In Queensland the document most people call a “roadworthy certificate” is officially a safety certificate. Same idea, different name — and knowing the correct term matters, because it is what the legislation, the inspection stations and the Department of Transport and Main Roads all use.
If you are selling a registered vehicle in Queensland, obtaining one is generally your job, not the buyer’s. If you are buying, it is one of several things worth checking — but it is not the one that tells you whether the car is stolen, written off or still under finance.
Quick answer
A safety certificate is a document issued by an Approved Inspection Station (AIS) confirming a vehicle met minimum safety standards at the time of inspection. In Queensland the seller must generally obtain one and give it to the new owner when disposing of a registered vehicle — other than when disposing to a licensed dealer. Certificates are valid for 2 months or 2,000km, whichever expires first for non-dealers, and 3 months or 1,000km for licensed dealers. You may be fined over $700 for failing to obtain and give one.
Source: Queensland Government, “Safety certificates”, qld.gov.au — retrieved 18 August 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm current rules before relying on them.
Roadworthy certificate vs safety certificate — same thing?
Yes, in practice. “Roadworthy certificate” is what people say and search for; “safety certificate” is the Queensland term. Other states use their own terminology, so if you are buying interstate the document you are handed may look and be named differently.
Which vehicles need one
Queensland requires a safety certificate when transferring registration to a new owner, when transferring to Queensland registration from another state or territory, or when re-registering an unregistered vehicle. It applies to:
- Cars
- Motorcycles
- Trailers (including caravans) with an aggregate trailer mass between 750kg and 4,500kg
- Any other vehicles up to 4,500kg gross vehicle mass
Who needs one, and when
| Situation | Safety certificate required? |
|---|---|
| Selling a registered vehicle privately | Yes — seller obtains and gives it to the buyer |
| Selling / trading to a licensed dealer, or dealer-to-dealer | No |
| Selling an unregistered vehicle | No — but one is generally needed to register it |
| Selling a vehicle for parts | No — but it must be de-registered before sale |
| Simply advertising a registered vehicle | Not required before offering it for sale; required before disposing of it |
| Some exempt situations | Exemptions apply — see below |
How long is it valid?
| Seller type | Validity |
|---|---|
| Private seller / non-dealer | 2 months or 2,000km, whichever expires first, from date of issue |
| Licensed motor dealer | 3 months or 1,000km, whichever expires first, from date of issue |
The kilometre limit catches people out. A certificate issued six weeks ago on a car you have since driven interstate may have expired on distance even though the date still looks fine. Check the odometer reading recorded on the certificate against the car’s current reading.
Note also that a single safety certificate can be used for one transfer only. If a sale falls through and you sell to someone else, you need a new certificate even if the original is still within its date and kilometre limits.
What it costs
Queensland sets maximum inspection fees, so pricing is not open-ended. As at 1 July 2026:
| Vehicle type | Fee (as at 1 July 2026, incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicles up to 4,500kg GVM | $102.70 |
| Motorcycles | $66.00 |
| Trailers over 750kg up to 4,500kg ATM | $51.45 |
| Replacement inspection certificate (issued by TMR) | $28.00 |
Source: Queensland Government, “Safety certificates”, qld.gov.au — retrieved 18 August 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm current rules before relying on them.
Where to get one
Safety certificates are issued only by Approved Inspection Stations. Many workshops, mechanics and dealerships hold AIS approval, but not all do — check before you book. Transport and Main Roads publishes a searchable list of approved inspection stations. The AIS will issue either a handwritten certificate or an electronic one; for electronic certificates you may receive a digital copy by email.
What the inspection covers — and what it doesn’t
A safety inspection is a minimum-standards safety check at a point in time. It covers basic vehicle safety standards including tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, body rust or damage, windscreen and lights.
What it explicitly is not:
- Not a mechanical condition report. Transport and Main Roads states plainly that it is not a comprehensive mechanical inspection on the quality or life expectancy of a vehicle, and suggests a motoring group inspection if you are buying used.
- Not a history check. It says nothing about finance owing, whether the car has been written off, or whether it has been stolen.
