Do you own a vehicle in NSW, and looking to get your rego renewed? You will need a Pink Slip for your registration renewal. Whether you’re new or old on the road, knowing what a Pink Slip is and how much a pink slip costs is crucial for car owners in NSW, Australia.
This guide aims to give you all the information about Pink slip, what it is, its eligibility and why it’s important to get one. Let’s get started!
What is a Pink Slip NSW?
A Pink Slip is a safety check required in NSW to confirm your vehicle meets the minimum safety standards.
It works as proof that your vehicle has successfully passed a vehicle’s safety inspection and meets all necessary standards for roadworthiness. It is needed when performing a rego check or renewing rego. Without it you will not be able to renew your vehicle registration.
It is an official certificate that confirms the vehicle is compliant with all the safety regulations in NSW.
Is Pink slip and eSafety check the same?
Yes, Pink slip is also officially known as the eSafety check report. An eSafety inspection or pink slip is necessary for the following vehicles that are older than 5 years.
- Light vehicles (passenger cars, caravans, trailers, motorcycles) up to mass of 4.5 tonnes or less
- Excludes air/vacuum braking systems because these are beyond the scope of standard light vehicle inspections and need heavy vehicle inspectors.
- Excluding public passenger vehicles like taxis, buses, hire cars or tourist vehicles.
When is a Pink slip NSW needed?
1. For Vehicle Registration Renewal
If your vehicle is more than 5 years old and your registration is due for renewal, a vehicle safety inspection is needed. This inspection check makes sure that your vehicle is safe to be driven on NSW roads.
2. For Transferring Vehicle Ownership
If your vehicle registration, you don’t need a Pink Slip to transfer your vehicle ownership. The new owner can update the registration papers without a safety check, unless the registration is also expired or expiring.
Kindly Remember:
- We recommend that you provide a pink slip to the buyer when selling your car, it builds trust and confidence with the buyer.
- You do not need an eSafety inspection report if you’re selling your car to a scrap car removal company or a junk yard.
Important Note: If a vehicle’s registration has expired for more than 3 months in NSW, a Blue Slip inspection is required instead of a Pink Slip.Read our complete guide on Blue Slip NSW.
Step by step process to get Pink Slip NSW
It is easy to get a vehicle safety inspection in NSW. Just follow the steps down below to ensure a hassle free process.
Step 1:
Visit the official Service NSW website go to Find Services → Driving and transport → Vehicle registration → Safety checks, inspections and vehicle changes and lastly click on Get a safety inspection report (pink slip).
Step 2:
After that, you will see a Find a safety inspection provider down below, click on it.
Step 3:
Now, you’ll be directed to a page where you can enter a suburb or postcode to look for a nearby safety inspection station, enter the postcode and click on the Find an inspection station.
Step 4:
Once you enter your postcode, you will see a list of safety inspection stations near you. Choose the one that’s convenient for you and click on get directions for an easy way out.
What to keep in mind:-
Remember to look for an inspection station with “AIS Signage” which tells you for what vehicles they can perform a safety inspection. These signs should be at the inspection station.
Important Note:-
If you do not prefer to leave your house, see if a mobile pink slip provider can come to you. The pink slip fee is the same but an additional call out or travel fee may apply. Ask the examiner about how much this additional fee would be before you book.
Why a Pink Slip Matters
A Pink Slip (eSafety Check) keeps your vehicle safe, legal, and roadworthy. Importance of safety check are:
- Safety First: It makes sure that your car meets all roadworthy deemed governmental standards.
- Legal Requirement: It is needed for registration renewal.
- Prevent Issues: It detects any problems with brakes, tires, or suspension early.
- Environment Safety: Properly maintained vehicles release less harmful emissions into the environment.
- Smooth Transactions: It proves that your vehicle is safe when selling or transferring ownership.
Pink slip 2026 cost & Validity
In order to get a safety inspection done, you will need to pay a small amount of fee. It has a limited timeframe during which it’s valid.
Pink Slip cost
Pink Slip fees are regulated by the NSW Government and remain the same across all locations in NSW.
| Inspection type | Total fee (inc. GST) |
| Light vehicle | $51 |
| Motorcycle | $28 |
| Trailer without brakes | $26 |
| Trailer with brakes | $40 |
Note: This information is updated as per the latest rules and regulations by the NSW government.
Pink Slip Validity
A Pink Slip is valid for 6 months from the inspection date. This means:
- You must renew your rego within 6 months of the inspection
- Once rego is renewed, the Pink Slip does not need to stay valid
- Even if the Pink Slip expires later on, your rego will remain valid until its expiry date
Note: We advise that to be informed with the latest updates regarding any changes visit the official Service NSW website.
