, Left hand drive converted to right hand drive, blue modified plateA fee of $28 is applicable for 2008/2009

Level 2 Tier 2

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 2 - Identity inspections conducted by VIDAS assessorsDTEI assessors undertake inspections on all vehicles garaged inmetropolitan area1 part-time DTEI assessor located in Mount Gambier for South East region

SA Police conduct identity inspections for all vehicles garagedin Country & Rural areas > 40 km from Adelaide GPO

Vehicles found to be imported or modified are re-directed toDTEI for identity and roadworthy inspections

Level 2 Tier 3

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 - Inspection of Repaired Written-Off vehicles Conducted only by DTEI Inspectors in South Australia

VIDAS assessors < 100 km from Adelaide GPOVehicle Inspectors > 100 km from Adelaide GPO

Country inspectionsAll required documentation is faxed by owner to VIDASDocumentation investigated by VIDAS investigator assistantSystem WOV checks conducted by VIDAS investigator assistantDocumentation and system checks complete, vehicle approved forphysical inspection and booking finalisedAny vehicles of interest – a Tier 3 assessor might travel to the countryto conduct inspection or the vehicle is directed to VIDAS station

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Booking and Inspection RequirementsTier 3 inspections are booked for a 1.5 hour inspection times

Fee is applicable of $248Client informed to provide the following documentation at timeof inspection

Original tax receipt for the purchase of Written-Off Vehicle (WOV)Original tax receipt for the repairs to the WOVOriginal tax receipt for all major components used in the repair

Identify part source – new / after market / second-handSecond-hand parts to include donor vehicle identity

Passed inspections can then book for roadworthy inspectionFailed inspections require booking for T3 recheck – fee $29 applies

Level 2 Tier 3

Level 2 Tier 3

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Inspection ProcessRepaired WOV inspected in customer free secure inspection areaInspector undertakes –

Assessment of vehicle IdentityInvestigate the recorded damage areasInvestigate the reported/documented repairsAssess all documentation provided by clientObtain vehicle data and WOV records from local & National data basesAssess all available information provided by client and registrationdata base for consistency and legitimacy– checks & balances approach

Level 2 Tier 3

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Vehicle Assessment successfulAll documentation, vehicle repairs and system data support vehiclepresentedNo Identity concerns or outstanding issuesVehicle approved for roadworthy inspection and ultimately registration

Tier 3 – Vehicle Assessment not successfulIssues with provided documentationCritical concerns with repairs – further major work still requiredSuspicion with vehicle componentsSuspicion with vehicle identity

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Vehicle Assessment not successfulIssues with provided documentation

Receipt not originalReceipt not tax receipt (quote)Receipt not identifying repaired vehicleDonor vehicle identification not provided on receiptMore replacement parts identified – not receiptedReceipt does not provide basic receipting information

VendorPurchaserDateCostsAustralian Business Number

Receipt does not reflect vehicle repairs or components reportedas used in repair

Level 2 Tier 3

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Vehicle Assessment not successfulCritical concerns with repairs – further major work still required

Repairs sub standardChassis miss-alignmentRepair methods not reflecting industry Standards for repairBody fill used inappropriately not meeting industry Standardsof repair method

Major panel repair or replacement still required

Level 2 Tier 3

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Vehicle Assessment not successfulSuspicion with vehicle components

Receipts do not reflect components usedModel indifferencesColour differences

• Parts from different models utilised to upgrade wrecked vehicle

• DataDots origin from other vehicle• Donor vehicle receipt information differs from DataDot

information

Level 2 Tier 3

Level Two – Identity Inspections

Tier 3 – Vehicle Assessment not successfulSuspicion with vehicle identity

Compliance plate, manufacture plates re-affixedChassis/VIN stamping suspectFirewall/bulkhead replacementSection containing VIN tamperedVehicle date codes inconsistentBase colour indifferenceMultiple colour variationsInconsistent identity dataObvious identity tampering

Level 2 Tier 3

Seizing Suspect or Stolen Vehicles

Suspect Vehicles

A suspect vehicle can be identified by an assessor as any of the following: -Any vehicle with obvious identification tampering

Altered chassis / VIN stampingsAltered compliance plate fixingsIncorrect identity labelling

Receipts supplied by client do not appear genuine, falsifiedReceipts for major components do not concur with repairers receiptDataDot identification conflicts with vehicle identityEvidence of Re-birthingIdentity from Repairable vehicle refitted to Statutory Write-Off

& more

Seizing Suspect or Stolen Vehicles

Seizing a Suspect Vehicle

A suspect vehicle must be seized by the assessor for further SAPOLInvestigation, this process includes: -

Informing clients vehicle to be seized for SAPOL investigationProcess vehicle within the required “Chain of Evidence” proceduresVehicle receipted and surrendered by clientVehicle photographed showing condition at time of seizing

ScratchesDamage areasSpeedo including current kmAreas of concern leading to assessors suspicion

Full written report produced for SAPOL officers

Seizing a Suspect Vehicle

File prepared for SAPOL, this includes: -Copy of client receipt for seizuredetailed reports, incl –

client address and contact detailsany client statementsany receipts from client made availableaddressing each of the identified suspect issues

Photographs of vehicle, interior and exteriorSAPOL storage report

Seizing Suspect or Stolen Vehicles

Seizing Suspect or Stolen Vehicles

Seizing a Suspect Vehicle

SAPOL arrange for full lift Exhibit towSAPOL patrol attendComplete vehicle file presented to patrol officerReceipt sought from

Tow truck operatorPatrol officer – transfer possession of vehicle

SAPOL patrol to escort suspect vehicle to Forensic Response Groupinspection stationClient communicates with SAPOL investigating officer

SAPOL matter not VIDASSAPOL notify VIDAS of progress and eventually investigationoutcomeSAPOL investigator E-mails or faxes final report to assessor

SAPOL Investigation Finalized

Stolen Vehicle

Returned to legal owner, person or insurance companyIf no financial interest by previous parties then client havingpurchased vehicle legally would regain possession

Suspect VehicleOriginal identity cannot be established

Vehicle returned to current legal ownerVehicle not for registration

Original identity establishedReturned to legal owner, person or insurance companyIf no financial interest by previous parties then client havingpurchased vehicle legally would regain possession

In the case of identification established, but ID tags present at time of inspectionwere not correct then these plates would be removed and a surrogate VIN / Chassis number (INVEST) would be issued by DTEI

Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure

Any Questions

Thankyou for this opportunity to share with youhow we do it in South Australia

Eddy Langmair, Coordinator Vehicle Identity Assessment