Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 (ACT)

This Act establishes a statutory vehicle registration system for the Australian Capital Territory, authorises a road transport authority to operate and enforce that system, and sets out offences, inspection powers and operational detail that are to be filled out by regulation. Mechanically, the Act:

Creates the road transport authority’s core functions: administer a registration system, keep a registrable vehicles register, provide information, administer vehicle standards and inspection systems, and exercise other functions given by the Act (s 6).
Gives the authority a wide set of operational powers: to register, refuse registration, renew or refuse renewal, transfer or refuse transfer, impose conditions, cancel or suspend registrations, issue unregistered vehicle permits, collect fees and certify gross combination mass and gross vehicle mass (s 7).
Requires the authority to keep a registrable vehicles register, allows it to correct errors, permits electronic or other forms of storage, and imposes a security and disclosure obligation consistent with territory privacy and freedom of information laws (ss 10-11).
Preserves Territory ownership of devices, plates and documents issued to authorise vehicle use (s 12).
Prescribes an offences regime dealing with use of unregistered or suspended vehicles, obtaining registration by false statement, forgery, numberplate offences, altering vehicle identification numbers and obligations of registered operators (Pt 3, especially ss 18-23).
Sets out the concept and consequences of defective and dangerously defective vehicles, inspection powers to identify them, and prohibitions on using them (Pt 4, ss 24-28).
Provides specific powers for inspecting approved premises used for inspection and testing, including entry, records inspection, equipment testing and seizure of records for up to 7 days; creates a strict liability offence for failure to comply with reasonable steps to assist (ss 17A-17B).

Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 A1999-81 Republication No 26 Effective: 11 May 2022 Republication date: 11 May 2022 Last amendment made by A2022-5

Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au About this republication The republished law This is a republication of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 11 May 2022. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 11 May 2022. The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4. Kinds of republications The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au): • authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies • unauthorised republications. The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page. Editorial changes The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice. This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1). Uncommenced provisions and amendments If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more information, see the home page for this law on the register. Modifications If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95. Penalties At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).

R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 contents 1 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Contents Page Part 1 Preliminary 1 Name of Act 2 2 Objects of Act 2 3 Dictionary 3 4 Notes 3 5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3 Part 2 Registration system Division 2.1 Functions of road transport authority generally 6 Functions of road transport authority 4 7 Powers of road transport authority 4 8 Registrable vehicles based outside ACT not to be registered 5 9 Register does not provide evidence of title 5

Contents Page contents 2 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 10 Keeping of register 6 11 Security and disclosure of information in register 6 12 Ownership of devices, plates and documents 6 Division 2.2 Regulations 13 General regulation-making power 7 14 Regulations to establish registration system 7 15 Regulations to establish system for vehicle standards and inspections 8 16 Regulations may apply certain documents 10 17 Regulations may exclude vehicles and people from Act 10 Division 2.3 Enforcement—approved premises 17A Purpose of powers under div 2.3 11 17B Power to inspect approved premises, records and equipment 12 Part 3 Offences 18 Prohibition on using unregistered registrable vehicles or vehicles with suspended registration 14 19 Obtaining registration or unregistered vehicle permits by false statements etc 15 20 Forgery of devices etc 16 21 Obligations of registered operator 16 22 Offences about numberplates etc 17 23 Offences relating to identification numbers of motor vehicles and trailers 18 Part 4 Defective and dangerously defective vehicles 24 Meaning of defective vehicle and dangerously defective vehicle 19 25 Identifying defective vehicles 19 26 Using certain defective vehicles 20 27 Identifying dangerously defective vehicles 20 28 Using dangerously defective vehicles 21 Part 5 Miscellaneous 29 Registered operators 22 30 Seizure of numberplates, registration labels etc 22 31 Vehicles with unregistered vehicle permits taken to be registered 24

Contents Page R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 contents 3 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 32 References to Motor Traffic Act etc 24 Dictionary 25 Endnotes 1 About the endnotes 30 2 Abbreviation key 30 3 Legislation history 31 4 Amendment history 35 5 Earlier republications 40

R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 1 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 An Act to provide for the registration of vehicles and for related matters as part of the system for nationally consistent road transport law, and for other purposes

Part 1 Preliminary Section 1 page 2 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1 Preliminary 1 Name of Act This Act is the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999. Note 1 This Act is part of the road transport legislation. See the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 for various provisions about the administration and enforcement of the road transport legislation generally. Note 2 Other road transport legislation includes the following: • Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 • Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 • Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1999 • Road Transport (General) Act 1999 • Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 • Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999. Note 3 Other laws dealing with road transport include the Dangerous Goods (Road Transport) Act 2009 and the Heavy Vehicle National Law (ACT). Note 4 A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation Act, s 104). 2 Objects of Act The objects of this Act are— (a) to provide for a vehicle registration system in the ACT that is part of a uniform national approach to vehicle registration and vehicle standards; and (b) to improve road safety and transport efficiency, and reduce the costs of administering road transport.

