Vehicle inspection and certification (WoF/CoF)
Scope and purpose
This domain tests whether you can choose the correct inspection type, apply its interval and legal effect, and document the result. A WoF is a point-in-time check that a light vehicle meets prescribed safety requirements; a CoF applies to heavy vehicles and transport-service vehicles. Neither certificate guarantees the vehicle will remain roadworthy after inspection.
Core rules
- WoF: light vehicles, generally up to 4500 kg gross laden weight. Most are annual; light vehicles first registered before 1 January 2000 are six-monthly. New light vehicles get their first WoF three years after first registration.
- CoF: heavy vehicles over 4500 kg and vehicles used in a transport service; generally six-monthly.
- Inspect to the current VIRM, verify identity (plates, VIN/chassis), record pass/fail and defects, and issue the correct label only after a pass.
- A failed vehicle must not be certified until the defect is rectified and re-inspected; a certificate can be refused or revoked if the vehicle is unsafe.
Worked example
A 2019 petrol hatchback is presented with an expired WoF and a front tyre at 1.4 mm tread. It is a light vehicle first registered after 2000, so the inspection is annual. The tyre fails the 1.5 mm minimum, so no WoF label is issued. The inspector records the tyre defect and explains that a recheck is required after replacement. If the owner says they will replace it tonight, the inspector still cannot issue the label now.
Traps
Confusing WoF with CoF; treating the certificate as a warranty; issuing a label before rectification; missing identity checks; forgetting the pre-2000 six-monthly rule.