Vehicles non-compliant with Australian standards

Find out how to apply for conditional registration if your vehicle is does not comply with the requirements of the Australian Design Rules and vehicle standards.

If you need to drive a vehicle on the road, but it doesn’t meet Australian Design Rules or vehicle standards, you can apply for conditional registration.

If your vehicle is conditionally registered, you will be issued with specific conditions for the vehicle’s use on the road.

This may include things like:

• restricted speed limits
• restricted hours of use
• requiring an escort vehicle
• requiring additional protective gear for vehicle users. 

VicRoads can impose any reasonable condition to make sure that roads remain safe for all road users.  

Your vehicle’s conditions of registration will be outlined on your Certificate of Approved Operations. This must be carried in your vehicle at all times.

Standardised conditions

We have seven levels of conditions from least restrictive to most restrictive for vehicles that don’t meet the standards of registration and are subject to conditional registration. 

We have a standard condition level for each category of vehicle registered. 

The level applied to each category is based on the level of road access or use that is determined appropriate for that category.

Eligibility

To be eligible to register a vehicle which doesn't comply with registration standards, you must:

• be an eligible operator of an approved operator group
• ensure the vehicle meets the minimum construction requirements for its body type.

If the vehicle is a heavy vehicle that is not an Agricultural or a Special Purpose Vehicle (non-load carrying), you will also need to get a Heavy Vehicle Standards Exemption Permit (HVSEP). You can find out more about getting a HVSEP at the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.

Approved operator groups

Approved operator groups are used for conditional registration. This is to restrict registration to only those groups who have an occupational use for that type of vehicle. 

Where a vehicle is used by a contractor on behalf of an operating group, conditional registration is also permitted, subject to verification of contractor status. 

There are 11 approved operator groups:

1. Government / local council / emergency services
2. Primary producer
3. Construction / maintenance / service
4. Manufacturing / production
5. Tourism / accommodation (caravan park, business operating in Alpine area)
6. Utilities (electricity / gas / water / waste)
7. Healthcare (hospital / aged care / rehabilitation)
8. Education or training faculties
9. Entertainment / recreational (eg, lifesaving club, golf club)
10. Contracted service providers to any of the above-mentioned operator groups
11. Other (VicRoads approval required) 

How to apply for conditional registration for a non-compliant vehicle

Make an appointment

You will need to make an appointment with us to apply for conditional registration. You can make an appointment by:

• calling us on 13 11 71 (pay by VISA or Mastercard)
• visiting a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (pay by VISA, Mastercard, cheque, EFTPOS or cash). 

A fee applies for the registration appointment. A card payment fee applies for Visa and Mastercard payments.

When you make your appointment, you will need to tell us:

• the vehicle identification number (VIN) /chassis number
• the engine number
• the registration plate number (if applicable)

You’ll be advised if the vehicle requires an inspection when making your appointment.

What you need to bring to your appointment

You’ll need to bring along the following to your appointment:

• the vehicle (if an inspection is required)
• a completed Machinery Pack [PDF 941Kb]
• evidence of what operator group you belong to
• evidence of your identity
• payment for the applicable registration fee
• a HVSEP if required
• a letter of authority if you are registering on behalf of a company or person.

How to renew, transfer or cancel conditional registration

Renew a conditional registration

You will be sent a renewal notice four to six weeks before the expiry date.

Pay your registration

Buying a vehicle with conditional registration

If you buy a registered non-compliant vehicle with conditional registration, you must visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre with:

• a completed Application for Registration Transfer form [PDF 368 Kb]
• evidence of your identity
• evidence of concession eligibility (if applicable)
• evidence of operator eligibility (see approved operator groups above)
• the applicable transfer fee.

You'll then be issued with a new Certificate of Approved Operations (if it applies).

Selling a vehicle with conditional registration

If you're selling a vehicle with conditional registration, you need to tell the buyer:

• that the vehicle has registration conditions
• to apply to have a new Certificate of Approved Operations issued in their name. 

If your vehicle has a condition that the registration cannot be transferred, you will need to cancel the registration before you sell the vehicle. The buyer will then need to apply for a new conditional registration.

Cancel a conditional registration

You can cancel a conditional registration the same way you would cancel a normal vehicle registration.

Cancel registration

What to do if your vehicle is not eligible 

If the vehicle is not being used by an approved operator group, or if you want to use the vehicle outside the standard conditions, you must submit a special written application.

This must include:

• your name and licence/client number
• the vehicle's make, model, year of manufacture and serial/chassis number
• colour photos of the vehicle
• annotated maps showing where the vehicle will be used
• the intended use of the vehicle
• any other special considerations that we should be aware of. 

Applications must be emailed to [email protected].

If the vehicle is a heavy vehicle that is not an Agricultural or a Special Purpose Vehicle (non-load carrying), you will also need to get a Heavy Vehicle Standards Exemption Permit (HVSEP). You can find out more about getting a HVSEP at the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.

When conditional registration will not be approved

We can’t approve conditional registration for a vehicle if there are no suitable operating conditions that will make the vehicle safe for travelling on the road.

We also can't approve conditional registration in instances where you can use a vehicle with standard registration to do the required tasks.

You can check construction and equipment requirements in the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and vehicle standards.