In Australia, the number of accidents is rising day-by-day due to the unworthiness of the vehicle. It has led to hardships for many families in terms of financial conditions, and most importantly, their health. To prevent this, you need to make your vehicle certified by an authoriser. According to government regulations, vehicles must have a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) or else you will need to pay fine for the lack of it.
RWC proves that your car is in full working condition for daily use on the road. You can get this from any private or government means, but never forget that it’s very essential. If everything is going from over your head, then do not despair. We'll give you all the insights of the RWC - from what it is to how it should be obtained. Just stay tuned with us.
What is RWC?
RWC is a document to confirm that your carrier has been inspected once purchased (old vehicle) and is safe to be on the road. To be more precise, it will not guarantee that your vehicle is mechanically reliable. It will just declare that it’s in good condition for public road purposes.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that not every carrier requires this certificate. A brand-new vehicle (except taxi) will not need this certificate.
When do you need RWC?
Rules and regulations related to RWC changes from state to state in Australia. And according to the transport department, you will require a safety certificate in the following four situations:
- Selling a registered vehicle
- Transferring registration to the new owner
- Transferring registration from one state to another (i.e. New South Wales to Queensland)
- Registering an unregistered vehicle
Why do you need RWC?
As an owner of the carrier, you are solely responsible to maintain it in a roadworthy state every time. Wear and tear in your vehicle can deteriorate its condition, leading it to a worsening situation. Therefore, a roadworthy test will help you and the other road users to be away from physical haphazardness.
If you are planning to purchase an old vehicle, then RWC will also save you from buying a carrier that could be in a critical state.
How can you get the certificate?
To get RWC of your vehicle, it should undergo inspection. It will be done by a licensed vehicle tester, such as a service station or automotive garage. You may find such mechanical workshops in many areas of eastern suburbs in Melbourne who will complete inspections and issue roadworthy certificates.
You may not need RWC every time, but if in case the police stop you or if you are trying to sell your vehicle, then you need to produce it.
What does the inspection for RWC cover?
The inspection is a test of your vehicle to ensure that significant parts are in a good state for safe road use. Components include:
- Wheels and tyres
- Steering and braking systems
- Seats and seat belts
- Lights and reflectors
- Windscreen and windows including front wipers and washers
- Vehicle structure
- Other safety-related items on the body or engine
As this inspection is not a check of the mechanical reliability of your vehicle, so obtaining this certificate doesn’t mean that:
- Your vehicle is without any wear and tear
- Non-safety accessories like air conditioner and rear window demister are in good condition
- The significant parts examined during the inspection will continue working after the investigation too
- Your vehicle complies with all the Australian Design Rules (ADRs)
If you require a detailed inspection of your vehicle, you can arrange a separate independent vehicle inspection as precaution is better than cure.
How long does a certificate remain current?
The certificate will be considered as current for 30 days from the date of its issue. An important note for you to know is there is no guarantee that your vehicle will remain that condition until 30 days.
What is the cost of obtaining the certificate?
The cost of obtaining the RWC will depend upon the age, type, and condition of your vehicle. You can ask for a quote from a licensed vehicle tester for the below-given situations:
- If your vehicle fails the test
- If any parts do not meet the requirement, then the authoriser will pass a rejection report. You need to repair it in 7 days and re-inspect them
- If you exceed by 7 days to re-inspect your vehicle, then you will be required to inspect it again
Make sure to reach out to various authorisers, and take quotes for the inspection, before finalizing the best one.
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What to do if you disagree with the result of the roadworthy test?
We’ve been telling this in the blog continuously that the certificate will not declare your vehicle mechanically sound. It will only prove that your vehicle is fit to be used on roads. If you still disagree with the result of the roadworthy test, then do follow the below-given steps:
Step 1: First, check whether the component which has been declared unfit falls under the requirements or not. Contact the tester who has issued the certificate and explain your concerns.
Step 2: If you fail in step 1, then inspect your vehicle again from another reputed vehicle tester and present the report to the first tester. You need to do this as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days from the issue of the certificate.
Step 3: If the original tester doesn’t co-operate with you, then you can contact the statutory corporation along with a few documents. You can even email them attaching a copy of the first RWC and an independent certificate.
Final wrap!
The Australian government has taken out this measure to lessen the population of carriers that are on the road with poor maintenance. This certificate protects not only the buyer or seller but also the general public at large from shabby vehicles on road.
After reading the blog, we are sure you must have understood A-Z about the roadworthy certificates. Aussies, now, you have the steering wheel of safety of yourself as well as the general public, therefore make your drive safe.
