Unregistered vehicle permits

What is an Unregistered Vehicle Permit?

An unregistered vehicle permit (UVP) gives you a short-term registration period and Motor Accident Injuries insurance cover so you can use a vehicle on a road or road related area.

You can only get a UVP if:

• it wouldn’t be reasonable or practical to register the vehicle during the UVP period
• you’re driving the vehicle to get inspected or registered
• you drove the vehicle somewhere for inspection or registration, and it failed inspection or was refused registration.

A UVP is not a substitute for full registration and isn’t for regular use of a vehicle.

If you’re using the vehicle to carry goods you can only get a UVP if the goods are your property and you’re not selling them.

Once payment has been made, an unregistered vehicle permit cannot be changed, altered or refunded. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check that the permit type and selected dates are accurate prior to payment.

Registered vehicles with a defect suspension

If your vehicle is currently registered but the registration is suspended due to a defect, you don’t need a UVP to drive it to an inspection.

If the vehicle was unregistered before the suspension, or the registration expired more than 14 days before the notice, you will need an unregistered vehicle permit (UVP).

Moving a vehicle from interstate

If you need to move a vehicle from another state or territory to the ACT, you’ll need to get a UVP issued from that jurisdiction. If you’re travelling to another jurisdiction from the ACT, you’ll need to check with the other jurisdiction whether the ACT permit is valid until you reach the border, or the destination.

Unregistered trailers

You don’t need a UVP if your unregistered trailer is attached to a registered vehicle and you’re travelling somewhere for inspection.

If your trailer has failed a roadworthy inspection, you will need a UVP before you can take it on a road or road related area.

Types of UVP

There are 3 types of UVP:

Restricted UVPs

Restricted UVPs let you drive, one way, from the ACT to another state or territory.

This permit is issued in line with the amount of time required for your journey, accounting for rest stops.

You need to drive to your destination by the most direct route possible.

The UVP expires once you arrive at your destination even if it took you less time than the permit was issued for.

A restricted UVP can also be issued if you’re not leaving the ACT.

Day UVPs

Day UVPs last for up to 12 hours and are for driving in the ACT only.

If you buy it the same day you want to drive the vehicle, it is valid from the time of payment to 7 pm that same day.

If you buy it for a day in the future, it is valid from 7 am to 7 pm that day.

Unrestricted UVPs

Unrestricted UVPs last for up to 28 days and are for driving in the ACT only. You can only get an unrestricted UVP if your vehicle has been inspected at the Access Canberra Hume Motor Vehicle Inspection Station and your vehicle is not defective.

Vehicles that are assessed as dangerous are not eligible to receive an unrestricted UVP.

People or vehicles ineligible for UVPs

If any of these scenarios apply to you or your vehicle, you can’t get a UVP:

• You have unpaid fines, or your driver licence has been suspended or cancelled. Someone else will need to apply for the UVP and drive the vehicle.
• The vehicle’s registration has been sanctioned.
• There is a managerial suspension on registration.
• The vehicle is a statutory write off.

Read about roadworthy inspections.

Read about written-off vehicles.

Apply for a UVP

Please note: Once payment has been made, an unregistered vehicle permit cannot be changed, altered or refunded. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check that the permit type and selected dates are accurate prior to payment.

You and the vehicle need to have an existing record, expired or current. If you need to provide a roadworthy certificate, you can do so online prior to calling.

You can apply for a Day UVP 7 am - 7 pm in the ACT:

• online
• calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81
• visiting an Access Canberra Service Centre.

You can apply for a restricted UVP by:

• calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81
• visiting an Access Canberra Service Centre.

You can only apply for an unrestricted UVP once:

• The vehicle has been inspected at the Access Canberra Hume Motor Vehicle Inspection Station and is not defective.

Inspections are by appointment only. You can call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or visit an Access Canberra Service Centre to organise an appointment. The Inspection Station doesn’t accept walk-ins.

What you'll need

You’ll need to provide:

• your proof of identity
• the registration number or vehicle identification number (VIN)
• the vehicle’s make and model
• the vehicle type
• the vehicle’s colour
• the vehicle’s month and year of manufacture
• the vehicle engine number except if it is a trailer
• the gross vehicle mass if your vehicle is a truck
• the engine capacity if your vehicle is a motorbike.

You will also need to pay the fee that applies to the type of UVP.

Fees

Fees are correct as at 1 July 2025. All fees are subject to change without notice.

All fees include a $31.00 permit fee and the MAI insurance component.