Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme (HVIS)

The HVIS is an annual roadworthiness inspection scheme. Most classes of NSW registered heavy vehicles require a HVIS inspection. All inspections are carried out by Roads and Maritime Services vehicle inspectors.

Important: If you are a heavy vehicle operator, you must arrange to have a HVIS inspection within the three months before the expiry date of your registration. To allow owners to secure a convenient inspection slot, bookings can be made six months in advance, and inspections may take place at any time in the three months before the vehicle registration expires. Your inspection should take place as early as possible within the three months to prevent delays in the processing of your renewal, preferably at least two months before the renewal date.

If an HVIS inspection is not obtained, vehicle registration will be suspended and possibly cancelled. For more information see Inspection requirements.

Vehicle classes that must be inspected

Heavy vehicles that require an HVIS inspection include the following vehicle categories and registration usages:

• Prime Movers.
• Rigid Trucks over 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass, except some two axle rigid vehicles over 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (trucks and plant vehicles) less than five years old
• Trailers over 9 tonnes Gross Trailer Mass.
• Tow Trucks with TT plates.
• Truck-based Plant vehicles over 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass with the configuration code of SPT - Special Purpose vehicle type T (truck).
• Truck-based Plant vehicles over 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass with the configuration code of SP2 - Special Purpose vehicle type O (overmass) with shapes of CMP (concrete mixer) ELP (electrical plant) and INP (industrial plant).
• All vehicles carrying 10 or more seated passengers including the driver or more than 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (regardless of usage), except privately registered buses 4.5 tonnes or less, seating 12 or fewer people including the driver (these vehicles are subject to HVAIS inspection).

Public passenger vehicle inspection requirements

Public passenger vehicles are those accredited by Roads and Maritime Services, or vehicles that provide community or courtesy transport services.

Public passenger vehicles require two inspections each registration period:

• The first inspection must be undertaken three to six months following renewal.
• The second inspection must be undertaken no more than three months before the next renewal.

Inspection requirements for re-establishing registration

If the registration of a vehicle subject to HVIS is re-established after expiry or cancellation, the vehicle may require an HVIS inspection within 28 days. The HVIS inspection is in addition to the normal requirements for re-establishing registration. See Buying and registering a heavy vehicle for more information

If the vehicle registration is cancelled after it expires, the date of cancellation is used to determine whether an Roads and Maritime Services HVIS inspection is required.

If the vehicle registration is re-established more than three months after cancellation, the inspection requirements for establishing a new registration will apply.