Mobile roadworthies. Fast!

In Queensland, a roadworthy certificate is commonly called a safety certificate. It is issued by an approved inspection station after a vehicle passes an inspection of basic vehicle safety standards.

The inspection covers items such as tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, body rust or damage, windscreen and lights. It is not a comprehensive mechanical or pre-purchase inspection, and it does not guarantee future reliability. If you are buying a used car, consider a separate pre-purchase inspection for a fuller assessment of its condition.

Queensland Government safety certificate guidance

We provide mobile inspections across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Representative suburbs include:

• Brisbane Northside: Chermside, Aspley, Nundah, Northgate, Kedron and Stafford, and many more.
• Brisbane Southside: Coorparoo, Carindale, Holland Park, Mount Gravatt, Sunnybank and Moorooka, and many more.
• Gold Coast: Southport, Labrador, Ashmore, Benowa, Main Beach and Surfers Paradise (within approximately 20 km of Southport CBD), and many more.

We provide on-site roadworthy certificates for cars, motorcycles, trailers, caravans, motorhomes and light trucks under 4,500 kg GVM. Rideshare COI and pre-purchase inspection services are also available.

In Queensland, a roadworthy certificate (officially called a safety certificate) generally applies to cars, motorcycles and other light vehicles up to 4,500 kg GVM, plus trailers and caravans over 750 kg and up to 4,500 kg ATM.

It is usually required when transferring registration to a new owner, transferring interstate registration to Queensland, or re-registering an unregistered vehicle. For a registered private sale, obtain it before handing the vehicle over; it is not required just to advertise the vehicle.

Exemptions apply, including some spouse and deceased-estate transfers. Selling an unregistered vehicle or trading it to a licensed dealer does not itself require a safety certificate. Heavy vehicles and booked-hire vehicles can have separate certificate-of-inspection requirements.

Queensland Government safety certificate requirements

Every mobile roadworthy inspection includes a detailed check to ensure your vehicle meets the minimum safety requirements under Queensland law.

Our mobile inspectors examine all safety-critical components including:

• Brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Tyres
• Seatbelts
• Lights and indicators
• Windscreen and wipers
• Visible oil leaks
• Body rust or damage
• Engine condition

If your car fails, we’ll provide a comprehensive report outlining any issues and guide you through what’s needed to get your vehicle re-inspected and cleared.

This is part of our commitment to delivering a reliable service that supports safer roads and stress-free vehicle registration.

For more detailed vehicle inspection items, visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

First of all, don’t panic! These things happen from time to time. You’ll receive a detailed report outlining the issues that need attention. You simply make the required repairs, and we then re-attend promptly to verify repairs and issue your certificate.

Most failures come down to safety-critical defects that fall below Queensland’s minimum safety requirements. Common issues include:

• Tyres below legal tread depth or with sidewall damage
• Brake pads, discs or drums that are worn or uneven
• Lights and indicators that don’t work or have damaged lenses
• Steering or suspension wear causing excessive play or leaks
• Windscreen chips or cracks affecting the driver’s view
• Seatbelts that fray, fail to retract or don’t latch securely
• Visible oil leaks from the engine, gearbox or power-steering system
• Rust or structural damage that weakens the body or chassis

Fixing these items before booking helps improve your chances of passing on the first visit and can avoid an extra re-inspection. The inspection manual sets out the criteria that apply to each item.

In Queensland, a safety certificate has two limits measured from its issue date: elapsed time and distance travelled. It expires when either limit is reached.

• Licensed motor dealers: 3 months or 1,000 km, whichever comes first
• Private sellers: 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first

If a certificate expires, arrange a fresh inspection and certificate when one is required. A certificate is not required just to advertise a registered vehicle for sale, but a current certificate must be provided at handover unless an exemption applies.

A safety certificate can be used for only one transfer. Heavy vehicles and rideshare vehicles have separate Certificate of Inspection requirements.

If you expect your sale to take a while, book the inspection closer to the handover date so the certificate stays valid.

Yes, you can sell an unregistered vehicle without a current safety certificate. If the new owner wants to register it, they will generally need a safety certificate for the registration process, unless an exemption applies.

Yes. Trailers, including caravans, over 750 kg and up to 4,500 kg Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) generally require a safety certificate for registration or transfer to a new owner, unless an exemption applies. Heavier trailers have separate inspection requirements.

More on trailer safety certificates

Failing to obtain and provide a current safety certificate when disposing of a registered vehicle can result in a fine of over $700. Arrange the required inspection and provide a valid certificate before handing the vehicle over, unless an exemption applies. A certificate is not required just to advertise the vehicle.

All three involve a qualified inspector checking a vehicle, but each service has its own purpose, checklist and paperwork.

• Roadworthy Inspection (Safety Certificate): checks minimum vehicle safety standards for registration and ownership transfers when required. It is not a comprehensive mechanical assessment, and the certificate has time and distance limits.
• Rideshare COI Inspection: checks a booked-hire vehicle against the applicable inspection requirements. Queensland COIs are generally valid for 12 months unless cancelled; platform and booked-hire requirements must also be met.
• Pre-Purchase Car Inspection: an optional, more detailed assessment for buyers of a used vehicle’s mechanical, cosmetic and maintenance condition. Our inspection includes scan-tool diagnostics, a road test where permitted and a comprehensive report. It does not replace a safety certificate or COI.

Selling, transferring interstate registration or re-registering? You may need a roadworthy certificate. Driving for Uber or a similar platform? Ask about a rideshare COI. Thinking of buying? Choose a pre-purchase inspection for added peace of mind.