Certificates issued by approved inspection stations
An approved inspection station (AIS) provides motor vehicle inspections, and can verify if registered vehicles are safe to use on Queensland roads. They are approved by the Queensland Government to issue the following inspection certificates:
- safety certificates—for light vehicles (such as cars, motorbikes, trailers and caravans)
- certificates of inspection—for heavy vehicles such as trucks, heavy trailers and caravans.
Vehicles are inspected by approved examiners who have been accredited by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
An AIS can consist of a fixed premises and an AIS mobile unit, or simply be a fixed premises—like a service station, garage or mechanical workshop.
Electronically issued inspection certificates
Some AIS now issue safety certificates and certificates of inspection electronically. Most electronically issued inspection certificates will be automatically submitted online to the department by the AIS.
The AIS can print or email you a PDF of the electronically issued inspection certificate for your records.
In most circumstances you won't need to lodge your electronically issued inspection certificate with the department, for example:
- If you are selling or disposing of your vehicle or trailer, and you get an electronically issued inspection certificate, you may be eligible to transfer the registration out of your name using our online service. This service also allows the buyer to complete the transfer of registration online.
- If your vehicle needs periodic inspections that can be conducted by an AIS and you are issued with an assigned certificate of inspection electronically.
In some cases an unassigned certificate is issued when your vehicle's details are not recorded in our system (for example, interstate registered vehicles) or do not match what is already recorded in our system. The AIS will advise if you need to present this certificate in person at a transport and motoring customer service centre.
Example electronic certificates
- Assigned safety certificate for cars and light commercial vehicles
- Unassigned safety certificate for cars and light commercial vehicles
- Assigned certificate of inspection for heavy vehicles
- Unassigned certificate of inspection for heavy vehicles
Vehicles needing inspection
You may need to book a vehicle inspection with an AIS when:
- registering a vehicle, boat, caravan or trailer
- buying or selling a vehicle
- transferring a vehicle's registration.
Inspection fees for certificates
Check the: