Conditional Registration - Historic Sports and Racing Car Association

Links & Documentation

The HSRCA’s Conditional Registration registrar is Patrick Quinn. You can reach him via the following details.

Patrick Quinn
“Wongaburra”
116 Warks Hill Rd
Kurrajong Heights
NSW 2758
0417 673 065
p.cquinn@outlook.com

Introduction to Conditional Registration Through the HSRCA

The process of registering a car under the conditional registration scheme in NSW is quite straightforward and will save you quite a bit of money, especially if you are registering a car for the first time, as there is no requirement to pay stamp duty and the CTP insurance is included within the registration cost.

Conditional Registration is an overarching term that covers all sorts of vehicles including agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, street rods, over snow vehicles and of interest to us in the HSRCA, historic and classic vehicles.

To place an historic vehicle on Conditional Registration, the requirements stipulated by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are really quite simple and are four in total. These are:-

your vehicle must be at least 30 years of age or older from the year it was manufactured
your vehicle must comply with the applicable vehicle standards as at the date of vehicle manufacture
your vehicle must be as close to original condition as possible, with no alterations except for safety features such as seatbelts, turn indicators or period options, accessories and safety items. It must be roadworthy at the date of Conditional Registration
you must be a member of a TfNSW recognised historic vehicle club

The HSRCA is one of almost 700 TfNSW recognised historic vehicle clubs and associations in NSW that fall into 4. above.

You may be thinking about what you get out of having a car on Conditional Registration and what restrictions you have to contend with.

As mentioned, the cost is the main aspect to consider. First of all, there is no stamp duty payable, so you may have bought a 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa, to sit next to your 1957 Morris Minor 1000. The cost to conditionally register both for the first year is the same and is currently around $100 and at the moment the total subsequent annual renewal is $50. That’s it! No more! That amount is also inclusive of CTP insurance. You will find general insurance more economical as well.

There are restrictions, but they are minimal. You can use your car to attend every club event should you so wish. In addition, each vehicle is issued with a logbook that allows you to use your car outside of club events for up to 60 days of the year. You may think that 60 days isn’t much, but it’s more than enough. Of the three cars I have on Conditional Registration, it’s a very well used Toyota HiLux that gets used to take stuff to the tip or is borrowed by one of our adult children to move house. It hasn’t reached 60 days and yes the logbook and use are not restricted to you the owner.

If you feel you must read TfNSW’s website page on Conditional Registration, you can do so by clicking this link.

So if you and your car satisfies the four items above, by all means call me on the above number and discuss.

However, what happens if your 1957 Morris Minor has been fitted with a 2.5 litre Daimler V8? Don’t laugh, I have seen one.

If you do have something like that, or perhaps a MG Midget with a Suzuki engine, it’s not possible to conditionally register such a car as an Historic vehicle, but it can be conditionally registered as a Classic vehicle. In other words, as a modified vehicle that’s at least 30 years old or older. To do this, there are a few hurdles to jump over, so if you have any questions please call me to discuss.

In addition to all the above, should you wish to proceed with Conditional Registration, the HSRCA has a couple of rules that you need to comply with. These are that the annual mandatory roadworthiness inspection is undertaken by a TfNSW Authorised Inspection Station, and that any vehicle conditionally registered through the HSRCA must carry at least third-party property insurance.

It should be noted that continued conditional registration is predicated on the vehicle’s owner remaining a financial member of a recognised historic vehicle club such as the HSRCA. So it’s advisory that membership be renewed on the due date. Additionally TfNSW does not allow for Conditional Registration to be transferred on sale of the vehicle.

How to Apply for Conditional Registration

Read the below carefully so that you understand the restrictions on what you can do. It’s changed quite a bit over the years and is now very much in favour of the vehicle owner. There are certain rules to adhere to, but these are relatively minimal. Keep reading and you’ll pick it up as you go along.

Visit your local Services NSW office to obtain a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Application for Conditional Registration (RTA 1246) and Historic Vehicle Declaration (RTA 1259). Alternatively, these can be downloaded from the TfNSW website.

