Ensure your car is roadworthy

Staying on top of your roadworthy certificate is essential to keeping your car safe and legally compliant. But navigating the process can be confusing, especially with different rules in each state. Whether you’re buying, selling, or re-registering a vehicle, a proper inspection ensures your car is fit for the road.

At Ultra Tune, our approved locations across Australia conduct thorough roadworthy inspections in line with state regulations. As an Approved Inspection Station, Authorised Inspection Station (AIS), or Licensed Vehicle Tester, we are authorised to issue Roadworthy Certificates (RWC) upon completion. Our experienced, fully licensed testers follow strict safety protocols to assess your vehicle, ensuring it meets legal standards.

You can book a roadworthy certificate inspection at Ultra Tune locations in NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, TAS, and NT – making it easier than ever to keep your car roadworthy!

Roadworthy Certificates - What You Need to Know

Getting a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) is a necessary step in ensuring your vehicle meets safety standards, but the requirements vary depending on your state or territory. No matter where you are in Australia, it’s essential to have your vehicle inspected by a licensed professional authorised to issue RWCs.

When booking your roadworthy certificate inspection, expect the process to take 2-4 hours.
The inspection typically includes:
● A detailed photo record of your vehicle
● A comprehensive road test
● A full safety check in accordance with your state’s regulations

Rego Inspection & Roadworthy Certificate - FAQs

A roadworthy certificate, also known as a safety certificate, is an official document proving a vehicle has passed a safety inspection and meets the required standards for road use, ensuring it is safe and in proper working condition.

– A roadworthy certificate (RWC) in Victoria is valid for 30 days from the date issued.
– In NSW, a roadworthy certificate, also known as a pink slip or eSafety check, is valid for six months. For the safety check to remain valid, you must renew your vehicle registration within this six-month period.
– In Queensland, a roadworthy (safety) certificate is valid for 2 months or 2,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, for private sellers, and 3 months or 1,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, for licensed motor vehicle dealers.

The average cost for a roadworthy certificate for cars and light vehicles up to 4.5 tons GVM typically ranges from $120 to $180. The total cost will vary depending on the state and will include the government fee plus any additional charges for labor, mobile fees, same-day service fees, or other add-ons.

To get a roadworthy certificate (RWC), you need to take your vehicle to an approved inspection station (AIS) like Ultra Tune for a safety inspection, which assesses various components for roadworthiness, and upon passing, they will issue the certificate.

You can sell a car without a safety certificate, but you may need to sell the car as unregistered. In this case, the new owner is responsible for obtaining a roadworthy certificate before registering the vehicle in their name.

“Inspection required” on your car registration means you need a Certificate of Roadworthiness (RWC), which is a safety inspection, before you can sell the vehicle or re-register it.

For additional queries about our car services, please visit our FAQs page or speak with our team of experts for more information.

Need a roadworthy certificate? Book your inspection with Ultra Tune and drive with confidence today!

In NSW, light vehicles (with a Gross Vehicle Mass below 4.5 tonnes) that are over 5 years old require an annual roadworthy certificate to renew their registration. This certificate is also known as a vehicle safety check or an eSafety pink slip. At Ultra Tune, we offer roadworthy certificates (pink slips) for light vehicles, motorbikes, and trailers, which can be obtained up to 6 months before the registration expiry date.

To get a roadworthy certificate (pink slip) in NSW, you need to book an inspection at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS). If your vehicle fails the initial inspection, you have 14 days to fix the roadworthy issue and return for a second inspection. The results of the inspection are then lodged with Roads and Maritime Services, which allows you to renew your registration online once you’ve obtained your green slip insurance.

If your registration has lapsed for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a blue slip.

Roadworthy certificates, also known as certificates of roadworthiness, roadworthy, or RWC, are required in VIC for various situations, such as

  • selling a registered light vehicle
  • transferring registration to a new owner
  • re-registering an unregistered vehicle
  • clearing a vehicle defect notice
  • transferring registration from another state/territory.

To obtain a roadworthy certificate in VIC, you need to book an inspection at a Licensed Vehicle Tester. If your vehicle fails the initial inspection, you have 14 days to rectify the issues and return for a second inspection. At Ultra Tune, we can provide an electronic certificate or eCertificate, which is valid for 30 days from the issue date. You must present the roadworthy certificate to VicRoads to complete your vehicle sale, transfer, registration, or defect clearance.

