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Heavy vehicle inspections – Change of ownership

The requirement for an inspection upon Change of Ownership was introduced to identify, monitor and mitigate un-roadworthiness as a causative factor in crashes on South Australian roads and improving safety for all road users.

The change of ownership inspection requires all vehicles and trailers with a Gross Vehicles Mass (GVM) or Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) over 4.5 tonnes which are three (3) years of age and over from date of manufacture to be inspected and passed as roadworthy before the vehicle can be registered in the new vehicle owner’s name for registration in South Australia.

This includes vehicles in the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Maintenance Accreditation Scheme, but excludes buses, which already undertake an annual inspection, and special purpose vehicles such as tractors, agricultural and road making equipment.

Change of ownership inspection services are provided at The Department’s metropolitan and regional locations.

Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs)

Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) are no longer included in the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme and do not need an annual inspection.

This is consistent with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) National Notice harmonisation program, as it is expected to create efficiencies for RAVs travelling across different States and Territories. The need to ensure you operate a roadworthy vehicle has not changed, nor has the requirement for an inspection at change of vehicle ownership.

To continue to improve road safety and heavy vehicle roadworthiness compliance, additional options will be investigated in consultation with the NHVR and the South Australian Police.

More information on inspection locations and heavy vehicles is available at sa.gov.au.

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