Heavy Vehicle Inspection

Preparing Your Vehicle for Inspection (HVAIS)

As a responsible heavy vehicle operator, it’s essential to maintain your vehicle in a roadworthy condition at all times. Here are key points to consider when preparing for an inspection:

1. The driver must hold the appropriate license for the specific vehicle type.
2. Ensure all brakes are operational, leak-free, and air reservoirs are drained and functioning properly.
3. Tires should have at least 1.5mm of tread and be free of deep cuts.
4. Verify that steering and suspension components are in good condition without worn bushes, bearings, or joints.
5. Ensure all required lights are functioning correctly.
6. The driver’s line of vision through the front windscreen should be free from cracks and scratches.
7. Windscreen wipers and washers must be in working order.
8. The vehicle’s body and cab must be securely mounted and in good structural condition.
9. The exhaust system should be secure and free from leaks.
10. The vehicle should be unladen during inspection.
11. Keep the vehicle clean, especially the underside, for a thorough examination.
12. For tilt-cab vehicles, ensure the cab can be tilted for engine bay inspection (secure any loose items).
13. Accredited public passenger vehicles must have a certified fire extinguisher installed.
14. Note: For over-dimension or over-mass vehicles, ensure you use approved routes to access the inspection site.

Transport for NSW may decline to inspect a vehicle that is not presented in a suitable condition. Subsequent inspections will be required once the vehicle meets the specified conditions, incurring an additional inspection fee.

Re-establishing a Heavy Vehicle’s Registration

If the vehicle’s registration is cancelled after expiration, the cancellation date dictates the need for a Transport for NSW HVIS inspection.

In the event that re-establishment of registration occurs more than three months after cancellation, the inspection requirements align with those for establishing new registration.

For specific details about inspection requirements regarding re-establishing registration, it is advisable to contact a service center. Before the registration or renewal of registration for heavy vehicles in NSW, an inspection at an authorized station is mandatory.

Heavy vehicle inspections are essential for:

• Establishing registration for vehicles not presently registered in NSW
• Renewing registration
• Adjusting vehicle records
• Resolving a Defect Notice.

These inspections take place at a Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) station or are conducted by Transport for NSW (TfNSW), contingent upon the vehicle type and its intended use.

Your registration certificate will indicate whether the vehicle necessitates an HVAIS or Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme (HVIS) inspection.

For vehicles not requiring inspection by TfNSW, the notice will include ‘HVIS Exempt – HVAIS Insp. Required’ in the ‘Conditions’ section.