If you’re selling a car or re-registering one in Victoria, worn tyres are one of the fastest ways to fail a Roadworthy Certificate. Tyres are a safety-critical item that a Licensed Vehicle Tester checks on every inspection, and the standard they use is set out in Victoria’s Vehicle Standards Information sheet on tyres. This guide explains exactly what passes and what fails.
When do you need a roadworthy certificate in Victoria?
A Victorian RWC is required when you sell or transfer a registered light vehicle, when you re-register a vehicle whose registration has lapsed, or when clearing certain defect notices. The certificate is issued by a Licensed Vehicle Tester (a workshop signed up with VicRoads) and is valid for 30 days from issue. It is a snapshot of safety at inspection time, not a warranty of future condition.
What tread depth do tyres need to pass a Victorian RWC?
The legal minimum tread depth in Victoria is 1.5mm in all principal grooves — the main circumferential grooves that carry the tread wear indicators. This is the Australia-wide figure; it is not the 1.6mm sometimes quoted from UK rules. A tyre worn below 1.5mm in any principal groove will fail. Secondary (finer) grooves are allowed to wear down without causing a failure on their own.
Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are the small raised bars moulded across the base of the main grooves at the 1.5mm level. If a TWI is flush with the surrounding tread — meaning it’s contacting the road — the tyre is at or past the legal limit and fails. Learn how to spot them in our guide to tyre wear indicators, and how to check depth yourself in checking tread depth without a gauge.
What tyre damage fails a roadworthy in Victoria?
Tread depth is only half the test. Under the Victorian standard, a tyre must be free from any deep cuts, cracks, bulges or other damage likely to cause failure. A tester will fail a tyre for:
- Deep cuts or cracks exposing the casing or cords
- Bulges or blisters in the sidewall (a sign of internal cord damage)
- Casing separation, broken wires or exposed fabric/cords
- Excessive uneven wear across the tread width
- Improper repairs — repairs are only permitted in the crown (tread) area, never in the bead, sidewall or shoulder
A sidewall bulge is an automatic fail and cannot be repaired — see is a sidewall bubble repairable? For where a puncture can legally be patched, read where a tyre can legally be repaired.
Do the tyres have to match the car?
Yes. The tyres must be the correct size, and their load rating and speed rating must be appropriate for the vehicle as specified on the tyre placard. Fitting tyres with a load index below the manufacturer’s requirement is a fail — see what happens if your tyres don’t meet the placard load rating. Tyres on the same axle must be a matched pair, and there are limits on running different sizes front and rear. Run-flat tyres must be fitted to suitable rims with a functioning tyre pressure monitoring system.
Victorian RWC tyre checklist
| Item | Pass | Fail |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth | 1.5mm+ in all principal grooves | Below 1.5mm anywhere / TWI touching road |
| Sidewall | Intact, no bulges | Bulges, deep cracks, exposed cords |
| Repairs | Crown/tread area only | Sidewall, shoulder or bead repairs |
| Size & rating | Matches placard, correct load index | Under-rated or wrong size |
What happens if your tyres fail?
A failed RWC isn’t a fine — it’s a list of items to rectify. You replace or repair the tyres, then return to the same tester (usually within a set window) for a re-check of the failed items rather than a full re-inspection. Driving worn tyres on the road separately, though, can attract a fine and demerit points; see fines and demerits for illegal tyres and how Victoria issues tyre defect notices.
The rules mirror other states closely — compare with a NSW pink slip and a Queensland safety certificate.
Bottom line: In Victoria, tyres below 1.5mm, with a wear indicator touching the road, or showing bulges, cuts or exposed cords will fail a roadworthy. Check tread and sidewalls before you book, and confirm the current standard with Transport Victoria or your Licensed Vehicle Tester.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth in Victoria?
1.5mm in all principal grooves. This is the national Australian standard and applies across Victoria — not 1.6mm.
Will one bald tyre fail the whole roadworthy?
Yes. Each tyre is assessed individually, so a single tyre below 1.5mm or with damage will fail the RWC until it’s rectified.
Can I get a roadworthy with mismatched tyres?
Tyres on the same axle must match, and all tyres must meet the vehicle’s placard size and load rating. Non-conforming tyres will fail.
How long is a Victorian roadworthy certificate valid?
30 days from the date of issue. Confirm current requirements with your Licensed Vehicle Tester or Transport Victoria.
General information only, current as a guide for 2026. Tyre and roadworthy rules can change — confirm the current standard with Transport Victoria or a Licensed Vehicle Tester.
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