Vehicle inspections

Vehicle inspections that you may need before you register a vehicle in South Australia are

• Tier 2 identity inspection
  
• Tier 3 identity inspection
  
• Roadworthy inspection

Tier 2 identity inspection

This is an inspection to check the vehicles identity and to determine if a vehicle is stolen. You will need to have this inspection done if the vehicle:

• was last registered interstate, unless you hold a current interstate registration certificate in exactly the same name as the intended South Australian registration - this includes vehicles that may have been registered in South Australia previously
• is from overseas
• registration (plate) number is unknown
• was a commonwealth registered vehicle
• has been registered in South Australia before, but the vehicle details (e.g. engine number and vehicle identification number) do not match the records of Registration and Licensing, or the details of the vehicle are unknown
• one-off new construction
• is a repaired written-off vehicle (refer to Tier 3 identity inspection)

You will be issued a Vehicle Identity Inspection Report after the vehicle has passed the inspection. The certificate is valid for 3 calendar months from the date of ‘Passed Inspection’.  This certificate should accompany your application to register your vehicle.
If you live within a 40 kilometre radius of the Adelaide GPO, the vehicle must be inspected by the:

Vehicle Identity Assessment Station
7 Naweena Road
Regency Park 5010

8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
No appointment is necessary.

If you live more than 40 kilometres from the Adelaide GPO, you may have the vehicle inspected at:
Your local Police Station
Please contact the Police Station to arrange an appointment.

or

If you live in Mount Gambier, or surrounding districts, the vehicle can be inspected at:

Vehicle Inspection Station
322 Commercial Street West
Mount Gambier
12.15 to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays)
No appointment is necessary.

Tier 3 identity inspection

A Tier 3 identity inspection is required if the vehicle is a repaired written-off vehicle or a vehicle of interest.

For further information please click here.

This comprehensive examination is to confirm the identity of the vehicle and determine whether there is a suspicion it is stolen, re-birthed or repaired using parts from stolen vehicles.

An appointment is required for Tier 3 identity inspection and a booking can be made by phoning 1300 882 247. An inspection fee is applicable for the Tier 3 Inspection and must be paid prior to attending the inspection. No payments will be accepted at the Vehicle Identity Assessment Station. The fee can be paid at the time of making a booking (Visa or MasterCard) or in person at:

Vehicle Inspection Office
Kateena Street
Regency Park 5010
Telephone 1300 882 247

Or at any Customer Service Centre

When you attend the pre-booked Tier 3 inspection, you will be required to present:

• inspection payment receipt
• the repaired written-off vehicle
• original receipt for the purchase of the written-off vehicle
• proof of previous registration in Australia (if available)
• proof of identity of the person presenting the vehicle
• original receipts for the purchase of the major vehicle components used to repair the vehicle.  ‘Used’ major vehicle components must include either the WOV Serial Nos or the Donor Vehicle VIN on the original receipt.
• original receipts for the repair of the vehicle (if applicable)
• an SRS report if any of the SRS systems have been disconnected or replaced

For further information on inspection requirements please refer to the fact sheet Repaired Written-Off Vehicles Inspection Requirements.
As you will not be permitted to be present with your vehicle during the examination, do not leave valuables or personal possessions in the vehicle.

The inspection is conducted at:

Vehicle Identity Assessment Station
7 Naweena Road
Regency Park 5010

or

Selected sites in rural areas (confirm at the time of booking) for rural residents only.

After successfully passing a Tier 3 Inspection a Roadworthy Booking can be made.  A separate inspection fee is applicable.

Roadworthy inspection

A roadworthy inspection is required when the vehicle

• has been fitted with a non standard engine
• construction has been changed (e.g. change to length of wheelbase, change in number of tyres, or the vehicle has been converted from a sedan to a convertible)
• is a bus with seating for 13 or more
• has been issued with a major defect notice
• has been imported from overseas
• was originally manufactured as left hand drive
• has been rebuilt from parts and is a hot rod, beach buggy, etc.
• has been changed and the seating capacity is different
• is new and is not fitted with a compliance plate or the compliance plate approval date has expired
• (including trailers) was registered in another state, is more than seven years old and has an unladen mass of 4.5 tonnes or more
• Is a repaired written-off vehicle

A current approval to register, issued by Road Transport Assessment and Safety Group, is required before registration of

• long combination truck
• medium combination prime mover
• long combination prime mover.

Registration of special purpose vehicles may need to be checked by the Road Transport Assessment and Safety Group to set vehicle condition codes (PDF) (no fee is required for these inspections).

These inspections can be booked through the

Road Transport Assessment and Safety Group
Kateena Street
Regency Park 5010
Telephone 1300 882 247