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Vehicle inspectionAustralia

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Australia

198. Vehicle inspection

A vehicle inspection is an official check to determine whether a vehicle is safe, roadworthy and compliant with applicable technical and environmental requirements. Depending on the country and type of vehicle, inspections may check the brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, emissions, identification and other safety-related components. Inspection rules and intervals vary between countries: some vehicles require regular periodic inspections, while others may also need an inspection after major modifications, an accident, importation or a change of ownership.

Vehicle inspection
Roller brake test at a vehicle inspection station.
Wikimedia.org • Roman Zázvorka • CC BY-SA
What is a vehicle inspection?

A vehicle inspection is an official examination of a vehicle to check whether it meets applicable safety, technical and environmental requirements.

What is checked during a vehicle inspection?

The inspection may include the brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, vehicle identification and emissions. The exact inspection points depend on the country, vehicle type and type of inspection.

How often does a vehicle need to be inspected?

The inspection interval depends on the country and type of vehicle. Some countries require annual inspections, while others use longer intervals based on the vehicle's age, use or condition.

What happens if a vehicle fails the inspection?

A vehicle that does not meet the required standards may need to be repaired and presented for another inspection. Serious defects may restrict or prohibit the vehicle from being used until they are repaired.

Do all countries have the same vehicle inspection rules?

No. Vehicle inspection systems differ between countries, including which vehicles must be inspected, how often inspections are required and which technical standards are checked.

Do electric vehicles need a vehicle inspection?

In countries with periodic vehicle inspections, electric vehicles are generally also subject to inspection. Some inspection points differ because electric vehicles do not have a conventional combustion engine or exhaust-emission system.

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ... 101 Toddler 102 Child 103 Disability 104 Motorail 105 km/h 106 mph 107 Speedometer 108 Ride height 109 Dirt road 110 Driving 111 Start-stop system 112 Manual transmission 113 Automatic transmission 114 Throttle 115 Tachometer 116 Steering wheel 117 Power steering 118 Visual scanning 119 Mirror 120 Fuel 121 Fuel gauge 122 Petrol 123 Diesel 124 Diesel exhaust fluid 125 Car insurance 126 First aid kit 127 Fire extinguisher 128 High-visibility clothing 129 First aid 130 Concrete step barrier 131 Barriers 132 Vehicle lights 133 Street lights 134 Dipped beam 135 High beam 136 Fog lights 137 Front fog lights 138 Rear fog lights 139 Side lights 140 Turn signals 141 Hazard lights 142 Dashboard lights 143 Bicycle lighting 144 Bicycle bell 145 Headlight flashing 146 Seat belt 147 Child restraints 148 Head restraints 149 Airbag 150 ABS 151 Esp 152 Traction control system 153 Helmet 154 Bicycle helmet 155 Hands-free 156 Smartphone 157 GPS 158 Brake 159 Handbrake 160 Brake fluid 161 Tyres 162 Tyre code 163 Winter tyres 164 Tyre pressure 165 Snow chains 166 Bicycle tyre 167 Continuous track 168 Gross Vehicle Weight 169 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 170 Cargo 171 Car body 172 Trunk 173 Roof rack 174 Windscreen 175 Emergency hammer 176 Car battery 177 Traction battery 178 Suspension 179 Shock absorber 180 Spring 181 Exhaust 182 Exhaust gas 183 Soot 184 Catalytic converter 185 Engine 186 Petrol engine 187 Diesel engine 188 Electric motor 189 Timing belt 190 Glow plug 191 Cylinder 192 Engine oil 193 Coolant 194 Maintenance 195 Spare tyre 196 Flat tyre 197 Jack 198 Vehicle inspection 199 Key 200 Dashboard 201 Windscreen wiper 202 Doors 203 Glovebox 204 Visibility 205 Rain 206 Fog 207 Hail 208 Sunlight 209 Sunglasses 210 Salt 211 Air conditioning 212 Hydroplaning 213 Distraction 214 Emotions 215 Road rage 216 Health 217 Epilepsy 218 Night blindness 219 Visual impairment 220 Fatigue 221 Defects 222 Traffic violation 223 Alcohol 224 Alcohol control 225 Ignition interlock device 226 Breath test 227 Breath analysis 228 Blood alcohol content 229 Blood test 230 Saliva test 231 Drugs 232 Medication 233 Penalties 234 Speeding 235 Smoking 236 Traffic enforcement camera 237 Double curve 238 Accident 239 Injuries 240 Nosebleed 241 Damage 242 Breakdown 243 Multiple-vehicle collision 244 Warning triangle 245 Traffic rules 246 Driving school 247 Traffic signs