New rules that simplify the conditional registration scheme for historic vehicles came into effect, 1 July 2017.

Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo who has advocated on behalf of local historic car enthusiasts, said the simplified rules will make the lives of owners of the 15,000 vehicles registered under the 90 day limited use scheme much easier.

Mr Piccolo said since announcing plans to change conditional registration last year, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response from the South Australian motoring community.

“Changing this scheme will help to preserve South Australia’s motoring heritage by reducing costs and red tape for car enthusiasts,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Many of these vehicles haven’t been registered and driven, and have sat in sheds and garages because minor modifications meant they were not eligible for cheaper conditional registration which allows a vehicle to be driven up to 90 days a year.”

“ Club registration offers a low cost registration scheme allowing owners of classic cars to drive on the roads for up to 90 days a year. “

“As most of these vehicles are prized collector items with huge value to the owner, they are usually driven on weekends and at infrequent times throughout the year.

” To fully register a 6-cylinder vehicle in South Australia the cost can be up to $846 while the Club Registration scheme offers 90 days use for eligible vehicles for $90 per year.

The changes will remove red tape from the existing scheme designed to:

Provide flexibility to allow owners to improve the ride, handling and safety of these classic vehicles, as well as make cosmetic enhancements

Move away from a fixed cut-off manufacture date of 1979 to a rolling 30-year vehicle age

Remove bureaucratic requirements for motoring clubs to undertake vehicle inspections, reducing the administrative burden on these groups

Reduce limitations which ban left-hand drive vehicles with safety improvements such updated braking systems

This is yet another example of the State Labor Government’s commitment to reducing red tape as part of the Simplify Day reforms.

Mr Piccolo said one of the largest car clubs accessing the scheme is the Light’s own Gawler Veteran Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club with over 500 cars currently registered under Club Registration.

“Since consultation early this year I have worked closely with the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and provided encouragement for the common sense changes scheduled for action from 1 July 2017.”

Transport and Infrastructure, Hon Minister Stephen Mullighan MP said thesecommon sense changes mean that car enthusiasts can make modifications to their vehicles, such as cosmetic and safety improvements, without forcing them off the road and into the garage.

“Thousands of previously unused vehicles are also now expected to join the scheme which will also support tourism events such as car runs, shows and concourse displays,” said Mr Mulligan.

“It has been a pleasure to work with car clubs and vehicle enthusiasts to develop these changes,” he said.

Gawler Veteran Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club Registrar Mr Peter Tooth said the Gawler Veteran Vintage & Classic Vehicle Clubs members and committee are very excited to see these changes to Club Registration.

“We hope the increased flexibility of the scheme will boost our membership base and increase our membership to a broader range of enthusiasts, particularly to owners of modified cars and younger classic cars from the 1980’s.”

“The changes will result in more classic cars to head back out on the road more regularly,” said Mr Tooth.

“Currently, members’ cars who do not qualify for club registration either elect to not register, and just store their cars, or only register for 3 months at a time and store for the rest of the year.”

“The changes also bring simplified procedures for our club, with over 500 cars registered under the scheme; this is pleasing news to our hard working committee.”

“We expect an even increased turn out to the annual Gawler Swap Meet this September and believe the recent changes will attract more vehicles to also attend and form a display for the Gawler Community,” said Mr Tooth.