A blue slip is the inspection you need when a vehicle can’t simply be renewed — when it has been off the road too long, has come from another state, has lost its plates, or is being brought back from written-off status. Transport for NSW calls it an AUVIS inspection (Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Scheme). Most people still call it a blue slip.
If you have just bought a car that isn’t currently registered in NSW, this is almost certainly the step in front of you.
Quick answer: a blue slip (AUVIS) costs $82 for a light vehicle in NSW (the maximum fee set by Transport for NSW, effective 1 July 2026), is valid for 42 days, and can only be done by an inspection station accredited by Transport for NSW. You need one if the registration has lapsed by more than three months, the vehicle came from interstate or overseas, it has no plates, or it’s a write-off approved for re-registration.
Before you book the inspection, check the car’s history. A blue slip confirms the vehicle is safe and correctly identified — it does not tell you whether there is money owing on it or whether it has been written off before.
When you need a blue slip in NSW
Transport for NSW requires an AUVIS inspection if your vehicle:
- has had its registration expired for more than 3 months
- has been brought into NSW from another Australian state or territory, or from another country
- has no number plate
- is a write-off that has been approved for re-registration
An AUVIS inspection may also be required when you’re changing vehicle registration records after a significant change — a new engine, for example — or to clear certain defect notices.
There’s one common exception: if the vehicle is brand new and has never been registered, an AUVIS inspection usually isn’t needed, provided a copy of the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) entry is supplied or the vehicle is being registered by a dealer.
Source: NSW Government / Transport for NSW — Safety checks and vehicle inspections.
Blue slip vs pink slip: what’s the actual difference
They are not interchangeable, and booking the wrong one wastes a trip.
| Blue slip (AUVIS) | Pink slip (safety check) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it’s for | Registering or re-registering an unregistered vehicle | Renewing registration on a vehicle already on the road |
| What it checks | Safety plus design and identity standards | Safety only |
| When | Rego lapsed 3+ months, interstate/overseas vehicle, no plates, approved write-off | Most light vehicles more than 5 years old, once a year at renewal |
| Cost (light vehicle) | $82 | $52 |
| How long it’s valid | 42 days | 6 months (NSW reports) |
| Who can do it | TfNSW-accredited AUVIS station | Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) station |
The identity check is the part people underestimate. A pink slip is about whether the car is roadworthy. A blue slip also confirms the vehicle is what the paperwork says it is — which is exactly why it’s required for interstate and previously written-off vehicles. If you’re renewing rather than registering, our guide to the NSW pink slip covers that process instead.
How much a blue slip costs in NSW
Transport for NSW sets maximum fees. These are the current figures, effective 1 July 2026:
| Vehicle type | Blue slip (AUVIS) | Pink slip (safety check) |
|---|---|---|
| Light vehicle | $82 | $52 |
| Motorcycle | $51 | $29 |
| Trailer without brakes | $42 | $27 |
| Trailer with brakes | $60 | $41 |
All figures include GST and are the maximum fees set by Transport for NSW, effective 1 July 2026. Inspection and registration fees are reviewed annually and may rise with CPI, so confirm the current figure with Service NSW before you book.
Source: NSW Government / Transport for NSW — Vehicle safety check and inspection fees.
Costs that sit outside the inspection fee
The blue slip itself is the cheap part. Budget for:
- Repairs. If the vehicle fails, you pay to fix whatever it failed on before it can be registered.
- Getting it there. An unregistered vehicle can’t simply be driven to the inspection — you’ll generally need an unregistered vehicle permit or a tow.
- Registration and stamp duty once the blue slip is issued.
- A written-off vehicle goes through a separate Vehicle Identity & Inspections Unit process. That first inspection is $651 ($87 booking plus $564 inspection). A high-risk first inspection — which includes some interstate vehicles and cases with identification irregularities — is $87. There is no fee for re-inspections of failed written-off or high-risk vehicles.
How the process works, step by step
- Check the vehicle’s history first. Do this before you spend anything. A blue slip won’t reveal finance owing or a past write-off — see the section below.
