Yellow sticker (defect notice)

Vehicles found to be unroadworthy are issued with a defect notice (sometimes referred to as a yellow sticker or work order) and must be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station or specified inspection location.

You need to fix the defect and arrange for your vehicle to be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS) within 14 days of the expiry date on the defect notice. To find an AIS near you, refer to vehicle inspection locations.

If the vehicle is licensed (registered), and the vehicle fault for which the defect notice was issued has been rectified, the vehicle may be driven to an AIS.

If the vehicle is unlicensed (unregistered), a temporary movement permit is required.

Your vehicle will be inspected for all defects, not just for the defects shown on the defect notice.

It is illegal to damage or destroy a Defect Notice (yellow sticker) or remove it from a vehicle except when the Defect Notice is complied with.

Depending on the extent and nature of any outstanding defects a new work order may be issued from the time the vehicle is presented for inspection.

Refer to Get my vehicle inspected or moved to find out more.

If you have sold, or otherwise disposed of the vehicle, you must notify us of the new owner to ensure that vehicle licence renewals are directed to the new owner.

If your vehicle has not been fully inspected within 14 days of the expiry date of a defect notice, you will be issued with a first and final notice. This requires you to have your vehicle inspected or surrender the licence plates.

Failure to comply may result in the seizure of your number plates (vehicle licence plates) and the issue of an infringement notice. A notice requiring you to return the number plates (vehicle licence plates) will be produced if a vehicle has not been fully inspected within 28 days of the defect notice expiry date. Once this occurs, the vehicle licence (registration) may not be renewed until the vehicle has been inspected and the defect notice is cleared.

If your number plates (vehicle licence plates) are returned, you must obtain temporary movement permit to drive the vehicle to a place of inspection for inspection.

Use of a vehicle on or after the time and date specified on the defect notice is strictly prohibited unless:

• The defects specified in the vehicle defect notice have first been rectified.
• The vehicle is being taken, for the purpose of being inspected, by the shortest most practical route from the place where the defects have been rectified, directly to the nearest place for the inspection of vehicles.
• The vehicle in question is currently licensed.
• A temporary movement permit cannot be issued to a licensed vehicle.

The driver of a vehicle on a road where a defect notice has expired and the vehicle fault for which a defect notice was issued has not been repaired commits an offence.

If a vehicle defect notice has expired and the defect has not been rectified, the vehicle will need to be towed to a repairer or a vehicle inspection station

If a defect notice has expired, the number plates must be surrendered and returned to (your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre) within 15 days to prevent an infringement being issued.

Provided that the vehicle is currently licensed (and therefore covered by Motor Injury Insurance (MII)), a vehicle with an expired defect notice may be driven to the nearest Authorised Inspection Station from the place of repair without a temporary movement permit. It may not be used on road for any other purpose.

If it is not possible to arrange a vehicle inspection within 14 days of the defect notice expiry date, you should surrender the number plates (vehicle licence plates) at any of our Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional Agents The inspection to re-license the vehicle is the same as the inspection to clear a defect notice.

A defect notice may be issued or cleared in any other Australian Jurisdiction, regardless of where the vehicle is licensed, or the notice is issued. An arrangement between the Jurisdictions ensures that the issuing authority and the home Jurisdiction are notified and vice versa.

Details of the defect notice and the vehicle are recorded by both the Jurisdiction in which the vehicle is licensed (registered) and the Jurisdiction in which the defect notice is issued.

To have an interstate defect notice cleared, or a new one issued, the vehicle should be presented at an authorised place of inspection in any Australian Jurisdiction. Advice may be sought concerning any further action required.

The Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 allows 'Authorised Officers' to enter the premises of a dealer and examine any second-hand vehicle.

• You will need to book and pay for the inspection fee directly with your chosen provider.
• Authorised Inspection Station telephone numbers and hours of operation vary; please check with the individual provider.
• Refer to get a vehicle inspected to find out more.