Leslie Massey
In Australia, left-hand drive vehicles are legal to drive in certain circumstances. The requirements for registration vary depending on the state and the age of the car. Most states allow left-hand drive vehicles to be registered, but often only if they are considered 'historic' and have conditional registration, limiting the number of days they can be driven per year. International tourists and foreign defence personnel are permitted to bring their left-hand drive vehicles into Australia for use during their stay. Queensland has a specific allowance for foreign defence personnel deployed in the state to import their personal left-hand drive vehicles. In New South Wales, a vehicle is considered historic at 25 years and can be registered under the Historic Vehicle Scheme or for a greater cost under standard registration. In South Australia, left-hand drive vehicles that are 25 years or older as of 1 January of the year of manufacture can be registered and operated with an exemption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Registration requirements | Depends on the state and the age of the car |
| Historic vehicles | Can be registered under the Historic Vehicle Scheme or with standard used vehicle registration |
| Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) | Less than 4.5 tonnes – no signage required; greater than 4.5 tonnes – "LEFT-HAND DRIVE" signage required |
| Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) certificate | Required for vehicles registered for the first time in NSW with left to right-hand drive modification |
| Conditional registration | Limited to a certain number of days per year |
| Seat belts | Must comply with Australian Standards (AS) E35-1935 or AS 2596-83 |
| Queensland | Allows foreign defence personnel to import their left-hand drive vehicles |
| South Australia | Exemptions available for left-hand drive vehicles that are 25 years or older |
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What You'll Learn
Registering a left-hand drive car as a 'historic vehicle'
In Australia, left-hand drive historic vehicles can be registered in NSW under the Conditional Registration Scheme, or they can be fully registered with standard used vehicle registration. The former is for vehicles that are only driven occasionally, while the latter is for those that are driven more regularly.
To register a left-hand drive car as a historic vehicle in NSW, you will need to provide evidence of previous full NSW registration, such as old registration papers. If the modification was made after 2011 or the vehicle has not been registered in NSW before, you will also need to show a certificate from a licensed certifier for the left-hand to right-hand drive modification. This certificate must be presented at a service centre to obtain conditional vehicle registration. Each modification only needs one certification, and these certificates do not expire.
Vehicles registered under the Conditional Registration Scheme are subject to certain conditions, including that the vehicle cannot be driven for a fee, hire, or reward. The owner of the vehicle must be a financial member of a recognised motor vehicle club and must make their vehicle available for inspection upon request by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or their recognised motor vehicle club. Before each journey, details of the trip must be recorded in a logbook, and the vehicle can only be driven on a road for up to 90 days during any 1-year period of registration.
In South Australia, the Conditional Registration Scheme also offers reduced vehicle registration fees for historic, left-hand drive vehicles that meet the eligibility conditions. These vehicles are exempt from registration and stamp duty on compulsory third-party insurance fees.
In Queensland, left-hand drive vehicles may be registered under the scheme if they are light vehicles (GVM not over 4.5 tonnes) and at least 30 years old, or heavy vehicles (GVM over 4.5 tonnes) that are at least 30 years old and have been issued with a Left-Hand Drive Exemption Permit by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
Additionally, some left-hand drive historic vehicles may be required to display signage. Those with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or less are not required to display a 'left-hand drive' sign, while those with a GVM of greater than 4.5 tonnes must have the words 'left-hand drive' displayed on the rear of the vehicle with a colour contrast background.
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Requirements for conditional registration
Conditional registration is a scheme that offers reduced vehicle registration fees in exchange for limited road access each year. It is available for vehicles that are historic, left-hand drive, street rods, or individually constructed vehicles (ICVs) that meet the eligibility conditions. To register a left-hand drive car in Australia, the requirements vary depending on the state and the type of registration. Here are the requirements for conditional registration:
- In New South Wales (NSW), a left-hand drive vehicle can be conditionally registered under the Historic Vehicle Scheme if it is only driven occasionally. The vehicle must be at least 25 years old to be considered historic.
- For initial registration in NSW, a licensed certifier must provide a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) certificate for the modification. This certificate does not expire, and each modification only requires one certification.
- To obtain conditional registration, you must present the certification document at a service centre.
- If the left-hand drive vehicle has been previously registered in NSW, you must provide evidence of previous full NSW registration, such as old registration papers.
- For vehicles modified from left-hand to right-hand drive after 2011 or unregistered in NSW, a certificate from a licensed certifier for the modification is required.
- Left-hand drive historic vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or less are not required to display a 'left-hand drive' sign.
- Vehicles with a GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes must display the words 'left-hand drive' on the rear of the vehicle with a minimum letter height of 75 millimetres and a colour contrast background.
- In South Australia, the Conditional Registration Scheme offers reduced fees for limited road access. To register, you need a MR334 Approval form approved by an authorised person from a recognised motor vehicle club.
- A certificate of exemption from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Vehicle Standards, is also required.
- In Victoria, a vehicle must be 30 years old to be eligible for conditional registration as a historic vehicle.
- To be fully registered in Victoria, the vehicle must be right-hand drive unless it is over 30 years old. In this case, it must display "LEFT HAND DRIVE" signage with 200mm high black lettering on a white background.
