Roadworthy certificates are something we are used to dealing with when it's time to sell or re-register a vehicle, but have you ever stopped to consider, is your vehicle is actually roadworthy?

The roadworthiness scheme in Victoria aims to improve road safety for everyone, as well as minimize the damage caused by vehicles to roads and related structures, and they do this by requiring vehicle owners to get roadworthy certificates before they can register a vehicle that has had its registration run out, or before selling a vehicle. But if your vehicle has maintained its registration, and is not being sold - are you sure it's still safe if you haven't had to get a roadworthy certificate?

In Victoria obtaining certificate of roadworthiness is mandatory before a vehicle can be sold - the vehicles seller must provide a current roadworthy certificate to the buyer, unless the buyer is their spouse or a licensed motor vehicle trader.

It is possible to sell a vehicle without a roadworthy certificate if it is un-registered, however before that vehicle can be re-registered an RWC does need to be obtained. In some cases a roadworthiness certificate is also needed to clear a vehicle defect notice in Victoria.

The vehicle must first pass a roadworthy inspection test before a certificate is issued. An RWC can only be issued by a licensed vehicle tester - Total Car Care Centre is a licensed vehicle testing station - we are a Vic Roads licensed Roadworthy tester for passenger vehicles, 4 wheel drives and small trucks.

A roadworthy inspection covers the major safety related items, including:

• Seats and seat belts
• Exhaust and Emission controls
• Wheels and tyres
• Steering, suspension and braking systems
• Lamps and reflectors
• Windscreen, and windows including front windscreen wipers and washers
• The structure of the vehicle itself
• Safety related items on the body, chassis or engine

In Melbourne and the rest of Victoria a Roadworthy certificate will be valid for 30 days from the date of its issue.

Remember, a roadworthiness inspection test is not a check of the overall reliability or condition of a vehicle. If you require a comprehensive check on the overall condition and reliability of the vehicle then contact us at to ask about a fully comprehensive 150 point vehicle inspection.

Because a roadworthy certificate covers so many different parts of a vehicle, and vehicles vary greatly in type, size, style and age the total cost of a roadworthy certificate can vary - especially depending on whether there are faults discovered and what those faults are.

Simply fill in our handy Contact Form and one of our friendly staff will contact you to talk about getting a roadworthy for your vehicle - or give us a call today.

• Wheels, rims and tyres must be free of cracks or any other damage that could cause failure of the tyre, wheel or rim.
• The wheel/rim must not be dented, buckled or out of balance.
• You cannot have a "temporary use" spare tyre fitted as a road wheel.
• If you have spoke wheels, all spokes must be intact, straight, fitted and laced or tensioned correctly.
• When facing in the straight ahead position -the wheels and tyres must not project beyond the width of the mudguards or contact any part of the vehicle during any combination of steering or suspension.
• Wheels must be securely attached with the correct type and number of studs, nuts or both. Tyres must have a MINIMUM tread depth of 1.5mm at any point on the tread which will be in normal contact with the road (other than at tyre tread indicators) If tread wear indicators are present the tyre cannot be so worn that the indicators contact the road surface. Tyre size must be compatible with the rim size. Retreaded tyres must be must be marked with the Id of the retreader and the word "retreaded" along with any relevant markings required by the Australian standard

• The vehicle must drive straight without wandering or pulling left or right when driving straight ahead.
• All steering components must be securely and correctly mounted and free from damage or excessive wear, including dust and grease seals.
• Power steering fittings should be free of oil leaks.
• There must be adequate clearance between suspension components and the vehicles body.
• All joints, bushes, pivots, dust and grease seals, wheel bearings and mounts must be in good condition.
• Shock absorbers and struts must be securely mounted and free from leaks.

• All brake components must be functioning correctly be mounted securely and appropriately located.
• All brake components must be free from visible wear, distortion or damage.
• Vehicle parking and emergency brakes must be functioning correctly.
• Park brakes must be capable of keeping the vehicle stationary on any grade of hill up or down.
• Brake lights (warning signs) must be fitted correctly and functioning.
• Car horn must be working correctly (warning signs).
• Brake systems must be free of leaks.
• Brake linings must not be worn down to the wear indicators.

• All seats must be secure and structurally sound with no jagged edges or protrusions sticking out.
• The drivers seat in particular should be free from any defect that could impede driving ability.
• Seat sliders must be functioning correctly and free of any looseness.
• If present head restraint must be secure and in a sound condition.
• Seatbelts must be present.
• Seatbelt webbing must be firmly secured and free from cuts, damage, wear, knots or fraying.
• Any seatbelt component cannot be modified.

• Steering wheel covers must be securely fitted.
• All steering and control wheel knobs and pedals must function correctly and cannot be deteriorated to an extent which affects performance.
• Vehicles manufactured after 1 July 1988 must have a functioning speedometer calibrated in km/h.
• All motor vehicles must have rear vision mirror capable of providing a clear view to the rear of the vehicle.
• All vehicles must be fitted with one or more effective horns or warning devices capable of producing a steady sound of constant pitch.
• Fuel filler caps must be present, secure and seal properly. Plastic emergency caps are not acceptable

• Light requirements vary greatly with vehicle type, but as a general rule all vehicles must be fitted with headlamps, stop lamps (brake lights), front and rear position lamps and number plate lamp and turn signal lamps (blinkers) and they must be in reasonable working order.
• All lenses or light covers must be of the correct colour, clean , free of damage and not faded.
• Headlamp reflectors must be in good condition.
• All lamps and lights must be securely fitted and facing correctly.

• All glass that is necessary for the driver to see the road and other road users must be free of damage and cannot be altered to the extent that it prevent safe use of the vehicle.
• Chips, scratches or cracks in the windshield to the extent that the drivers vision is impaired is not acceptable although minor wear and tear can sometimes be approved, this also applies to side windows.
• Windscreens primary vision area cannot be tinted to more than 70% in vehicles made after 1971.
• Tinting in the primary vision area of the windscreen must have been manufactured not via coating or tint films added after manufacture.
• Windscreen wipers must be fitted correctly and working effectively.
• Windscreen washer jets must be positioned correctly

• The structural components of the vehicle must be free from damage, cracks, faulty repairs or modifications, rust or any other condition which could cause structural failure or affect safety related issues.
• The floor of vehicle must be sound and free of any loose material, objects or tears which could be likely to impede the drivers ability to safely operate the vehicle.
• All door, boot, lid, bonnet, hatch and tailgate latches and latch mechanisms need to be in correct working order.
• Mudflaps are required on vehicles with a tray type body.
• Bumper bars must be securely fitted and designed to eliminate any sharp corners or protrusions.
• Towbars must be in good condition.

Remember: This is not the full list of requirements for a roadworthy test it is just a short list of some things which could be faulted on your vehicle. For a more comprehensive rundown visit VicRoads. The only way to know is to have a roadworthy test done by a licensed tester. Call us today to book in a roadworthy or discuss your needs.

For More information about Roadworthiness certificates in Melbourne, Vic visit VicRoads.