Vehicle Inspection

Inspection and roadworthiness certification of vehicles is provided for under–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Part IIIA of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967.
  • from 1 June 2018, Division 5 of the Road Traffic Rules – Vehicle Standards and Compliance 2017.
  • effective 1 January 2019, Road Traffic Rules – Vehicles Standards and Compliance 2017 (with Amendment).

The information on this page is a summary of the provisions as they relate to a person applying to have premises declared as an authorised inspection station, and to a person obtaining certification of roadworthiness for their motor vehicle. See the Rule for all the provisions relating to vehicle inspection. Download Rule

Inspection stations

The RTA is administering the authorisation and monitoring of all inspection stations throughout PNG.

Applications for authorisation and licensing of inspection stations in NCD and in the Papua Region (Central, Gulf, Milne Bay, Oro (Northern), and Western (Fly River) Provinces) should be made to–

  • RTA Operational Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Applications for authorisation and licensing of inspection stations in other regions should be made to–

  • Highlands Region – RTA Regional Office, Kungtang Street, Mt Hagen
  • Momase Region – RTA Regional Office, 3rd Street, Lae
  • Islands Region – RTA Regional Office, Aidik Street, Kokopo.

A person wanting premises to be declared as an authorized inspection station should apply on this form [downloadable Form 10], accompanied by–

  1. a description of the facilities and equipment to be used for inspection and testing motor vehicles of different classes
  2. a list of people competent to issue a certificate of roadworthiness and evidence of their motor mechanic qualifications; and
  3. the fee prescribed in–
    • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 11 [Item 64] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
    • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 43] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.

The RTA may on satisfactory examination of the staff and equipment of–

  1. a motor vehicle distributor; or
  2. a motor vehicle repair shop; or
  3. other premises,

declare that distributor or repair shop, or other premises, to be an authorized inspection station.

An authorised inspection station must hold a current licence to operate. RTA will issue this licence upon payment of the fee prescribed in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 11 [Item 65], for the first year, [Item 66] for subsequent years, of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 43A], for the first year, [Item 43B] for subsequent years, of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.

A licence to operate an Authorised Inspection Station is valid for 12 months from the date of issue of the licence.

The RTA may, at all reasonable times–

  1. enter and inspect an authorized inspection station and the equipment and facilities in the station; or
  2. inspect and take copies from or extracts of any records; or
  3. require any person to give any information or to produce any document in their possession or under their control relating to the conducting of examinations and tests for roadworthiness.

Roadworthiness certification

A vehicle must not be operated on a public street unless it has a current safety sticker affixed.

Vehicles must be inspected and tested for roadworthiness each 6 months at an authorised inspection station.

The owner or operator of the authorized inspection station, either by theirself or by a competent person acting on their behalf will–

  1. on payment of the appropriate charge, examine and test a vehicle presented at the station for examination and testing; and
  2. if satisfied that the vehicle conforms with the prescribed requirements, on payment of the fees prescribed in–
    • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 11 [Item 60] and [Item 61] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
    • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 44] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017,

issue to the person presenting the vehicle–

  1. a certificate of roadworthiness; and
  2. a safety sticker.

Where, after payment of the prescribed fee and examination of a vehicle, the issue of a certificate of roadworthiness is refused, the authorized inspection station must not charge an additional fee for any subsequent examination or examinations and testing of that vehicle at that service station for the purpose of the issue of a certificate during a period of 30 days from the date the vehicle was first presented for examination and testing.

Replacement certificate of roadworthiness or safety sticker

Where a certificate of roadworthiness or a safety sticker is lost, defaced or destroyed, a replacement may be issued by the authorised inspection station on payment of the fee prescribed in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 11 [Item 62] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 45] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.

NOTICE ON ONSHORE INSPECTION FOR USED AND NEW VEHICLE IMPORTS

Refer link: www.rta.gov.pg/publications/notices/ to access notice.