Veteran vintage and historic vehicles
Registered ACT operators of veteran, vintage and historic (VVH) vehicles have representation from many different car clubs. These clubs are affiliated with the Council of ACT Motor Clubs (CACTMC).
If you’re a member of a club affiliated with CACTMC you might be eligible for the VVH concessional registration scheme.
View a list of affiliated clubs on the CACTMC website.
Conditional registration scheme
The ACT’s Conditional Registration Scheme (CRS) is jointly managed between Access Canberra (the Road Transport Authority) and CACTMC.
To be eligible for the CRS you must be a member of an affiliated car club and have an older vehicle used on a limited basis as a recreation or hobby.
These vehicles need to be:
- maintained in a fit and roadworthy condition
- driven on Australian roads in a way consistent with their recreational or hobby status.
Eligible vehicles
Vehicles which qualify for conditional registration include:
- veteran motor vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1919
- vintage motor vehicles manufactured from 1 January 1919 to 31 December 1930 inclusive
- historic motor vehicles manufactured from 1 January 1931 which are 30 years or older
- modified historic vehicles in any of the above categories
For a vehicle to be used in a manner consistent with the spirit of the registration scheme, VVH vehicles can be driven no more than 60 days per year, in addition to club days.
Using your vehicle
To maintain eligibility for conditional registration you must adhere to the scheme guidelines. It is your responsibility to ensure you keep up to date with these guidelines.
Each vehicle must have its own logbook and can only have one logbook at a time.
A logbook entry must be completed at the start of each day’s use. The logbook must be carried with you in the vehicle on each trip.
You may need to present the logbook as proof the vehicle is being used in line with the scheme.
Logbooks are available for sale at Access Canberra Service Centres for $12.
Logbooks are also available from the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre after booked vehicle inspections.
To purchase a logbook you will need:
- your ACT driver licence or proof of identity
- registration details of your VVH vehicle.
Converting from standard registration to VVH registration
To apply for VVH concessional registration you’ll need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.
You’ll need to bring with you:
- your ACT driver licence or other proof of identity
- proof of acquisition if the vehicle isn’t already in your name
- a completed Application for concessional registration of a motor vehicle [PDF 184KB] stamped by your club registrar confirming membership and eligibility for the scheme
- a passed and valid certificate of inspection (if applicable)
- a completed application to establish registration on the reverse of your certificate of inspection (if applicable)
- you may choose to keep your existing numberplates or surrender the previous numberplates, if applicable, to receive VVH plates. Alternative plates, standard or non standard, can be ordered or purchased.
You’ll also need to purchase a logbook for the vehicle.
In some cases, before you can register your vehicle on the VVH scheme, you may need to get it inspected.
Read about roadworthy inspections.
You may need a vehicle inspection if any of these scenarios apply to your vehicle:
- the registration has been expired for more than 12 months
- the registration was cancelled
- the vehicle is/was registered interstate.
- the vehicle has changed specification since last inspection.
Convert back to standard registration
If your vehicle is currently registered under the VVH scheme and you want to convert back to standard registration, you’ll need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre. A current roadworthy inspection is required to do this.
You’ll need to bring with you:
- your ACT driver licence or other proof of identity
- proof of acquisition if the vehicle isn’t already in your name
- passed and valid certificate of inspection
- a completed application to establish registration on the reverse of your certificate of inspection (if applicable)
- Surrender the previous numberplates if VVH. You may choose to keep your existing numberplates, outside of VVH, if applicable.
Transferring VVH Registration
If you’re a member of a club affiliated with CACTMC, and the vehicle is to remain on VVH registration You’ll need to follow the standard process for registration transfer with some additional requirements.
You’ll also need to:
- provide a completed Application for concessional registration of a motor vehicle [PDF 184KB] stamped by your club registrar confirming membership and eligibility for the scheme
- purchase a logbook.
If are not a member of a club affiliated with CACTMC or the vehicle is to return back to standard registration, you’ll need to follow the standard process for registration transfer and:
- surrender the previous numberplates if VVH. You may choose to keep the existing numberplates, outside of VVH, if applicable.
Read about transferring registration.
Duty exemption
VVH motor vehicles are exempt from motor vehicle duty if the vehicle:
- is being registered after restoration
- has never been registered under the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 or a corresponding law within the preceding 2 years.
You need to complete an Application for duty exemption for a motor vehicle [PDF 112KB] form and a statutory declaration stating the above conditions apply to the vehicle being registered.
If within 3 years after VVH duty exempt registration you both:
- convert the vehicle back to standard registration
- are still the registered operator
you’ll need pay the duty that would have otherwise applied without the exemption.
Read about duty on vehicles.
Renew your VVH registration
To annually renew your VVH registration you need to reconfirm your eligibility for the scheme.
To do this, complete the Application for concessional registration of a motor vehicle [PDF 184KB].
Submit it to Access Canberra:
- in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre at the same time as renewing your registration
- by email to lara@act.gov.au and then renew your registration either in person, over the phone, or by using the Renew registration form.