Preliminary Part 1 Section 3 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 3 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 3 Dictionary The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act. Note 1 The dictionary defines certain words and expressions, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other words and expressions defined elsewhere in this Act or elsewhere in the road transport legislation. For example, the signpost definition ‘driver licence—see the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1999, dictionary’ means the expression ‘driver licence’ is defined in the dictionary to that Act and the definition applies to this Act. Note 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to the entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act 2001, s 155 and s 156 (1)). 4 Notes A note in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act. Note See Legislation Act 2001, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes. 5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc Other legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act. Note 1 Criminal Code The Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offence against this Act (see Code, pt 2.1): • s 17B (5) (Power to inspect approved premises, records and equipment). The chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility (including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention, recklessness and strict liability). Note 2 Penalty units The Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties that are expressed in penalty units.

Part 2 Registration system Division 2.1 Functions of road transport authority generally Section 6 page 4 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 2 Registration system Division 2.1 Functions of road transport authority generally 6 Functions of road transport authority The functions of the road transport authority under this Act are— (a) to administer the registration system established under this Act; and (b) to keep a registrable vehicles register under this Act; and (c) to provide information about registrable vehicles and registered operators in accordance with this Act and other laws in force in the Territory; and (d) to administer the systems for regulating vehicle standards and inspections established under this Act; and (e) to exercise any other functions given to the authority under this Act. 7 Powers of road transport authority In exercising functions under this Act, the road transport authority may, in accordance with this Act— (a) register or refuse to register a registrable vehicle; and (b) renew or refuse to renew the registration of a registrable vehicle; and (c) transfer or refuse to transfer the registration of a registrable vehicle from one person to another; and

Registration system Part 2 Functions of road transport authority generally Division 2.1 Section 8 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 5 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (d) issue a permit or refuse to issue a permit for the use of an unregistered registrable vehicle; and Note If a person applies to the road transport authority for an unregistered vehicle permit, the person must, in addition to any fee for the permit, pay the UVP liability contribution for the period of the permit (see the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019, s 333). (e) impose conditions on the registration of a registrable vehicle or on a permission to use an unregistered registrable vehicle; and (f) cancel or suspend the registration of a registrable vehicle; and (g) collect fees, charges and other amounts determined for this Act under the Road Transport (General) Act 1999; and (h) certify the GCM for a motor vehicle or the GVM of a vehicle; and (i) collect amounts payable under, or require evidence of compliance with, any applicable provisions of the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 and the Duties Act 1999; and (j) exercise other powers given to the authority under this Act. 8 Registrable vehicles based outside ACT not to be registered The road transport authority may register or renew the registration of a registrable vehicle only if satisfied the vehicle’s garage address is in the ACT. 9 Register does not provide evidence of title The registrable vehicles register does not provide evidence of title to any registrable vehicle.

Part 2 Registration system Division 2.1 Functions of road transport authority generally Section 10 page 6 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 10 Keeping of register (1) The registrable vehicles register may include information given to the road transport authority under this Act and any other information the authority considers appropriate. (2) The register may be kept in the form of, or as part of, 1 or more computer databases or in any other form the road transport authority considers appropriate. (3) The road transport authority may correct any mistake, error or omission in the register subject to the requirements (if any) of the regulations. (4) This section does not limit the functions of the road transport authority in relation to the register. 11 Security and disclosure of information in register The road transport authority must ensure that information in the registrable vehicles register is kept securely and disclosed only in accordance with this Act or another law in force in the ACT. Note 1 The Territory privacy principles apply to the road transport authority (see Information Privacy Act 2014, sch 1). Note 2 Access to the register may be sought under the Freedom of Information Act 2016. 12 Ownership of devices, plates and documents Any devices, plates or documents issued by the road transport authority to authorise the use of a registrable vehicle remain the property of the Territory.

Registration system Part 2 Regulations Division 2.2 Section 13 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 7 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Division 2.2 Regulations 13 General regulation-making power (1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act. Note Regulations must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act 2001. (2) The regulations may prescribe offences for contraventions of the regulations and prescribe maximum penalties of not more than 20 penalty units for offences against the regulations. 14 Regulations to establish registration system (1) The regulations are to provide a system of registration of registrable vehicles used on roads or road related areas that— (a) provides a means of authorising the use of registrable vehicles on roads or road related areas; and (b) enables the identification of each registrable vehicle used on a road or a road related area, and of the person responsible for it. (2) Without limiting the scope of regulations under subsection (1), the regulations may— (a) fix the duration of the registration, and renewal of registration, of registrable vehicles; and (b) make provision in relation to the keeping of the registrable vehicles register; and (c) make provision in relation to the disclosure of personal information in the registrable vehicles register; and (d) make provision in relation to the calculation of fees, charges and other amounts payable for the registration of vehicles for less than 12 months; and

Part 2 Registration system Division 2.2 Regulations Section 15 page 8 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (e) make provision in relation to the recognition by the road transport authority of anything done under a corresponding law; and (f) allow the road transport authority to enter into agreements with registered operators about rights to use special numberplates; and (g) make provision in relation to the form, issue, use, surrender, replacement and transfer of plates (including trader’s plates), registration certificates and other registration documents; and (h) require the keeping of records about the driving of registrable vehicles with trader’s plates; and (i) enable police officers or authorised people to require a driver or person in charge of a registrable vehicle with trader’s plates to answer questions about the use of the plates. 15 Regulations to establish system for vehicle standards and inspections (1) The regulations may make provision in relation to vehicle standards, inspection or testing of registrable vehicles and the production of registrable vehicles for inspection and testing. (2) Without limiting the scope of regulations under subsection (1), the regulations may— (a) impose requirements about the supply by a buyer of a registrable vehicle of information or documents about the vehicle’s compliance with vehicle standards; and (b) make provision in relation to the identification of any part (including an engine or engine block) of a registrable vehicle and the use of the identification; and (c) authorise the road transport authority to exempt a vehicle from a vehicle standard prescribed under the regulations.

