Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme guide Guide

A concession (or restricted registration) is available if you are registering a classic or vintage car, a street rod or a historic vehicle. This concession is based on the vehicle having a very strict and limited road use which is reflected in the reduced fees and compulsory third party insurance premium.

This guide sets out the requirements for registering vehicles under the scheme and explains the conditions and restrictions under which the scheme operates. Registered operators of special interest vehicles should be familiar with the conditions of use as outlined within this guide and ensure that anyone driving the vehicle is also familiar with these conditions.

• Eligible vehicles

  This concession is available for the following vehicles:

  • historic vehicles:
    • vehicles that are at least 30 years old
    • heavy buses that are at least 25 years old
  • street rods and hot rods:
    • vehicles modified for safe road use and have a body and frame built before 1949
    • replicas of a vehicle that have a body and frame built before 1949
  • historic ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles:
    • retired ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles (no age restriction) that are now used for display

  Left hand drive vehicles may be registered under the scheme if the vehicle is a:

  • light vehicle (gross vehicle mass (GVM) not over 4.5 tonnes) and at least 30 years old

  or

  • heavy vehicle (GVM over 4.5 tonnes) at least 30 years old and has been issued with a Left Hand Drive Exemption Permit by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

  In the case of historic ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles, the vehicle must be converted to right hand drive if the vehicle is a:

  • light vehicle (GVM not over 4.5 tonnes) and less than 25 years old

  or

  • heavy vehicle (GVM over 4.5 tonnes) and less than 30 years old.

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• How to apply

  Complete the registration concession application (F3937) and take it to your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services—please call to confirm before visiting. You will also need to bring standard evidence of identity and proof of eligibility—refer to the relevant vehicle type below for proof of eligibility requirements.

  The special interest vehicle concession can be applied to multiple eligible vehicles—there is no limit. Please complete a registration concession application (F3937) for each eligible vehicle.

  Historic vehicles—proof of eligibility

  Club membership—You are required to provide evidence of current membership with an incorporated vehicle club or association to be eligible for this concession. This membership should be maintained while the vehicle is registered under the scheme. Your club can provide evidence of your current membership, which needs to:

  • be on club letterhead
  • include details of your vehicle (make, model, year and chassis number)
  • be signed by a club official.

  Club membership for organisations must be in the name of the person responsible for the organisation (for example the proprietor/business holder or director).

  Dating certificate (if applicable)—A dating certificate is only required if the Department of Transport and Main Roads cannot verify the date of manufacture for your vehicle (from an existing or previous vehicle record, import papers, or from the identification or manufacturer’s plate). If a dating certificate is required, a dating officer (or club official) from an incorporated vehicle club or association will need to certify the vehicle’s authenticity and year of manufacture. This must be on club letterhead or other official club documentation and include details of the vehicle (make, model, year and chassis number).

  Street rods and hot rods—proof of eligibility

  Club membership—You are required to provide evidence of current membership with the Australian Street Rod Federation (ASRF) at the time of application and retain current membership while registered under the scheme. Compliance with this requirement may be verified at any time by TMR officers.

  Compliance—Street rods must comply with all the specifications contained in the ASRF Queensland Street Rod Guidelines.

  Modifications—If a street rod that is registered under the Special Interest Vehicle Registration Concession Scheme is modified in any way, it must be certified and replated under the LH9 or LH10 section of the Queensland Code of Practice – Vehicle Modifications.

  Supporting documentation—The Queensland State Director of the ASRF must supply documentation certifying the vehicle was manufactured before 1949 or is a replica of a vehicle manufactured before 1949, or is a replica of a vehicle manufactured before 1949 and that applicant is a current member of the ASRF.

  Historic ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles (no age limit)—proof of eligibility

  There is no age restriction for historic ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles.

