Can I Get a Roadworthy Certificate Online in Queensland?
I was inspecting this Hyundai in Victoria Point today and the owner asked me a question I hear surprisingly often – can you just get a roadworthy certificate online without the physical inspection?
No. You can’t. Here’s how it actually works.
You can book online - but the inspection is physical
You can book your roadworthy inspection online – that’s what my booking system is for. But the actual inspection must be done in person by a licensed Queensland examiner who physically inspects the vehicle. There is no way around this.
I need to check the brakes, the steering, the suspension, the lights, the tyres, the underbody, and dozens of other components. I need to do a test drive and a brake test. None of this can be done through a screen.
The certificate itself is electronic
Here’s where it gets confusing for some people. After a successful inspection, I issue an electronic safety certificate. This certificate is lodged directly with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) digitally. You don’t get a piece of paper that you have to hand over in person.
Because the certificate is electronic and already registered with TMR, you can complete the registration transfer online without filling out paper transfer forms and without visiting a TMR customer service centre.
For an online transfer, both the seller and the buyer need a Queensland driver’s licence or a Queensland TMR customer reference number (CRN). Your driver’s licence number is your CRN.
So while the certificate itself is digital and the transfer can be done online, the inspection that produces that certificate must happen physically, in person, on the actual vehicle.
Why a mobile roadworthy is the most convenient option
If the idea of getting a roadworthy “online” appeals to you because you don’t want the hassle of driving to a workshop, a mobile inspection gives you the best of both worlds. You book online, I come to your location, inspect the vehicle in your driveway, and if it passes, the electronic certificate is lodged with TMR on the spot. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes and you don’t have to leave your house.
Watch out for fake roadworthy certificates
This needs to be said. There are people – often found on social media – who claim they can provide a roadworthy certificate without inspecting the vehicle. This is a scam.
If you receive a certificate at all, it’s a fake. It won’t be registered with TMR, which means it can’t be used for a registration transfer. TMR can verify every legitimate certificate in their system, and a fake one will be flagged immediately.
Using a fraudulent safety certificate is a serious offence in Queensland. It can result in fines, cancellation of your registration, and potential criminal charges. Beyond the legal consequences, an uninspected vehicle with unknown safety issues puts you, your passengers, and other road users at genuine risk.
If someone offers you a roadworthy without inspecting the vehicle, they are breaking the law – and if you accept it, so are you.
With Local Roadworthys a legitimate mobile roadworthy inspection from a licensed examiner costs from $110. That’s a small price compared to the legal and safety consequences of a fake certificate.
