Vehicle examinations & roadworthy inspections in Perth & WA

What you need to know about vehicle examinations in WA

In Western Australia, roadworthy inspections assess your vehicle meets safety and compliance standards before it is registered or returned to the road. While WA does not require regular roadworthy inspections for private vehicles, specific situations make a vehicle examination mandatory.

When do you need a safety certificate (roadworthy)?

A vehicle examination (roadworthy inspection) may be required for the following scenarios:

• Registering an unregistered vehicle: If your vehicle's registration has lapsed or is being transferred to WA from another state.
• Clearing a defect notice: If your vehicle has been issued a defect notice (yellow sticker) and requires confirmation of repairs.
• Modified vehicles: For vehicles with structural or performance modifications requiring approval.
• Buying or selling vehicles under certain conditions: For vehicles with unclear registration history or those flagged by the Department of Transport (DoT).

What qualifies as a light vehicle?

‍A light vehicle generally includes:

• Passenger vehicles: Cars, utes, and small trucks with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) under 4.5 tonnes.
• Motorbikes
• Trailers and caravans with an aggregate trailer mass under 4.5 tonnes.

How to get a roadworthy?

Follow these simple steps to get your WA roadworthy certificate:

1. Book an appointment: Schedule an inspection with an accredited inspection provider.
2. Pass the inspection: Your vehicle must meet NSW safety standards. Once it passes, the inspection results are sent to Service NSW electronically.
3. Renew your registration: Use your safety inspection report (pink slip) to complete your vehicle registration renewal.

What happens if your vehicle fails the inspection?

If your vehicle does not meet the required standards, you will be issued a notice detailing the necessary repairs. In Western Australia, you have 14 days to make the necessary repairs and return for a re-inspection.