The NSW Government is cracking down on dodgy vehicle inspection schemes, taking more than 200 operators offline and issuing warnings to a further 200 businesses for their role in suspect pink and blue slips.
Since January, Transport for NSW inspectors have conducted targeted audits on 570 pink and blue slip providers, leading to 127 operators having their licence cancelled and 84 being suspended for issuing ‘sight unseen’ pink and blue slips.
Another 223 operators have been issued with warnings for issuing safety compliance documents fraudulently. These operators were based across the Sydney metro area and in the state’s regions, including Tweed Heads and Albury.
Every year, owners of light vehicles that are more than five years old must obtain a pink slip before renewing their registration. Blue slips are obtained by those who are seeking to register a previously unregistered vehicle. Brown slips are issued for heavy vehicles.
The Government says some dodgy operators are illegally issuing pink and blue slips without inspecting vehicles, giving motorists a false sense of security over the safety of their vehicle, or letting people think they are getting a free pass to keep their car on the road.
“We know that unsafe vehicles can put lives at risk, which is why we’re cracking down on dishonest and dodgy operators who are knowingly doing the wrong thing,” said Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison.
“Getting a dodgy pink or blue slip shouldn’t be looked at as a shortcut. It might save you some time, but it is a serious safety risk and can have fatal consequences.
‘We’re urging motorists to turn their back on these dodgy pink and blue slip providers. Make sure your vehicle is only inspected by an Authorised Safety Inspection Provider.
“Not only could that save your life, but it could also save the life of your passengers, other motorists, and everyone else using the road network.”
Typically, a standard operator issues about 2,500 pink and blue slips in a year. Usually marketed online as a quick fix, fraudulent services put drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk by allowing vehicles that are unroadworthy to remain on NSW roads.
The Government says the dangers of cutting corners on vehicle safety are clear. So far this year, Transport’s regulatory team has randomly inspected more than 3,100 vehicles to ensure they are compliant. Their inspections have led to 1,300 unsafe vehicles being taken off NSW’s roads after identifying more than 6,000 defects.
Depending on the severity of the defect, vehicles may be grounded, subject to restricted use, or permitted to travel for repair and inspection. Defects must be rectified before the vehicle can return to the road.
“Private vehicles account for around 70% of journeys across NSW, which is why maintaining the integrity of the vehicle inspection system is so important,” said Transport for NSW Secretary, Josh Murray.
“Our investigations capability in this area is sophisticated, and continue to uncover operators issuing inspection certificates without proper inspections. That undermines road safety, and we will continue to take action wherever it occurs.”
To find a safety inspection provider, you can visit the NSW Government website.