- Not a warranty. It reflects the vehicle’s state on the day of inspection only.
If you are buying, the safety certificate is the seller’s legal obligation — your own due diligence is separate. Run a car history check for encumbrance and write-off status, verify the identifiers with a VIN check, confirm the PPSR position, check whether it has been written off, and work through a physical used car inspection or pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection. Our guide to what to check when buying a used car pulls the whole sequence together.
When a safety certificate is not needed
Beyond unregistered vehicles and dealer trades, exemptions apply where the vehicle meets one of the exemption criteria. Situations that may be exempt include where the vehicle was garaged in an exempt area at the time of sale, transfers to a beneficiary of a deceased estate, and transfers between spouses. Exemption rules are specific — the Department of Transport and Main Roads asks that you call 13 23 80 to confirm whether your situation qualifies.
If the vehicle fails
A failed inspection is not the end of the sale. The AIS will list the defects; you repair them and have the vehicle re-inspected. Sellers often get the inspection done before listing precisely so there are no surprises mid-negotiation — and a current certificate in the ad is a genuine trust signal to buyers.
Buyer’s checklist
- Ask for the safety certificate before you hand over money — it is the seller’s obligation to provide it.
- Check the issue date and the odometer reading on the certificate against today.
- Confirm the VIN on the certificate matches the VIN on the car.
- Treat it as a safety minimum, not a condition report.
- Do your own history and PPSR checks separately.
Seller’s checklist
- Book with an Approved Inspection Station, not just any mechanic.
- Get it done before listing so the certificate is fresh at sale time.
- Watch the kilometre limit as well as the date.
- Remember one certificate covers one transfer only.
- Give the certificate to the buyer at the time of sale — failing to do so can attract a fine of over $700.
- Complete the rego transfer paperwork properly — see our guide to selling a car in QLD.
FAQs
Do I need a roadworthy to sell my car in QLD?
A safety certificate is no longer required simply to offer a registered vehicle for sale, but you must obtain one before disposing of a registered vehicle to anyone other than a licensed dealer, and give it to the new owner. Exemptions apply in some situations.
How long does a QLD safety certificate last?
For licensed motor dealers, 3 months or 1,000km from the date of issue, whichever expires first. For all other sellers, 2 months or 2,000km, whichever expires first. A single safety certificate can be used for one transfer only — you need a new one every time you sell.
Is a roadworthy certificate the same as a safety certificate in Queensland?
Yes in everyday use. Safety certificate is the official Queensland term; roadworthy certificate is the common name and is what most people search for.
How much does a safety certificate cost in QLD?
Queensland sets maximum inspection fees. As at 1 July 2026 they are $102.70 for motor vehicles up to 4,500kg GVM, $66.00 for motorcycles and $51.45 for trailers over 750kg up to 4,500kg ATM. A replacement certificate issued by TMR is $28.00. Confirm current fees at qld.gov.au.
Who pays for the safety certificate — buyer or seller?
The seller is responsible for obtaining and providing it when disposing of a registered vehicle other than to a dealer, so the seller ordinarily pays.
Does a safety certificate mean the car has no finance owing on it?
No. A safety certificate covers minimum safety standards only. To check for money owing, write-off status or theft records you need a PPSR-based car history check.
What happens if I sell without one?
You may be fined over $700 for failing to obtain and give a current safety certificate. The buyer also will not be able to transfer the registration out of your name without one, and you remain liable for tolls and infringements while it stays in your name.
Can I get a safety certificate anywhere?
No — only from an Approved Inspection Station (AIS). Many workshops hold AIS approval, but not all, so confirm when you book.
Buying or selling in Queensland and want a hand?
Car Buyers Assist helps buyers check a car properly before they commit, and helps sellers get the paperwork right.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Queensland vehicle safety certificate requirements and fees are set by the Queensland Government and can change — always confirm current requirements, validity periods, fees, exemptions and penalties at qld.gov.au before acting. Information in this article was retrieved on 18 August 2026.
Written by the team at Car Buyers Assist.