Classic cars in Canberra can now be driven for up to 60 days a year, for less than $100 a year, following changes to the territory’s historic vehicle registration rules.
Classic car owners with club permits in the Australian Capital Territory have been given more freedom to drive their vehicles year-round, after the local government brought its regulations in line with those already in place in several jurisdictions
Since 1985, the ACT’s concessionary Veterans, Vintage and Historic (VVH) registration scheme has allowed owners of vehicles 30 years or older to access cheaper annual registration costs, albeit with strict conditions of when cars could be driven.
The registration scheme previously required owners to fit their classic cars with a specific number plate reflecting their status as a VVH vehicle, while journeys were also limited to no more than 3,000 kilometers per year, making the ACT Australia in the only jurisdiction that includes a system based on distance. limit in its concessional registration.
From 3 April 2023, the ACT’s distance-based limit has been replaced by a day-based limit, allowing cars registered under the VVH scheme to be driven for up to 60 days per year , excluding the days when they drive there from the official car. club events
As well as the length of time owners can drive their classic cars, the new changes allow vehicles with historic registrations to use standard number plates, while modified vehicles can apply for the concession scheme for the first time.
A full year of registration and compulsory third party insurance for VVH vehicles in the ACT costs $99.10, much less than the standard annual registration price which ranges from $837.80 to $1128.30 , depending on the weight of your car.
In a statement to the media, ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel said the new regulations were developed after consultation with the ACT Council of Motor Clubs, the peak body for the 75 car and motorcycle clubs in Canberra recognized by the government.
“The key aim of this enhanced scheme is to support Canberra’s motoring community with a discount on the registration of older vehicles that people use on a limited hobby basis,” Steel said in a media release.
“This scheme recognizes that these cars are not a daily drive and that we should not penalize enthusiasts who own additional VVH vehicles by charging full registration.
“Canberra has a passionate community of car enthusiasts with around 2,400 vehicles currently registered under VVH agreements, with more types of vehicles coming under the program we are sure to see some interesting cars and bikes on our roads, including some previously registered. interstate”.
The updated ACT day-based club permit scheme mirrors the limits already in place in New South Wales and the Northern Territory, although only classic cars in the national capital can also modify while taking advantage of the cheapest registration.
Although the minimum age of a car and the conditions under which it can be driven on a club license vary from state to state in Australia, all jurisdictions have common requirements for historical registration approval.
Classic car owners applying for a club permit must be members of a government-recognised car club in their region, while also carrying a logbook on the vehicle to document its movements between events .
See below for a full list of minimum age requirements, travel limits and history registration/club permit costs in Australia.
| State/Territory | Minimum vehicle age | Annual days of use (outside club events) | 12 month registration fee (car only) |
| New South Wales | 30 years | 60 days | $96 (first year, $47 thereafter) |
| Victory | 25 years | 45/90 days | $121.80/$197.90 |
| Queensland | 30 years | N/A | $191.90 |
| Western Australia | 30 years | 30 days | 75 percent off standard registration |
| South Australia | 25 years | 90 days | $85 |
| tasmania | 30 years | 104 days | $169.15 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 30 years | 60 days | $99.10 |
| Northern Territory | 30 years | 60 days | $111 |
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