Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS)

What is the Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS)?

The AIS authorises examiners to inspect vehicles to ensure a minimum safety standard. To retain AIS authorisation, all members must maintain and apply the rules for AIS.

 

The role of Roads and Maritime Services within this scheme is to:

  • Consult with stakeholders to develop policy, practice and procedures
  • Appoint AIS stations
  • Authorise proprietors, nominees (and alternate nominees), and examiners
  • Monitor and audit
  • Manage and apply sanctions

There are four types of vehicle inspection stations under AIS. An inspection authority must be gained for each type. This ensures that vehicle examiners are qualified and specific safety requirements are met. 

The four AIS station types are

  • ASCIS - Authorised Safety Check Inspection Station (light vehicles)
  • AUVIS - Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (unregistered light vehicles)
  • HVAIS - Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Station (heavy vehicles)
  • ACIS - Authorised Crane Inspection Station (SP2 cranes)

 

All inspection reports (that are a pass result) are valid for 42 days from the date of first inspection.

 

Authorised Safety Check Inspection Station (ASCIS)

Safety check

Vehicles inspected by ASCIS are:

  • Cars and light commercial vehicles up to 5 tonnes tare weight except vehicles fitted with power-operated brakes.
  • Light trailers and caravans up to 2 tonnes gross trailer mass (GTM) except those fitted with breakaway brakes.
  • Motorcycles - including motorcycles with a side-car.
  • Buses up to 2.5 tonnes tare weight.

ASCIS perform safety check inspections for the purpose of renewal:

  • On light vehicles over 5 years old.
  • For clearance of non-design-based defect notices.

Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS)

AUVIS

Vehicles inspected by AUVIS are:

  • Cars and light commercial vehicles up to 5 tonnes tare weight, except vehicles fitted with power-operated brakes.

  • Light trailers and caravans up to 2 tonnes gross trailer mass (GTM) except those fitted with breakaway brakes.

  • Motorcycles - including motorcycles with a side-car.
  • Buses up to 2.5 tonnes tare weight

AUVIS perform:

  • Safety, identity and design checks

AUVIS perform these checks to:

  • Establish registration for vehicles that are not currently registered in NSW.
  • Adjust vehicle records.
  • Clear defect notices.

Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Station (HVAIS)

HVAIS

HVAIS inspects heavy vehicles to establish and renew registration

Vehicle types it inspects for establish registration Vehicle types it inspects for registration renewal 
Vehicles over 4.5 tonnes GVM Vehicles over 4.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes GVM 
Trailers over 2 tonnes GTM and those under 2 tonnes GTM fitted with breakaway brakesRigid two axle trucks over 12 tonnes GVM that are 5 years old or less (except tow trucks with TT plates) 
Buses 2.5 tonnes tare weight and over Trailers over 2 tonnes Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) and under 9 tonnes GTM 
Licensed tow trucksTrailers under 2 tonnes GTM fitted with breakaway brakes 
Trucks fitted with power-operated brakes Small privately registered buses which are less than or equal to 4.5 tonnes GVM and have 12 or fewer seats (including the driver) 
Prime-movers Note: Heavy vehicles outside the above types may be inspected by HVAIS for the purpose of registration renewal, however such vehicles will require a further inspection by RMS within 28 days of renewing the registration 

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HVAIS perform:

  • Safety, identity and design checks

HVAIS perform these checks to:

  • Establish registration for vehicles not currently registered in NSW
  • Renew registration
  • Adjust vehicle records
  • Clear defect notices

Authorised Crane Inspection Station (ACIS)

(There is no signage for ACIS)

See Authorised Crane Inspection Station (ACIS) scheme for more information or go to the document downloads page for the ACIS fact sheet.

Vehicles inspected by ACIS are:

Purpose-built and truck-based cranes over 12 tonnes GVM with an axle or axle group over mass.

Inspections performed by ACIS are:

  • Renew the registration of cranes
  • Safety checks
  • Clearance of defect notices

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