Safety & Roadworthy Certificates in Atherton

A roadworthy (or safety) certificate confirms that a vehicle meets the minimum safety standards required by law at the time of inspection. It’s not a full mechanical evaluation but focuses on essential safety-related components like tyres, brakes, suspension, lights, steering, and windscreen condition. In Queensland, you need a valid certificate when selling, re-registering, or transferring ownership of a vehicle. The inspection must be performed by a licensed inspection station. It’s designed to reduce the number of unsafe vehicles on the road and ensure that buyers and sellers are protected. Failing the inspection doesn’t mean the car is unfixable — it just means repairs are required.

In Queensland, a roadworthy certificate is required when selling a registered vehicle, transferring registration, re-registering an unregistered vehicle, or when transferring interstate registration. The certificate must be issued by an approved inspection station and is valid for 2,000 kilometres or 60 days (whichever comes first) from the date of issue. Without it, you can’t legally complete a transfer of ownership or registration. Even if the vehicle seems fine, it still must meet minimum safety standards at the time of inspection. If you’re unsure whether your situation requires a certificate, your local mechanic or transport authority can clarify the requirements.

A roadworthy inspection focuses on the safety-critical components of your vehicle. It covers brakes, tyres, wheels, steering, suspension, lights, seatbelts, windscreen and windows, wipers, and general body condition. The inspector checks for wear, damage, and whether these parts meet legal standards. It doesn’t include non-safety components like air conditioning, navigation systems, or general engine performance. While a car can pass a roadworthy inspection and still have minor mechanical issues, it must be safe to operate on public roads. If any safety defects are found, they’ll need to be repaired before the certificate can be issued. It’s not a substitute for a full mechanical inspection.