When it comes to passenger vehicles, safety touches every aspect of the fitout — from the vehicle model itself to seating standards, boarding, luggage separation and driver protection.
One significant consideration for many operators is the Certificate of Fitness (CoF). For vehicles that need one, our team will guide you through the specific layout and fitout requirements at the discovery stage — ensuring everything is designed in from the outset. We also handle the first CoF certification as part of the fitout process. For vehicles that don’t require a CoF, we’ll design to your specific needs.
Either way, there are a range of safety features worth considering for any passenger vehicle fitout — they make every journey safer for your passengers and driver.
Seating and restraint: Every seat we specify is crash-tested and certified to NZ safety standards, with proper seatbelt anchorage at every position.
Safety accessories: First aid kits, fire extinguishers and safety stickers, supplied and fitted as part of your build.
Child restraints: For vehicles carrying young children, we can include iso fix anchor brackets to support correct installation of approved child seats.
Luggage separation: Your layout can include a rear bulkhead to keep bags out of the passenger cabin, eliminating the risk of shifting loads during sudden stops. Options include a steel tube bulkhead or a more premium upholstered version (with optional shelf and LED lighting).
Driver protection: Partition and barrier options separate the driver from the passenger area, improving driver safety and reducing in-transit distraction.
Boarding: Steps and grab handles make boarding and alighting safer for all passengers. For operators with specific accessibility requirements, (see our accessibility fitout options).
Vehicle advice: We only work with vehicle models with a proven safety record so your fitout starts from a solid foundation. We’re happy to provide consultation on the most suitable make and model for your needs.
CoF Certification: Where required, we handle the first CoF certification as part of the fitout process.
When is a CoF required?
In New Zealand, a CoF is required if:
- Your vehicle’s GVM exceeds 3.5 tonnes: a CoF is required regardless of how the vehicle is registered or used.
- Your vehicle is registered as a Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV): a CoF is required even if the GVM is under 3.5 tonnes. A PSV is any vehicle used to carry passengers for hire or reward, including shuttle services, tour operators, hotel transfers, healthcare transport and taxis.
