What is the aim of a Blue Slip Inspection?

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Blue Slip Inspections are a report that ensures an unregistered vehicle is secure and meets design and identification requirements. This involves vehicles whose registration has expired, as well as vehicle inspections prior to purchase.

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All unregistered light vehicles in NSW need Blue Slip inspections before they can be licenced in the state, and light vehicles include, according to the Roads and Maritime Services website, passenger cars.

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Both bikes, caravans, and trailers weighing less than 4.5 tonnes, including those equipped with breakaway brakes, but excluding those equipped with air or vacuum braking systems vehicles for transporting goods with a gross vehicle mass of less than 4.5 tonnes (without power-operated brakes).

Vehicle Out Of Rego?

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Vehicles that have been unregistered for more than three months, vehicles imported from other states or abroad, vehicles without number plates, and vehicles that have been written off but are now approved for re-registration are among the other Blue Slip provisions.

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Have you installed a new engine in your vehicle? or had a reconditioned engine put in?

That's a Blue Slip, by the way.

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Need to get rid of those annoying defect notifications so you can get back on the road?

That's also a Blue Slip.

What is a Blue Slip?

 

A blue slip is different from a pink slip in that it extensively inspects all aspects of the vehicle, including leaks, lighting, seat belts, brakes, and suspension.

A blue slip also includes a written-off vehicle search, which recognises stolen vehicles that have been rebadged with number plates from a wrecked vehicle, a forensic vehicle identification check, which identifies any vehicle, and a design test, which ensures that the vehicle meets the manufacturer's specifications.

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If you're selling a car without a licence, re-registering your car from another state, or if your registration has been expired for more than three months, you'll need a blue slip. And it's not just a car – many people forget about their boat trailer and caravan before it's summer...and then face a hefty fine right before the holidays!

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A blue slip is valid for 28 days after it is released. If you don't pass the blue slip inspection, you have 14 days to have the defects corrected and return to your nearest inspection centre, much like the pink slip inspection.

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If you fail to return your blue slip or pink slip, your vehicle will be considered unregistered. You can, however, drive the vehicle to and from the inspection centre and your house, or to a specialist repair shop, or to the nearest possible weighbridge to assess the vehicle's weight. Only make sure you have a reservation before heading to the service centre or inspection centre, and stay on the shortest route possible.

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If you are found driving an unregistered car on some other road, you will be charged – see above! – and the vehicle's number plates may be removed immediately or the vehicle may be confiscated.