I have bought an unregistered vehicle from someone in NSW and wish to get an unregistered vehicle permit to drive it back to SA. The vehicle was last registered in VIC.

Does it matter what state i get the permit from or do i need to get it from Vic Roads as thats where the vehicle was last registered?

I would be looking at the relavent rego authority for each state to determine if what you intend to do falls within the rules of permit use.
Each state will most probably have different rules.

It's going back 7 years ago now, but I only needed a Vicroads 28 day permit to bring a car up from Melbourne to Sydney.
I asked at the NSW RTA, and they told me the Vicroads one covers it for the trip home only, and that I must only drive the vehicle directly home, and not use it once it gets home, irrespective of how many days are left out of the 28.

I was still worried, so I asked at the local (NSW) cop shop. Once cop thought I needed both, but the HWP guy checked up (he was unsure) and found it was OK just for the Vicroads one, reiterating the RTA's reply about the restrictions.

It may have changed since then, but I'd be talking to the rego authority, and a local cop, to get the latest, accurate info.

Hi Stephen.

I have doubt in what 202 has told you.

On 8 Nov I flew to Melb and bought an unregistered Merc Sprinter van from a dealer. I thought there would be a problem or two getting it back to Yamba NSW (ie driving it in two States). Dealer said no prob at all. Got the paperwork done and then he simply rang Vicroads and ordered and paid for a permit over the phone. I got four days to drive back via the Newell Highway so off I went with no plates on the vehicle. In the evening I was in Albury and got quizzed by a Gen duties cop in the carpark of Maccas. I showed him the permit and he did not question it at all.Even though the permit said it was valid between 7am and 7pm (it was much later than that) I told him I was looking for a Motel. He suggested one and then took off.

We are all aware of State to State inconcistencies but I am thinking that the States have got together on this sort of thing to minimise public inconvenience.

The other thing I am thinking is why can I get a Vicroads which clearly States that I am allowed to travel to my interstate destination if NSW says no to it. This would leave Vicroads legally exposed to any consequences of writing such a document. Vicroads now has an A.B.N. So the permit might also be considered an invoice for a commercial service and as such subject to fair trading legislation.
Also Vicroads would not be able to be seen to authorisation to drive interstate without some sort of reciprocal arrangement with other States.

If you are getting the run around from the pleb at the counter or the Indian on the phone then go to the boss and work your way down from there or speak with your local State MP.


I am sick and tired of being kept in the dark and fed BS by people who shouldn't be in positions where they can tell people they cannot do something when in fact they can.

I'm sure there is a clear path through this for you and am happy to provide you with a copy of the permit issued to me. Just send me a PM. Happy to help.

Cheers
Nick.
Yamba.

Cheers Fox, I have called TransportSA and the young girl i spoke to said that i need to get one from the state it was last registered in and the state i am coming from. That will cover me to bring it back to SA. She then went on to say i could still drive that vehicle under the same permit down to the inspection depot providing the time/date of the permit was still valid.

The car is in Albury NSW, i'm sure i could get the vic permit and run the gauntlet to get over the boarder to Wodonga and then i should be fine to make it back to SA, not having to go back into NSW.

If this is the case, a VIC Roads permit will do the job fine. Its cheap and you don't need the hassle of getting a roadworthy.

Just to confuse things a bit more....

Couple of years ago I bought a HJ Statesman from the Damaged Vehicle Auctions in Sydney. We grabbed a work car that needed to go to Sydney packed some tools and a battery and took off. Got to the auctions, payed for the car and she fired straight up so we thought we'd drive it back to Canberra. Went to the NSW RTA to get a permit and was told that a roadworthy was needed to get a permit. I was then told that because I've just bought the car I was permitted to drive it straight home, no permit needed (similar to driving it to a rego inspection). Figured that was good enough so we just got onto the Hume and cruised home.

After all the info from here and getting hold of VIC Roads and TransportSA the best option is this...

TransportSA said i need a permit from interstate to get it back to my address in SA. They also said that i could drive it to the 'pits' for inspection under that same permit providing it is still current.

As the car was last registered in VIC and is only garraged in NSW i am required to get the permit from VIC Roads. VIC roads is by far the easiest way to get a permit. Providing the car hasn't been written off and it has no outstanding/uncleared defects, all they require are the vehicle VIN/ENG numbers, rough date and timing of trip and where to/from and they do cover you once you leave VIC and go interstate (SA in this case). YOU DO NOT REQUIRE ANY KIND OF ROADWORTHY. There is a small fee and a few basic rules, like no driving between 7pm and 7am and sticking to main roads but apart from that VIC Roads is the way to go, in this case.

(I do realise that i will have a short drive in NSW to get into VIC but as mentioned the VIC permit covers you in any state)

I hope this helps anyone else out that may face this situation.