Carnet with expired registration
 

Hi,

Sorry for yet another Carnet question, but I didn't find anything specific to this, only Grant's recommendation about Photoshop and a good printer :)

So I got the Carnet application on the way, it's got approved, payment details taken, then I was told that my Australian registration is about to expire in October. The Carnet period is from mid-August for a year and will be issued regardless.

Now, the lady at the motoring club is telling me I should renew the rego and email them a copy when I have it, but I'm already traveling in Australia and it would add major logistical problems (missing a boat to Dili and another 10.000km to ride) if I have to head back to the state (NSW) where I can take care of the rego. Also, I don't necessarily want to fork out a few hundred dollars for the registration and insurance that are useless oversas.

She's saying foreign organisations might contact them about the rego, but I'm a bit doubtful.

So...would it be safe for me to just ignore her request, get the Carnet issued (which she's happy to do), leave the country and just make up a new rego(looking paper) when the current one expires?

Is the registration date on the issued Carnet?

Thanks,
Andras

Seems like they've changed their policy a bit on this one. I had a couple of carnets from Aus (also NSW) over the last couple of years and they told me that the carnet isn't valid without current rego, but didn't pressure me to renew and give them a copy.

I would very much doubt that any overseas bodies will contact the AAA or NRMA to ask about your rego. If they really want to contact anyone it's going to be the RTA surely? I renewed my carnet as I travelled for more than 12 months, so had to have current rego to do that but didn't renew afterwards and haven't had any problems.

I had to send a scan of my valid rego to get the new carnet. I asked if the AAA could get confirmation from the RTA that my rego was valid but was told they couldn't due to privacy laws. Would have been easier for me if they could've done that instead of trying to find a scanner and good internet connection wherever I was in Africa at the time!

Can't speak about where you're travelling, but no-one ever asked me for proof of rego in Africa or Europe. In Africa the carnet was always enough and arriving in Europe and then the UK no-one asked for anything. Not even insurance. And for other countries in Europe they're allowed to deregister (SORN for UK) and still have the carnet as far as I know. In answer to your question, no the date of rego isn't on the carnet.

For NSW rego you don't even need to scan your old one and fake it - just use the renewal form that has the sticker on it already, no-one outside of Aus is going to know it's not paid as it's got the date on already.

Enjoy your trip,

Paul.

+1

Don't bother renewing with RTA, save your hard earnt $$$ and buy an extra beer or two.

This renewal form will work for 1 year but if you travel for a longer time like us you will need to fake it with photoshop or something similar, just in case you get stopped by an authority figure. Usually it's just to prove that the bike is registered in your name. It is especially important to US & Canada, you must always as required by law carry the registration papers of the vehicle with you. Usually not a problem if you're overlanding.

(Aside) I wouldn't have a proble with registering the bike in NSW with RTA if I didn't have to also pay the greenslip. I see a benefit in paying the rego but not in having 3rd party when overseas, it's a complete waste of money. Trouble is there are no exceptions where RTA is concerned... well none that I know of.

Thanks guys, I came to a similar conclusion (especially now that I realised that the rego is actually valid until March 2012 and not October 2011, not sure where she got that from).

Did you leave the rego sticker on the bike (while it was still valid) and is it worth making up a matching one later on or just remove it?

I travelled with a 4x4 not a bike, so I'm not sure if the sticker is the same. But I left my sticker in the window while it was valid then swapped it for the new sticker off the renewal form when the time came.

I still have the sticker off the renewal form in my window as the 12 months hasn't finished yet. If you can make a good fake one for when that expires I feel like it's probably better to have something just in case you get stopped.

Like I said, I'd be surprised if anyone outside of Aus is going to know what it's supposed to look like, so as long as it looks reasonably professional you should be alright.

Hi Andras

When are you thinking of shipping up to Dili?

I'm going that way too, so maybe we could share the cost of a container .. :yes:

Cheers

KEITH
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