VASS Certificate Victoria
A VASS certificate is issued by a VASS signatory in Victoria for modified, imported or individually constructed vehicles. For light vehicles the certificate expires 30 days from issue, so it must be lodged promptly, and a blue modification plate is fitted to the vehicle on certification.
- Scheme
- Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme
- Who certifies
- VASS Signatory
- Authority
- Department of Transport and Planning / VicRoads
- Validity
- 30 days from issue for light vehicles — lodge promptly
- Plate / record
- Blue VASS modification plate affixed to the vehicle — must never be removed
The 30-day clock nobody warns you about
This is the most expensive detail in Victorian modification compliance. A VASS certificate for a light vehicle is valid for 30 days from issue. If you let it lapse before lodging with VicRoads, you can find yourself paying for the assessment a second time.
Book the certification when you are genuinely ready to lodge — not when you want a warm feeling that the car passes.
The blue mod plate
On certification, a blue VASS modification plate is fitted to the vehicle. It records the approval permanently and must never be removed, painted over or relocated during later work. Panel shops and detailers have destroyed more mod plates than police have ever inspected — photograph its location and condition before any bodywork.
Notifying VicRoads
Victorian regulations require you to notify VicRoads within 14 days of modifying the vehicle. Modifications must comply with VSB14 or hold a specific VicRoads approval. Keep the notification confirmation with the certificate — it is the piece most owners cannot find two years later at sale time.
Where a VASS certificate travels
VASS certification is generally accepted in South Australia, Western Australia (subject to WA's own process), the Northern Territory, the ACT and Tasmania. It is not automatically accepted in New South Wales or Queensland. If you are moving interstate with a modified car, check the destination scheme before you register.
VASS is not a roadworthy certificate
A roadworthy certificate (RWC) is a separate requirement when selling a registered vehicle in Victoria. Holding a VASS certificate does not satisfy it, and passing an RWC does not certify your modifications.
Sources and verification
This page summarises the Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme as administered by Department of Transport and Planning / VicRoads. 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.
- Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 (Vic)
- VASS — Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme, VicRoads
- Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 (VSB14) — Australian Government
- Official Department of Transport and Planning / VicRoads information
Before you start work, confirm your specific situation with Department of Transport and Planning / VicRoads or a VASS Signatory. Do not rely on this page alone to decide whether a modification is legal.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is a VASS certificate valid?
For light vehicles a VASS certificate is valid for 30 days from issue. It must be lodged with VicRoads within that window or the assessment may need to be repeated.
Can I remove the VASS mod plate?
No. The blue VASS modification plate must remain fitted to the vehicle. Removing, obscuring or losing it can invalidate the certification and cause problems at inspection or sale.
Is a VASS certificate accepted in NSW?
Not automatically. NSW generally requires certification under its own VSCCS scheme for significant modifications. VASS is more widely accepted in SA, WA, NT, ACT and TAS.
Do I need to tell VicRoads about a modification?
Yes. Victorian regulations require notification within 14 days of modifying the vehicle, and modifications must comply with VSB14 or hold specific VicRoads approval.
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.