Conditional registration

Conditional registration is available for vehicles in special circumstances e.g. pastoral vehicles.

This allows you to:

  • drive on public roads under restrictions
  • compensate for the vehicle's non-compliance with safety on public roads.

All heavy vehicles under conditional registration must be:

  • identified with applicable conditions on their certificate of registration
  • carry a full statement of the conditions at all times when on a public road.

How to apply

To apply for conditional registration, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Fill in the VS47 apply for conditional registration form PDF (582.8 KB).

Step 2. Submit your application:

After you apply

A transport inspector will contact you within 10 business days once they receive your application.

They may also ask you to provide more information to support your application.

If you are approved

If approved, you will get an approval letter with all your registration conditions.

You should then follow the steps below:

Step 1. Get your vehicle inspected

You must get a roadworthy inspection from an authorised vehicle inspector.

If you're registering the vehicle in the Northern Territory (NT) for the first time, you also need to get a compliance check at a government inspection facility.

Step 2. Prepare documents and collect your number plates

You must provide the following documents at an MVR office:

You can pay the fees by EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, BasicsCard or cash.

You will get your number plates immediately.

Conditions

It's expected most heavy vehicles will have more than one condition listed below.

Vehicles who need operational limits or support including:

  • a pilot vehicle
  • an observer to meet field of view
  • a heavy un-braked trailer that may only be towed by a heavy vehicle.

This covers units used in special areas including:

  • remote areas (LO3)
  • construction zones
  • snowfields (LO1)
  • national parks (LO2).

Each jurisdiction would define the permitted or excluded areas and any unique locations.

Vehicles that should not have unrestricted ownership (fire tenders with heavy front axles) and should be reassessed before transfer to another owner.

Units that:

  • have over-dimensional length or width
  • need special visible treatment to alert other road users.

This may include mobile crane booms, lift forks and mulcher elevators that would otherwise be hazardous due to their poor visibility.

Machines where braking, steering and stability are of concern. One way of accepting these for road use is to apply speed limitations (engine governing). The onus for setting the safe operating speed limit would be on the vehicle manufacturer.

Speed limit must be specific to the nearest whole 10 eg. 50, 60 or 70 kilometres per hour.

This can apply to units where complying lighting is impractical for example:

  • special purpose machinery for road maintenance
  • over width cranes or mulching machines which could comply in every other aspect.

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