This subpart provides for the approval and certification of road vehicles manufactured by design type.

Any manufacturer of road vehicles which are being manufactured in a type series from a standard design and specifications, so that each road vehicle has identical characteristics, may apply for an approval by design type.

A manufacturer may apply for approval of a road vehicle by design type to a Certifying Authority of the country in which the road vehicle is manufactured, if such country is a contracting party to the TIR Convention, 1975.

Each application by a manufacturer for certification of a road vehicle by design type 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) The name and address of the manufacturer and the owner; and

(2) A description of the road vehicle including the:

(i) Particulars of construction;

(ii) Dimensions;

(iii) Construction materials; and

(iv) Marks and numbers, including chassis, engine, and registration numbers.

(d) A statement signed by the manufacturer that:

(1) It will present vehicles of the type concerned to the Certifying Authority which that Authority may wish to examine;

(2) Permit the Certifying Authority to examine further units at any time during or after the production run;

(3) Notify the Certifying Authority of each change in the design or specifications before adoption;

(4) Mark the road vehicles in a visible place with the identification number or letters of the design type and the serial number of the vehicle in the type series manufacturer's number; and

(5) Keep a record of vehicles manufactured according to the design type.

(a) A manufacturer or owner who wants road vehicles to be approved by design type must submit the plans and specifications of the road vehicles to the Certifying Authority.

(b) The Certifying Authority that examines the plans and specifications submitted in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall:

(1) Approve the plans and specifications in accordance with the requirements of § 115.65 and arrange to inspect a road vehicle in accordance with § 115.66; or

(2) Advise the applicant of any necessary changes to be made for compliance with the requirements of § 115.65.

(c) If changes in design of the road vehicle are made during production but after approval of the plans and specifications by the Certifying Authority, the manufacturer shall immediately notify the Certifying Authority and furnish it with “as-built” drawings of the road vehicle so that the plans can be reviewed and one or more road vehicles inspected during the production stage to confirm that they continue to comply with the requirements of § 115.65.

The plans and specifications of a road vehicle that are submitted in accordance with the requirements contained in § 115.64, and the one or more road vehicles that are inspected in accordance with the requirements of § 115.66, 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.

(a) Before the issuance of a certificate of approval by design type, the Certifying Authority shall:

(1) Make a physical examination of one or more vehicles of the production series concerned;

(2) Assure itself as to the adequacy of the manufacturer's system to control quality of materials used, manufacturing methods, and finished road vehicles; and

(3) Require the manufacturer to make available to the Certifying Authority records of materials, including affidavits furnished by suppliers.

(b) The Certifying Authority shall conduct such examinations, inspections, and testing of the production run road vehicles as it deems necessary.

The holder of the approval certificate shall, before using the vehicle for the carriage of goods under the cover of a TIR Carnet, fill in as may be required on the approval certificate:

(a) The registration number given to the vehicle (item No. 1); or

(b) In the case of a vehicle not subject to registration, particulars of his name and business address (item No. 8). (See Annex 4 of the Convention for model of certificate of approval.)

Any road vehicle whose essential features are changed shall no longer be covered by the design type approval. Such a road vehicle may be made available to a Certifying Authority for inspection and individual approval in accordance with subpart E of this part. However, repairs in kind do not constitute a change of the essential features.