Roadworthy and safety certificates explained
A roadworthy or safety certificate confirms a vehicle passed a basic safety check on the day. Whether one is needed when a vehicle is sold depends on the state, and it is never a guarantee of mechanical condition.
Short answer
A roadworthy certificate (called a safety certificate in Queensland) shows that a vehicle met basic safety standards when it was inspected. The rules on when one is required for a sale are set by each state and territory and are not the same. In every state, the certificate is a safety check, not a report on the vehicle's mechanical condition.
The names differ around the country: roadworthy certificate, safety certificate, safety inspection report or "pink slip". The idea is the same. An authorised inspector checks a list of safety items and issues a certificate if the vehicle passes.
What the inspection covers
The inspection looks at the parts that make a vehicle safe to drive on a public road. Queensland and Victoria list items such as:
- tyres and wheels
- brakes
- steering and suspension
- seats and seatbelts
- lights and reflectors
- windscreen, windows, wipers and washers
- body rust or damage, and the vehicle's structure
What it does not cover
This is the part buyers most often get wrong. Both Queensland and Victoria say plainly that the inspection is not a full mechanical check:
- It does not tell you the vehicle is mechanically reliable, or how long anything will last.
- It does not check items that are not safety related, such as air conditioning or electric windows.
- It does not promise that the items checked will keep working. A brake light can fail the day after the inspection.
Warning
A certificate tells you the vehicle was safe enough to drive on the day it was tested. If you want to know its overall condition, arrange an independent mechanical inspection as well. See the used car inspection checklist.
How three states handle a sale
These are examples, checked on the date shown in the sources below. Rules, fees and time limits change, and the other states and territories have their own. Always confirm with the transport authority for the state the vehicle is registered in.
| Queensland | Victoria | New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Safety certificate | Roadworthy certificate | Safety inspection report ("pink slip") |
| Needed to transfer a registered vehicle to a new owner | Yes | Yes, when selling a car | Not when transferring a current NSW registration |
| Who provides it | The seller must give it to the buyer | Check with Transport Victoria | Not applicable for a current registration |
| How long it lasts | Private sellers: 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first | 30 days from issue | Not applicable for a current registration |
Queensland
A safety certificate is needed when a registered vehicle is transferred to a new owner. It applies to cars, motorcycles, and trailers and caravans within certain weight limits. The seller must obtain it and give it to the buyer, and can be fined for not doing so. The buyer cannot transfer the registration without it. A certificate from a private seller is valid for 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first, and for one transfer only. Certificates from licensed motor dealers are valid for 3 months or 1,000 km. Some situations are exempt, including some remote areas and transfers between spouses.
Victoria
A roadworthy certificate is needed when selling a car, re-registering it, or clearing some defect notices. It is current for 30 days from the date of issue. If a car fails the first inspection, the owner has 14 days to fix the problems and have it rechecked before a new test has to be paid for. Some vehicles are exempt.
New South Wales
When a vehicle with a current NSW registration changes hands, a safety inspection report is not needed for the transfer, and the compulsory third party insurance transfers to the new owner automatically. The buyer must transfer the registration within 14 days to avoid a late fee.
What this means if you are buying
- Ask the seller early whether a certificate is required in their state and whether they have one.
- Check the date on it. An old certificate may have expired.
- Do not treat it as your inspection. Do your own checks and consider a mechanic.
- If you are buying across a state border, the vehicle will usually need to be registered in your home state, which has its own inspection rules. Ask your own transport authority before you commit.
What this means if you are selling
Find out what your state requires before you list, and allow time for the inspection and any repairs. Mentioning a current certificate in your listing answers a question most buyers will ask. See how to sell a car privately.
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Related guides
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Rules and processes differ between states and territories and change over time: always confirm with the authority for where you live. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.
- Queensland Government, Safety certificates (checked )
- Transport Victoria, Roadworthy certificate (checked )
- Service NSW, Transfer a vehicle registration (checked )