In QLD, a roadworthy certificate, also known as a safety certificate, is required when selling a registered light vehicle, transferring registration to a new owner, transferring to QLD registration from another state/territory, or re-registering an unregistered vehicle. If you have a ride share, you need to obtain an annual Certificate of Inspection (COI), which Ultra Tune can issue.

To obtain a roadworthy certificate (safety certificate) in QLD, you need to book an inspection at an Approved Inspection Station. If your vehicle fails the initial inspection, you have 14 days to rectify the issues and return for a second inspection. If successful, you will be issued with an Inspection Certificates Online (ICO) roadworthy certificate (safety certificate).

If your registration lapses for over 90 days, you need to obtain a blue slip.

When do you need a roadworthy certificate in ACT?

Selling a vehicle over 6 years old
Transferring ownership of a vehicle over 6 years old
Transferring to ACT registration from another state/territory
Clearing a vehicle defect notice
Reinstating a registration that has lapsed for over 12 months
Registering or renewing a public vehicle (including rideshare vehicles)

How to get a roadworthy certificate in ACT?

Book your vehicle for a roadworthy inspection at an Ultra Tune Authorised Inspection Station to obtain a roadworthy certificate. If your vehicle fails the first roadworthy inspection you have 30 days to rectify the roadworthy issue and return for the second inspection. Once issued, your roadworthy certificate is valid for 30 days from the issue date.

When do you need a blue slip?

If your registration lapses for over 90 days you need to obtain a blue slip.

To obtain a roadworthy certificate in the Northern Territory (NT), inspections are required when vehicles reach 5 years old and 10 years old, and require a continuing annual inspection from 10 years. To get a roadworthy certificate in NT, you can book an inspection with an Authorised Inspector or a Vehicle Inspection Facility (aka Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR)). All vehicle inspection types can be done by an Authorised Inspector at an independent store, but if you need a compliance check this will need to be done at a Vehicle Inspection Facility (MVR). If your vehicle fails the first roadworthy inspection, you have 42 days to rectify the roadworthy issue and return for the second inspection. The electronic certificate is issued directly to the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR).

You will need a blue slip in NT if your registration lapses for over 90 days.

In Tasmania, you need a roadworthy certificate in various circumstances such as

  • for vehicles that are not currently registered in Tasmania
  • when reinstating a Tasmanian registration that has lapsed for over three months
  • when clearing a vehicle defect notice
  • for economically written-off vehicles that have been repaired and intended for use
  • for vehicles that have been issued a call-in notice
  • for registering or renewing a public passenger vehicle including rideshare vehicles

To obtain a roadworthy certificate in TAS, you can book an inspection at an Approved Inspection Station. If your vehicle fails the first inspection, you have 30 days to rectify the issue and return for a second inspection. If successful, you will receive a handwritten roadworthy certificate. If your registration lapses for over 90 days, you need to obtain a blue slip.

In SA, a roadworthy certificate, also known as a safety certificate, is required when selling a registered light vehicle, transferring registration to a new owner, transferring to SA registration from another state/territory, or re-registering an unregistered vehicle. If you have a ride share, you need to obtain an annual Certificate of Inspection (COI), which Ultra Tune can issue.

To obtain a roadworthy certificate (safety certificate) in SA, you need to book an inspection at an Approved Inspection Station. If your vehicle fails the initial inspection, you have 14 days to rectify the issues and return for a second inspection. If successful, you will be issued with an Inspection Certificates Online (ICO) roadworthy certificate (safety certificate).

If your registration lapses for over 90 days, you need to obtain a blue slip.

In WA, a roadworthy certificate, also known as a safety certificate, is required when selling a registered light vehicle, transferring registration to a new owner, transferring to WA registration from another state/territory, or re-registering an unregistered vehicle. If you have a ride share, you need to obtain an annual Certificate of Inspection (COI), which Ultra Tune can issue.

To obtain a roadworthy certificate (safety certificate) in WA, you need to book an inspection at an Approved Inspection Station. If your vehicle fails the initial inspection, you have 14 days to rectify the issues and return for a second inspection. If successful, you will be issued with an Inspection Certificates Online (ICO) roadworthy certificate (safety certificate).

If your registration lapses for over 90 days, you need to obtain a blue slip.

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