Ask one question: is the vehicle registered in NSW right now, or did its rego run out less than three months ago? If yes, it needs a pink slip to renew. If no, it needs a blue slip to be registered again.
The difference in one line
A pink slip renews the rego on a vehicle that’s already registered in NSW. A blue slip is for a vehicle that isn’t: off the road more than three months, from another state or country, without plates, or a write-off approved to go back on the road.
The cases people get wrong
The rego ran out last month. Pink slip. Under three months, you still renew as normal.
The rego ran out last summer. Blue slip. Past three months there’s nothing left to renew.
You bought a car in Queensland. Blue slip, even if its Queensland rego is current. Our guide to registering an interstate car has the steps.
You bought a car in Sydney with current NSW rego. Neither yet. Transferring rego into your name doesn’t need an inspection. The pink slip comes due when the rego does.
How long each one lasts
A pink slip is valid for six months for renewing. A blue slip is valid for 42 days, because it’s a step in registering the vehicle rather than something to keep for later.
Where to get each one
We do both at our Auburn workshop. For a car, SUV, ute or van a blue slip is $82 and a pink slip is $52. For a motorcycle they’re $51 and $29. Book online and drive in.
If your rego is current and you’d rather not drive anywhere, our sister business Pink Slip Approach does pink slips at your home or work. Its guide, pink slip or blue slip (opens in a new tab), tells the same story from the pink slip side.
Where these facts come from
- NSW Government, Safety checks and vehicle inspections (opens in a new tab). Checked 16 October 2026.
- Service NSW, Get an authorised unregistered vehicle inspection (blue slip) (opens in a new tab). Checked 16 October 2026.
