ACT Government introduces new historic registration rules for classic cars

Owners of classic cars on club permits in the Australian Capital Territory have been given more freedom to drive their vehicles throughout the year, after the local government brought its regulations into line with those already in place in a number of other jurisdictions.

Since 1985, the ACT’s Veteran, Vintage and Historic (VVH) concessional registration scheme has allowed owners of vehicles which are 30 years or older to access cheaper annual registration costs, albeit with strict conditions of when the cars could be driven. 

The registration scheme previously required owners to fit their classic cars with a specific number plate reflecting its status as a VVH vehicle, while travel was also limited to no more than 3000 kilometres per year – making the ACT Australia’s only jurisdiction to include a distance-based cap in its concessional registration.

From 3 April 2023, the ACT’s distance-based limit has been replaced by a day-based limit, allowing cars registered under the VVH scheme to be driven for up to 60 days annually – excluding days where they are driven to and from official car-club events.

In addition to the amount of time owners can drive their classic cars, the new changes allow for the use of standard number plates on vehicles with historic registration, while modified vehicles can apply for the concession scheme for the first time.

A full year of registration and compulsory third-party insurance for VVH vehicles in the ACT costs $99.10 – significantly less than the price of standard annual registration which ranges from $837.80 to $1128.30, depending on their car’s weight. 

In a media statement, the ACT’s Minister for Transport, Chris Steel, said the new regulations were developed after consultation with the Council of ACT Motor Clubs – the peak body for Canberra’s 75 government-recognised car and motorcycle clubs.

“The key purpose of this improved scheme is to support Canberra’s motoring community with discounted registration for older vehicles which are used on a limited basis by people as a hobby,” Mr Steel said in a media statement.

“This scheme recognises that these cars are not a daily drive and that we shouldn’t penalise enthusiasts who own additional VVH vehicles by charging full registration.

“Canberra has a passionate community of car lovers with around 2400 vehicles currently registered under the VVH arrangements, with more types of vehicles to be included under the scheme we’re sure to see some interesting cars and motorbikes on our roads, including some previously registered interstate.”

The ACT’s updated day-based club permit scheme mirrors limits already in place in New South Wales and the Northern Territory, though only classic cars in the national capital can also be modified while taking advantage of the cheaper registration.

While the minimum age of a car and the conditions it can be driven on a club permit vary from state to state in Australia, all jurisdictions have common requirements for historic registration to be approved.

Classic car owners who apply for a club permit have to be a member of a government-recognised car club in their region, while they are also required to keep a log book in the vehicle in order to document its movements between events.

See below for a full list of minimum age requirements, travel limits and costs for historic registration/club permits in Australia.