Pink Slip 2026 Inspection Process
Now, you must be wondering what happens during a safety inspection? But before starting the process here’s what you need to know:
Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS)
In NSW, only an Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) is allowed to perform pink slip inspections. These safety inspection stations have qualified inspectors who can assess your vehicle’s condition and make sure that all safety standards set by the government are met.
What is checked during a NSW Pink slip inspection
During an eSafety check only the exterior components of a vehicle are checked. Any mechanical components are not checked during a safety check report.
Below is a Pink slip inspection checklist:
1. Tyres and Wheels: Tyres must meet minimum tread depth and inflation requirements. No visible damage, cuts, or excessive wear and they must be secure and correctly fitted.
2. Brakes and Handbrake: The brake system must function effectively. Handbrake must hold the vehicle on an incline and all the brake components must not be excessively worn.
3. Lights and Indicators: All lights must work including Headlights, brake lights, indicators Number plate lights.
4. Seatbelts: All seatbelts should be present and work properly with no fraying, cuts, or damage. Seatbelts must retract and lock correctly.
5. Windscreen and Wipers: There should be no cracked windscreens that block the driver’s view. All Wipers need to work effectively and the Washer system should properly function.
6. Steering and Suspension: Steering parts should be secured, not too loose. Suspension should be in safe working condition.
7. Vehicle Body and Structure: No major rust or chassis damage. Body panels should not pose any safety risk. All bonnet, doors, and boot must close appropriately.
8. Oil, Fuel, and Fluid Leaks: Vehicle should not have excessive oil, fuel, or fluid leaks. Leaks that affect safety or the environment can cause an inspection failure.
Some other items that may be checked or noted in report includes:-
- Horn
- Mirrors
- Engine bay condition (like anything missing or loose)
- exhaust security
- Number plate visibility
- Emissions (where applicable)
Inspection Report & Re-inspection Process
After your vehicle’s Pink Slip inspection is done, the report outcome will fall into one of two categories: Pass or Fail
If your vehicle passes the safety inspection
Once your vehicle meets all safety requirements, the inspection report is sent electronically to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) by the authorised inspection provider.
- You will not receive a paper certificate but you will get a receipt or reference number.
- You can immediately proceed with rego renewal through Service NSW.
If your vehicle fails the safety check
If any safety issues are found, the inspection provider will issue a failure report outlining the required repairs.
You are given 14 days to fix the issues that are listed.
Re-inspection Rules
If repairs are done within 14 days and the vehicle is returned to the same AIS inspection station, a re-inspection is usually free.
If the repairs are not completed within 14 days, the original inspection becomes invalid. This means that you will need to book a new Pink Slip inspection and pay the full inspection fee again.
For official guidance, refer to:Safety checks and vehicle inspections | NSW Government
Tips to pass your NSW Pink Slip check in 2026
A little preparation can help you avoid safety inspection failure and re-inspection delays.
- Do basic checks before your inspection, that includes the vehicle’s lights, tyres, brakes, seatbelts, and wipers
- Fix any safety related warning lights on your dashboard in advance
- Ensure tyres and brakes are in good condition and meet legal requirements for driving
- Carry any recent service or repair records if your vehicle was fixed recently
Always choose an Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) station for your eSafety check
Following these simple steps can improve your chances of passing the Pink Slip inspection on the first attempt.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a NSW pink slip or eSafety check is an important document for vehicle owners. It ensures that you are compliant, with all safety and environmental laws. By following the steps and tips mentioned above, you will be able to complete the safety inspection procedure easily. If you have an old or unwanted car and want to get rid of it, sell it to Scraply and get top cash for cars Sydney wide services.
FAQs
Q1. Can I drive without a Pink Slip?
Ans. Yes. You can drive a car if it’s already registered, but you cannot renew rego without it.
Q2. Can I renew rego without a Pink Slip?
Ans. No. Vehicles that are over 5 years old need a Pink Slip to renew registration.
Q3. Is a mobile Pink Slip legal?
Ans. Yes, if done by an AIS approved inspector. However, some extra fees may apply.
Q4. Do electric vehicles need a Pink Slip?
Ans. Yes, EVs over 5 years old also require a Pink Slip.
Q5. Can I reuse an old Pink Slip?
Ans. No, you cannot. It’s only valid for 6 months from the date of safety inspection.
Q6. Where can I find authorised inspection stations?
Ans. Use the Service NSW website to locate nearby AIS providers here.
