Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hey Guys,

I need a little help, I'm currently importing a car and just worried about the whole legality of driving the car on NSW roads.

What is involved and what do I do? Once the car arrives to the ports, I was planning to have the car delivered to my house first then drive it myself to the compliance workshop. I had a read on the RTA website but still don't get it. Some people are telling me that all i need is a temp. rego, and then drive it, others are telling me this whole other complicated procedure of driving it to the workshop?

Anyone is NSW that has recently imported their car and drove it to the workshop could they shed some light on here? Or anyone with some knowledge on this?

Here is the RTA link:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/getnewrego/importedvehicles.html

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Edited by GTRR

Well what type of car is it?

Makes a big difference between my answer being "risk it and out run the cops" or "get someone to tow it"

But srsly I've heard of people driving their cars around with "TRAFFIC" written on cardboard and put on their car.

From the website

When the vehicle arrives in Australia, it must be driven directly to a weighbridge or safety check station for an inspection for registration purposes. On this journey it is exempt from registration, but must not stop anywhere or be taken home (except on a trailer).

I would take this as you can only drive to the inspection station, and thats it.

When i had my V35, i did risk it and drove from compliance to home. Actually was passed by highway patrol who checked out the car, but didn't stop me.

Looking back now, at this stage the car is not insured to be driven on teh road as its not registered, so if anything happens you are sh!t out of luck.

Doing it again, i would trailer the car until its registered. Purely for insurance purposes.

seriously just get the towie to take it direct to the compliance workshop. that stuff about 'traffic' plates is 100% bullshit. try it and see how the cops laugh as they write out your ticket. I still wonder at how dumb people are who hear that "rule" and believe it. how would it possibly work? and why wouldn't everyone just write out their own plates with 'taffic' on them and save money on rego?

you can legally drive an unregistered vehicle for the purposes of obtaining registration. BUT in NSW the RTA have declared that you cannot drive an un-complied vehicle on the road AT ALL. hence why all cars must now be collected from ports by a tow truck.

seriously save the hassle, get it dropped and the workshop and go play with it over there. the sooner it gets there, the sooner it's finished and the sooner you can drive it for real.

I thought that maybe have been the case. Was this law recently changed or was it always like this? My importer was under the impression it could be done as well.

Anyways, thanks for all your help, much appreciated! Guess I will have to get the towing company to do it all then.

As far as I know and I have driven many unregistered vehicles and have been pulled over, as long as you are driving it to a place to get it repaired or anything that involves the car being registered your allowed to but make sure you ring the workshop first and tell them your coming as I have had a couple officers actually call the workshop and ask, don't put traffic plates, that was quite a few years ago not anymore, also it has to be the closest workshop to you and take the shortest route, hope that helps, thanks.

listen to chef. unless you have a trade plate handy AND you are willing to risk a $25k fine for using it on a uncomplied vehicle its really NOT worth the effort. pay the towie pay the RAW and enjoy..

I always get a 30 day unregistered vehicle permit.

It ususally gives me enough time to get the car complied and registered. If your permit does run out while wait for your rta appointment, then your appointment number will cover you to drive directly there.

That's in Vic anyway.

even a trade plate is no longer legal for use on an un-complied car. un-registered = yes. un-complied = no. there is a big difference in the eyes of the RTA now. I believe most states are in line on this point too. the RTA is very clear. you can be fined even for using a legit trade plate for legit purposes if the car is un-complied. hence many importers stopped bothering with trade plates as that was mainly what they used them for, moving un-complied cars from wharf to shop etc.

yes in the past I have driven dozens of un-complied cars with trade plates, without trade plates etc. but it's just not legal any more.

driving a car for the purposes of gaining REGISTRATION is legal. driving a car for the purposes of getting it COMPLIED is not.

as far as 'traffic' plates being 'a few years ago' that's also 100% BS. it's never been a real scheme, or rule. it's just a bullshit urban myth that was believed in by half wits. how on earth anyone would think that putting a piece of cardboard with the word traffic on it would suddenly make their unregistered car legal is beyond me. might as well just try and make it legal using magic beans or a penis enlarger. they both work just as well as the traffic plates.

Mmmmmm, magic beans enlarger (think i lost a word? >_>)

What are the plates the engineering shops use? Because from what I've seen those are legal for uncomplied. Or perhaps that is because they are the official RTA/vicroads/etc recognised places?

they have trade plates just like the rest of us. think you best have a read of the rules. if its not complied then it is not for use on Oz roads and therefore illegal to use a trade plate on. that does not stop people from doing it.

So are you saying that magic beans work just as well as a penis enlarger??? The missus always laughs at me when I bring out the pump before getting in bed, does anyone know how long the beans take to kick in???

I would use the magic beans in conjunction with the penis enlarger as they both work just as well as each other. perhaps throw a traffic plate in the mix if results aren't immediately evident.

magic bean enlarger would be nice but that's just being silly! if such a device really existed we'd all be beanillionaires by now.

on a serious note as I keep saying and as chris also said you cannot LEGALLY (and I stress the word legally) drive an un-complied car on nsw roads. doesn't matter if you use trade plates, traffic plates or the plates off your mums combi van. it's not legal. sure plenty of people still do it using trade plates or whatever but it's not legal and they are risking a fine by doing it.

the Cialis GELs are obviously the best ones as it only took Kristian less than 5 mins to get worked up over it. :whistling:

It depends on whether or not you were timing from when you first rubbed it on me or after you washed your hands... :wub:

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • That is surely the biggest gathering of Stageas in North America, ever!
    • Remember kids - if you can't afford to buy 2 GTRs......
    • I know people cry at the price of the Getrag 12-14k for a conversion now, but it really is a nice mid point. Not going to get change from 10k on a gearset installed.  $30k++ for sequential.   I know you run the risk of a damaged used one and parts are hard to get but as a street car gearbox its really hard to beat. If you enjoy a more traditional manual, its the choice no question.     
    • Time to decide what’s more import, your power level or your budget because you’re going to struggle to keep both 
    • Our Southern Highlands Cruise is proudly registered with “R U OK?” Day.  Sometimes the best way to check in on your mates is by getting out for a drive together. Sharing a common passion like cars creates the perfect space to chat, connect, and support each other.  A simple “R U OK?” can make all the difference. Let's enjoy the drive, the company, and look out for one another. PLEASE WEAR YELLOW FOR “R U OK?” DAY Sunday 14th September 2025 9:30AM Meeting Crossroads Homemaker Centre 10:00AM Cruise Departure Via Old Hume Hwy 11:45AM Arrival at Mittagong RSL Club Meet Location: Crossroads Homemaker Centre Final Destination: Mittagong RSL Club *Disclaimer* There will be a lead and follow car so no one should get lost. If you would like to attend or bring others along please put your name down and a +1 as numbers will be needed prior! This is NOT a race and we will all be adhering to all road rules. If this is what you want please come to one of our many track days. This is an official SAU:NSW event and will be run under a CAMS permit. One of the things that really sets our club apart is our commitment to being true enthusiasts. When on normal roads we strive to maintain good relations with the authorities as well as the public in general. When attending one of Skylines Australia NSW events please try to: • Be aware of surrounding environment and act accordingly. • Drive courteously on the state’s roads as a true enthusiast should. • Understand how important it is to maintain the good name of SAU NSW and thus, treat others accordingly. • Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
×
×
  • Create New...