Some vehicles — such as a car, trailer, caravan or motorbike — require a roadworthy inspection before they can be registered in South Australia.
When an inspection is required
A roadworthy inspection is required if the vehicle:
- is a light vehicle and has been fitted with a non-standard engine - phone Vehicle Standards on 1300 882 248 to ask about your vehicle or email vehiclestandards@sa.gov.au
- is a light vehicle and has been structurally changed - eg change the length of the wheelbase
- has been issued with a defect notice
- is a dedicated rally car, street rod, or an individually constructed vehicle
- is a light vehicle and has had modifications made to the brakes, steering, or suspension systems
- is a light vehicle and has been imported from overseas and requires an exemption from the fitting of a compliance plate (cars manufactured after 1971 and for motorbikes manufactured after 1977)
- is a light vehicle and was originally manufactured as a left-hand drive
- Left-hand drive vehicles imported as Rarity vehicles generally do not need a roadworthy inspection. A roadworthy inspection is only required if the vehicle is referred following the identity inspection.
- is a light vehicle and has had a change in the vehicle's seating capacity
- was registered in another state, is more than 3 years old, and has an unladen mass of more than 4.5 tonnes
- is a repaired, economically written-off vehicle
- has a seating capacity of 12 or less and is used to carry passengers for hire, fare, or reward (except self-drive)
- is a bus with seating for 13 or more
- is a heavy vehicle or trailer with a gross vehicles mass (GVM) or Aggregate Trailer mass (ATM) of more than 4.5 tonnes and 3 years of age or over from the date of manufacture, being transferred to a new owner for registration in South Australia.
Book an inspection
What you'll need
You'll need a client number or driver's licence number.
You'll need to pay an inspection fee when you make your booking. An inspection fee is charged for each inspection.
How to book
Phone Service SA on 13 10 84:
- Monday to Friday - 9 am to 5 pm
- Wednesday - 9:30 am to 5 pm
Vehicle inspection locations
Metropolitan Adelaide
Regency Park vehicle roadworthy inspection station
13 Kateena Street
Regency Park SA 5010
Bookings required.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday - 8 am to 4 pm
Southern Adelaide
Lonsdale inspection station
Unit 2, 7 Ellemsea Circuit
Lonsdale SA 5160
Bookings required.
The bookings officer will advise you about available dates and times.
Rural areas
Bookings required.
The bookings officer will advise you about locations and available dates and times.
Disputing a decision
If you dispute a decision made during the inspection, you may request a second opinion by a supervisor.
If you wish the decision to be reviewed further, you may request a review of the decision, in writing, within 72 hours of the inspection.
Email the Manager, Vehicle Operations at dit.mavoadmin@sa.gov.au and include:
- details of the dispute
- your contact details
- vehicle details (registration and VIN or chassis number)
- inspection booking number
- date and time of the inspection.
A response will be provided within 5 working days of receiving the written notification.
