At LM Motors in Townsville, we are fully authorised by Queensland Transport as an Approved Inspection Station (AIS). We can perform safety inspections and issue Safety Certificates in accordance with Queensland law.

Here’s what you need to know about Safety Certificates in Queensland, and when your vehicle requires one.

A Safety Certificate (often referred to colloquially as a “roadworthy certificate” in QLD) is a document showing that your vehicle has passed a minimum safety inspection.

The purpose of the Safety Certificate is to provide protection for buyers and ensure that vehicles offered for sale or being re-registered meet basic safety standards—thereby reducing the chance of crashes due to unsafe vehicles.

Important note: A safety inspection is not a comprehensive mechanical check of the engine or full vehicle condition. It covers safety-critical elements, but may not detect all mechanical or performance issues.

The validity period of a Safety Certificate depends on who is selling the vehicle:

Private (non-dealer) sellers - 2 months or 2,000 km (whichever comes first)
Licensed motor dealers - 3 months or 1,000 km (whichever comes first)

The certificate can be used for one transfer of ownership or one registration. Even if the vehicle is sold soon after you acquire it, a new Safety Certificate will usually be needed for that next transaction.

Safety Certificates are required for many classes of light vehicles, unless an exemption applies. Generally, the requirement covers:

Cars (up to 4,500 kg GVM)
Motorcycles
Trailers / caravans whose aggregate trailer mass (ATM) lies between 0.751 tonnes and 3.50 tonnes
Other vehicles up to 4.50 t gross vehicle mass (GVM) under certain registration/transfer scenarios

Which Vehicles Require a Safety Certificate?

If a vehicle is exempt, a Safety Certificate may not be required

As per Queensland’s Safety Certificate requirements, the inspection will assess a wide range of safety-critical components.

Some of the key items include:

Brakes (including park brake)
Steering and suspension
Tyres and wheels
Lights, signals and electrical systems
Windscreen, windows and wipers
Seatbelts and seating
Body, chassis and corrosion / structural integrity
Underbody condition
Emissions / exhaust leaks (if obvious)
Instruments, gauges and identifiers
Road test to check for driveability issues related to safety

The inspection is meant to ensure your vehicle meets minimum safety standards — it doesn’t guarantee everything about the vehicle is fault-free.

Yes, for light vehicles in Queensland, the term “Safety Certificate” has effectively replaced the old “Roadworthy Certificate.” The function is the same: to confirm that the vehicle meets minimum safety standards before sale or registration transfer.

However, some older sources or discussions may still refer to “roadworthy certificate,” so it’s useful to know both terms.

Is the Safety Certificate the Same as a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC)?

If your vehicle does not meet the safety requirements:

- A list of deficiencies will be provided, stating repairs or adjustments needed
- Once those repairs are completed, the vehicle can be re-inspected
- A reinspection must occur within a timeframe determined by the inspector (often within a few weeks)
- If repairs are not made, we cannot legally issue a Safety Certificate, and the vehicle cannot be sold or re-registered until compliance is achieved

Note: there may be a reinspection fee.

What Happens If a Vehicle Fails the Safety Inspection?

Only approved inspection stations (AIS) are licensed to issue valid Safety Certificates in Queensland.

Why Choose an Approved Inspection Station (AIS) Like Us?

At LM Motors in Townsville, we:
- Are certified by Queensland Transport to conduct safety inspections
- Use standardised checklists aligned with government requirements
- Provide a printed or electronic certificate upon passing
- Can walk you through any repair requirements if faults are found

Additionally, given recent concerns about fraudulent certificates, it’s increasingly important to use a reputable, authorised station. Queensland authorities have cracked down on “dodgy” safety certificates issued without proper inspection, with severe fines and even registration cancellation in some cases.

Check your tyres (tread depth, no severe wear or damage)

Ensure lights, indicators, brake lights are working

Look for windscreen cracks or chips, especially in driver’s line of sight

Check seatbelts for fraying or non-functioning latch

Make sure brakes feel solid, and there’s no unusual noise

Address visible rust or body damage, especially near structural areas

Fix any glaring fluid leaks (oil, coolant, brake fluid)

Ensure mirrors, wipers, and instrumentation are working

These pre-checks can help avoid failures or multiple reinspection costs.

When you're ready, bring your vehicle to LM Motors in Townsville, and we’ll handle your inspection and issue a compliant Safety Certificate. Book your inspection online or call us to discuss your vehicle’s specific needs.

Drive safe—and let us help you comply with QLD’s safety rules with confidence.

Get a Queensland Safety Certificate at LM Motors in Townsville. Authorised inspections for cars, motorcycles, trailers & caravans. Book online today.

Safety Certificate QLD | LM Motors Townsville

Do You Need a Queensland Safety Certificate (formerly Roadworthy Certificate)?

Cabin air filters are designed to filter out pollen or other contaminants whilst absorbing noxious odours and harmful gases.

See a particularly dirty filter we have recently extracted from one of our customers vehicles. 

Are you sure your Cabin Air Filter is clean? 

The toxins and contaminants the cabin air filter is designed to block may cause nausea, tiredness, headaches or more significant health issues for people with asthma or chronic respiratory issues. 

Not only will replacing your cabin air filter improve the air in the car, it will also help you get better fuel performance from your vehicle!

LM Motors check your cabin air filter as part of our free 65 point vehicle inspection report which you can request with a full car service.

If you think your cars cabin air filter is due for a change, see the team at LM Motors or book online!

This is a particularly dirty filter we have recently extracted from one of our customers vehicles...

Cabin Air Filter replacements in Townsville

LM Motors in Townsville, QLD is an Approved Inspection Station (AIS) and can issue Safety Certificates (formerly Roadworthy Certificates RWC) for vehicles that pass an inspection.

This inspection covers the basic vehicle safety standards for many components including:

A Safety Certificate Inspection is not a comprehensive mechanical inspection on the quality, or life expectancy of a vehicle. 

Talk to us today about the different types of inspections available at LM Motors and which one will best suit your needs.

LM Motors is an Approved Inspection Station (AIS) and can conduct your Safety Certificate Inspections, RWC. Call us today to book in.

Roadworthy Safety Inspections ad Certificates - Townsville, QLD

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We are a full auto repair workshop and our fully qualified mechanics can perform any type of automotive service and tune-up. 

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Roadworthy / Safety Certificates

LM Motors in Townsville, QLD is an Approved Inspection Station (AIS) and can issue Safety Certificates (formerly Roadworthy Certificates RWC) for vehicles that pass an inspection.

Let's get started with your booking.

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