What To Know If You Get A Car Defect Notice

Getting a defect notice can be a really big hassle but the RTA Inspectors, Police Officers, EPA Officers and Interstate Authorities are responsible for making sure that all vehicles meet the guidelines for safety and roadworthiness.

What Warrants A Defect Notice?

Defect notices can be issued for several different reasons. A defect notice may be issued if your vehicle has damaged lights, or lights that are not working properly. You may also receive a car defect notice if your tires are too worn out.

The Two Types Of Defect Notices

A defect notice is categorized into one of two levels. The level of your car defect notice will depend on the severity of the defect and what needs to be done to correct it. All repairs must be made by the registered operator of the vehicle before it is re-evaluated to get the defect lifted.

  • Minor Defect Notices - Minor defect notices are issued for vehicles that have more minor problems that may grow into larger problems if they are not corrected. These defect notices have a certain time allotment for getting repairs done to the vehicle. If the vehicle is still operational and does not pose a danger to other motorists the operator of the vehicle may be allowed to continue to drive the car until the repairs or corrections can be made. If the necessary repairs are not done during the time period allotted the RTA could cancel the registration of the vehicle. Your car will not be deemed to be a "defected vehicle" if it only receives a minor defect notice.
  • Major Defect Notice - A major defect notice is given when the car poses a serious and immediate safety risk or danger to other motorists. Some vehicles can even be "grounded", which means that they have to be fixed on site or towed to a repair shop to be taken care of. This is called a "Major/grounded defect notice". When your car has been given a defect notice the vehicle must be fixed by an authorized individual.