Motor vehicle repairer licence
Business information for motor vehicle repairers' licenses, including information on applying for a new licence, renewing or replacing a licence or changing licence details.
When a motor vehicle repairer licence is needed
You need a motor vehicle repairer licence if:
- you are the owner of a motor vehicle repair business
- you are a self-employed motor vehicle repairer
- you run a mobile repair business.
This includes part-time work, sub-contractors and working in a partnership or a company.
Anyone carrying out vehicle repair work will also need a current motor vehicle tradesperson certificate. This includes your employees.
Written-off light vehicles
You need to hold a motor vehicle repairer licence for written-off light vehicles listed on the NSW Register or any other Australian register.
Transport service vehicles
All repair work done on a transport service vehicle must be performed by a licensed repairer and certified tradesperson.
A transport service vehicle is used to transport either goods or passengers in connection with a business.
This includes vehicles used for transporting freight or ride sharing.
Trailers and towable recreation vehicles
All businesses that specialise in underbody repairs on towable recreation vehicles (for example, caravans) and trailers need to have a motor vehicle repairer licence and comply with the record-keeping obligations.
However, the people doing the repair work do not need to have a tradesperson certificate so long as the work is being done at the notified premises of the licensed repairer and the work is only done on trailers or towable recreation vehicles.
A repairer licence is not required to work on the living area of a caravan (for example, electrical wiring work), but this work is still regulated under other relevant laws.
Minor works and repairs exemption
Minor works or repairs that do not affect the mechanical operation or structure of a vehicle or any vehicle safety features (such as impact sensors and airbags) are not considered repair work.
Any work that meets these requirements does not need a tradesperson certificate and a person who only does this type of work does not need to have a motor vehicle repairer licence.
Refer to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation and the accessories and minor repairs guidelines page for more information.
Learn more about your obligations when working as a motor vehicle repairer.
Apply for a motor vehicle repairer licence
If you're a self-employed motor vehicle repairer, or you run a motor vehicle repair business in NSW, you must have a motor vehicle repairer licence.
You can apply for a 1-year, 3-year or 5-year licence online. The application takes about 20 minutes to complete.
The application review process
We aim to assess your application within 30 business days.
We will contact you by email if we need more information. This will increase the processing time, so it’s important you provide all the required information at the time of applying.
Advising you on the outcome of your application
We will send an email to advise you if your application has been successful.
If your application is successful, the email will include a copy of your licence and your details will be added to the public register.
If your application is unsuccessful, we will provide you with the reasons in writing including any options that may be available to you.
Unsuccessful applications
You can apply for a review.
A review involves another officer from NSW Fair Trading, who was not involved in the original decision, reviewing the decision on your application.
For more information about the process, see reviews of NSW Fair Trading decisions.
Working interstate
There are several ways of working across borders and you can find information on each of these at our Working interstate and in New Zealand page.
Ask a question
If you need help with your application or have a question, please call 13 32 20