Driving & Traffic
6. Use of Unregistered Vehicle
Authors: Staff Legal Eagle
Firm / Chambers:
Last updated: 20 Jul 2015
- In every state and territory it is illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle on a road.
- Before you are permitted to drive a motor vehicle on a road in NSW you must:
- register your vehicle with Roads and Maritime Services; and
- obtain third party personal injury insurance also known as compulsory third party insurance or ‘CTP’ insurance.
- CTP insurance is an insurance policy linked to your vehicle that provides cover for personal injuries when:
- you or the person driving your vehicle is the driver at fault in an accident; or
- in certain circumstances regardless of who was at fault.
- CTP Insurance will only cover you if your vehicle is registered. If it is not registered you may be personally liable for any injuries you cause in a motor vehicle accident.
- In the event of an accident CTP insurance covers any injuries sustained by
- your passengers;
- other drivers;
- other passengers;
- pedestrians;
- cyclists; and
- motor cyclists.
- It may provide some limited cover for you as the at-fault driver but this will depend on your insurer’s policy.
- It does not cover:
- damage to property; or
- damage to other vehicles
- In New South Wales CTP insurance is purchased by way of a ‘Green Slip’ that is submitted with your vehicle registration.
- In other jurisdictions CTP insurance is part of your vehicle registration.
- In New South Wales if you are caught by a speed or red light camera the authorities will automatically check if your car is registered and insured. If it is not you will receive infringement notices and fines for these offences. You will also lose demerit points.
- If you have been issued with an infringement notice you can either pay the fine or you can elect (choose) to have the matter dealt with by a court.
- The only exception to this rule is if your vehicle has gone out of registration and you are driving it to the nearest mechanic for repair or a registration inspection.
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