Driving under a Carnet in NSW
 

We got stopped by the police in Sydney, and it was unclear how legal we were. The policemen was very thorough and honest, and phoned and emailed back to say he was wrong and that we were clear to drive. If you do intend to drive in NSW make sure you bring your registration papers (even if you have exported bring your rego, as they don't check back.)

Below is the email he sent plus a REFERENCE number on their computer which will allow any person stopped to quote their way out of trouble :)

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As per our conversation this morning here is the email I have received from the RTA regarding overseas registered vehicles.

In summary you are permitted to drive your UK registered vehicle until the UK registration expires. Once it expires YOU MUST obtain NSW registration.

I have created a report on the police computer stipulating this. This will assist you should you be stopped by police again. Please quote COPS event number E 40952466 to police to assist them.

I need to emphasis that this ruling only relates to NSW. If you intend to drive interstate you should confirm with the appropriate authorities in that particular state/territory regarding your legal right to drive your UK registered vehicle in that jurisdiction.

For the sake of convenience I would urge you to print up a copy of this email and leave it in your vehicle.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards


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Hi,
As discussed…
Vehicles from overseas
Vehicles visiting from overseas must have current overseas registration and their country of origin number plates fitted.
These vehicles are exempt from NSW registration and must not be issued with a UVP.
A vehicle exempt from NSW registration is also exempt from the requirement to have compulsory third party insurance. A NSW third party personal injury claim involving a vehicle visiting from overseas is made against the Nominal Defendant Scheme. This scheme is administered by the MAA.
If the overseas registration expires while the vehicle is in NSW, the vehicle must be fully registered in NSW if the owner intends to keep using the vehicle.
Vehicles with left-hand drive must be fitted with a sign that states 'Left-Hand Drive'. See Signage for vehicles with left-hand drive and dual control steering for specification.

Hi Ollie

Just be prepared to jump through another 100 loops to be ale to regiter the vehicle in NSW...I'm sure there will be a million and one other rules to comply with to be able to register a foreign vehicle without permanent importation. Probably best to start doing some research on this now...

Hope you getting some sleep with the new edition!!!

As far as I know its not possible to register a vehicle in Australia that is visiting on a carnet (NSW or any other State) - the Federal Govt. are the only ones authorised to issue the paperwork and/or VIN plate - and that just wont happen - I dont think they have the ability (regulations) to change the status of a carnet to an import approval without the vehicle leaving the country. Plus the owner would have to comply with Visa or permanent residency requirements anyway.

Just be aware that there are a lot of ex UK coppers employed by the various Australian States who would know their way around UK rego documents and tax discs, but they would not have any access to computer records. Bluffing may not be an option if your UK road tax has expired.

Personally I'd be asking a friend in the UK to scan a valid tax disc and send it via email to "adjust" and print in Aus. then stick it in the window.

Thanks for taking the time to post that up, we made a few ph calls before taking the bikes over last year to make sure, given the people at the RTA had to look up what the requirements were, we thought the cops certainly wouldn't have any idea but would probably think you needed some piece of paper to be using a foreign vehicle on their roads. We never got stopped anywhere though.

Yep, just shows how difficult it is to get straight info about taking your vehicle with you on an Australian holiday, the authorities don't even know what they are talking about.

Cheers
Clint

Hi guy's!

In WA you have to register your bike temporaily (is that spelled right? )
Roadworty test incl. And max 12 month.
We tried to get more than 12 month (we got a second Carnet) but that wasn't possible.

Next time we will enter NSW or VIC :scooter:

Werner

Sorry forgot.... no Aussie plates! Would be nice :D to have my name on the plate but....no!



Werner