How long does a roadworthy certificate last?

Whether you're selling, buying or registering a car, it's likely you'll need a roadworthy certificate or safety check at some point in your car ownership journey.

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It may have a different name depending on where you live – like a 'safety certificate' in Queensland or a 'pink slip' in New South Wales – but checking a vehicle's roadworthiness is often an essential part of having it registered.

During a roadworthy inspection or safety check, an authorised mechanic will check the functionality of things like the vehicle's brakes, steering, tyres and rims, suspension and drive line.

When buying from a licensed dealer, the dealer is obligated to ensure new and used cars and safe and roadworthy, but buying privately can be more of a grey area.

Currently, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria are the only states that require registered vehicles to have a roadworthy or safety inspection before they are sold privately.

New South Wales is the only state requiring an annual inspection of cars more than five years old, while the Northern Territory requires vehicles over 10 years old to be checked annually in order to have their registration renewed.

To find out the roadworthy rules in your state or territory, keep reading.

A roadworthy certificate or RWC is required in Victoria "whenever a vehicle's sold, if it's being re-registered, and to clear some defect notices", according to VicRoads. "A vehicle may be exempt from roadworthiness requirements if it is not designed for carrying passengers or goods or is a specially constructed vehicle."

"A roadworthy is considered 'current' and valid for a period of 30 days from the date of issue," VicRoads says.

Can you sell a car without a RWC in Victoria?

You can only sell a car without a RWC in Victoria if that car is unregistered, or its registration has been cancelled.

Do I need a roadworthy in Queensland?

Queensland calls a roadworthy a "safety certificate" and you'll need one when you're transferring registration to a new owner, transferring a vehicle's registration to Queensland from another state or territory or re-registering an unregistered vehicle.

How long does a roadworthy last in Queensland?

For licensed motor dealers, safety certificates are valid for three months or 1000km (whichever comes first) from the date of issue. For all other sellers, safety certificates are valid for two months or 2000km (whichever comes first).

According to Queensland Transport and Main Roads, you can use the same safety certificate to register an unregistered vehicle and then transfer the registration, as long as you do this within the limits set out previously.

However, you will need to get a new safety certificate every time you sell a vehicle, even if you sell it within the limits set out previously. A single safety certificate can be used for one transfer only.

Can you sell a car without a RWC in Queensland?

"Vehicles that are unregistered or are traded to, or between, licensed motor dealers do not need a safety certificate. Vehicles can still be sold for parts, but they must be de-registered before being sold," TMR Queensland states.

Do I need a roadworthy in NSW?

In New South Wales, cars more than five years old need a yearly safety inspection report, also known as a pink slip, in order to renew their registration. If you're unsure of your vehicle's age, don't worry – NSW residents will receive a registration renewal notice which will tell them when they need an inspection.

For new cars that don't need a pink slip, the five-year exemption period is calculated from the month and year on the vehicle’s compliance plate. For imported vehicles, the five-year exemption period is calculated from the month and year of the vehicle’s manufacture.

How long does a pink slip last?

You will need to renew your vehicle registration within six months for the safety inspection report or pink slip to be valid, Service NSW advises.

Can you sell a car without a pink slip?

Yes, you can sell a car without a pink slip in NSW. If you purchase an unregistered car, in order to re-register the car you will need what's called a "blue slip" inspection, which verifies that an unregistered vehicle is safe.

Do I need a roadworthy in the ACT?

You'll need to get a roadworthy inspection and Certificate of Inspection in the ACT if you're transferring ACT registration for a vehicle over six years old, moving interstate registration to the ACT, clearing a defect notice, re-establishing a cancelled or lapsed registration or establishing new registration for a vehicle brought privately (not from a dealer).

If your vehicle is unregistered, or registration has lapsed, you'll need what's known as an unregistered vehicle permit in order to drive your car to the roadworthy inspection.

How long does a roadworthy last in the ACT?

In the ACT, Certificates of Inspection are valid for one month from the initial inspection date.

Can you sell a car without a RWC in the ACT?

Yes, you can sell a car privately without a roadworthy in the ACT, unless it is over six years old. If you're selling a car over six years old, you or your buyer will need to obtain a Certificate of Inspection before transferring registration.

Do I need a roadworthy in South Australia?

In South Australia, only defected, written-off, and/or modified vehicles require a roadworthy inspection before they can be registered. If you've purchased a vehicle from interstate and need to register it in South Australia, you'll need what's called a vehicle identity inspection.

How long does a roadworthy last?

In South Australia, a vehicle identity inspection report is valid for three calendar months from the time of the inspection.

Can you sell a car without a RWC?

Yes, you can sell a car privately without a roadworthy check in South Australia

Do I need a roadworthy in the Northern Territory?

The Northern Territory does not require vehicles less than five years old to have a roadworthy check. However, vehicles between five and 10 -years old must have one roadworthy inspection in order to be registered or have their registration renewed. From 10 years old and onwards, vehicles must be checked annually in order for their registration to be renewed.

How long does a roadworthy last in the Northern Territory?

For cars older than 10 years, you will need a roadworthy inspection every 12 months to renew your registration.

Can you sell a car without a RWC in the Northern Territory?

Yes, you can sell a car privately without a roadworthy inspection in the NT.

Do I need a roadworthy in WA?

In WA, you may need to get your vehicle inspected in order to register it in WA, remove a defect notice, if you've modified it, if you want to license a repairable written-off vehicle or if your vehicle passed an inspection, but the inspection certificate has expired.

How long does an inspection certificate last in WA?

A vehicle that passes inspection will be issued with an inspection certificate, which is valid for three calendar months. The certificate is printed with the expiry date on it.

Can you sell a car without a RWC in WA?

Yes, you can sell a car privately without a RWC in WA.

Do I need a roadworthy in Tasmania?

In 1995, Tasmania decided to do away with annual inspections or inspections at change of ownership in favour of "random roadside inspections", according to Transport Tasmania.

As such, you'll only need a safety inspection in Tasmania if your vehicle is not currently registered, if it was previously registered interstate, if your registration expired more than three months ago or if you need to clear a defect notice.

How long does a roadworthy last in Tasmania?

The inspection is only valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

Can you sell a car without a RWC in Tasmania?

Yes, you can sell a car privately without a RWC in Tasmania.

The only way to check if a car you're hoping to buy or sell has a current roadworthy certificate is to ask the seller directly for the certificate, or to obtain one yourself.

Before buying a used car, it's also advisable to pay $2 to run a check on the car's VIN number using the government's Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). This will tell you if the car you're looking to buy has ever been written off, is stolen or has any other security red flags.