Should you wish to conditionally register a modified vehicle, obtain a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Application for Conditional Registration (RTA 1246) and Classic Vehicle Declaration (RTA 1835). These too can be downloaded from the TfNSW website. The steps necessary to conditionally register a modified vehicle are different to that of an Historic vehicle and before going further contact the Registrar to discuss.

As with all other vehicles in NSW, Historic vehicles are required to be roadworthy. Accordingly, vehicles conditionally registered through the HSRCA need to be inspected by a TfNSW Authorised Inspection Station and a pink slip or electronic inspection printout obtained prior to registration. Sometimes a blue slip may be required for vehicles previously not registered in NSW. If you have a car from interstate or overseas, contact the Registrar to discuss.

It is a HSRCA requirement that each conditionally registered vehicle carries at least Third-Party Property Damage insurance. However, it is usually more economical to obtain fully comprehensive insurance for a conditionally registered vehicle.

Complete the left-hand side of the “Historic Vehicle Declaration” (Form No. 1259) and post the original document to me at the above address along with a copy of the pink slip or electronic inspection printout, as well as the following:-

Copy of document from your insurance company showing the vehicle carries at least third-party insurance
Completed HSRCA Conditional Registration Member Statement [DOC]
A stamped self-addressed envelope. (There is no need to send me the registration certificate. Please do not post the documents by Registered Post as it slows down the process having to pass through many hands in Australia Post, plus I have to go to the post office to accept a registered postal item. Express Post is fine.)

Once returned, go to your local Services NSW office to process the application with the following:-

Original and completed Application for Conditional Registration (RTA 1246)
Original and completed Historic Vehicle Declaration (RTA 1259)
Original pink slip or electronic inspection printout
Proof of ownership. (Receipt or like document)
Previous registration document(s)
Import approval. If vehicle is from overseas

Once approved, you will be provided by Services NSW with the Conditional Registration document, Certificate of Approved Operations, number plates, CTP receipt and a logbook.

The logbook allows the vehicle to be used on 60 days in addition to HSRCA events. It can be used on multiple times by multiple drivers on any day. For each day the first driver writes the date, their name and signs. No other entry is required on that day.

Provide advise the Registrar of your Conditional Registration number.

How to Renew Conditional Registration

Here are the instructions for renewing the Conditional Registration of your historic vehicle through the Historic Sports and Racing Car Association of NSW (HSRCA). PLEASE READ! It is not possible to renew Conditional Registration online.

Annual renewals will be issued direct from TfNSW prior to the renewal date. While renewals should be undertaken prior to the due date, as with all vehicles, if not done within the three months following the due date, the registration lapses. Using your car on the road after the due date has passed without a renewal can attract a significant fine.

Should your vehicle be conditionally registered under the Classic Vehicle Scheme, you would be aware that there are additional steps to be taken. If you have any questions please contact the registrar

As with all vehicles in NSW, historic vehicle registration needs to be renewed on an annual basis. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is generally quite efficient in posting the renewal documents, so that you should receive them three to four weeks before the due date.

Before you renew the registration of your historic vehicle it needs to be certified as roadworthy. The HSRCA requires that the certification is undertaken by an Authorised Inspection Station. You should organise this once you have received the renewal papers from TfNSW. Similarly, the HSRCA also requires that each conditionally registered vehicle carries at least third-party insurance.

Amongst the documents received from TfNSW there will be a “Historic Vehicle Declaration” single sheet form (Form No. 1259). Complete the left-hand side of the “Historic Vehicle Declaration” and post the original document to me at the above address along with a copy of the pink slip or electronic inspection printout, as well as the following:-

Copy of document from your insurance company showing the vehicle carries at least third-party property insurance
Completed HSRCA Conditional Registration Member Statement [DOC]
A stamped self-addressed envelope. (There is no need to send me the registration certificate. Please do not post the documents by Registered Post as that just slows down the process having to pass through many hands in Australia Post, plus I have to go to the post office to accept a registered postal item. Express Post is fine.)

Once returned, take the completed Historic Vehicle Declaration and original pink slip to either your local Services NSW office to process the renewal or post to TfNSW in Parkes. That address can be found on your registration document.