AIS Vehicle Examiner cheat sheet

An Approved Inspection Station (AIS) is a privately operated business authorised under the road transport authority to conduct periodic vehicle safety inspections on behalf of the regulator.

AIS approval is site-specific and examiner-specific: the approval attaches to the premises and named accredited examiners, not to the business entity in general.

Core approval conditions typically cover premises and equipment standards, qualified accredited examiners, prescribed inspection procedures, fee limits, record retention, and cooperation with audits.

The regulator maintains a public register of approved stations; suspension or cancellation of approval must be notified and reflected on that register.

Approved stations must display their approval certificate and signage at the premises and must not advertise services they are not authorised to perform.

Changes of ownership, premises address, trading name, or key equipment must be notified to the regulator within the period set by the scheme rules, usually before the change takes effect.

Station approval is time-limited and renewed after a compliance review; renewal is not automatic and may be refused where audit findings are unresolved.

The regulator may impose conditions on an approval (for example, restricting vehicle classes inspected) and may vary conditions at any time by written notice.

Accreditation is personal to the examiner: it is granted after training, examination, and a probity check, and it lapses if the examiner leaves the approved station.

An examiner may only inspect vehicle classes listed on their authorisation; inspecting outside that scope is a breach of approval conditions.

Continuing professional development or periodic re-assessment is a standard condition of maintaining accreditation; failure to complete it suspends inspection authority.

Conflict-of-interest rules prohibit an examiner from certifying a vehicle they own, have repaired, or have a financial interest in.

The regulator may suspend or cancel accreditation for incompetence, dishonesty, falsifying results, or failure to follow prescribed inspection procedures.

Examiners must carry or produce evidence of accreditation on request and must not permit an unaccredited person to perform or sign off inspections.

Supervision requirements apply to trainee or provisional examiners: their inspections must be reviewed and counter-signed by a fully accredited examiner.

An examiner whose accreditation is suspended must immediately stop issuing inspection certificates, and any certificates issued after suspension are invalid.

Inspection items are prescribed and typically cover identification, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, body and chassis, exhaust emissions, seatbelts, and glazing.

Brake performance is assessed against prescribed minimum efficiency and balance figures; a vehicle failing either measure cannot pass regardless of other results.

Tyre requirements include minimum tread depth, freedom from cuts and bulges, correct load/speed rating, and matched construction across an axle.

Lighting checks verify function, aim, colour, and correct mounting of headlamps, stop lamps, indicators, and reflectors.

Vehicle identification checks match the chassis/VIN and engine number against registration records to detect rebirthing or stolen components.

An inspection result must be recorded as pass, fail, or fail-with-defect-list; the examiner must specify each defect and the reason for rejection.

Re-inspection rules usually allow a reduced-scope re-check after repairs within a defined period, but a full inspection is required after that window.

Inspection equipment such as brake testers, headlamp aimers, and hoists must be calibrated and within calibration date at the time of inspection.

Inspection records, including results, defect lists, examiner identity, and vehicle details, must be retained for the period set by the scheme, commonly several years.

Records must be legible, contemporaneous, and retrievable; electronic records must be backed up and protected against alteration.

The regulator conducts audits, covert checks, and complaint investigations; refusal to allow entry or access to records is itself a breach.

Enforcement options escalate from advisory notices and conditions through suspension, cancellation, fines, and prosecution for fraud or false certification.

Falsifying an inspection result or issuing a certificate without performing the inspection is an offence exposing the examiner and the station operator to liability.

Stations must maintain a register of examiners, equipment calibration records, complaint logs, and a schedule of inspection fees charged.

Self-reporting obligations require a station to notify the regulator promptly of any matter affecting its approval, such as equipment failure or examiner misconduct.

Penalties may apply to the operator as well as the examiner where the operator permitted or failed to prevent non-compliant inspections.

Approval applications must demonstrate suitable premises, equipment, staffing, and financial standing before the regulator grants an AIS approval.

The regulator publishes inspection fee schedules or maximum fees; charging above the permitted fee is a breach of approval conditions.

Station approval numbers must appear on inspection certificates and correspondence with the regulator to allow traceability.

An approved station must provide inspection services during its notified operating hours and must not unreasonably refuse to inspect a vehicle within its authorised class.

Where an approval is cancelled, the station must surrender its signage and unused certificate stock to the regulator.

Accreditation applications require proof of identity, qualification, and a criminal history or probity check acceptable to the regulator.

Authorisation can be limited by vehicle category or by inspection type, and the limits must be recorded in the accreditation register.

Examiners must report any change in their circumstances that could affect impartiality, such as acquiring an interest in a repair business.

The regulator may require re-examination after a serious defect escape or a pattern of disputed inspection results.

Structural and chassis checks look for cracks, corrosion, and unauthorised modifications that affect vehicle strength or compliance with design rules.

Emissions testing applies to prescribed vehicle categories and must follow the approved test method and equipment for that category.

Seatbelt and restraint checks verify presence, condition, anchorage, and correct operation for every seating position.

Inspection must follow a documented sequence so that all prescribed items are covered and the result is reproducible by another examiner.

Each inspection record should identify the examiner, date and time, vehicle identifiers, items checked, defects found, and the final outcome.

Audit findings are typically graded by severity, with major findings requiring corrective action within a set deadline and verified by re-audit.

Certificate stock must be controlled and accounted for; missing or misused certificates must be reported and investigated.

Appeal rights exist for applicants and accredited persons against refusal, suspension, or cancellation decisions, usually via internal review then tribunal.