Concessional Licencing

by Lisa Buckleton, Registrar

What is Concessional Licensing?

Concessional Licensing is a very low-cost way to license your special vehicle for road use. Only certain vehicles are eligible for "Concessional Club Licence Code 404", which costs just a tiny fraction of the "full" license (about $33 instead of more than $500). However, in return for paying so little, there are restrictions on the use of the vehicle and obligations the owner has to fulfil.

Eligibility requirements

This licence is available for (most) club-registered vehicles belonging to members of (most) WA Motor Car Clubs. Only Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles are eligible for registration with the R-ROC (WA). Note: To get concessional licensing for your Goggomobil, you'll have to join the appropriate club.

The main restriction is on how the vehicle may be used.

The vehicle must not be used as a "daily driver". Usage is limited to official club outings and "maintenance" trips such as getting petrol or driving it somewhere for servicing. To be an official club event, it must be listed as such in the Committee minutes of an eligible Club. Note: Don't abuse "maintenance" travel. Someone is bound to notice (and report you) if you drive it to the petrol station every day, especially if the station is next door to your workplace.

Because your vehicle is special, you may be allowed to use your vehicle for weddings and funerals, but only where provided without charge on behalf of close relatives. Prior permission must be obtained from your Club for this use. Note: Unless your daughter's wedding or uncle's funeral is part of the entertainment, a trip to a winery concert does not qualify.

Other restrictions

- Many concessionally licensed vehicles are limited to daylight use (it may be possible to remove this restriction).

- Most modifications make a vehicle ineligible for concessional licensing.

Your main obligation is to submit your vehicle for an annual inspection.

This inspection must be completed before the 30th of June each year, and may only be done by an Examiner approved by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI). The inspection covers not only the vehicle's road-worthiness, but also conditions specifically related to concessional licensing.

Other obligations

You must:

- Be a financial member of an approved Club

- Inform the Club Registrar that your vehicle has this kind of licensing

- Actively participate in club activities

You must also inform the Club Registrar when:

- The vehicle is no longer concessionally licenced (and why)

- The vehicle is sold

- You change your address (within 7 days of this change)

Additional Information

To convert your vehicle to a Concessional Licence, you need to have it inspected by an Authorised Inspection Service (AIS) and obtain a "confirmation of membership" document from a Motor Car Club authorised to provide concessional licensing. The inspection report and membership confirmation then need to be presented to the Licensing Authority (DPI). Your next step, of course, is to let the Club's Registrar know!

If you have any further questions regarding this licensing, contact me for more information.

Lisa H Buckleton, R-ROC (WA) Registrar
email : lisabuck@iinet.net.au
phone: 08 9478-2738

Breaking news!

The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is again targeting concessionally licenced vehicles. The reasons for this are many and varied, but may just possibly be related to the paltry sum paid by vehicle owners for concessional licensing.

New auditing procedures are being introduced this year, primarily to ensure that every concessionally licensed vehicle has passed inspection. Cross-checks will be done between Club reports and any anomalies will be identified and investigated (including "missing" vehicles).

Please don't give DPI any reasons to remove this privilege from us. You are cheating not only the government, but also the other members of your club who are paying full fees for their vehicles. YOU CAN DRIVE, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!

Lisa H Buckleton, R-ROC (WA) Registrar
email : lisabuck@iinet.net.au
phone: 08 9478-2738