When you can drive an unregistered vehicle

You're allowed to drive unregistered when you're getting or renewing your vehicle registration.

You must drive the most direct or convenient route:

• to the nearest convenient service centre
• to the nearest convenient authorised inspection station to determine whether the vehicle complies with the applicable vehicle standards
• in the course of inspecting or testing the vehicle to determine if it complies with the applicable vehicle standards
• to the nearest practicable weighbridge to determine the weight of the vehicle
• from a service centre or authorised inspection station, where registration of the vehicle has been refused, to the nearest convenient place where necessary repairs can be made, or where the vehicle can be garaged, unless a direction has been issued that the vehicle must not be driven until repairs have been made
• from an authorised inspection station to the nearest convenient place where necessary repairs or adjustments can be made, or where the vehicle can be garaged
• to the nearest convenient office of a licensed insurer for the purpose of obtaining CTP insurance
• to the nearest convenient location for any other purpose directly associated with the registration process.

If you need to make trips in an unregistered vehicle and are not getting repairs, insurance or registration, you must apply for an unregistered vehicle permit (UVP) to access the road network. Number plates must be removed from the vehicle before driving with a UVP.

If your registration has been refused and you have not been issued a direction not to drive until repairs are made, you can drive your vehicle to:

• the place where the vehicle is garaged
• the office of a licensed insurer
• get the vehicle repaired by a mechanic
• get the vehicle inspected at an authorised vehicle inspection station
• a place directly related to the registration process.

If you're driving without registration and get pulled over by the police, you may need to show them proof that your trip is to get your vehicle registered. We recommend you make an appointment for the inspection which can be verified with the vehicle examiner if required.

Some vehicles used for the purpose of primary production don't have to be registered. These include vehicles solely used to cross a road or road-related area which divides land used for the purpose of primary production.

The following types of agricultural implements don't need registration:

• implements towed by a vehicle
• trailers towed by an agricultural machine
• irrigating equipment
• augers
• conveyors
• harvester fronts and harvest bins.

Agricultural machinery like tractors and harvesters also don't need to be registered.

Find out about primary producer registration concessions.

Vehicles which are used to respond to an emergency bush fire incident may not need to be registered under a Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFV) Trial running until 31 March 2025.

This trial follows an initial trial which occurred between December 2023 and March 2024. The new trial will enable more feedback to be obtained to inform future options for a longer-term solution. Participants in the first trial need to nominate FFFVs again to participate in the second trial.

Trial conditions

A vehicle nominated for the FFFV trial must be declared suitable for safe use and in thoroughly serviceable condition by the owner and can be used only in connection with emergency bush fire incidents on road or road related areas within a 100km radius of the storage address.

To ensure that the FFFV is suitable for the trial, owners should refer to the safety guidance included in the Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles Trial factsheet (PDF 170.11KB) before nominating their vehicle, in addition to consulting the NSW Rural Fire Service Operational Guide.

How do I participate in the trial?

To nominate a FFFV for the trial, submit the digital Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle Nomination and include the required photographs (details are in the factsheet (PDF 170.11KB).

Once the form is submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement with a copy of the nomination by email. These must be produced to Police or Authorised Officers upon request.

The nomination is valid from the time you receive the acknowledgment until the trial ends on 31 March 2025, after which the exemption will no longer apply. Transport will review nominations and contact customers if there are any safety concerns with a FFFV or if it must be withdrawn from the trial for safety reasons.

Vehicles in the trial are exempt from registration and number plates are not required. Any old number plates on the vehicle should be removed and returned to a Service NSW service centre.  

For any queries, please call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your nearest Service NSW service centre.