This subpart provides for the approval and certification of individual road vehicles that comply with the technical requirements in § 115.51.

A written request for approval of an individual road vehicle may be made by the owner, or carrier to a Certifying Authority and must include:

(a) Three copies, each no larger than 3 feet by 4 feet, of the Customs and TIR plan;

(b) Customs and TIR plan number;

(c) Three copies of the specifications which include the following information:

(1) Type of vehicle;

(2) Name and business address of owner or operator;

(3) Name of the manufacturer;

(4) Chassis number;

(5) Engine number (if applicable);

(6) Registration number;

(7) Particulars of construction;

(8) Any photos or diagrams required by the Certifying Authority to facilitate approval; and

(9) A proposed place and date for inspection of the road vehicle.

A road vehicle may be submitted for inspection by its owner or operator to a Certifying Authority of the country in which the owner or operator is a resident or is established, or where the vehicle is registered.

A road vehicle that is submitted for inspection for individual approval must comply with the requirements of Annex 2 of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), November 14, 1975, (TIAS). Copies of Annex 2 may be obtained from the Headquarters, U.S. Customs Service, Office of Field Operations, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229.

The Certifying Authority shall issue a certificate of approval, valid for 2 years, to each road vehicle that complies with the applicable requirements in § 115.51.

A certificate of approval must be kept on the vehicle as evidence of approval.

A certificate of approval may be renewed if the Certifying Authority determines by inspection every 2 years that the vehicle continues to comply with the applicable requirements in § 115.51.

Approval of a road vehicle terminates:

(a) Upon expiration of the certificate of approval; or

(b) Upon a change in the road vehicle by a major repair or alteration of any of the essential features required in § 115.51. Repairs by replacement in kind do not constitute a change of the essential features.