Section navigation

Home > Vehicle owners > Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval > Vehicle inspection approval policy Q&As

Vehicle inspection approval policy Q&As

Information on this page

What is a commercial passenger vehicle?

A commercial passenger vehicle is a motor vehicle that services, or is intended to service, the commercial passenger industry (e.g. a taxi or hire car) by carrying passengers for hire or reward.

What is a Licensed Vehicle Tester?

A Licensed Vehicle Tester is a tester accredited under the VicRoads administered Licensed Vehicle Testers scheme. Licensed Vehicle Testers are accredited to conduct vehicle roadworthy inspections and issue roadworthy certificates, in accordance with the VicRoads Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) 26 – Roadworthiness Requirements.

What is the Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval policy?

The purpose of the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Victoria (CPVV) Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval policy is to establish an administrative scheme allowing the CPVV to approve service providers to undertake commercial passenger vehicle inspections that meet CPVV  requirements.

The CPVV’s Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval policy outlines what is required to become a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector. These inspectors operate in addition to the VicRoads Licensed Vehicle Testers, to ensure all commercial passenger vehicles meet the appropriate requirements and standards.

Why is a Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval policy needed?

This policy is designed to allow approved providers other than VicRoads’ Licensed Vehicle Testers to conduct vehicle safety inspections of commercial passenger vehicles.

New commercial passenger vehicle industry legislation has opened up the market to new service providers and operators. The CPVV’s Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval policy will ensure consistent safety standards are adhered to by all CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors, to improve outcomes for service providers and passengers.

Now that it is simpler to obtain a commercial passenger vehicle registration and driver accreditation, and enter the market, the industry has seen an increase in applications, leading to an increase in vehicles requiring inspections to ensure they meet roadworthy standards to operate in the industry.

What does it mean for the commercial passenger vehicle industry?

Allowing new CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors to assess commercial passenger vehicles, to ensure they meet consistent standards, gives service providers a choice about where they go to get their vehicle/s inspected. It also makes it easier for them to comply with the rigorous safety standards.

Passengers will benefit by knowing that regardless of the type of commercial passenger vehicle they chose to travel in, it has met strict safety requirements.

Who can become a commercial passenger vehicle inspector?

To become a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector applicants must make a written application to CPVV.

Information on what is needed to apply to become a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector is in section 5.1 of the Commercial passenger vehicle inspection approval policy.

What do vehicle inspectors do?

CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors conduct appropriate vehicle inspections to CPVV approved standards, complete an evaluation checklist and report on each vehicle they inspect.

What obligations do CPVV approved vehicle inspectors have to meet?

CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors must conduct vehicle inspections in accordance with CPVV approved minimum standards.

CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors must maintain accurate and secure electronic records of every vehicle inspection conducted and a vehicle inspection history (for each vehicle), and on request, provide CPVV  with access to their vehicle inspection records.

Record keeping obligations must be in accordance with those outlined in the Deed for the provision of commercial passenger vehicle inspection services.

Requirements for CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors are outlined in the policy. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements, provide evidence of inspection to the vehicle owner and comply with their record keeping obligations.

Do I have to use a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector?

No. If you don’t want to use a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspection process, you can continue to have your vehicle inspected annually by a Licensed Vehicle Tester from VicRoads and obtain a Certificate of Roadworthiness. This certificate must be kept in the vehicle at all times.

Copies of vehicle inspection reports from CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspectors must also be kept in your commercial passenger vehicle at all times.

How can I prove my vehicle has successfully passed inspection?

The vehicle inspection report you receive from a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector, or Certificate of Roadworthiness from a VicRoads Licensed Vehicle Tester, must be kept in your vehicle at all times.

Can I have my conventional (standard) taxi inspected by a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector?

Yes. There is no restriction on a conventional taxi being inspected by a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector.

Can I have my Wheelchair Accessible Commercial Passenger Vehicle (WAV) inspected by a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector?

No. All Wheelchair Accessible Commercial Passenger Vehicles (WAVs) must be inspected by a VicRoads Licensed Vehicle Tester, against the VicRoads 'Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) 26' (roadworthiness requirements) and the CPVV Specifications for WAVs s dated 29 June 2018.

Please note: If a WAV has up to nine seats, including the driver, the vehicle can be inspected by a Licensed ‘Light’ Vehicle Tester (a VicRoads Licensed Vehicle Tester authorised to inspect light vehicles).

If a WAV has 10 or more seats, it must be inspected by a Licensed ‘Small Bus’ Tester (a VicRoads Licensed Vehicle Tester authorised to inspect small buses) as the vehicle would not exceed 4.5 tonnes. For example, a Toyota Hiace with 10 or more seats would need to be inspected by a Licensed ‘Small Bus’ Tester.

To find a provider see Licensed Vehicle Tester locations

When attending a roadworthy inspection appointment, it is recommended that you take a copy of the Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) Approval Certificate for your vehicle modifications with you.

CPVV has no role in the Licensed Vehicle Tester scheme. Enquiries about the Licensed Vehicle Tester scheme should be directed to VicRoads via email to roadworthy@roads.vic.gov.au or by phoning 9854 2469.

Can I have my stretched limousine inspected by a CPVV approved commercial passenger vehicle inspector?

No. Stretched vehicles must be inspected by a Licensed Vehicle Tester authorised by VicRoads to inspect that category of vehicle.

To organise an inspection of your vehicle see the list of Licensed Vehicle Tester locations.

When attending a roadworthy inspection, it is recommended that you take a copy of the VASS Approval Certificate for your vehicle modifications with you.