When you check a vehicle’s registration in the myVicRoads app or online account, or when you purchase a VicRoads Vehicle Report, you'll see a registration status. This status tells you whether the vehicle can legally be used on the road. Here's what each status means.
The registration is current and not expired.
- The vehicle is registered and can be legally used on the road or in accordance with any conditions that apply. (Note that a Vehicle Defect notice may prohibit the use of a vehicle after a certain date if not cleared.)
- No action is required unless your registration is due for renewal.
The registration has passed its expiry date.
This usually means the registration can still be renewed.
In some cases, renewal may not be possible if there is a sanction on the registration or a different issue exists.
Until the registration is renewed, the vehicle cannot be legally used on the road.
If you’ve paid your registration renewal recently, depending on how you paid, it may take 24-48 hours for the status and expiry date to be updated. As long as you’ve paid, you’re OK to drive – just make sure you can show proof of payment.
The registration is suspended. This means the vehicle cannot be legally used on the road
A registration may be suspended for reasons such as:
an unresolved short payment
an unresolved vehicle defect notice
other compliance issues
Exceptions for using a vehicle with suspended registration:
- A vehicle with a suspended registration may be used on road by a Licensed Vehicle Tester during a Roadworthiness examination.
- A vehicle with a suspended registration due to a defect notice may be driven directly to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre for the purpose of clearing the defect notice.
Additional information:
- You cannot voluntarily suspend your registration.
- A suspension does not extend the registration expiry date — the registration continues during the suspension period.
- A registration refund is generally not issued for the time the registration is suspended.
- VicRoads notifies the registered operator when a registration is suspended.
The requirements to lift a suspension vary. Refer to the original notification, or the registered operator of the vehicle registration can contact us for more information.
The registration has been cancelled and cannot be renewed. To legally use the vehicle on the road, it must be re-registered.
This occurs if registration remains unpaid for three months after the expiry date. A registration may also be cancelled because of a registration suspension which was not resolved. In these instances, the reason for the suspension will need to be rectified before the vehicle can be re-registered.
Once registration is cancelled, the vehicle must be re-registered at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre by appointment.
Re-registration requirements vary and may include inspections, certificates or additional documentation.
Find out how to re-register a vehicle.
While your vehicle is unregistered, you can purchase an Unregistered Vehicle Permit that allows you to legally use the vehicle on the road if you need to:
- obtain a Certificate of Roadworthiness or prepare the vehicle for registration
- drive a vehicle from place to place on a one off basis
An Unregistered Vehicle Permit cannot be used for normal domestic or business travel.
* A status that is displayed during a check is subject to change without notice.