How Long Does A Roadworthy Last?
If you’re buying or selling a car in Queensland, you’ll inevitably encounter the term ‘roadworthy certificate’ (RWC). This official document, also known as a safety certificate, is your proof that a vehicle meets the necessary safety standards to be driven on Queensland roads. A valid RWC is generally required before selling a car, transferring ownership or re-registering an unregistered vehicle.
But before you make a booking to get your vehicle inspected, it’s important to ask, “How long is a roadworthy certificate valid for?”. Understanding the limitations is essential for a legal and hassle-free vehicle transfer. An expired certificate can delay a sale, complicate registration and even lead to fines or insurance complications.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the lifespan of a QLD roadworthy. We’ll cover the different rules for private sellers and licensed dealers, what happens when a roadworthy expires and how the validity period impacts your responsibilities as a vehicle owner.
How Long Does a Roadworthy Certificate Last in QLD?
Along with the question “How long does a roadworthy last QLD-wide?“, you’ll also want to consider how far it lasts, because RWC expiry is also dependent on mileage.
The answer to this two-part question of “How long is a roadworthy valid for?” depends on who is selling the vehicle. The Queensland Government has set different limits for private sellers versus licensed motor dealers in recognition of their different circumstances.
For Private Sellers
If you are a private seller, a roadworthy certificate lasts for two months or 2,000 kilometres, whichever comes first from the date of issue.
- Two Months: This is the maximum time you have to sell your registered vehicle after the certificate is issued. If the certificate’s issue date was August 15th, it would expire on October 15th, regardless of how much you’ve driven.
- 2,000 Kilometres: If you drive the car more than 2,000 kilometres after the inspection, the certificate becomes invalid, even if it’s only been a few weeks.
This dual condition ensures the vehicle’s roadworthiness hasn’t significantly changed since the safety inspection by a licensed provider. It protects the buyer by guaranteeing the check is recent.
For Licensed Motor Dealers
Licensed motor dealers handle a higher volume of used car sales, so the rules are slightly different. For a licensed dealer, a Queensland safety certificate is valid for three months or 1,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
The shorter kilometre limit reflects that vehicles on a dealer’s lot are typically used for shorter test drives and moved around less than a privately owned car. This extended timeframe helps dealers manage their inventory while still providing buyers with a valid roadworthy certificate.
Why Does a Roadworthy Certificate Expire?
The RWC valid period isn’t arbitrary. It’s a core component of road safety regulations designed to protect you and other road users. Even for new cars, a vehicle’s condition is not static. Over time, components wear out. Brakes, tyres, suspension and lights can all degrade with use and age.
The expiry date ensures that when a new owner takes possession, the safety inspection is recent enough to be a reliable indicator of the vehicle’s condition. It prevents a situation where a certificate issued a year ago is used to sell a car that has since developed serious safety flaws. These limits set by transport authorities are designed to protect all road users.
The Roadworthy Inspection Process Explained
Getting a roadworthy certificate involves a thorough roadworthy inspection performed by a licensed inspector, like one of our mobile mechanics.
The inspection is a comprehensive check of the vehicle’s essential safety components to ensure they are in proper working condition and meet Queensland’s safety standards. An inspector will examine your vehicle to ensure key mechanical, electrical and other safety-related components are functioning correctly:
- Tyres and wheels
- Brakes
- Steering and suspension
- Lights and electrical components
- Windscreen and windows
- Seats and seat belts
- The vehicle’s body and structure
If the vehicle passes the inspection, the AIS will issue the safety certificate. If the vehicle requires repairs, you have 14 days to complete the necessary repairs and have it re-inspected (usually for a smaller fee) without needing a full new inspection.
Key Scenarios: When RWC Validity Matters Most
Understanding RWC validity periods is most critical in these common situations.
Selling a Registered Vehicle
When selling a vehicle that is currently registered, you must present a current roadworthy certificate to potential buyers. Having this proof from a trusted mechanic not only ensures compliance but also reassures prospective owners of the car’s bona fides. This means if you list it online or put a sign on the window, the certificate must be valid. If your certificate expires while the car is on the market, you must obtain a new roadworthy certificate before you can legally continue to sell it.
Penalties for Trying to Sell a Vehicle Without a Valid Roadworthy Certificate
A common penalty scenario involves online advertisements. If a seller’s safety certificate expires while their car is still listed for sale on a platform like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, the active ad is considered an illegal offer to sell. This makes the seller immediately liable for the on-the-spot fine exceeding $800. The only legal course of action is to take down the advertisement until a new, valid certificate is secured.
Buying a Used Vehicle
As a buyer, it’s your responsibility to check the issue date and odometer reading on the seller’s certificate. Ensure the RWC is still valid before you finalise the purchase. Transferring registration into your name is much smoother with all the correct, in-date paperwork. Receiving an expired certificate from other sellers will prevent you from completing the transfer.
