ANALYSIS OF CURRENT NATIS CODES

THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT of Transport is responsible for administration of the National Transport Information System (NaTIS), but the Provincial Administrations are responsible for the capturing of the input of information into the system and the Local Authorities receive applications for vehicles to be registered on the NaTIS System.

No motor vehicle can be registered and licensed until it has been issued with a NaTIS number, and apart from the South African National Defence Force vehicles, every motor vehicle has to have a NaTIS number.

The National Department of Transport, via the NaTIS System, issues statistics relating to the number of motor vehicles registered in South Africa each year according to Vehicle Categories and Province of Registration.

On 30 November 2005 the attached statistics were recorded and published:

This information may be of interest to many people, but the concern of those involved in the Road Transport Industry is that the 203 349 motorised (self-propelled) and the 19 248 towed (trailers), vehicles are registered as Category of Vehicle – Unknown – Other. This situation is totally unacceptable.

All vehicles have to have a Code, as identified by NaTIS, and should not be Registered, issued with a Certificate of Roadworthiness and Licensed, unless they have a code.

Criticism has been expressed that the South African National Standards (SANS – previously SABS), do not communicate with the Local Registering Authorities and Roadworthy Testing Stations regarding Vehicle Codes – but – it must be pointed out that the criticism is not justified, as SANS does not decide on Vehicle Codes.

The NaTIS Division of the National Department of Transport issues a list of acceptable NaTIS Codes, see table at the end of this article.

This list is most confusing and indicates a total of some 84 codes which, in some cases, duplicate the same vehicle under different names, some are in conflict with the Road Traffic Act and Regulations and some are in conflict with the SANS Compulsory Vehicle Standards which are of course published under the authority of the Standards Act by the Department of Commerce and Industry.

Is it to be wondered that the poor official at the Licensing Department is so confused that he/she accepts "Code Unknown"?! After all, it is an acceptable Code published by NaTIS – Codes 0 and 00!

In a true spirit of constructive criticism, the following comment is made on the List of Codes published by NaTIS.

Codes No. 0 and 00 – Unknown

It would appear that NaTIS accepts that Unknown is an acceptable Vehicle Code - surely there is an urgent need to eliminate this unacceptable situation!

Codes Numbered A and 01, 02, 03, 04, 05

– Motor Cycle

Code A includes motor cycle, motor tricycle and quadrucycle, but Codes 02 and 03 only mention motor cycles with and without sidecars – why?

Further, the NaTIS Vehicle Registration Publication of registered vehicles only mentions motor cycles!

Code 03 is a scooter which is not defined in the Road Traffic Regulations, except under Road Traffic Signs. Therefore, the question may be asked – "What is a scooter and on what is the licence fee determined?".

Codes 04 and 05 are in respect of motor tricycles and motor quadrucycles, therefore what purpose does Code A serve?

Codes B,C,K,L & M.

The reference to light motor vehicle and heavy motor vehicle is only to be found in Road Traffic Regulation 155(5)(iii) and which deals only with Brakes on Vehicles. It cannot possibly be used as a NaTIS Code or as a Category of Motor Vehicles for any purpose other than Brake Performance.

Code U – Special Vehicle

Unless details of what is Special is specified, this could be subject to abuse and difficult to control.

There is no definition in the Act or Regulations, which makes it difficult to understand how compliance can be determined with a specification which does not exist!

Furthermore, a combi is not recognised in the Legislation and should not be used as a NaTIS Code as in the Industry it means a Combination vehicle – according to the body fitted, bakkie, van, microbus or minibus.

Codes 0-22 & 23 - Buses

(single and double deck).

What is the difference between a heavy passenger vehicle (12 or more persons), or a bus (more than 16 persons)?

A passenger vehicle with 14 seats – in terms of the Road Traffic Regulations, is defined as a Minibus (9 to 16 persons), but in terms of the NaTIS Code, it is a heavy passenger vehicle (more than 12 persons). What is it????

Code 24 – Bendibus/Bus Train

Why confuse the situation by introducing the expression Bendibus. There is no such vehicle, but there is a perfectly good and well understood definition of a Bus Train in the Legislation.