  To be eligible for registration under the Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme, historic ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles must be registered in the name of one of the following:

  • an incorporated fire brigade
  • an incorporated ambulance service
  • a current member of an incorporated ambulance historical society or fire brigade historical society (proof of this membership is required on letterhead or other official documentation).
  • a current member of an incorporated vehicle club if vehicle is 30 years of age or more (proof of this membership is required on letterhead or other official documentation).

  Club membership exemptions

  If you are unable to access an appropriate club, you may be eligible for an exemption from the club membership requirement. All exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre or QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services for more information.

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• Conditions and restrictions

  A special interest vehicle must not be used for:

  • General purposes – for example, to commute to and from the registered operator's place of employment, running down to the shops, and other forms of everyday vehicle use.
  • Hire or reward – a fee cannot be charged for use of the vehicle, and the owner cannot receive any consideration or reward for supplying the vehicle.
  • Providing a booked hire service – to use your vehicle to provide a booked hire service you need to meet the requirements of a booked hire service licences.

  You and anyone driving your special interest vehicle must only use the vehicle for:

  • participating in rallies or events, including impromptu events organised by an incorporated vehicle club or events sanctioned by the Australian Street Rod Federation.
    • a rally is a social event where a parade of special interest vehicles travel together for competition or to meet at an agreed location. Rallies and events must be listed in the incorporated club newsletter or on the incorporated club's website or social media page (or in another manner approved by the club or Australian Street Rod Federation, such as the club calendar of events) prior to the event.
    • an impromptu event is an event that has been initiated by a club member, involves one or more vehicles, and must comply with the following elements:
      • involves an invitation to wider club members to attend the event; and
      • is either
        • endorsed in advance of the event by the relevant club or Australian Street Rod Federation committee; or,
        • where it exists, complies with published club guidelines as to what is a valid event; and
      • is listed either in the newsletter, on the website, or social media page (or in another manner approved by the club or Australian Street Rod Federation, such as the club calendar of events) prior to the event.

    Note: Incorporated vehicle clubs should maintain a register of endorsed impromptu events. This register should contain information on the impromptu event.

  • participating in processions for which a Special Events Permit has been issued under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management –Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.
  • exhibiting the vehicle in displays, fetes or similar functions conducted for religious, charitable or educational purposes.
  • ceremonial purposes (such as weddings, formals, funerals) involving immediate and de facto family members, or as part of a sanctioned incorporated club event, provided this is not done for fee or reward. Immediate and de facto family means parents, grandparents, sons, daughters, grandchildren, adopted children and adopted grandchildren, but not extended family members such as aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.
  • preparing for, proceeding to, and returning from any of the above activities, including events in other states and territories in which the club is directly involved with.
  • direct travel to and from an approved inspection station to get a safety certificate or certificate of inspection before offering the vehicle for sale.
  • travel in order to have the vehicle repaired is allowed. There is no distance restriction, however, such travel must be reasonable and justifiable by the vehicle operator.
  • road testing within a 15km radius from the place where the vehicle is garaged or is being repaired. The purpose of the travel must be to road test the vehicle following repair or restoration, or for general vehicle maintenance and not for any other purpose. This does not include use as an everyday means of transport. A passenger may travel in your vehicle to assist with road testing—only if your vehicle can legally carry passengers.

  Buses are permitted to carry non-fare paying passengers for journeys (joy-rides) from an event (for example, a fete) and return provided the length of the journey does not exceed 5km. Payment of any kind cannot be received for these journeys.

  Heavy vehicles over 4.5t GVM are permitted to carry a load provided the loaded GVM or gross combination mass (GCM) does not exceed 50% of the maximum permitted mass for the vehicle configuration. This mass is based on the lesser of:

  • Individual axle ratings
  • Tyre manufacturer's limits
  • Manufacturer's GVM or GCM
  • Regulation mass limits.

  If your special interest vehicle does not have permanent lighting, you must carry a removable lighting system with the vehicle at all times and use that system whenever lighting would normally be required. Carbide lights are acceptable where that type of light was originally fitted.

