In Melbourne, you cannot drive an unregistered vehicle unless you have an Unregistered Vehicle Permit (UVP) or their vehicle is exempt from registration. You will require this permit if you need to use an unregistered vehicle on a public road.

An unregistered vehicle permit (UVP) can be issued in some of the circumstances where it is unreasonable to have a vehicle registered during the period of the permit. A UVP can also be issued to authorize the use of a vehicle in some approved rallies conducted by an approved national motorsport organization.

This special category of UVP is also called a rally permit. Permit holders are issued with a special four-digit number plates. There are several reasons to obtain a UVP and it can be obtained when your vehicle is unregistered, or it is considered impractical to need to register your vehicle during the period when you wish to get the permit.

Some of the reasons to get a UVP might include:

  • Moving the vehicle between 2 locations as a one-off event
  • When driving a rally vehicle on public roads
  • When using a carnival float on public roads
  • When heavy equipment (usually construction-based) is required to cross or operate on roads but cannot meet usual road requirements

To help you apply for an Unregistered Vehicle Permit, we have put together the simple steps you must follow.

Step 1:Check Your Vehicle’s Current Registration and Condition

To obtain a UVP, of course, your vehicle must not be currently registered. You must also have to declare that it is safe to drive on roads or highways. Your vehicle must also not be:

  • Recorded as stolen
  • Listed as a statutory write-off
  • Suspended due to safety issues that aren’t currently repaired.

Step 2: Prepare Your Details & Paperwork

For obtaining a UVP requires you to provide certain details about yourself and your vehicle in question.

You will need to provide the following information:

  • Your phone number
  • Your full name and address
  • Your email address
  • The address of your vehicle’s garage

You will need to provide the following details about your vehicle:

  • Its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), chassis or engine number, Make, Model, Year of manufacture, Body type, and Color

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Step 3: Choosing Your Unregistered Vehicle Permit

There are different types of UVPs you can get, depending on the situation it covers or according to your needs.

  1. Preparation for Registration

For ‘Preparation for Registration’ permit in Melbourne, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Roadworthiness, a Vehicle Identity Validation Certificate, have any required repairs made, and a Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme Approval Certificate.

  1. Single Trip or Journey

This means taking the vehicle from one location to another on a one-trip basis. These last for a maximum of 7 days and can only be for one direct route as specified on the permit.

  1. Construction Zones

Such as heavy machinery that doesn’t typically meet normal road requirements)

  1. Tracked Vehicles

Such as all-terrain vehicles like snowmobiles.

Step 4: Apply for Your UVP

While applying for a UVP, you must decide how long you need it. You can apply for it and for the ‘Preparation for Registration in Victoria’ or ‘Single Trip or Journey’ type permits, depending on your requirements.

Step 5: Display the UVP on Your Vehicle and Remove the Registration Plates

Your unregistered vehicle will be required to remove its registration plates. The UVP must be displayed on:

The lower left or near side portion of the front windscreen window of the vehicle or to any fixed window or to the left or rear side of the window.