For many years we have had two choices of registration for cars over 25 years old:
1. Full Registration at the full rate.
2. "Club Permit" or "Historic" registration.
Option 2 - Club Permit - is only $110.00 a year, as opposed to $560.00 odd for full rego. But previoulsy it came with major restrictions:
- You could only take it on events organised and published in the calendar of an authorised club of which you are a paid up member, OR
- You could get a "Special Use Permit" in advance from the club secretary to use the car for a non-club event. For example taking it to a mechanic or a family wedding. Usually that involved attending the monthly club meet beforehand to get the permit.
Essentially you could never just decide to use your "Club Permit" registered classics on the spur of the moment for your own pleasure. You had to plan up to a month ahead if it was non-club event.
However, on February 1st, new laws for Club Permit came into effect. Now each car is issued with a log book which must be filled out for each day the car is driven. But each journey can be for anything, no more restrictions.
Every car already on this registration was issued with a 90 day log book, effective to the next renewal date. At next renewal the owner can choose a 90 day or 45 day log book. The 90 day is the same price as before, the 45 day is a little over half. If you use up the 45 day book you can buy another 45 days for the same cost. A fantastic system!
The interesting part is that 4 classics on 90 day log books gives you 360 days of motoring, for around $150 less cost than one car on full registration. Or you could have five classics for around the cost of one full registration.
The only real disadvantage is you have to have dark red numberplates that end with a H. But original plates are not such a big deal in Aus.
I already have my Moke, Corona and MR2 on Club Permit and I'm considering switching the Beetle as well.
Cheers,
Brett.
How devolved is government in Australia