What if there is an ownership dispute?
If the ownership of a vehicle is in dispute, the RTA can refuse to register, transfer or cancel the registration. Ownership disputes are resolved in the Courts and the RTA has no legal authorisation to act as an arbitrator. The RTA, the Courts and the registered operator(s) of the vehicle can request a restriction on dealings on the vehicle’s record. This means that the registration can be renewed but no other transactions are allowed.
Why do you need proof of identity?
When visiting a motor registry you should bring a current (or recently expired) NSW photo licence. If the vehicle is being registered in the name of a company a copy of the ‘Certificate of Registration of a Company’ issued by the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) or a printed extract from the ASIC website must be provided to show the Australian Company Number (ACN).
For a list of the other documents that the RTA accepts as proof of identity use the related link (above right) or call 13 22 13.
What is a written-off vehicle?
A written-off vehicle is one that is damaged to such an extent that the insurer considers it uneconomical to repair, or the damage to the vehicle makes it unsafe for repair or registration. See Written-off vehicles for more information.
It is essential that you are sure of the identity of the vehicle before buying it.
What are registration charges?
Charges are calculated using the vehicle’s type, GVM, the number of axles and the vehicle’s nominated configuration.
National changes to registration and charging for heavy vehicles and trailers registered under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme (FIRS) are being introduced throughout Australia. See National charging reforms for more information.
To find out more about specific charges, view the heavy vehicle NTC charges or FIRS NTC charges in the Related links box (above right), or contact RTA Heavy Vehicle Customer Service by phone on 1300 364 847, or by email.
What is a special purpose vehicle?
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a vehicle built or permanently modified for a purpose other than the carriage of goods or passengers. Examples of SPVs include tractors, forklifts, road graders, cherrypickers and mobile cranes.
A vehicle is an SPV only if it meets all the criteria listed below. Plant vehicles that carry a load are classified as rigid trucks or trailers. A load is defined as any goods not necessary for the operation of the vehicle and includes water, bitumen, cement and billboards.
There are three categories of SPVs: Type P (Plant),Type T (Truck) and Type O (Overmass). An SPV, vehicle must meet the following:
Primary purpose: the vehicle is not built to carry passengers or goods as its main purpose (eg a tractor or mobile crane).
Location of operation: the vehicle does not operate in a loaded capacity on a road (eg a cherrypicker).
Permanence of construction: the equipment related to the function of the vehicle cannot be removed without major mechanical alterations (eg a permanently fixed air compressor or mobile generator).
Type P (Plant) is a special purpose vehicle that is built or permanently modified primarily for off road use, for use on a road related area or on an area of road that is under construction or repair.
These vehicles have minimal road use or are floated from site to site. Examples include agricultural tractors, self-propelled harvesters, bulldozers, backhoes, graders and front-end loaders. No national road charge is levied for Type P SPVs.
Type T (Truck) is a special purpose vehicle that is built or permanently modified primarily for use on roads and has no axle or axle group loaded in excess of the mass limits.These are SPVs that are built on a truck chassis and include cherrypickers and mounted concrete pumps.
Note: Trailers which are SPVs, are classed as Type T (Truck) as they are primarily built for use on a road. Examples include air compressors and generators.
Type O (Overmass) is a special purpose vehicle on a truck chassis that is built or permanently modified primarily for use on roads and has any axle or axle group in excess of the mass limits. Examples include mobile cranes and well-boring plant.
If your vehicle meets the SPV criteria, you should choose the nominated configuration of SPV Type P (SPP), SPV Type T (SPT) or SPV type O (SP2) in Section 3 of the Description of Heavy Vehicle form. You should also complete Section 6 of this form to determine if the vehicle is eligible to be classified as an SPV.
A completed Description of Heavy Vehicle form and a weighbridge ticket split by axles, or axle groups, must also be provided along with the other required documentation (eg heavy vehicle pink slip and brown slip, green slip, Proof of Identity, Proof of Acquisition) when first registering an SPV.
How do I register a mobile crane?
To register a mobile crane with a Gross Vehicle Mass over 4.5 tonnes, an Application to Register a Special Purpose Vehicle (335 form), verified and signed by an RTA Inspector (Vehicle Regulation), must be sent to the Manager, Heavy Vehicle Safety & Standards (HVSS), RTA, Locked Bag 928, North Sydney NSW 2059.
You will receive a letter from HVSS either confirming approval or non approval to register the vehicle. Approved applications will be issued with an approval number.
When you attend a motor registry you will need to produce the following documents:
Approval letter from the manager, HVSS and all other relevant documents requested in the letter.
Proof of identity.
Proof of Acquisition.
Completed Application for Registration form.
Completed Description of Heavy Vehicle form.
Note: If you are importing a non-complying mobile crane from overseas - please contact HVSS on (02) 9218 6888 to gain approval in principle before you purchase it.
What is seasonal registration?
Seasonal registration is a special registration scheme for harvest vehicles, allowing registration to coincide with harvest seasons. The length of registration varies with the length of the season and can be up to two three monthly periods (quarters) or one six-monthly period in any 12 months.
The inspection process to register heavy vehicles solely for seasonal use varies from the normal heavy vehicle inspection requirements. For further information call 13 22 13.
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