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.
This concession is available for the following vehicles:
Left hand drive vehicles may be registered under the scheme if the vehicle is a:
or
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:
or
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.
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:
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).
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.
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:
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.
A special interest vehicle must not be used for:
You and anyone driving your special interest vehicle must only use the vehicle for:
Note: Incorporated vehicle clubs should maintain a register of endorsed impromptu events. This register should contain information on the impromptu event.
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:
You cannot carry a load for hire or reward.
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.
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.
We recommend you carry paperwork that supports your reason for travel. This could include:
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 | |
USA style S plate | |
Small S plate | |
Square S plate |
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.
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:
or
or
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.