- In Queensland, a vehicle must be 25 years old to be eligible for conditional registration as a historic vehicle.
- Foreign defence personnel deployed in Queensland can import and register their personal left-hand drive vehicles for use during their stay.
It is important to consult the specific requirements and regulations of your state or territory in Australia, as the rules for conditional registration of left-hand drive vehicles may vary.
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Necessary modifications for registration
The requirements for registering a left-hand drive car in Australia vary depending on the state and the age of the car. In most cases, left-hand drive vehicles can only be registered as historic vehicles, and even then, they may need to be conditionally registered, limiting the number of days per year they can be driven.
When registering a left-hand drive vehicle in Australia, you may need to make certain modifications to comply with the relevant regulations. Here are the necessary modifications:
- Display signage: Depending on the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), left-hand drive vehicles may need to display signage indicating their steering configuration. Vehicles with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less are typically exempt from this requirement, while those over 4.5 tonnes may be required to display "left-hand drive" signage on the rear of the vehicle with a minimum letter height of 75 millimetres and a colour contrast background.
- Steering wheel position: The steering wheel position is a key factor in determining whether a vehicle is considered left- or right-hand drive. In Australia, the centre of the steering wheel must be located on or to the right of the centre line of the vehicle for it to be considered a right-hand drive.
- Headlights: When converting a left-hand drive vehicle to right-hand drive, it is necessary to convert the headlights to suit left-hand traffic to avoid blinding other drivers.
- Seat belts: Any seat belts installed in the vehicle must comply with Australian standards, such as AS E35-1935 or AS 2596-83. The type of seat belt required depends on the seating position, with lap or lap-sash seat belts acceptable for certain positions. All seat belts must have non-partial engagement-type buckles.
- Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification: In some cases, a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) certificate may be required for modifications made to the vehicle. This certification must be provided by a licensed certifier and is necessary when registering a left-hand drive vehicle for the first time in a particular state.
- Paperwork: Depending on the specific circumstances and the state of import, additional paperwork may be required to prove the vehicle's roadworthiness and heritage. This may include import approval documents, engineering certifications, and identification and roadworthy inspection reports.
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Registration for international tourists
International tourists and foreign defence personnel are permitted to bring their left-hand drive vehicles into Australia for use while on holiday or defence exchange. However, the regulations for registering a left-hand drive vehicle differ across states.
In Queensland, light vehicles with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 4.5 tonnes that are less than 25 years old must have a right-hand drive. However, there are some exceptions where left-hand drive vehicles are permitted to be registered and driven in Queensland.
In South Australia, left-hand drive vehicles that are 25 years or older as of 1 January of the year of vehicle manufacture can be granted registration. To obtain this exemption, the vehicle must meet the requirements, pass identification and roadworthy inspections, and supply import approval documents.
In New South Wales, left-hand drive vehicles can be registered under the Historic Vehicle Scheme if they are only driven occasionally. To be considered a historic vehicle, it must be 25 years or older. Alternatively, these vehicles can be fully registered with standard used vehicle registration if they are driven more regularly.
It is important to note that left-hand drive vehicles may require additional modifications, such as converting the headlights to suit left-hand traffic, and displaying "LEFT HAND DRIVE" signage depending on the vehicle's gross mass.
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Registration in Queensland
In Queensland, all light vehicles (gross vehicle mass not exceeding 4.5t) that are less than 25 years old must have a right-hand drive. There are some exceptions where a left-hand-drive vehicle can be registered and driven on Queensland roads.
Left-hand-drive vehicles that are at least 30 years old may be registered if they are either a light vehicle (GVM not over 4.5 tonnes) or a heavy vehicle (GVM over 4.5 tonnes) and have been issued with a Left-Hand Drive Exemption Permit by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
International tourists and foreign defence personnel are permitted to bring their left-hand-drive vehicles into Australia for use during their stay. To register a vehicle that is registered overseas and will be used temporarily in Queensland, you will need to check the specific approvals required.
Additionally, some specially designed vehicles, such as cranes or mobile drilling rigs, are exempt from the requirement for right-hand drive and can be used on Queensland roads.
For further information on registering a left-hand-drive vehicle in Queensland, you can contact 13 23 80 or email [email protected].
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, left-hand drive cars are legal in Australia in some circumstances. It depends on the state and the age of the car as to how you can register and drive them. Most states allow you to register a left-hand drive vehicle but typically only if it's conditionally registered and often it has to be considered a 'historic vehicle'.
A 'historic vehicle' is typically over 25 years old, though this varies by state. For example, in New South Wales, a vehicle is considered historic at 25 years, whereas in Victoria, a vehicle must be less than 30 years old to be eligible for full registration.
The requirements for registering a left-hand drive vehicle in Australia vary by state. In some cases, you may need to join a car club and register your vehicle as a 'historic vehicle'. You may also need to display a 'LEFT HAND DRIVE' sign on the back of your vehicle, depending on its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). If your vehicle has been imported, you may need to fill out extra paperwork and provide additional documentation to prove its roadworthiness and heritage.
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