Registration and Safety Checks

Registration tips and traps

Always renew registration when it is due as there are several traps:

• Renew registration within 3 months of your expiry date, otherwise your registration will be cancelled.
• To renew your registration for 6 months, you must do so within 21 days of renewal date, otherwise you have no choice but to renew for 12 months.
• Greenslips for 6 months also have a use-by date, which is 21 days after the date on which registration renewal is due.
• Registration of a vehicle requiring a blue slip (a vehicle being transferred from interstate or with a cancelled registration) is a first registration and can be done initially for 12 months only.
• Registration of a vehicle does not usually require hard copies of the CTP green slip as they are sent online to Service NSW. However, you may need a hard copy of the safety and identity check (blue slip).

Safety checks

Vehicle safety inspection reports are called safety checks or pink slips. Your registration renewal notice will tell you if a safety check is required. Vehicles more than 5 years old require an annual safety check before registration.

For the first 5 years, new light vehicles plus light commercial vehicles, panel vans, caravans, trailers and 4WD vehicles with a compliance date of 1 July 2003 onwards do not need a safety check.

• Safety checks are usually issued online to Service NSW by Authorised Inspection Scheme stations (inspection stations).
• After a safety check, you can renew your registration online or on the phone.
• Find a list of inspection stations and other Service NSW information about registering your vehicle.

To register a vehicle being transferred from interstate or with a cancelled registration, you need a more detailed safety and identity check, generally called a blue slip. Some inspection stations issue pink and blue slips.

Short term (6-month) registration and greenslips

In addition to 12-month renewal, you can buy a greenslip and renew registration for 6 months for cars, light trucks (most light vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes), motorbikes and trailers. You can renew for 3 months in the case of trucks.

• The term of your greenslip must match the period of your registration. If you intend to renew your registration for 6 months, buy a greenslip for 6 months.
• Short term (6-month) registration is not available for a new registration or when transferring and renewing registration at the same time.
• Safety checks (pink slips) are required every 12 months or every alternate 6-month registration period.

Renew registration online at Service NSW, by calling 13 77 88, by post or in person at a motor registry or Service NSW.

Greenslip notification online

When you buy a greenslip the insurer will notify Service NSW online. Generally, subject to clearance of funds, Service NSW will be notified within 30 to 60 minutes of processing by the insurer.

If you buy your greenslip from an agent or broker, always check how long it will take for processing by the insurer.

You cannot register your vehicle until green slip notification has occurred.