Need a safety certificate?
What is a Safety Certificate? A safety certificate is issued after a vehicle passes a minimum safety standard inspection.
The safety certificate offers buyers better protection and makes sure vehicles being offered for sale or being re-registered are safe – reducing the likelihood of crashes caused by defective vehicles.
Note: A safety certificate inspection is not a comprehensive mechanical inspection of a vehicle. Before you purchase a used vehicle, we recommend you contact us, for a full mechanical inspection of the vehicle.
A safety certificate covers basic things that could affect the safe operation of the vehicle, such as:
- Tyres
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- Body rust or damage
- Windscreen
- Lights
When is a Safety Certificate needed?
You have to display a safety certificate on any registered light vehicle from the moment you offer the vehicle for sale. Safety certificates must be displayed in a very obvious place, for example, Motorbike – front forks or guard Car – windscreen or window Trailer – draw-bar You may get fined if you don’t display a safety certificate on the vehicle from the moment you offer it for sale.
When is a Safety Certificate not needed?
Vehicles that are unregistered or are traded to, or between, licensed motor dealers do not need a safety certificate. Vehicles can still be sold for parts but they must be de-registered before being offered for sale. You don’t need a safety certificate if the vehicle meets one of the exemption criteria. Some exemption situations may include: The disposer being in an exempt area A beneficiary of a deceased estate Between spouses, including separated spouses Remote locations
Who issues Safety Certificates?
Safety certificates can only be issued by approved inspection stations. These are service stations, garages or workshops approved by the Queensland Government. Andrew McClure Mechanical is an approved inspection station, so call us for your safety certificate requirements.
How long are Safety Certificates current for?
The time a safety certificate is valid for varies depending on who is selling the vehicle: Licensed motor dealers: certificates are valid for 3 months or 1000 km (whichever comes first) from the date of issue All other sellers: certificates are valid for 2 months or 2000km (whichever comes first) from the date of issue. The same safety certificate can be used to register an unregistered vehicle and to transfer the registration of that vehicle, provided it is within the limits set out above. A new safety certificate is needed each time you sell the vehicle even if it is within the limits above. A single safety certificate cannot be used for 2 transfers.