Code 31 – Pick-Up

In the Legislation there is no mention of a Pick-up. To what specification is a Pick-up checked for Homologation or Certificate of Roadworthiness?

Code 32 – Panel Van

A Panel Van is not a Vehicle Category, but only a body type, and a panel van has no specific design standard.

Codes 41 & 42 – Box Body and Van Body

There is no Standard Specification for a Box Body, in fact it is not known what is meant by a Box Body.

Code 32 is in respect of a Panel Van – now Code 42 is in respect of a Van Body!

What is the difference in the determination of Vehicle Categorisation?

Code 43 - Flat Deck/Platform Deck

This Code does not indicate to what vehicle the Deck is fitted? Is it a single Truck, Semi-Trailer or a Trailer? It has always been assumed that NaTIS Codes are in respect of Vehicle Categories and not just bodies.

Code 44 – Dropside Body

The same remark applies as was the case for Code 43.

Code 45 – Tipper

In the categorisation of Tippers, it is essential to identify the type of vehicle to which a Tipper Body is fitted – for example.

Tipper Truck - Side Tipping
Tipper Truck - End Tipping
Semi-Trailer - Side Tipping
Semi-Trailer - End Tipping

Code 46 – Compactor Body

A Compactor is associated with a Refuse Compactor and is classified as a Refuse Compactor Vehicle and is mentioned in Regulation 240(c)(i). Therefore, it is essential to identify a compactor as a vehicle for collecting and compacting refuse.

Code 47 – Equipment Platform/Low Bed

What Equpment Platform means is not a term used in the Industry and how it can be associated with a Vehicle Category is not known!

Low Bed is a term associated with Semi-Trailers, particularly Abnormal Load Semi-Trailers, but its use as a Vehicle Category is not considered necessary. It is suggested that a more useful and meaningful term would be Abnormal Vehicle as this would be inline and compatible with the Abnormal Load Policy TRH 11.

Code 48 – Logger Body

This is not a Vehicle Category, it is a type of body used in the Forestry Industry for the purpose of carrying logs. It has no specific definition or standard, and should not be used as a NaTIS Code.

Code 49 – Sheet Glass Body

This term has been used to describe a very special body for transporting large sheets of glass and is not a Vehicle Category. There is no definition or standard and similar bodies are used to carry crates of mineral waters, etc. To accept codes such as this into NaTIS would open a door for many more special bodies and the list would be a mile long!

Code 50 – Mixer

This Code is a genuine Vehicle Category, but the heading of the code must be more specific. There should be two headings -

(i) Concrete Mixer (truck mounted)
(ii) Concrete Mixer (semi-trailer mounted)

Code 51 – Tanker

This is a genuine Vehicle Category, but the heading must be more specific – for example -

(i) Road Tanker (truck mounted)
(ii) Road Tanker (trailer mounted)
(iii) Road Tanker (semi-trailer mounted)

Code 52 – Truck Tractor

With the imminent introduction of the Haulage Tractor into the Road Traffic Legislation, NaTIS should establish a Haulage Tractor, which is well defined, into the list of Codes acceptable to NaTIS.

Code 53 – Chassis Cab

This is a very genuine NaTIS Vehicle Code, but unfortunately not acceptable at many Licensing Departments at present – a lack of communication!

A similar code is needed for bus chassis which are accepted by some Authorities as Under Construction although such a term is not listed. More need for clarification!!

Code 54 – Chassis

This Code could well be used in the case of Bus Chassis.

Code 55 – Skeletal

This can be accepted as a Vehicle Category, but it should be defined somewhere, preferably in the Road Traffic Regulations to avoid any doubts as to what it is and it should have a basic specification.

Codes 56 & 57 – Adapter Dolly and Converter Dolly

These are genuine Vehicle Categories, they are well defined in the Road Traffic Regulations and are used in the Regulations.

Code 58 – Vehicle Carrier

An acceptable Vehicle Category, but it is essential that it is defined to avoid any vehicle capable of carrying another vehicle as a Vehicle Carrier. A better title would be a Vehicle Transporter which would be much easier to define.

