Roadworthy inspections

A roadworthy inspection checks a vehicle’s key components meet a certain standard and that it’s safe for road use.

Once the roadworthy inspection is completed you get a Certificate of Inspection stating if your vehicle has passed or failed the check.

What's included in the inspection

A road worthy inspection checks the vehicle's:

wheels and tyres
steering, suspension and braking systems
seats and seatbelts
light and reflectors
windscreen and front and rear windows
front wipers and washers
overall structure
identifying numbers - for example, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), chassis number, engine number
other safety related items on the body, chassis or engine.

A roadworthy inspection doesn’t:

check the mechanical reliability or general condition of a vehicle
check non-safety related accessories, such as the air conditioner, rear window wipers, and rear window demister are working
mean the vehicle is mechanically sound
mean the items checked during the roadworthy inspection will continue to function after the inspection. For example, a brake light can stop functioning at any time after the inspection.

If you want a comprehensive check of your vehicle’s condition, you should get a separate inspection from a licenced motor vehicle repairer.

When you need a roadworthy inspection

You'll need to get a roadworthy inspection and Certificate of Inspection if you're:

transferring ACT registration for a vehicle over 6 years old
moving interstate registration to the ACT
clearing a defect notice
re-establishing a cancelled or lapsed registration
establishing new registration for a vehicle brought privately (not from a dealer)
renewing registration for public vehicles (for example, taxis, buses, hire cares, motorcycles and rideshare vehicles)
scheduling an inspection for a heavy vehicle.

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

In some cases you may also need a Vehicle Identity Inspection.

If your vehicle isn't registered, or your registration has lapsed, you'll need an unregistered vehicle permit to drive the vehicle to the roadworthy inspection. Find out how to get an unregistered vehicle permit.

New vehicles from an interstate Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealer (LMVD)

If you purchased your vehicle brand new from an LMVD in another state or territory and you have a Type Approval Number (TAN), you may not need a roadworthy inspection.

To find out what your TAN is, call Access Canberra’s Vehicle Safety Standards team on 02 6207 7236 and provide them with your:

Vehicle Compliance Plate Approval (CPA) number
Vehicle Identified Number (VIN)
vehicle make and model
vehicle body type
engine size
motive power (kW).

New vehicles purchased privately

If you purchased a vehicle outside the ACT from a private seller (not from a dealer) and the vehicle is less than or equal to 10 years old you will need both:

a roadworthy inspection and
a vehicle identity inspection.

Find out more about a Vehicle Identity Inspection.

Where to get a roadworthy inspection

Where you can get a roadworthy inspection depends on the type of vehicle and how it’s used.

Vehicles for private use or rideshare accredited

If your vehicle is not a public or heavy vehicle and falls into one of the above categories you can book a roadworthy inspection at:

the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station
any authorised inspection station
a licenced gasfitter if they use liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or compressed natural gas (CNG).

If you book a roadworthy inspection at an authorised inspection station or licenced gasfitter you need to provide your Certificate of Inspection to an Access Canberra service centre.

What you'll need to bring:

your roadworthy Certificate of Inspection
acceptable proof of identification
proof of ownership of the vehicle, such as a registration certificate or a receipt from the seller.

Public vehicles including those used for rideshare

Public vehicles including those used for rideshare must have:

an annual roadworthy inspection
an annual gas inspection if they use liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or compressed natural gas (CNG).

If your public vehicle is used for rideshare you can take it to any authorised inspection station.

Public vehicles (not used for rideshare) and other vehicles

Vehicles that are:

public vehicles but not used for rideshare
over 4.5 tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM)
modified vehicles
imported vehicles
vehicles without compliance plates

can only be inspected at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station in Hume.

Imported vehicles registered in the ACT

Imported vehicles, currently registered in the ACT with:

green compliance plates (vehicles produced in low volume)
yellow compliance plates (personally imported vehicles)

can get inspected at any ACT authorised inspection station.

Imported vehicles unregistered but last registered in the ACT

Imported and currently unregistered ACT vehicles with:

green compliance plates (vehicles produced in low volume)
yellow compliance plates (personally imported vehicles)

must get inspected at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station in Hume.

Imported vehicles registered in another state or territory

All imported vehicles registered in another state with

green compliance plates (vehicles produced in low volume)
yellow compliance plates (personally imported vehicles)

must get inspected at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station in Hume.

Registered used imports

Imported vehicles with a magenta (purple) compliance plate (used import) whether registered in the ACT or another state or territory must get inspected at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station in Hume.

Booking an inspection at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station

You must book your inspection by calling 13 22 81 or visiting a Service Centre. The Inspection Station doesn’t accept walk-ins.

If your vehicle passes inspection, you can register your vehicle at any Access Canberra Service Centre.

If your vehicle didn't pass the inspection or you had the inspection done at another station you won't be able to register your vehicle at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.