- Find an accredited station. Examiners must be accredited by Transport for NSW under the Authorised Inspection Scheme. Authorised stations display AIS signage at the front of the premises, and you can find one through Service NSW.
- Get the vehicle there legally. Unregistered vehicle permit, tow, or transport.
- Have the inspection done. Safety, design and identity are all assessed.
- Register within 42 days. The AUVIS report expires after 42 days from the inspection date — miss that and you pay for another one.
If the vehicle has significant modifications or is non-standard, you may also need certification from a licensed certifier under the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) — that’s a separate process from the blue slip.
What a blue slip does not tell you
This is the part that costs people real money.
An AUVIS inspection confirms the vehicle meets safety, design and identity standards today. It does not tell you:
- Whether there is money owing on the vehicle. If the previous owner had finance secured against it, the financier’s interest can survive the sale — and the car can be repossessed from you. That is a PPSR check, not an inspection.
- Whether it has been written off before. A repairable write-off that has been through the process can legitimately be back on the road — but you should know before you buy, not after. See how to check for a written-off car.
- Whether it has been reported stolen, or whether the odometer reading is consistent with its history.
A full vehicle history check answers those questions. Doing it before the blue slip is the right order — there is no point paying for an inspection on a car you shouldn’t buy.
Buying an unregistered or interstate car? Check what you’re actually buying before you book the inspection.
Interstate vehicles: the most common blue slip scenario
Buying a car in Queensland or Victoria and bringing it home to NSW almost always means a blue slip, regardless of how recently it was registered in the other state. The vehicle has to be inspected and its identity confirmed before NSW will register it.
A few things worth knowing if that’s your situation:
- Register the vehicle in NSW within the 42-day validity of the AUVIS report.
- Interstate safety inspection reports used for renewals are only valid for 42 days — or less if the originating state has a shorter period — so don’t assume a recent interstate check carries over.
- Some interstate vehicles are treated as high-risk and go to the Vehicle Identity & Inspections Unit instead.
- Check the vehicle’s registration status in its home state before you travel to see it. You can start with our NSW rego check guide, or the state-by-state rego check hub for wherever the car is currently registered.
Blue slip NSW FAQs
How much does a blue slip cost in NSW?
A blue slip (AUVIS inspection) costs $82 including GST for a light vehicle, $51 for a motorcycle, $42 for a trailer without brakes and $60 for a trailer with brakes. These are the maximum fees set by Transport for NSW effective 1 July 2026, and they are reviewed annually.
When do you need a blue slip instead of a pink slip?
You need a blue slip when the vehicle isn’t currently registered in NSW: registration expired more than three months ago, the vehicle came from another state or country, it has no number plates, or it’s a write-off approved for re-registration. A pink slip is for renewing registration on a vehicle already on the road.
How long is a blue slip valid for?
An AUVIS report is valid for 42 days from the date of inspection. If you don’t complete the registration within that window, you’ll need a new inspection and pay the fee again.
Do I need a blue slip for a car bought interstate?
Yes. A vehicle brought into NSW from another Australian state or territory, or from overseas, requires an AUVIS inspection before it can be registered in NSW, regardless of how recently it was registered elsewhere.
Does a blue slip check whether money is owing on the car?
No. A blue slip confirms the vehicle meets safety, design and identity standards. It does not check for finance owing, write-off history or theft records — that requires a PPSR or vehicle history check, which you should do before buying.
Can I drive an unregistered car to the blue slip inspection?
Not without authorisation. An unregistered vehicle generally can’t be driven on the road, so you’ll need an unregistered vehicle permit or to have the vehicle towed or transported to the inspection station.
Written and reviewed by the team at Car Buyers Assist.
This article is general information only and is current as at 26 August 2026. Inspection requirements and fees are set by Transport for NSW and are reviewed annually — always confirm current requirements and fees with Transport for NSW or Service NSW before booking. Car Buyers Assist is not a government agency and does not perform vehicle inspections. This article does not constitute legal, financial or vehicle-safety advice.