• Conditional registration codes
• Seasonal registration
• Special purpose vehicles
• Concessions
• Vehicle Supplementary Details (PDF form)

National Vehicle Registration Scheme (Heavy vehicles)

The National Vehicle Registration Scheme has been designed to improve efficiency in the Australian transport industry by developing an Australia wide uniform arrangement for registering heavy vehicles and mobile machinery.

These arrangements aim to spread the costs associated with building and maintaining our road system on a user pays basis and improve the efficiency of the Australian transport industry.

The National Vehicle Registration Scheme regulations were agreed upon after consultation with representatives from the transport industry and farming community.

The main features of the scheme are

• The same regulations and registration charges apply in all States and Territories.
• Registration charges are based on the expected road use of particular vehicle types.
• Concessions apply on some categories of vehicles for primary producers and operators of vehicles used in outer areas.
• All vehicles used on public roads carry number plates.
• More flexible use of certain types of vehicles.
• Seasonal registration is available.
• A greater range of fee payments are available with the introduction of quarterly registrations.
• All legally operated vehicles have the protection of Third Party (bodily injury) Insurance whilst on the road.

What vehicles are affected by the National Charges?

1. All vehicles and trailers with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes.
2. Prime movers with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes.
3. Special Purpose Vehicles with an unladen mass or Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes.

Vehicles in categories 1 and 2 include

• trucks
• buses
• trailers
• trucks towing one or more trailers
• B-doubles
• road trains.

Special purpose vehicles and Emergency Response Special Purpose Vehicles are vehicles which have been built for a purpose that does not involve passengers or a load on the general road network eg

• fire appliances
• self propelled farm machines
• graders
• fork lifts
• mobile cranes.

Each Special Purpose Vehicle is classed according to its body type and use ie

• plant
• truck based
• overmass.

Truck based and overmass Special Purpose Vehicles attract a registration charge, while plant machinery does not.

It may be necessary to provide photo evidence of the vehicle to assist in determining the correct category to be assigned at the time of registration.

If you register a Special Purpose Vehicle that does not exceed the statutory axle limits, it may be registered at a minimal fee.

For more information on Special Purpose Vehicles please contact a Customer Service Centre.

How are the charges calculated?

The registration charges are based on the following

• the type of vehicle
• the Gross Vehicle Mass of the vehicle as it appears on the manufacturers compliance plate, or its operating (unladen) mass as determined by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles
• the number of axles on the vehicle or truck and trailer combination

A vehicle’s ‘nominated configuration’ (ie how it appears on the road) is important in determining what charges apply.

The scheme makes provision for additional charges where a

• rigid truck is nominated to tow two or more trailers
• prime mover is nominated to tow two or more trailers.

What if the nominated configuration of the vehicle changes?

If you wish to change the nominated configuration of a vehicle, it will be necessary for you to contact a Customer Service Centre as this may involve alterations to the vehicle itself and the fees payable.

What about vehicles currently registered under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme (FIRS)?

If you have a FIRS registered vehicle, you have the option to maintain the FIRS registration or re-register the vehicle under the National Charges in South Australia.

Vehicles registered under FIRS may be re-registered in the same name in South Australia under the NVRS with payment of stamp duty calculated on the value of the vehicle.

Email us or contact a Customer Service Centre for further information about the National Vehicle Registration Scheme.