Queensland Safety Certificates

If you're buying a used motorcycle you need to ensure there's a current Queensland safety certificate displayed. A safety certificate identifies the authorised inspection station (AIS) that's issued the certificate, and it must be displayed on the motorcycle from the time it's offered for sale.

If you're selling a registered motorcycle, you'll need to obtain and display a Queensland safety certificate from the moment you offer the motorcycle for sale.

What is a safety certificate?

A safety certificate's issued after a motorcycle passes an minimum safety standard inspection. A safety certificate covers basic things that could affect the safe operation of the vehicle, including:

• tyres
• brakes
• steering
• suspension
• rust or damage
• lights

The safety certificate offers buyers better protection and makes sure vehicles being offered for disposal or being re-registered are safe - reducing the likelihood of crashes caused by defective vehicles.

When is a safety certificate required?

You're required to display a safety certificate on any registered motorcycle from the moment you offer the vehicle for sale, including when you:

• list the vehicle for sale online; or
• place the vehicle in public offering it for sale; or
• ride the vehicle while displaying a sign such as For Sale - Phone 1234 5678

Note: You're required to obtain and display a safety certificate on a registered motorcycle when it is being offered for sale, even if you plan cancelling the registration when the motorcycle's sold.

Unregistered second hand and registered interstate motorcycles must have a safety certificate as part of the Queensland pre-registration process (unless exempt).

Safety certificates must be displayed on a motorcycle in a conspicuous place, i.e. front forks or guard.

Failure to display a Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads Safety Certificate on the motorcycle from the time it's first offered for sale can carry an on-the-spot fine penalty of $550.

When is a safety certificate not needed?

Selling a motorcycle without a safety certificate

Motorcycles that are unregistered or are traded to, or between, licensed motor dealers do not require a safety certificate. Motorcycles can still be sold for parts but they must be de-registered before being offered for sale.

Transferring a vehicle without a safety certificate

You don't need a safety certificate if the motorcycle meets one of the exemption criteria. Some exemption situations may include:

• the disposer being in an exempt area
• a beneficiary of a deceased estate
• between spouses, including separated spouses
• remote locations

For more information on exemptions, phone 13 23 80.

How long are safety certificates current for?

The time a safety certificate is valid for varies depending on who is selling the vehicle:

• licensed motor dealers: certificates are valid for 3 months or 1000km (whichever comes first) from date of issue
• all other sellers: certificates are valid for 2 months or 2000km (whichever comes first) from date of issue

The same safety certificate can be used to register an unregistered vehicle and to transfer the registration of that vehicle, provided it is within the limits set out above.

A new safety certificate is needed each time you sell the vehicle even if it is within the limits above. A single safety certificate cannot be used for two transfers.

Who issues safety certificates?

Safety certificates can only be issued by approved inspection stations. Motorcycle Roadworthys is an approved inspection station and will travel to your home, your place of work, or wherever your motorcycle happens to be to undertake an inspection and issue a safety certificate.

Minimise the chance of your motorcycle failing first inspection

A failed safety certificate inspection is inconvenient and time consuming, and more often than not it's only minor and easily rectifiable faults that prevent a pass; faults you could've identified and fixed prior to inspection.

For a better understanding of what a vehicle inspector looks for and to help identify possible reasons for inspection rejection, click HERE to access the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads Code of Practice - Vehicle Inspection Guidelines.

Although vehicle inspection is subjective and inspection guidelines are open to varying interpretation from inspector to inspector, if you follow the guidelines section by section whilst carrying out your own inspection, you should be able to identify and remedy any existing faults prior to a safety certificate inspection.

need a safety certificate for your motorcycle

call MOTORCYCLE ROADWORTHYS now

1800  BIKE  RWC