Making sure cars are roadworthy is a big part of the registration system. It’s also about protecting people – every vehicle must be registered to be covered by compulsory third party insurance. This insurance makes sure that everyone is covered for personal injury if someone is hurt in a crash.

Here’s the rundown on what the different roadworthiness inspections mean, and how to make sure you’re covered.

Vehicle inspections

To register a vehicle, your car needs to be checked to ensure it’s safe to drive. Here’s how it works.

Pink slip: This is a safety inspection report that proves your car is roadworthy. All vehicles more than three years old require a safety inspection as a condition of registration renewal. Your registration renewal notice will advise you if your vehicle needs an inspection. To get the pink slip, you need to take your vehicle to an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS). To find your nearest AIS phone the RTA on 13 22 13.

e-Safety Check: This is a pink slip that has been sent to the RTA electronically. This allows you to renew your rego online or by phone. You must visit an e-Safety Check inspection station to get your e-Safety Check. To find your nearest inspection station, click here.

Blue slip: A safety inspection report for unregistered vehicles. This proves your vehicle is roadworthy, but it also makes sure the car meets design and identity standards. You must visit an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS) to get a blue slip. Find your nearest AUVIS by calling 1300 137 302.

White slip: An inspection report rejection slip. It details the repairs required before a vehicle can be registered. Once the repairs are carried out and you have the vehicle re-inspected, the vehicle will receive a pink or blue slip.

Insurance

To register a car, you must have a green slip – otherwise known as compulsory third party (CTP) insurance.

Green slips ensure you’re covered if other people are injured in a crash when you (or the person driving your car) is at fault.

If your car is not registered then your green slip is not valid. This means you will be liable for any injuries caused in a crash – which could mean enormous financial problems for you.

To find out everything there is to know about green slips go to www.greenslips.com.au

You can also opt to get more insurance, and it’s usually a good idea. For GEARED’s guide to the world of insurance, watch this space.