COI vs Roadworthy - What's the Difference in Queensland?
I did a COI inspection on this Mercedes-Benz in Birkdale today. The owner drives for a ride share platform and needed his certificate of inspection renewed. He asked me a question I hear a lot – what’s actually the difference between a COI and a roadworthy?
It’s a fair question because the inspection itself is identical. But there are some important differences in when you need each one and what happens if you don’t have one.
What is a roadworthy (safety certificate)?
A roadworthy certificate – officially called a safety certificate in Queensland – is a one-off inspection. You need one when:
- Selling a registered vehicle (the seller must provide it to the buyer)
- Transferring ownership of a registered vehicle
- Registering an unregistered vehicle
- Transferring interstate registration to Queensland
Once you’ve used the certificate for its purpose – the sale, the transfer, the registration – that’s it. You don’t need another one until the next time you sell or transfer the vehicle. There’s no annual renewal. A safety certificate is valid for 2 months or 2,000 kilometres from the date of issue, whichever comes first.
Most privately owned cars, motorcycles, and light trailers fall into this category. If you’re selling your car or buying one, a roadworthy is what you need.
What is a COI (certificate of inspection)?
A COI is an ongoing, recurring inspection. Unlike a roadworthy, a COI must be renewed regularly – typically annually. It’s tied to your vehicle’s registration, meaning you cannot legally drive the vehicle if your COI has expired.
COI registration is required for heavy and medium rigid vehicles such as trucks and large trailers. Most people with a standard car, motorcycle, or light trailer will never need a COI.
However, there’s one important exception: if you use a light vehicle – a normal car – to commercially transport passengers, your vehicle must be COI registered. This applies to Uber drivers, DiDi drivers, Ola drivers, and any other ride share or passenger transport service in Queensland.
If you’re a ride share driver, your car needs a valid COI at all times. Not just when you sell it – at all times.
The inspection is the same
Here’s the thing that confuses most people – the actual inspection process for a COI and a roadworthy on a light vehicle is identical. I check the same components, apply the same standards, and look at the same safety items. Tyres, brakes, lights, steering, suspension, windscreen, seat belts, warning lights, oil leaks – everything is the same.
The only difference is administrative. A roadworthy results in a safety certificate. A COI results in a certificate of inspection that gets lodged with Transport and Main Roads and is linked to your ongoing registration.
Key differences at a glance
Roadworthy (safety certificate): one-off inspection, needed for sale or transfer or registration, no renewal required, you can still drive with a failed inspection as long as the car is registered.
COI (certificate of inspection): recurring inspection, must be renewed regularly, required for ongoing registration, you cannot legally drive with an expired COI.
What happens if your COI expires?
Driving a vehicle with an expired COI is an offence. Unlike a roadworthy, where a failed inspection has no effect on your current registration, an expired COI means the vehicle is not legally allowed on the road.
Transport and Main Roads send a reminder notice 10 weeks before your COI expires. When you receive it, book your inspection promptly. If the vehicle fails, you need time to get repairs done and pass a re-inspection before the deadline.
The department may grant an extension of up to 2 months in special circumstances such as natural disasters, but don’t count on this. Plan ahead and book early.
How to book a COI with Local Roadworthys
I provide COI inspections for light vehicles at the same price as a standard roadworthy – from $110 booked online. I do not inspect heavy or medium rigid vehicles.
To book a COI, simply go to my online booking system and book a standard roadworthy inspection. In the notes field, mention that you need a COI. That’s all you need to do – I handle the rest.
If you’re an Uber or ride share driver in Birkdale, the Redlands, South Brisbane or Logan and your COI is coming up for renewal, book early and get it sorted without the last-minute stress.
