Unregistered vehicle permits

What is an Unregistered Vehicle Permit?

An unregistered vehicle permit (UVP) gives you a short-term registration period and Motor Accident Injuries insurance cover so you can use it on a road or road related area.

You can only get a UVP if:

• it wouldn’t be reasonable or practical to register the vehicle during the UVP period
• you’re driving the vehicle to get inspected or registered
• you drove the vehicle somewhere for inspection or registration, and it failed inspection or was refused registration.

A UVP is not a substitute for full registration and isn’t for regular use of a vehicle.

If you’re using the vehicle to carry goods you can only get a UVP if the goods are your property and you’re not selling them.

A UVP is not refundable, even if you cancel it before the commencement date.

Registered vehicles with a defect suspension

If your vehicle is currently registered but the registration is suspended due to a defect, you don’t need a UVP to drive it to an inspection.

If the vehicle was unregistered before the suspension, or the registration expired more than 14 days before the notice, you will need an unregistered vehicle permit (UVP).

Moving a vehicle from interstate

If you need to move a vehicle from another state or territory to the ACT, you’ll need to get a UVP issued from that jurisdiction. If you’re travelling to another jurisdiction from the ACT, you’ll need to check with the other jurisdiction whether the ACT permit is valid until you reach the border, or the destination.

Unregistered trailers

You don’t need a UVP if your unregistered trailer is attached to a registered vehicle and you’re travelling somewhere for inspection.

If your trailer has failed a roadworthy inspection, you will need a UVP before you can take it on a road or road related area.

Types of UVP

There are 3 types of UVP:

Restricted UVPs

Restricted UVPs let you drive, one way, from the ACT to another state or territory.

This permit is issued in line with the amount of time required for your journey, accounting for rest stops.

You need to drive to your destination by the most direct route possible.

The UVP expires once you arrive at your destination even if it took you less time than the permit was issued for.

A restricted UVP can also be issued if you’re not leaving the ACT. You can request a 2-hour restricted UVP for special events such as a rally or parade or in the event you are not eligible for another type of permit.

Eligible scenarios

You can only get a Restricted UVP if one of the following applies to your vehicle:

• Vehicle was last registered in the ACT and has been unregistered for less than 12 months.
• Vehicle’s ACT registration lapsed as it was unregistered for more than 12 months.
• Vehicle’s ACT registration was cancelled.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered, and a defect is recorded against the vehicle record.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered, and a major defect is recorded against the vehicle record.
• Vehicle is unregistered with a defect suspension.
• Vehicle registration cancelled due to uncleared defect.
• Vehicle is an ACT repairable write off, unregistered.
• Owner of the vehicle applying for the UVP has unpaid fines or has had licence suspended or cancelled.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered but was previously registered interstate.
• Vehicle has never been registered – for example, is brand new or an import.

Day UVPs

Day UVPs last for up to 12 hours and are for driving in the ACT only.

If you buy it the same day you want to drive the vehicle, it is valid from the time of payment to 7 pm that same day.

If you buy it for a day in the future, it is valid from 7 am to 7 pm that day.

Eligible scenarios

You can only get a Day UVP if one of the following applies to your vehicle:

• Vehicle was last registered in the ACT and has been unregistered for less than 12 months.
• Vehicle’s ACT registration lapsed as it was unregistered for more than 12 months.
• Vehicle’s ACT registration was cancelled.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered and a defect is recorded against the vehicle record.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered and a major defect is recorded against the vehicle record.
• Vehicle registration cancelled due to uncleared defect.
• Vehicle is an ACT repairable write off, unregistered.
• Owner of the vehicle applying for the UVP has unpaid fines or has had licence suspended or cancelled.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered but was previously registered interstate.
• Vehicle has never been registered – for example, is brand new or an import.

Unrestricted UVPs

Unrestricted UVPs last for up to 7 days and are for driving in the ACT only.

Eligible scenarios

Unrestricted UVPs are only for the following scenarios:

• Vehicle was last registered in the ACT, and has been unregistered for less than 12 months
• Vehicle is currently unregistered and a defect is recorded against the vehicle record.
• Owner of the vehicle applying for the UVP has unpaid fines or has had licence suspended or cancelled.

If you have a current certificate of inspection and the vehicle hasn’t been assessed as dangerous, you can get a UVP if one of the following scenarios apply:

• Vehicle’s ACT registration lapsed as it was unregistered for more than 12 months.
• Vehicle’s ACT registration was cancelled.
• Vehicle is currently unregistered and a major defect is recorded against the vehicle record.
• Vehicle registration cancelled due to uncleared defect.
• Vehicle is an ACT repairable write off, unregistered.
• Vehicle was previously registered interstate, and is now unregistered, has never been registered in the ACT before but has a previous record in another state. An interstate certificate of inspection may be acceptable.
• Vehicle has never been registered – for example, is brand new or an import.

People or vehicles ineligible for UVPs

If any of these scenarios apply to you or your vehicle, you can’t get a UVP:

• You have unpaid fines, or your driver licence has been suspended or cancelled. Someone else will need to apply for the UVP and drive the vehicle.
• The vehicle’s registration has been sanctioned.
• There is a managerial suspension on registration.
• The vehicle is a statutory write off.

Read about roadworthy inspections.

Read about written-off vehicles.

Apply for a UVP

A Day UVP 7am – 7pm in the ACT can be purchased online.

You and the vehicle need to have an existing record, expired or current.

All UVP types can be purchased by:

• calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81 (if you need to provide a roadworthy certificate, you can do so online prior to calling)
• visiting an Access Canberra Service Centre.

What you’ll need

You’ll need to provide:

• your proof of identity
• the registration number or vehicle identification number (VIN)
• the vehicle’s make and model
• the vehicle type
• the vehicle’s colour
• the vehicle’s month and year of manufacture
• the vehicle engine number except if it is a trailer
• the gross vehicle mass if your vehicle is a truck
• the engine capacity if your vehicle is a motorbike

You may need a vehicle inspection report if you’re requesting an Unrestricted UVP.
You only need an inspection report for an Unrestricted UVP if the:

• Vehicle’s ACT registration lapsed as it was unregistered for more than 12 months
• Vehicle’s ACT registration was cancelled
• Vehicle is currently unregistered and a major defect is recorded against the vehicle record
• Vehicle registration cancelled due to uncleared defect
• Vehicle is an ACT repairable write off, unregistered
• Vehicle was previously registered interstate, and is now unregistered,
• Vehicle has never been registered in the ACT before but has a previous record in another state. An interstate certificate of inspection may be acceptable.
• Vehicle has never been registered, for example, is brand new or an import.

You will also need to pay the fee that applies to the type of UVP.

Fees

Fees are correct as at 1 July 2024. All fees are subject to change without notice.

All fees include a $29.90 permit fee and the MAI insurance component.