Code 59 – Mesh Side Body

Enquiries in the Industry and the Authorities have failed to establish what this body is and any definition or specification!

Codes 61, 62 and 63 – Caravan, Tractor and Breakdown Vehicle

All three genuine categories, well defined and used in the Regulations.

Code 64 – Fire Engine

A genuine Vehicle Category, but the title must be changed to Fire Fighting Vehicle to be in line with the Road Traffic Act.

Code 65 – Ambulance

A genuine Vehicle Category well defined in the Road Traffic Act.

Code 66 – Rescue Vehicle

A Rescue Vehicle is not specifically defined in the Road Traffic Legislation, except for Road Traffic Signs but it is included in the definition of an Emergency Vehicle which covers a wider field of application and is defined. It is therefore suggested that Code 66 be changed to Emergency Vehicle.

Code 67 – Hearse

A HEARSE is not defined in the Act or Regulations, but it justifies being included as a Vehicle Category. If it is to be retained, it surely must be defined!

Code 68 – Grader

This is a vehicle used in Road-Making Operations and is but one of many such vehicles. If NaTIS is to include a Grader as a Vehicle Code, then what about a Scraper, a Tar/Bitumen Sprayer, Paver, etc? They will all have to be included!

Code A3 is in respect of a Road-Making Vehicle, surely this covers any vehicle specially designed or adapted for Road Making.

Code 69 – Compactor

This is a duplication of Code 46 and should be deleted.

Code 70 – Roller/Mobile Facility

A Roller is a Road-Making Vehicle and can be categorised as such and is covered in Code A3.

What is meant by Mobile Facility is not understood!

Code 71 – Loader/Pump Lifter

Loader can be regarded as a NaTIS Code, but the type of Loader must be specified. A Forklift Truck can be regarded as a Loader, and there are Front End Loaders, Sider Loaders for ISO Containers. The type of Loader should also be defined.

What is meant by Pump Lifter is not understood!

Code 72 – Crane

The type of Crane must be identified.

There are Mobile Cranes, Truck-mounted Cranes, Semi-Trailer-mounted Cranes, and they must be registered and licensed accordingly.

Code 73 – Tarmac Spreader

Presumably this is meant to mean a Tar/Bitumen Sprayer which could well be included in the Category – Road-Making Vehicle.

Incidentally, Tarmac is not spread – a vehicle which is used to Lay tarmac is called a Paver (worldwide).

Code 74 – Digger

It can only be assumed that this Code is intended to mean a Trench Digger, but it must be given a specification and a definition if it is to be retained as a NaTIS Vehicle Code.

Code 75 – Backacter

After many enquiries in the Industry, only one person has been found who is able to throw light on what is meant by the name Backacter.

Apparently, it is a name of a model of a J C Bamford (JCB) vehicle made in Britain and adapted for a number of applications, but is seldom if ever used these days. It could be deleted and, if needed, included under Code A3, A4 or A5 as needed.

Code 76 – Drill/Borer/Drain Cleaner

This is an interesting Code. There is a possible relationship between a Drill and a Borer, but the connection with a drain cleaner is not understood!

The type of Drill and Borer must be clarified to avoid confusion on registration and licensing.

Codes 77 & 78 – Generator/Compressor

These two codes are genuine Vehicle Categories, but they must be defined for registration and licensing clarification.

Code 79 – Sweeper/Crop Sprayer

This Code needs clarification. Sweeper is usually associated with a street sweeper which is in no way connected with a Crop Sprayer. (See also Comment on Code 73).

Code 80 – Pipelayer

This is presumably meant to mean a vehicle which is designed or adapted for laying pipes and should be defined and registered and licensed as such.

Code 81 – Harvester

This should be deleted and included under Code A9 – Agricultural Machine, which it genuinely is.

Code 82 – Baler/Mower

This Code is a typical example of a NaTIS Code being given a most confusing title, and not defined. Because the Baler is linked with the Mower, it can be assumed that it is intended to mean a vehicle to be used to bale grass after mowing, but there are other baling operations such as after harvesting.

