This article will share important information about applying for VicRoards unregistered vehicle permit. If you want to drive an unregistered vehicle in Victoria, Australia, you need to obtain an unregistered vehicle permit.
In Victoria, VicRoads is a government establishment that is responsible for the management and regulation of the arterial road network, delivery of road safety initiatives, and provision of customer focused licencing and registration services.
Unless your vehicle is exempted from registration, driving a vehicle not registered with VicRoads is a punishable offence in the state.
This article will discuss the essentials of getting a VicRoads unregistered vehicle permit, consequences of driving an unregistered vehicle, and the vehicles exempt from registration.
VicRoads Unregistered Vehicle Permits
What is a VicRoads unregistered vehicle permit (UVP)? This permit allows you to use an unregistered vehicle on Victoria’s public roads. VicRoads issue this permit in situations where it is impractical or unreasonable to register a vehicle during the period of the permit.
Unregistered vehicles that are used in organised carnivals or processions on public roads, including carnival floats, must obtain a permit to use such vehicles in Victoria’s public roads. Moreover, this permit also authorises vehicles that are used during approved rallies that The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport conducts (also known as rally permit).
The coverage of an unregistered vehicle permit also includes:
- Preparation of an unregistered vehicle for registration.
- Moving a vehicle from place to place on a one-off basis.
- Using heavy earthmoving equipment which need to cross or operate on public roads in the course of construction work and cannot meet registration requirements.
Note that you cannot use this permit for social or domestic purposes.
Unregistered Vehicle Permit Fees
You need to pay certain fees when getting a VicRoads unregistered vehicle permit. The amount of fee that you must pay will depend on specific conditions of use. Meaning, the amount will depend on the purpose of using such vehicle. You can use the UVP calculator to know how much you should pay.
These conditions include:
- Preparing a vehicle for registration; or
- Driving a vehicle from one point to another on a one off basis (single trip/journey).
If you’re getting a UVP for carnival floats or procession, it depends on a set of factors such as the vehicle modifications and garage address. To know how much UVP fee you must prepare for your carnival float, call 13 11 71 or visit a Customer Service Centre. You must disclose the vehicle’s description when asking about the cost of the UVP.
For rally permit fees (as of date of publication):
- Annual permit fee – AUD 361.40
- Number plate charge – AUD 41.80 (pair)
Driving an Unregistered Vehicle
Driving an unregistered vehicle in Victoria is a punishable offence. That’s why getting a UVP is important. If the Police believes that you are driving an unregistered vehicle, they may charge you with this offence. If your charge goes to court, the prosecution will prove the following:
- You operated a car in Victorian public roads without a VicRoads registration and
- You had no reasonable excuse or permit for doing so.
The penalties for unregistered vehicle offences are the following:
- Driving an unregistered 2 axle vehicle – AUD 988
- Driving an unregistered 3, 4, 5 or more axle vehicle – AUD 1,788.
If charged with this offence, you may have a defence if you had a reasonable excuse for operating an unregistered vehicle. For example, you had a medical emergency and you were left with no choice but to drive the vehicle. To know more about your possible defences, you should contact a legal professional with traffic law expertise to discuss your case further.
Note that you cannot use the following reasons as defences:
- The vehicle registered did not belong to you.
- You could not afford to pay the registration fee.
- You did not know that driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence.
If found guilty, you may lose your licence due to cancellation or suspension or receive a fine of 25 penalty units (if this is your first time) or 50 penalty units (if you have been found guilty of this offence before). If you can’t afford to pay the fine, you can request Fines Victoria for a payment plan.
Registering Your Vehicle
If you intend to use a vehicle on public roads in Victoria, you must register it. There are four types of vehicle registration:
- standard motor vehicles (cars, 4WDs, vans, trucks, motorcycles, prime movers and buses
- trailers (including caravans)
- recreational motorcycles (motorcycles intended for use on local and forest roads outside built up areas)
- miscellaneous vehicles (vehicles designed for specific tasks such as tractors, backhoes, crane, street sweepers).
You can either register it under an individual’s name or a corporation’s name. However, there can only be one registered operator per vehicles. For individuals, you must either be 16 years of age (light vehicles) or 18 years of age (heavy vehicles). Corporations must provide their Australian Company Number (ACN) or Australian Business Number (ABN).
For complete information on vehicle registration, head on to VicRoads website on “new registration.”
Vehicles Exempt from Registration
There are also vehicles that you don’t need to register. The following vehicles are exempt from registration, which means they can operate without registration:
- agricultural equipment (vehicles without automotive power built to perform agricultural tasks off road)
- trailers carrying harvester combs
- bulk field bins for holding grain
- bulk fruit bins
- trailers (other than trailers specifically built to carry a boat) that are not used in the course of trade and:
- weigh less than 200kg empty
- not wider than the vehicle towing it
- not more than 3m long including the drawbar and any load on the trailer
- trailers that are being towed by a registered tow truck
- motor vehicles being towed on a road or road related area
- trailers that are operated by Life Saving Victoria, are used to transport inflatable life boats to the water’s edge, and aren’t intended for use on public roads.
Got a Problem With Getting Your UVP?
If you’re facing issues with getting a VicRoads unregistered vehicle permit, the most direct route is to talk to an experienced traffic offence lawyer. Our legal professionals at JB Solicitors can assist you in resolving traffic law issues in Victoria, Australia.
Our services include:
- representing you to court, if necessary.
- help you get a permit or a roadworthy certificate and lodge complete personal details for the same vehicle you were driving
- Help you report or register the unioregistered vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number or chassis number
- giving legal assistance for traffic violations.
- explain Australian traffic law and its implications.
Contact us today to know more.
