September 29, 2026 How Roadworthiness Testing Works

How a car’s roadworthiness is checked depends on where it’s registered. In some places, vehicles are tested at set intervals. In others, the check mostly happens when a car changes hands or is re-registered.

Certain vehicle features also affect how a car has to be handled. Air suspension can need specific steps before a car is lifted. This guide explains how roadworthiness testing can differ and how the roadworthy certificate works in Victoria, from the inspection itself to what happens after it.

Two Approaches to Roadworthiness Testing

The first is periodic testing. In the European Union, Directive 2014/45/EU sets minimum requirements for periodic roadworthiness tests. Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles must be tested no later than four years after first registration, and at least every two years after that.

The second approach doesn’t follow a fixed schedule. Instead, inspection is linked to particular events, such as a sale, a transfer of ownership or re-registration.

Different Rules in Different States

In Australia, inspection rules differ from state to state, which shows that these approaches can vary within a single country.

In New South Wales, most light vehicles more than five years old need a yearly safety inspection report, also known as a pink slip, before registration can be renewed.

In Queensland, a safety certificate is required in most cases before a registered vehicle is disposed of, unless it’s going to a dealer. It’s no longer needed simply to advertise the car for sale, and a single certificate can be used for one transfer only.

In Victoria, a roadworthy certificate is generally needed when you sell a registered vehicle, re-register one or clear certain defect notices. Transport Victoria notes that some vehicles are exempt.

How the Roadworthy Certificate Works in Victoria

In Victoria, inspections are carried out by licensed vehicle testers working to Vehicle Standards Information 26 (VSI 26), the roadworthiness requirements document published by Transport Victoria. It covers vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of 4.5 tons or less, while motorcycles and mopeds have their own standards document.

The inspection looks at the wheels and tires, steering, suspension and brakes. It also covers seats and seatbelts, lights and reflectors, and the windscreen and windows, including front wipers and washers. The vehicle’s structure is checked too, along with other safety-related items on the body, chassis or engine.

A roadworthy certificate confirms the vehicle met those requirements at the time of inspection. It doesn’t assess reliability, and non-safety items such as air conditioning and electric windows aren’t part of the check. Transport Victoria recommends a separate independent inspection for anyone who wants to understand a car’s overall condition.

VSI 26 also tells testers to take the manufacturer’s specifications into account. Arranging a roadworthy certificate in Melbourne follows the same process as anywhere else in Victoria, with the inspection carried out by a licensed vehicle tester against the same requirements.

Where Modern Vehicle Design Comes In

In the EU, the directive also requires manufacturers to make the technical information needed for roadworthiness testing available to testing centres and the relevant authorities.

Vehicle handling procedures can matter too, and air suspension is one example. Air suspension systems often self-level automatically, and many vehicles fitted with them need a service or lift mode switched on before they’re raised on a hoist. If that step is missed, the system may try to self-level while the car is in the air, which can damage the air springs.

After the Inspection: Passes, Fails and Disputes

In Victoria, a roadworthy certificate is current for 30 days and can be used more than once in that time for registration or transfer.

If your vehicle fails, the tester will give you a report listing the issues. You then have 14 days to fix them and have it checked again. Leave it longer and you’ll need to pay for a new test.

There’s also a process for disputing a result. Transport Victoria suggests starting by checking whether the item is covered by VSI 26, then raising it with the tester. If the issue still isn’t resolved, Transport Victoria sets out further steps, including a written complaint.

Preparing for an Inspection, Wherever You Are

Start by confirming which inspection your vehicle actually needs under the rules where it’s registered. Ask for a quote before the inspection goes ahead. Transport Victoria, for instance, notes that cost depends on a vehicle’s age, type and condition.

Some items on Victoria’s checklist, including tires, lights, and the front wipers and washers, can be looked over at home beforehand. If the vehicle has been modified, have any approval paperwork ready, such as a Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) certificate, since VSI 26 directs testers to consider this kind of information. If the car has air suspension, mention it when booking, as many vehicles with these systems need a lift mode activated before they’re raised.

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