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Some vehicles, such as a cars, trailers, caravans or motorbikes, must have an identity inspection (Tier 2) before they can be registered in South Australia.
When an inspection is required
A vehicle needs to have an identity inspection if any of the following apply.
- It was last registered interstate, unless it's going to be registered in South Australia under exactly the same name and the registration is current or expired less than 3 months.
- It was imported from overseas:
- you must submit an imported vehicle for an identity inspection before beginning any modifications.
- It has an unknown registration plate number.
- It's a homemade trailer.
- It was last registered as a Commonwealth-registered vehicle.
- It's a manufacturer-built trailer that's not recognised on the registration and licensing system with a make code.
- It was last registered in South Australia, but the vehicle details, such as, engine and vehicle identification numbers don't match records or are unknown.
- It was repaired written-off vehicle. Refer to MR1547 Written off vehicles repair diary (PDF 555.1 KB).
- It's a new vehicle that can't be registered by the vehicle dealership on your behalf, and you can't provide proof of purchase, for example an invoice from the dealership.
- It's a one-off new construction.
- It's new vehicle that was bought interstate and you can't provide proof of purchase, for example an invoice from the dealership.
- It's a new vehicle that has never been registered before and has a manufacture date of more than 2 years ago.
Taking the vehicle to get inspected
- You don't need an inspection booking, but opening times may change daily depending on capacity.
- Your vehicle must be in a roadworthy state.
- A basic safety check will be included in the inspection.
Driving the vehicle in
Vehicle's being driven in and out of the facility must have one of the following.
- A current South Australian or interstate registration.
- An unregistered vehicle permit.
- Trade plates. The trade plate owner must have some financial interest in the vehicle.
Transporting the vehicle by trailer
Vehicle's being transported by a trailer or other means must be offloaded and driven into the facility at the time of inspection.
Find a vehicle inspection location
All locations are closed on public holidays.
Metropolitan Adelaide
Metropolitan vehicle identity inspection station
7 Naweena Road
Regency Park SA 5010
Phone 8400 8777
No booking required.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday - 8 am to 4:30 pm
- first Tuesday of every month - 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Southern Adelaide
Southern vehicle identity inspection station
Unit 2/7 Ellemsea Circuit
Lonsdale SA 5160
Phone 8307 0350
This station only inspects cars and motorbikes. This means trailers, caravans and heavy vehicles will need to be inspected at our Regency Park location instead.
No booking required.
Opening hours
Open Wednesday and Thursday only - 9 am to 3 pm (closed 12:30 pm to 1 pm)
Mount Gambier and surrounding districts
Mount Gambier vehicle inspection station
322 Commercial Street West
Mount Gambier SA 5290
Phone 8726 1311
No booking required.
Opening hours
Open Monday to Friday - 8 am to 11:30 am.
Other country areas
Identity inspections can be carried out by the South Australia police in country areas if you meet all the following requirements:
- you live more than 40 kilometres from the Adelaide GPO
- your local police station is more than 40 kilometres from the Adelaide GPO
- you're a resident in the local police response area
- you can supply proof of vehicle ownership.
If the VIN and the vehicle engine cannot be easily be accessed by police – they may request you to get a mechanic to confirm the details in order for the inspection to be completed.
Contact your local country police station to check availability and to make an appointment for the inspection.
After the inspection
You'll be given a vehicle inspection report:
- report is valid for 3 calendar months from the time of the inspection,
- you'll need this to register your vehicle.
Getting the vehicle registered
1. Take the inspection report to a Service SA centre.
2. Pay the registration fees and $75 inspection fee.
Police inspections
You'll need to also take your payment receipt with you to Service SA, if your inspection was done at the police station.
- Lost receipt - you can contact the police station that did the inspection and they can email a copy to you.
- No receipt - you'll pay the inspection fee at Service SA.
