Driving an unregistered vehicle: fines and permits

Is it legal to drive an unregistered vehicle?

Driving an unregistered vehicle on public roads anywhere in Australia is illegal and carries heavy fines, but there are some exceptions.

"I forgot", "I didn't get the item in the mail" and "I just came around the corner" are no exceptions, and if you get caught (and beware, fixed and mobile cameras in some states can detect unregistered vehicles) you could be for a fine.

First, the expiration date of your car registration is not illegal, and selling an unregistered car is fine. You can also drive an unregistered vehicle on private property and tow it on a public road with a trailer. It is driving a car without registration on a public road, which is against the law.

In New South Wales, if you drive an unregistered vehicle on a public road, you will be fined $607; in Victoria it can cost you $758; in South Australia - $374; Tasmania imposes a $285.25 fine on you; it's $250 in Western Australia and $660 in the ACT.

In the Northern Territory, you will receive a fine that increases based on the length of time the vehicle has not been registered: for example, $300 if the re-registration expired within a month; $800 if it was more than a month but less than 12 months, and $1500 for more than a year.

If that's not enough to keep you from driving an unregistered car on a public road, then consider the consequences of an accident and not having a green CMTPL (third party insurance) form. If you're involved in an accident with another car that's your fault, you could end up with tens of thousands (possibly hundreds of thousands) of medical and repair bills.

If you are caught driving without third party insurance, you will also receive another fine in addition to the fine for driving an unregistered vehicle.

There are some exceptions for driving an unregistered vehicle. Permits under which you can drive an unregistered vehicle on a public road vary by state or territory law.

In NSW, NT, Vic, Tas, WA and QLD, you are allowed to drive an unregistered vehicle as long as it is for the purpose of registering it. This allows you to take it to the workshop to pass the security check (pink form) or pass the inspection required to receive your rego.

You must drive it directly to the inspection station, workshop or auto-registration, choosing the most convenient route. Don't stop at shops, don't visit your soul mate, don't drive by.

Make sure you pay out third party liability insurance before driving an unregistered vehicle - remember that an accident and the costs associated with it can change your life forever.

South Australia and the ACT require a permit to drive an unregistered vehicle, even if it is just a registration.

This brings us to another exception - permissions. All states and territories offer permits that allow you to drive an unregistered vehicle on the road, but be aware that these are temporary and are for a one-time situation.

Permits usually cover you for interstate travel as well. Again, make sure you have third party insurance.

Permit costs vary. In Victoria, a one-day sedan permit costs $44.40.

An example of when you can use a driving license is for repairs.

Is driving an unregistered vehicle a felony and will you go to jail? No, it is unlikely that you will go to jail for driving an unregistered vehicle. No, unless you were violating some serious law at the time, such as reckless driving or disqualification, or endangering life, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Whether driving an unregistered vehicle is a felony or not depends on which state or territory you are in and how this traffic violation is classified. You usually don't lose any penalty points either. A fine is usually the most severe punishment, although the case may also go to trial.

Each state and territory's motor vehicle registry and police maintain a website, and we encourage all drivers to familiarize themselves with the laws and requirements before driving an unregistered vehicle on the road.