What is the difference between pink and blue slip inspections? | RateCity

An eSafety inspection report, or a ‘pink slip’ as it is commonly called, is a safety check for light vehicles like passenger cars and motorcycles in NSW. It’s to be completed yearly for the vehicle to be registered.

The inspection can only be carried out at an authorised inspection station. Once the inspection is done, the safety check results are electronically sent to Transport for NSW, allowing you to renew your registration online. You’ll also need to have CTP insurance purchased for the vehicle to complete the online registration.

However, if your vehicle doesn’t pass the test, you’ll be issued a Repair Needed report. Generally, if the test was performed at a mechanic, they will offer to repair the vehicle to bring it to roadworthy status (at cost). If you don’t agree with the requested repairs, or if you want to compare prices, you can ask for a second opinion and a second inspection from another authorised mechanic. 

But unless they issue you a pink slip, you’ll need to complete the repairs within 14 days to have the pink slip issued and get your registration renewed. If you fail to complete the repairs within 14 days, you’ll need to get a new inspection done and likely still need to complete the repairs.

All unregistered passenger cars, motorcycles and other light vehicles must undergo an AUVIS or blue slip inspection before they can be registered in NSW. You need a blue slip when:

• You want to re-register a vehicle that has been unregistered for more than three months.
• You bring a vehicle into the state from elsewhere (including overseas).
• You want to register a vehicle that was previously written-off but is now approved for re-registration.
• You have made some significant changes to your vehicle, like replacing the engine.
• You want to return your vehicle to the road after clearing out some defect notices.

You can get a blue slip from an authorised inspection station once your vehicle passes the safety checks. The inspection report is usually also sent to Transport for NSW electronically, ready for you to finalise the registration.

After you’re issued a blue slip, you must visit a Transport NSW service centre for registration within 42 days. If you fail to do this within 42 days, you’ll need to get a fresh blue slip inspection done. It’s also a requirement in NSW to have Compulsory Third Party(CTP) insurance on the vehicle before registering it.

The main difference between a pink slip and a blue slip is when you need to get the respective inspection done. A blue slip is needed when the vehicle is unregistered or bought in from out of state, whilst a pink slip is required to renew the registration of a vehicle. Both inspections are used to determine roadworthiness, with a blue slip inspection being more in-depth.

If you’re purchasing a new or a second-hand car that is unregistered or registered in a different state than NSW, you’ll need to get an unregistered vehicle inspection or a blue slip inspection done. Most dealers will organise the registration for new or used cars, so you may not need to do anything right away - ask the seller. If you’re renewing the registration of a car that is older than five years, you’ll need to get an eSafety inspection or pink slip.

Visit the Service NSW website for more information on vehicle inspections and insurance.