Programmed Vehicle Inspections (QLD)

Programmed Vehicle Inspections (PVIs) are periodic safety checks in Queensland required to ensure compliance with minimum safety standards and resulting in the issue of a Certificate of Inspection (COI).

PVIs are conducted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and are mandatory for registration and ongoing operation (unless exempt).

How to book an inspection

Inspections can be booked through TMR and must be booked in advance. PVI slots are now available to be booked up to 6 months in advance.

To book an NHVR PVI inspection, you can:

Preparing your vehicle for inspection

As a heavy vehicle operator, you should make sure that your vehicle is well maintained and roadworthy at all times.

In order for the vehicle to be inspected, the vehicle must be:

  • Unladened
  • Clean, especially underneath
  • In a roadworthy condition
  • If carrying flammable liquids, transfer them out before inspection

The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual (NHVIM) provides a checklist to ensure the vehicle complies with the standards required for inspection. These are:

Note: A Safety and Compliance Officer can refuse to inspect a vehicle that is not presented in an appropriate condition

Driver Information

The person driving the vehicle to the inspection must:

  • Carry a valid licence for the class of vehicle they are operating
  • Follow all instruction given by Safety and Compliance Officers
  • Be fit to drive and complying with their driving hours.

What to expect

When you arrive, stay in your vehicle (unless directed by any signage), park in the approved location and wait for instructions. There are 30 minutes allocated to complete the inspection. Please ensure that you arrive at your scheduled time to avoid delays. If you cannot attend your booking time, contact the NHVR on 13 64 87 to advise. You may need to rebook your inspection. You will be required to drive the vehicle as part of the inspection and follow all instructions provided by the Safety and Compliance Officers.

Heavy Vehicle Standards

The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) requires that all heavy vehicles used on a road must comply with heavy vehicle standards, which includes both the requirements of the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation. These standards set out the minimum safety, emissions and anti-theft requirements that apply to heavy vehicles.

Using a heavy vehicle on a road that does not comply with these standards can result in a defect notice being issued.

In the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual (NHVIM), each of the reasons for a vehicle rejection refers back to a heavy vehicle standard of the HVNL.

While the NHVIM fully summarises the requirements of the heavy vehicle standards, it is not exhaustive and must be read in conjunction with both vehicle and component manufacturer’s specifications.

Vehicle mounted lifting systems fitted to heavy vehicles in Queensland are subject to additional requirements as listed in Appendix Q – Stabilisers/outriggers mounted on heavy vehicles (PDF, 216KB)

Locations of inspection sites

To find a NHVR PVI location near you either contact TMR on 13 23 80 or follow the online booking process listed above.

Special considerations

If your vehicle is a Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) or Oversize/Overmass (OSOM), it is your responsibility to ensure you travel on an approved road to the inspection site. You can access the NHVR National Network Map to ensure your vehicle configuration is allowed to access these locations.

Some locations may not be able to accommodate RAV or OSOM vehicles due to their:

  • Height
  • Length
  • Width
  • Including trailers with rows of 8.

For more information