  Seatbelt exemptions for historic vehicles

  In Queensland, an exemption from seatbelt requirements only applies for children 7 years and over for historic vehicles manufactured with no seatbelts.

  Your historic vehicle will need to have approved restraint/s and anchorage point/s installed for children under 7 years of age to be able to travel in the vehicle. This modification must be performed by an Approved Person and must have certification and a modification plate attached to the vehicle.

  For more information about the rules for child restraints by age and how to get seatbelts and anchor points installed.

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• What to carry in your vehicle

  We recommend you carry paperwork that supports your reason for travel. This could include:

  • club newsletter
  • club calendar of events.

  If your vehicle is being used and displayed for a funeral event, we understand there may not be enough time to include this as an event on an official club newsletter or calendar of events. In this instance, a funeral notice or an order of service would be suitable to support your reason for travel.

  If you use your vehicle outside of the conditions of the special interest vehicle concession, you may face a fine or risk having your concession revoked.

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• Penalties

  If you use your vehicle outside of the conditions of the Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme, you may face a fine or risk having your concession revoked.

  You may also risk serious insurance implications if your vehicle is involved in a crash whilst being used contrary to the conditions of this scheme. If there is damage to your vehicle, yourself or others, your compulsory third party insurance and comprehensive insurance may become null and void.

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• Change of address

  To move your vehicle from its current garaging address to a new garaging address, please apply for a letter of authority at your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services.

  This letter will authorise you to move your special interest vehicle to your new address in a one way trip. Proof of your new garage address will be required (purchase document, rental agreement or completed Queensland Garage Address Statement form (F4408). Please also check with your compulsory third party insurer to ensure you are covered for the journey.

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• Interstate recognition

  Vehicles travelling to interstate club events can operate under the same conditions as Queensland, when using the vehicle interstate.

  Interstate visitors who hold a valid authority or permit from their home state or territory can use their special interest vehicle in Queensland (subject to the conditions of use where the vehicle is registered).

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• Number plates

  Special interest vehicles are issued S series plates. You can choose either a standard S plate or USA style S plate for your vehicle. Motorcycles and small trailers are issued a small S plate.

  Plate image	Description
  	Standard S plate For passenger and commercial vehicles
  	USA style S plate For passenger and commercial vehicles
  	Small S plate For motorcycles and small trailers
  	Square S plate Previously issued special interest vehicle number plate—cannot be reissued.

  Square S plates that are already attached to your special interest vehicle can continue to be used. If these plates are cancelled or need to be replaced, a different S series plate will be issued.

  Green on white and traditional retro plates may also be used on a special interest vehicle if they are already attached or have been customised.

  Another option is to attach personalised plates to your special interest vehicle. Visit www.ppq.com.au or call 136 356 for more information.

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• Removing a Special Interest Vehicle concession

  When to remove the concession

  If you are no longer eligible for a concession, you must notify the Department of Transport and Main Roads in writing within 14 days of becoming ineligible.

  The special interest vehicle concession must be removed:

  • if the vehicle is to be used for any purpose other than those listed under the conditions and restrictions

  or

  • the registered operator is no longer a current member of an incorporated car club or association

  or

  • the vehicle registration is being transferred and the new registered operator does not meet the requirements of the special interest vehicle concession scheme guide.

  How to remove the concession

  Obtain a 'change of class' letter from your Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurer (not required if removing the concession at transfer or registration renewal). Complete the change of vehicle particulars notification form (F3524) and take it to your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services—please call to confirm before visiting.

  You will need to remove and surrender your special interest vehicle plates and purchase standard plates at the time of application, if applicable. Personalised plates do not need to be surrendered.

  A change of class and any associated changes to the purpose of use made during the currency of the registration period is effective from the date indicated on the insurer's change of class letter.

Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme guide, 19 Aug 2021, [https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/fees/concession/special-interest]

This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/fees/concession/special-interest.