THE NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight – Duncan Gay – announced yesterday that a two year trial of a new registration scheme for modified cars will begin on October 1. It will allow those with vehicles on a club registration scheme to get out cruising more often because there are no restrictions as to where and when you can take the car out. Currently, cars on club rego are restricted to club events and maintenance, but this trial will mean you can take your car anywhere, any time.
“The current Historic Conditional Registration scheme remains unchanged as an option for enthusiasts but, this Government recognised that owners of conditionally registered vehicles had limited use,” said Mr. Gay.
Under the two year log-book based trial, owners of over 30 year old vehicles that meet the safety requirements of full registration or the current Historical Vehicle Scheme will be able to opt-in via participating clubs for 60 days of general use each registration year. The opt-in option is also another benefit, as you can also opt-out if you find that it doesn’t suit your requirements. Joining this scheme does not exclude you from going back on to full registration.
It might not sound like a lot of days to drive your car, but if you think about it, that’s five times every month. If you didn’t drive your car over winter, that would mean you could take it out every Saturday and Sunday for six months of the year.
Former SM editor Geoff Seddon was on board early on in the piece and had this to say: “As far as I’m aware it’s the first historic scheme in Australia to specifically cater for legally modified post-’48 and it’s pretty much exactly what we asked for. Because the Australian Confederation of Motor Clubs was involved from the start, it includes all vehicles, including motorbikes.”
The thing to remember is this is in addition to the current schemes already in place, so if you’re happy with how everything is at the moment, then there’s no need to change. This will just allow more people to enjoy their rides more often. “We’ve incorporated safe, sensible additions in consultation with the community and stakeholders so owners and the wider community can revel in these vehicles’ unique beauty more often,” said Mr. Gay.
This NSW Liberals & Nationals initiative will bring NSW into line with several other states while boosting opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry which contributes $11 billion to the Australian economy and employs 30,000.
To be eligible, the vehicle has to be over 30 years old and you have to be a member of a participating club, and as this is such a new directive the list of clubs has not been finalised yet as it is up to the individual club to decide whether they offer the scheme to their members. A great place to start is the Australian National Street Machine Association or get in touch with your local club through list of Australian Combined Motoring Clubs.
This is the result of four, solid years of work by the ACMC with the minister, and the RMS and special recognition must also go to Garry Warnes (ANSMA) and ACMC’s patron Alan Hay.
For more information, click on the links below.
Australian National Street Machine Association
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