When to get a green slip, pink slip and blue slip

In NSW, you have to buy a green slip before you can register your vehicle. Vehicles more than 5 years old also need a pink slip each year. Unregistered vehicles may need a blue slip. Find out what they are and whether you need one.

Green slips, pink slips and blue slips

Green slips, pink slips and blue slips have one thing in common: they are all involved in registering a vehicle in NSW.

• Green slip – Everyone needs one to register their vehicle.
• Pink slip – Owners of vehicles 5+ years old need one each year.
• Blue slip – Owners of unregistered vehicles (rego expired or cancelled, or never registered in NSW) need this once only.

When to get a green, pink or blue slip

Do I need a green slip?

Yes, everyone who owns a vehicle in NSW needs to buy a green slip. A green slip is another name for compulsory third party (CTP) insurance. It pays compensation to people who are killed or injured in a road accident involving your vehicle.

If you’re injured in an accident:

• You’re entitled to benefits and, if you have serious injuries, to claim for damages.
• Benefits include payments for loss of income, and medical and rehabilitation costs.
• These benefits are payable whether or not it was your fault, but the period may vary.

Each of the 6 licensed CTP insurers provides the same insurance cover by law.

You can compare prices with our green slip calculator. Always compare prices for all insurers before you buy your green slip. Once you have chosen an insurer, contact them directly to buy your green slip.

Learn more about what a green slip is, what it covers and how to buy one.

Do I need a pink slip?

Your registration renewal notice shows whether your vehicle needs a pink slip.

A pink slip is a basic, annual safety check. Did you know the term ‘pink slip’ originally referred to the colour of the paper used for these checks? A safety check usually involves checking steering, brakes, lights, tyres, suspension and wipers. 

• Only vehicles over 5 or more years old need a pink slip.
• A licensed mechanic must do this inspection before you can renew your registration. 
• A safety check takes about 30 minutes and is valid for 6 months.

If you register your vehicle every 6 months, you only need a safety check every alternate 6 months.

Find the cost of a safety check today. 

What happens if my car fails the safety check?

If your car fails the safety check:

• The mechanic issues a Repairs Needed report.
• You must have repairs done within 14 days or pay for a new safety check.
• Your final safety check is free if you return to the same mechanic within 14 days.

How do I find a safety check provider?

It’s easy to find a safety check provider as most mechanics are authorised to provide this service.

How do I find a mobile safety check provider?

You can find a mobile safety check provider here. 

• Your vehicle can be inspected at your workplace or at home.
• The inspection site must be safe and suitable.
• Arrange a time and location that suits you.
• You don’t need to be present for this inspection. 

Do I need a blue slip?

You need a blue slip in these cases only:

• Your NSW registration has expired by more than 3 months, or
• registration has been cancelled, or
• when you transfer a vehicle from another state or territory to NSW.

A blue slip is a more in-depth safety and identity check of your vehicle. Authorised mechanics do the inspection and issue blue slips. A blue slip takes longer to carry out than a pink slip and is valid for only 42 days. This means you have 42 days to register your vehicle.

Once your vehicle has passed a blue slip inspection, you don’t need another one unless its registration is cancelled. 

Safety and identity check providers also send blue slips straight to Service NSW. However, you still need a hard copy to register your vehicle the first time.

Find out more about registration in NSW.

What you may not know about NSW registration.