Pink slips in NSW: what's checked, when you need one, and what if it fails
A plain-English guide to the safety inspection you need before renewing rego on an older car in NSW.
3 min read
If you’ve owned a car in NSW for a few years, you’ll have come across the pink slip. Its official name is an eSafety check, and it’s one of the things you may need before you can renew your registration on an older car.
These rules are set by Transport for NSW and can change, so check the current details on the Service NSW website before your rego is due. Your renewal notice will also tell you whether your vehicle needs an inspection.
When do you need one?
For most light vehicles, such as cars, utes and small vans, you need a safety inspection before renewing registration once the vehicle is more than five years old. Newer vehicles are generally exempt.
The inspection has to be done at an Authorised Inspection Station, and it needs to be done within a set period before your renewal date, so don’t book it too early. The result is sent electronically to Transport for NSW, so you normally don’t need to carry a paper slip to renew.
You’ll also need current CTP insurance (a green slip) to renew your registration.
What gets checked?
The inspection is about safety, not how the car looks or how well it runs. The inspector checks things like:
- tyres, including tread depth and damage
- brakes and the handbrake
- steering and suspension
- lights, indicators and reflectors
- the windscreen, wipers and washers
- seats and seatbelts
- the horn
- the body and underneath for serious rust or damage
- the exhaust system
It isn’t a full mechanical inspection. A car can pass and still be due for a service or have other problems, and passing on the day doesn’t mean it will stay roadworthy all year.
What if it fails?
If something doesn’t meet the standard, the car won’t pass, and you’ll be told what needs fixing. Common reasons include worn tyres, blown globes, worn brakes, windscreen damage in the driver’s view and worn suspension parts.
Once the problems are repaired, the car is re-inspected. You can choose who does the repairs. Ask the inspection station how re-inspection works for them and whether it needs to be done within a certain time.
If your registration has already lapsed, or the car has been unregistered for a while, it may need a different and more detailed inspection called a blue slip instead. Check with Service NSW if that applies to you.
Getting ready for the inspection
A few simple checks beforehand can save you a second trip:
- Walk around the car with the headlights, indicators and brake lights on. A second person helps with the brake lights.
- Look at the tyres for low tread, bulges or cuts.
- Check the windscreen for chips or cracks, especially in front of the driver.
- Make sure the wipers clear the screen properly and the washers work.
- Test the horn.
- Make sure every seatbelt clicks in, releases and retracts properly.
If anything looks borderline, it’s worth sorting out before the inspection rather than after. If you’d like a second opinion on something you’ve noticed, call Ridgeline Auto on 02 9000 0000.