A blue slip is a certificate of roadworthiness for a vehicle in New South Wales (NSW).
It is an inspection to ensure that your vehicle complies with the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act. A blue slip is a certificate from a mechanic ensuring an unregistered car is safe and meets all roadworthy standards. Before you can get a blue slip, your car must pass inspections and obtain a certificate of inspection. You need a blue slip if you own an unregistered vehicle and all interstate vehicles brought into NSW. Blue slip inspections costs are outlined below.
Vehicle | Blue slip cost |
|---|---|
Light vehicle | $67 |
Motorcycle | $41 |
Trailer with brakes | $48 |
Trailer without brakes | $34 |
The rates above are the standard maximum fees for the blue slip.
The purpose of a blue slip inspection includes the below.
Identity check to ascertain that unregistered vehicle details indicated in the vehicle's registration records are correct. The vehicle inspection confirms that the VIN number is correct, legible, and is not in any way defaced due to rust, paint works, or damage from routine repairs.
Confirms that the car's odometer readings are accurate and have not been tampered with.
To certify that the vehicle meets roadworthy standards.
Blue slip involves checking that needed repairs to a previously written-off vehicle have been carried out before re-registration.
To confirm those light vehicles whose registration has expired for more than three months are in roadworthy condition and meet the safety check standards.
Besides ensuring a vehicle meets a manufacturer's standards, you need a blue slip to confirm that details that have changed significantly, such as a new engine are registered correctly in the car's registration records. Further, the service centre will confirm that an engine that needs defect notices cleared has met the required repairs.
Unregistered vehicles must complete the blue slips inspection before being issued with number plates.
A blue slip will check the following:
Brakes.
Steering system works correctly.
Wheels, wheel bearings, suspension, and tyres.
Lights and reflectors.
Horn.
Windscreen wipers and washers.
Seats and seat belts.
Doors.
Windows.
Structure of the car or motorcycle frame.
General condition of the vehicle.
A blue slip inspection should take no longer than 30 minutes. It is performed at an accredited service centre. Your mechanic will check the brakes, steering, wheels and tyres, lights and reflectors, horn, windscreen wipers and washers, seats, doors, and windows during this time. They will also check the condition of the car or motorcycle frame and the general condition of the vehicle. If your car or motorcycle fails any of the safety check inspections, it will not receive a blue slip. You will need to fix the issue before getting a blue slip. If your car or motorcycle passes all of the safety inspections, your mechanic will give you a certificate of inspection. The authorised unregistered vehicle inspection report is electronically shared. After being issued with the blue slip report, the next step for the owner of a light vehicle is to take their unregistered cars to Service NSW to be issued with number plates. Since the report is valid for 42 days, the unregistered car must be presented for registration within this period. If not, the validity expires, and the blue slip inspection process must be repeated. This is your proof that your car or motorcycle is roadworthy and can be driven on NSW roads.
You will need a blue, pink slip, and a green slip to have your vehicle registered and be allowed to drive it or ride the motorcycle on NSW roads.
A green slip includes third party property damage and personal injury insurance. It does not cover destruction to your car or motorcycle. If you are in a collision or your car or motorcycle is stolen, you will need to make a claim on your comprehensive insurance.
Third party insurance covers damages to other people and their property, not your vehicle. You need third party property damage and personal injury insurance before you can drive on NSW roads.
As the name implies, comprehensive insurance covers damages to you and your car or motorcycle. It also covers damages and compensates losses to other people and their property. Comprehensive insurance is an escalation of CTP insurance. You will pay an additional premium to get the added benefits of comprehensively insuring your vehicle. To register a vehicle in NSW, you need a blue slip, a pink, and a green slip. CTP insurance is equivalent to a green slip.