QLD Modification Plate & Approved Person
Queensland certifies modified vehicles through Approved Persons, who inspect the work against the Queensland Code of Practice (which adopts VSB14) and rivet a modification plate to the vehicle. Queensland does not automatically recognise certification issued in other states.
- Scheme
- Queensland Approved Person Scheme
- Who certifies
- Approved Person
- Authority
- Department of Transport and Main Roads
- Validity
- Modification plate records the approval permanently
- Plate / record
- Blue modification plate riveted to the vehicle by the Approved Person
Approved Persons and the Code of Practice
Queensland does not use the word 'engineer' the way NSW and Victoria do. An Approved Person is authorised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to inspect modifications against the Queensland Code of Practice — Vehicle Modifications, which adopts and extends VSB14.
When the work passes, the Approved Person rivets a modification plate to the vehicle. That plate, plus their inspection report, is the durable proof the modification was approved.
Interstate certificates do not automatically carry over
This catches people relocating to Queensland with an engineered car. A NSW VSCCS certificate or a Victorian VASS plate is evidence of good work, but it does not automatically satisfy Queensland. Expect to have the vehicle re-assessed by a Queensland Approved Person.
Bring everything: the original certificate, the certifier's report, staged build photographs and parts receipts. A complete record can turn a full re-engineering job into a paperwork review.
Some modifications need TMR approval before you start
Certain modifications require pre-approval from TMR before any work begins — not after. Starting first and asking later is the expensive order of operations. Confirm with an Approved Person during planning.
Keep the inspection report with the vehicle
The plate proves an approval exists. The Approved Person's inspection report proves what was approved. At sale, at claim time, or if the plate is damaged, the report is the document that matters.
Sources and verification
This page summarises the Queensland Approved Person Scheme as administered by Department of Transport and Main Roads. It is a summary, not the instrument itself. Requirements change, and they are applied at the discretion of the authority and the certifier assessing your vehicle.
- Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2021 (Qld)
- Queensland Code of Practice — Vehicle Modifications — adopts VSB14 with Queensland variations
- Official Department of Transport and Main Roads information
Before you start work, confirm your specific situation with Department of Transport and Main Roads or a Approved Person. Do not rely on this page alone to decide whether a modification is legal.
Keep your Approved Person Scheme certificate where you can actually produce it
ModVault stores every Approved Person Scheme certificate, receipt and build photo against the vehicle, and produces the whole compliance pack the moment you're pulled over.
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Frequently asked questions
Who can certify a modified car in Queensland?
An Approved Person authorised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. They inspect against the Queensland Code of Practice and fit a modification plate.
Will Queensland accept my NSW or Victorian engineering certificate?
Not automatically. Queensland generally requires assessment by a Queensland Approved Person, though a complete interstate record can significantly shorten that process.
Do I need approval before modifying in QLD?
Some modifications require TMR pre-approval before work starts. Check with an Approved Person during planning rather than after the build.
Keep reading
Current as at 2026-08-24. Reviewed every 90 days; next review due 2026-11-22. This guide is general information for Australian vehicle owners, not legal or engineering advice. Requirements change and are applied at the discretion of your state authority. Always confirm with your road authority or a licensed certifier before starting work.