About the 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 the RTA’s 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. 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 use the link to Inspection requirements (right).

Vehicle classes that must be inspected

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

• Prime Movers.
• Rigid Trucks over 12T Gross Vehicle Mass.
• Trailers over 4.5T Gross Trailer Mass.
• Tow Trucks with TT plates.
• Truck-based Plant vehicles over 12T Gross Vehicle Mass with the configuration code of SPT - Special Purpose vehicle type T (truck).
• Truck-based Plant vehicles over 12T 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 4.5T Gross Vehicle Mass (regardless of usage).

Public passenger vehicles require two inspections each registration period.

Public passenger vehicle inspection requirements

Public passenger vehicles are those accredited by the Ministry of Transport, 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 will require an HVIS inspection within 28 days. The HVIS inspection is in addition to the normal requirements for re-establishing registration (see related link – Buying and registering a heavy vehicle – above right).

If the vehicle registration is cancelled after it expires, the date of cancellation is used to determine whether an RTA HVIS 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.