Guide Printing | Queensland Government

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:

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

In the case of historic ambulances and fire-fighting equipment vehicles less than 30 years old, the vehicle must be converted to right hand drive (RHD).

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 a Queensland 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 a Queensland 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 live in a remote area or 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:

General purposes - for example, to commute to and from the registered operator's place of employment.
For 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.

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 Australia Street Rod Federation (ASRF).
Note:
- a rally is a social event where a parade of special interest vehicles travel together for competition or to meet at an agreed location.
- an impromptu event is an event that has been initiated by a club member, involves one or more vehicles, and is supported by an incorporated vehicle club or the ASRF.
Rallies and events(including impromptu 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 ASRF, such as the club calendar of events) prior to the event. The administrative process for supporting an event is at the discretion of an individual club or ASRF and must ensure members comply with the special interest vehicle conditions and restrictions of use.

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 the above activities
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. 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.

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.

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 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.

Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme guide Guide

Eligible vehicles

How to apply

Historic vehicles—proof of eligibility

Street rods and hot rods—proof of eligibility

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

Club membership exemptions

Conditions and restrictions

What to carry in your vehicle

Penalties

Change of address

Interstate recognition

Number plates