A Club Permit can be issued to the vehicles in the following categories:
- veteran vehicles – manufactured before 1 January 1919
- vintage vehicles – manufactured after 31 December 1918 and before 1 January 1931
- classic and historic vehicles – manufactured after 31 December 1930, but more than 25 years before the date of the application for a Club Permit.
These categories can include trailers, heavy vehicles and modified vehicles such as street rods. Replicas of vehicles eligible for the above categories may also be issued with a Club Permit. Replica vehicles will be issued a club permit under the classic and historic vehicles category irrespective of the vehicle being replicated.
A replica means a light motor vehicle that is an individually constructed vehicle that resembles, as close as practicable, the appearance and dimensions of the production vehicle on which its design is based.
A Club Permit vehicle must comply with the Vehicle Standards, appropriate to the date the vehicle was manufactured, contained in Schedule 2 of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021.
If the vehicle is imported and has been issued a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, the VIN must be stamped on the vehicle. Refer: Register an imported vehicle (External link).
A Club Permit cannot be issued to:
- a currently registered vehicle
- a vehicle that is recorded on the Victorian or an interstate Written-off Vehicles Register as a statutory write-off
- a vehicle that has a Fines Victoria or hoon sanction
- a vehicle that is recorded as stolen
We may refuse to issue a Club Permit:
- if it is not satisfied that the vehicle is safe to use on a road or road related area or
- if a current Club Permit already exists for the same vehicle
Checking the vehicle's safety
To assist clubs with inspecting vehicles and determining whether they are safe for use on the road, we have developed a guideline vehicle safety inspection checklist [PDF 560 Kb].
Please note that this checklist is for guidance only and should be used at the club's discretion; it does not replace the requirement for the Vehicle Eligibility and Standards Declaration for Club Permit Vehicles form or any requirement for a certificate of roadworthiness.
Calculating the vehicle's manufacture date
- if your vehicle is fitted with an Australian compliance plate, the plate date is the date of manufacture
- if your vehicle is fitted with an import compliance plate or has no compliance plate, the date of manufacture is determined by a manufacturer's build plate, a chassis number or documentary evidence from the manufacturer's records
- if your vehicle does not meet either of the above requirements, we may determine the manufacture date based on information sourced from our registration database, historical data, or evidence from our vehicle safety and compliance expert
Please note: The day of manufacture cannot be established, therefore the day of manufacture is assumed to be the last day of the month.