Registering an Unregistered Vehicle
Is your vehicle unregistered? For registering an unregistered vehicle, you will need to obtain a roadworthy certificate. For an unregistered car, the 2,000 km/2-month rule doesn’t apply in the same way for the sale itself. However, the new safety certificate must be valid and presented to the Department of Transport and Main Roads when you go to reinstate the vehicle’s registration. It’s a key step in re-registering a de-registered vehicle.
How Long Does a Roadworthy Last FAQs
How Long Does Roadworthy Last (QLD)?
To put it simply: for private sellers, a roadworthy lasts for 2 months or 2,000 km. For licensed dealers, it’s 3 months or 1,000 km.
What Happens if my Roadworthy Expires Before I Sell the Car?
If your roadworthy expires, you can no longer legally offer the registered vehicle for sale. You will need to book another roadworthy check and get a new certificate. The previous inspection becomes irrelevant once the RWC expiry date or kilometre limit has passed.
How Does Distance Driven Affect How Long a Roadworthy Lasts in QLD?
The distance you drive is a critical factor. For a private seller, a roadworthy certificate is valid for two months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first.
This means if you drive more than 2,000 km – even within the first week – the certificate becomes invalid immediately, long before the two-month time limit is up.
Can I Use the Same Safety Certificate for Different Potential Buyers?
Yes. A single safety certificate is tied to the vehicle, not the buyer. As long as you are within the validity period, you can show the same certificate to every interested person.
What is an Unregistered Vehicle Permit (UVP)?
An Unregistered Vehicle Permit (UVP) is a temporary pass that lets you legally drive an unregistered car for a specific journey, such as getting it inspected for registration.
To make this easier, you can get a permit to simply move the car to your home. From there, book a mobile Roadworthies inspection and our qualified inspector will come directly to you—saving you the time and hassle of a separate trip to a workshop.
How Long Does a Roadworthy Certificate Last if I’m Not Driving the Car?
Even if the car is parked and not driven a single kilometre, the certificate still expires after two months (for private sellers). The time limit is absolute..
Does the Roadworthy Certificate Expiry Affect my Current Registration?
No. For a vehicle that is already registered in your name, an expired safety certificate does not impact its registration status. The certificate is only required for the purpose of selling or transferring registration.
Can an Expired RWC Affect My Car Insurance Claim?
Yes, it absolutely can. All car insurance policies require you to maintain your vehicle in a roadworthy condition. An expired safety certificate can be used by an insurer as evidence that you failed to meet this core obligation of your policy.
Following an accident, this could give them grounds to reduce or even deny your claim entirely, leaving you personally liable for thousands of dollars in damages.
Do Roadworthy Inspections Have to Be Done at a Fixed Workshop?
No, they don’t. While many traditional mechanics are Approved Inspection Stations, the legal requirement is that your inspection is conducted by an accredited business, not that you take your car to a specific address.
An Approved Inspection Station (AIS) is a business – either a fixed premises or a mobile service – licensed by the Queensland Government to issue safety certificates. Mobile services like Roadworthies are fully accredited AIS providers.
Our qualified inspectors perform the same official inspection and issue the same legal certificate, but do it conveniently at your home or workplace. You can find out more about how much a roadworthy costs here.
Roadworthies Makes It Easy to Stay Compliant
Wondering “how long do roadworthy’s last?” is the second step. The first is getting one. Instead of taking time out of your day to visit a fixed workshop, let the experts come to you. At Roadworthies, we eliminate the hassle.
Our mobile vehicle inspections cover Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. We make obtaining a Queensland safety certificate simple and convenient.
- We Come to You: Our qualified inspectors perform the roadworthy inspection at your home, workplace, or wherever is convenient.
- Fast Service: Same-day bookings are often available, so you can get your car on the market quickly.
- All Vehicle Types: We are certified to inspect cars, trailers, caravans and other vehicles.
- Instant & Electronic: Once your vehicle meets the standards, we issue your certificate electronically on the spot.
Don’t let your sale be delayed by expired paperwork or the inconvenience of getting to an inspection station. You can find out more about organising your Safety Certificate here.
Final Word: How Long Do Roadworthy Certificates Last?
So, how long are roadworthy’s valid for? For private sellers in Queensland, the certificate is valid for two months or 2,000 kilometres. For licensed dealers, it’s three months or 1,000 kilometres.
Keeping this validity period in mind is crucial for ensuring a legal, smooth and trustworthy sale. A valid and current roadworthy certificate builds buyer confidence, meets your legal obligations and helps you finalise the sale without any last-minute hurdles. Whether it’s a new safety certificate for selling or registering an older car, knowing exactly how long it will last in Queensland prevents delays and avoids repeat inspections.Looking to sell your vehicle soon and ready to book your vehicle roadworthy inspection? We come to you – book your mobile inspection with Roadworthies today so you can see those offers start to roll in.