What is a Queensland Safety Certificate (Roadworthy)?
A plain-English guide to QLD Safety Certificates, when you need one, what’s checked, how long it lasts, and how a mobile inspection works.
In Queensland, a Safety Certificate (often called a “roadworthy”) is a document that confirms your vehicle meets the minimum safety standards to be driven on the road. If you’re selling or transferring a registered light vehicle, you almost always need one.
When do you need a Safety Certificate?
You need a current Safety Certificate when you sell a registered light vehicle, and it must be displayed while the vehicle is advertised for sale. You’ll also need one to transfer registration into your name in many cases. There are some exemptions, for example, unregistered vehicles sold as-is, but for most private sales it’s required.
What gets checked?
A Safety Certificate inspection covers the items that keep you and other road users safe, including:
- Brakes and brake components
- Tyres and wheels
- Steering and suspension
- Lights and indicators
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
- Seatbelts
- Body condition and structural rust
How long is it valid?
For a private seller, a Safety Certificate is valid for 2 months or 2,000km, whichever comes first. For a licensed motor dealer it’s 3 months or 1,000km.
How does a mobile inspection work?
As a licensed Approved Inspection Station, we come to your home or workplace, inspect the vehicle on-site, and lodge the certificate electronically with Transport and Main Roads. If anything fails, you get a clear explanation and a fair quote to fix it, often on the same visit. Call 0467 365 395 to book anywhere in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.