Historic Vehicle Scheme period options, accessories and safety items
If your historic vehicle is 30 years of age or older, you may be eligible for historic vehicle registration. Find out how to apply.
Eligibility of vehicles for inclusion in the Historic Vehicle Scheme
The period options, accessories and safety items below serves as a valuable guide/resource to assist in discerning whether a vehicle's modifications align more closely with the requirements of the Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS) rather than the Classic Vehicle Scheme (CVS).
The HVS is designed for vehicles that are at least 30 years old and maintained as close to their authentic condition as possible. Historic vehicles have been subject to wear and tear and may have, over the years since manufacture, been repaired or restored, but that work should be in a manner sympathetic to their authentic condition. Meanwhile, the CVS accommodates vehicles with modifications. Significantly modified vehicles are ineligible for the HVS and should be registered under the CVS. These vehicles are characterised by substantial alterations from their authentic state, and require certification from the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) to ensure compliance with safety standards.
This guide provides clarity on the types of period options and accessories that may influence a vehicle's eligibility for either scheme. It aims to provide vehicle clubs and registered owners a better understanding of the criteria for each scheme and determine the appropriate registration for these vehicles and navigate these distinctions effectively.
When the guide was first communicated to recognised historic clubs there was some concern that it would be deemed as firm rules. However, we continue to emphasise that this is indeed just a guide and historic vehicle clubs have the means to establish and enforce their own rules at their discretion, but within this framework.
Technical considerations:
- Key reference documents are Vehicle Standards Information 06, 09 and 53.
- Options and accessories available at the build date or during the general operational life of the vehicle may be considered “in period”.
- The installation of an item must not affect compliance with applicable vehicle standards.
- This list is for light vehicles. It does not cover motorcycles and heavy vehicles.
Period options
Options are defined as items or features added to or replacing standard equipment that enhance or alter vehicle performance, handling or structure. Options may be factory installed; dealer installed or installed by a qualified person.
- Tuning kits offered by a manufacturer or dealer and fitted by a manufacturer or dealer (for vehicles built before July 1976 or not built to ADR 27A)
- Tuning kits offered by a manufacturer or dealer and fitted by the vehicle owner (for vehicles built before July 1976 or not built to ADR 27A)
- Wheels of period type conforming to VSI09 (Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) diameter and tyre profile for vehicles pre-1970). The wheels must have been available in-period
- Exhaust kits (e.g, a Lukey muffler)
- Lowering kits – maximum 25mm or 1 inch only permitted
- Bonnet scoops
- Sump guards
- Air conditioning (including an under-dash system if not offered as an integrated system)
- Water injection (e.g, a Kleinig system)
- Floor change conversions - OEM or aftermarket
- Overdrive on gearbox - including a Laycock system or similar
- Wire wheel conversion - whether optional or not
- Disc brake conversions from later year of same make/model. (Note: must be complete system including wheels and tyres)
- Disc brake conversions from later model of same make. (Note: must be complete system including wheels and tyres)
- Optional engine fitment. (Note: must be complete package including brakes, transmission, axles, wheels, tyres and other required items)
- Optional Transmission change - including automatic to manual or manual to automatic conversion within manufacturer’s optional equipment
- Half cage/single hoop roll bars in an open sports car - CAMS or VSB14 - not allowed in sedans or Fixed Head Coupes (FHC)
- Sun roof - OEM fitted
- Sun roof replicating OEM (must have an accompanying VSCCS compliance certificate)
- Webasto-type roof conversion - OEM fitted.
Period accessories
Accessories must be able to be removed and the vehicle returned to its original “as built” condition. The accessories include:
An accessory is defined as an item added or attached to a vehicle for convenience or aesthetics. Accessories should be able to be removed and the vehicle returned to its authentic condition. Period accessories include:
- Radio or Head Unit
- Tape player - 8 track or cassette, CD player
- Mudflaps
- Wheel trims and hubcaps
- Rear window blinds that do not obstruct vision (e.g, louvres are acceptable)
- Mirrors - internal or external
- Dash mounted fans (check regulations for applicability)
- Additional instrumentation
- Side window blinds, wind deflectors or wind wings
- Headlamp covers
- Luggage racks (roof or boot)
- Halda Speedpilot or TripMaster (or similar)
- Map lamps and other internal reading lamps
- Driving and fog lamps - including mounts
- Badge bars
- Bonnet mascots
- Additional chrome strips
- Additional reflectors - including scotch tape or otherwise
- Demisters – including hot air or electric bar type
- Heater / Demister - hot water type
- Windscreen washers
- Bug deflectors
- Sun visors - internal or external
- Radiator/grille and insect screens
- Water bag carriers and water bag
- Period metal fuel cans and wooden tool boxes on running boards
- Additional spare wheel racks - roof or boot, running board or rear mounted racks
- Additional horns (E.g, Klaxons). Note: Must not alternate sound like an emergency vehicle. Must not be a siren whistle or bell
- Reversing lamp/s
- Additional stop lamps
- Tow bar
- Wheel spats
- Hubcaps, wheel dress trims and rings
- White wall tyres
- Hardtop for convertibles – OEM or aftermarket
- Pinstriping consistent with the period style at vehicle build date
- Auxiliary Lighting - forward facing
- Weather shields.
Safety items
- Seat belts – must be road approved. The belts must comply with Schedule 2 of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2017
- Vehicles built to comply with Australian Design Rules (ADR) 4 and 5 must continue to comply
- If a vehicle does not have seat belt mounts and seat belts are installed, they must be signed off by a suitably qualified engineer
- Child Restraint Anchorages (CRA) – a vehicle must comply with ADR 4 and 5
- Direction indicators - can be white or amber (amber is preferred). Brake lamps flashing red for direction indicators are not acceptable. The replacement of semaphore type indicators is permitted.
- Left-Hand Drive (LHD) sourced vehicles must have Right-Hand Drive (RHD) headlamps
- Toughened glass windscreens must have a safety zone immediately in front of the driver
- Imported vehicles may retain OEM belts. However, if the belts are fitted after importation, they must comply with Schedule 2 of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2017.
Note: seat belts and CRA are not mandatory if the vehicle was not fitted with seat belts or CRA as an OEM fitment. However, they are strongly recommended for all vehicles where installation is possible.
The above period options, accessories and safety items were published in February 2025. The superseded version is available here (PDF 135.94KB).