Conditional Registration is available for vehicles:
Examples include agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, recreational vehicles for use on Stockton Beach, street rods, purpose-built vehicles and over-snow vehicles.
Historic vehicles manufactured 30 or more years ago are eligible for conditional registration if the operator belongs to an RTA-recognised historic vehicle club, and the the vehicle has not been altered except for certain safety features or period accessories.
Vehicles built on a truck-based chassis are not eligible for conditional registration, except as historic vehicles.
For a full list of vehicle types that may be registered under conditional registration, together with equipment requirements and conditions of approved operations, click the Conditional Registration Vehicle Sheets link at the bottom of the page. If there is no sheet for your vheicle, it cannot be granted conditional registration.
Obtaining a conditional registration
You need to go to a motor registry, or send an authorised representative, to obtain conditional registration for your vehicle.
What you need to provide:
Proof of your identity, or if you're registering the vehicle in the name of a company or organisation, proof that the company or organisation is a legal entity.
Proof of entitlement to register the vehicle.
A document that proves the vehicle is roadworthy (eg a safety inspection report, or a Customer Declaration of Roadworthiness for specific vehicles). See 'Inspection requirements', below, for more information.
A completed Application for Conditional Registration form, available from the Registration Forms link below.
Payment for the applicable fee. The fee includes an administration fee, number plate fee and CTP insurance. However, you should be aware that this insurance only covers you on roads or road-related areas (eg footpaths, nature strips, public driveways, public carparks etc), but not on private property.
If your application is approved, you will be issued with a Certificate of Registration, label and a set of number plates. Specific conditions of operation apply to every vehicle under conditional registration, and these are listed on a Certificate of Approved Operations. This Certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Inspection requirements
Most conditionally registered vehicles require a Customer Roadworthiness Declaration. However:
Historic vehicles also require a Historic Vehicle Declaration or pink slip.
Street Rods also require a Street Rod Declaration and a Safety Inspection Report issued by the NSW Street Rod Committe or its inspection agents.
Managing a conditional registration
Renewals
The RTA sends the vehicle's registered operator a courtesy reminder four to six weeks before the renewal is due. Registration can be renewed at any motor registry. Bring the renewal notice, evidence of roadworthiness and the renewal fee.
Transfers
Conditional registrations cannot be transferred. If you sell the vehicle, the conditional registration must be cancelled and the plates returned. The new operator can then apply for a new conditional registration.
Cancellation
Simply use the Cancel Registration Advice on the back of the Certificate of Registration. There is no cancellation fee, and no refund for the number plate or administration fees. However, a Cancellation Letter will be sent so that you can have the unused portion of your CTP insurance refunded.
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