Also, the type of Mower must be clarified and in order to justify a NaTIS Code, it must be a motor vehicle, not a motorised lawn mower!

Code 83 – Planter

This Code is genuinely an agricultural machine and should be deleted as a separate code and included under Code A9 and defined.

Code 84 – Hammer

A mobile Hammer is included in Regulation 21 as a Mobile Hammer which is not defined or specified. Now it is a NaTIS Code of Vehicle Category.

Enquiries in the Industry indicate no idea what a  Hammer is when related to a motor vehicle.

It should be defined and also what is the intended meaning of a Hammer?

Also, the inclusion of Crusher in the heading should be clarified.

Code A0 – Minibus (10 to 15 Persons)

As already mentioned in the comment in relation to the codes which include Code 21, there are definitions and Code 21 is a typical example in that there is no definition of a combi, but a minibus is included in the heading.

Furthermore, Code B is in relation to a Light passenger vehicle and makes reference to Less Than 12 Persons, but a light passenger vehicle is not defined in Section 1 of the Act or Regulation 1, the only reference to a LIGHT motor vehicle is found in Regulation 155(5)(a)(ii).

Admittedly, this sub-regulation is headed For The Purpose Of This Regulation, but it is the only place where a light and heavy motor vehicle is mentioned, therefore Codes B, C, K, L and M should be deleted from the NaTIS list.

Code A1 – Station Wagon

This is a genuine NaTIS Vehicle Code, but it should be defined in Regulation 1 and registered and licensed as a Station Wagon.

Code A2 – Hearse/Ambulance

A Hearse is dealt with in Code 67, and an Ambulance is dealt with in Code 65. Why duplicate?

Code A3 – Road Making

This Code needs to be very carefully specified exactly which roadmaking vehicles are intended to be included and they must be listed and specified. For example – Regulation 21 includes Road Making and attempts have been made to have conventional tip trucks classified as road making vehicles and earthmoving vehicles to be classified to obtain reduced licence fees – rightly they have been rejected!

Correctly defined acceptable road making vehicles such as graders would eliminate these problems.

Codes A4, A5 and A6 –
Earthmoving/Excavation/Construction

Exactly the same comments are made for these codes as were made for Code A3. They must be defined, specified or deleted as NaTIS Codes.

Code A7 – Mass/Diesel Cart – Farming

How this description became a NaTIS Vehicle Code is a total mystery! Unless an acceptable explanation can be given as to its meaning, it should be deleted.

Code A8 – Utility Vehicle

The heading of this Code could mean many types and categories of vehicles. Using the word Utility in the broadest context, any vehicle can be described as a Utility Vehicle, depending on the application, but it is sometimes used to describe a vehicle which can be used to convey goods or passengers. However, it should be defined properly.

Code A9 – Agricultural Vehicle

This Code incorporates a list of what Agricultural Machines should be included and they all should be specified. Also, codes such as 81 – Harvester, 83 – Planter, are agricultural equipment and if they are included in A9, could be deleted.

Code B6 – Mobile Equipment

The Code Mobile Equipment has been used as a Vehicle Category in applications for registration and licensing and has been rejected because no such description is included in the Homologation or Vehicle Category Systems. Without any definition of what is Mobile Equipment, the code is far too wide and undefined! For example, a Mobile Crane (72), a Tar Sprayer (73), a Mobile Generator (77), etc. etc., could all be classified as Mobile Equipment.

CONCLUSIONS

In making a general overview of these NaTIS Codes, it is interesting to note that there is a conspicuous absence of some vehicles which adorn the South African Market in large numbers, but omitted from the NaTIS list. For example, Drawbar Trailers and Semi-Trailers are not included. Truck mounted, Concrete Mixer (if defined), Self-Propelled Caravan (if defined), Fork Lift Truck (if defined), and there may be others.

These comments and suggestions are made in a spirit of constructive criticism in an effort to eliminate much of the frustration which currently exists amongst those involved in the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles, Road Transport Operators, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers.

Finally, there are those in the Private Sector such as the IRTE Technical Committee, who are capable and willing to assist the National Department of Transport in producing a list of acceptable vehicle codes to the benefit and satisfaction of all.