What is a Roadworthy Certificate?

What is a Roadworthy Certificate? & How to Prepare for Inspection?

A roadworthy certificate – also known as a certificate of roadworthiness – is an official document that proves a car meets the minimum safety requirements set by the Road Traffic Act of South Africa (1996). This certificate verifies that a vehicle’s critical components are in an acceptable condition and is safe to take out on public roads. 

Once a comprehensive inspection of the vehicle’s safety has been performed, the certificate is then issued by authorised testing stations. The inspection includes the vehicle’s conditions, from electrical to mechanical. However, it’s not always guaranteed that the “perfect” condition meets your vehicle’s status, but rather a thumbs up (at that time of inspection) that you can legally drive your vehicle according to the safety standards set out by South Africa’s road laws. 

When You Legally Need a Roadworthy Certificate in South Africa

This official document is legally needed based on several conditions: 

• When buying or selling a used vehicle (ownership transfer).
• When re-registering a vehicle that was previously deregistered.
• When buying and registering an imported vehicle into South Africa. 
• When moving your vehicle’s licence from one province to another.
• When updating your vehicle details.
• When applying for a special or vintage vehicle licence. 

Just remember that brand-new vehicles sold by dealerships usually come with a roadworthy certificate, so you won’t need to do a separate test after making a purchase. 

How Do You Get a Roadworthy Certificate?

The South African Government’s website offers useful tips on how to get a certificate the legal way. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to your closest private vehicle testing station or government testing station with the needed documents: Vehicle registration document, ID, and prescribed fee. 
2. Fill out the application for certification of roadworthiness (ACR) form.
3. Submit and wait for confirmation.

Where to Get a Roadworthy Certificate?

You can find a list of the closest authorised testing stations on the government’s transport department website or through provincial traffic departments. 

How Long is a Roadworthy Certificate Valid For?

A roadworthy certificate has a validity period 60 days (two months) from the date of issue. The timeframe is crucial for three reasons: 

1. The transfer of ownership must be finalised within this window.
2. If the transfer isn’t confirmed within this period, you will need to reapply for a new certificate. 
3. You cannot extend the document beyond the 60-day period under any circumstances. 

The timeframe of the document’s validity ensures that the certificate represents the current condition of the vehicle (for instance, mechanical failures can occur over time). This period acts like protection for all parties involved in the selling and buying of a vehicle. 

How to Check Roadworthy Certificates Online?

To check your certificate status online, you can:

• Visit the NaTIS public Information Website: Check NaTIS
• Locate the certificate access portal.
• Enter the required details.
• View the certificate.

The NaTIS website will show you a summary with the certificate’s details. You’ll then be able to view the document as a PDF which you can print directly or download. 

The good news is that you can use the same NaTIS website to renew your driver’s licence online. We’ve broken down the steps to the process in our guide here: Renewing Your Car Licence Online. 

Roadworthy Certificate Price in South Africa

A roadworthy certificate price in South Africa depends on several conditions: 

• The testing station you choose whether it’s private or government. 
• Where you live (costs differ from province to province). 
• The size and type of vehicle being inspected.
• Possible re-tests if the car fails inspection.

10 Ways to Prepare for a Roadworthy Inspection 

By preparing your vehicle for the inspection, it improves your chances of passing the roadworthy test on the first attempt, saving you both time and money. 

Here’s a pre-test checklist to help you prepare:

1. Test your lights by replacing any blown bulbs and make sure all lights are in working condition. 
2. Check tyres by ensuring tread depth is correct and look out for any damage.
3. Inspect your brakes by listening out for abnormal noises and if your vehicle starts pulling to one side. 
4. Fluid levels should always be covered in your pre-inspection. Be sure to top up oil, brake fluid, and coolant if need be. 
5. Scan your windscreen for any cracks, especially in the driver’s line of vision. 
6. Make sure that your wiper blades are working properly and top up your washer fluid.
7. Check seatbelts by testing retraction and locking. 
8. Be on the lookout for any leaks under the vehicle.
9. Put horn operation to the test by focusing on sound and function.
10. Keep an eye on all how your doors and windows open, lock and close. 

The Bottom Line

Having your vehicle inspected for roadworthiness plays a key part in maintaining standards of road safety. While getting your certificate may seem tedious and time-consuming, it’s necessary. If you've continued with regular car services and have kept up with maintenance, you’ll have less to worry about as you’ve helped maximise the value of your vehicle. 

If you’re selling your vehicle or buying a used vehicle, getting roadworthy helps in a few ways: obtaining legal compliance, protecting your wallet, and preventing delays when you need to register your vehicle or transfer ownership.