Registration system Part 2 Regulations Division 2.2 Section 15 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 9 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (3) Without limiting the scope of regulations under subsection (1), the regulations may make provision in relation to— (a) the authorisation of people (authorised examiners) to inspect and test registrable vehicles; and (b) the approval of premises (approved premises) for inspecting and testing registrable vehicles; and (c) the duties of authorised examiners; and (d) the duties of people in relation to approved premises; and (e) the issue of certificates about— (i) the inspection and testing of registrable vehicles; and (ii) the authorisation of people as authorised examiners, including whether a stated person was an authorised examiner on a stated date or during a stated period; and (iii) the approval of premises as approved premises, including whether stated premises were approved premises on a stated date or during a stated period; and (f) the evidentiary effect of a certificate mentioned in paragraph (e); and (g) the review of decisions of authorised examiners; and (h) the functions and powers of authorised people in relation to authorised examiners and approved premises; and (i) the charging of fees for the inspection or testing of registrable vehicles, including the fixing by the Minister of the maximum fees payable for the inspection or testing of registrable vehicles.

Part 2 Registration system Division 2.2 Regulations Section 16 page 10 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (4) Without limiting the scope of regulations under subsection (1), the regulations may, for the purposes of the inspection of any registrable vehicle, also— (a) make provision in relation to authorising the entry in or on any registrable vehicle (whether or not on a road or road related area); and (b) make provision in relation to authorising entry into or on any premises ordinarily used for the sale of registrable vehicles or where a registrable vehicle may be held for sale; and (c) make provision in relation to the requirements to be complied with in relation to the use and disposition of registrable vehicles that— (i) do not comply with the vehicle standards prescribed under the regulations; or (ii) are subject to inspections. 16 Regulations may apply certain documents A regulation may apply a publication of the National Transport Commission or any other instrument as in force from time to time. Note The text of an applied, adopted or incorporated law or instrument, whether applied as in force from time to time or at a particular time, is taken to be a notifiable instrument if the operation of the Legislation Act, s 47 (5) or (6) is not disapplied (see s 47 (7)). 17 Regulations may exclude vehicles and people from Act (1) The regulations may— (a) exempt a vehicle or person prescribed under the regulations from this Act (or a stated provision of this Act); or (b) authorise the road transport authority to exempt a vehicle or person prescribed under the regulations from this Act (or a stated provision of this Act).

Registration system Part 2 Enforcement—approved premises Division 2.3 Section 17A R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 11 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (2) An exemption given under a regulation mentioned in subsection (1) may be conditional. (3) The regulations may provide for the road transport authority to— (a) suspend the operation of a regulation mentioned in subsection (1) in the way and circumstances prescribed under the regulations; or (b) suspend the operation of an exemption given by the authority to a vehicle or person in the way and circumstances prescribed under the regulations. Division 2.3 Enforcement—approved premises 17A Purpose of powers under div 2.3 The powers under this division may be exercised by a police officer or authorised person to decide whether— (a) there has been compliance with, or a contravention of, this Act in relation to the inspection and testing of registrable vehicles; or (b) approved premises and any equipment in the premises used or proposed to be used in, or in relation to, the inspection and testing of vehicles comply with this Act. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation Act, s 104).

Part 2 Registration system Division 2.3 Enforcement—approved premises Section 17B page 12 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 17B Power to inspect approved premises, records and equipment (1) For this division, a police officer or authorised person may, at any reasonable time, enter approved premises. (2) The police officer or authorised person may— (a) inspect records in the premises relating to inspections and tests of vehicles carried out at the premises for this Act; and (b) inspect the premises; and (c) inspect or test any equipment in the premises used or proposed to be used in, or in relation to, the inspection and testing of vehicles for this Act. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation Act, s 104). (3) For subsection (2) (a), the police officer or authorised person may— (a) require the person apparently in charge of the premises, or anyone else who has the custody or control of the records, to produce them to the police officer or authorised person for inspection; and (b) make copies of, or take extracts from, a record and, for that purpose, may take possession of the record and, if necessary, keep it for not longer than 7 days. (4) For subsection (2) (c), the police officer or authorised person may do any 1 or more of the following: (a) operate any equipment in the premises; (b) require the person apparently in charge of the premises to give the police officer or authorised person any information the police officer or authorised person reasonably needs to inspect or test any equipment in the premises;

Registration system Part 2 Enforcement—approved premises Division 2.3 Section 17B R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 13 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (c) require the person apparently in charge of the premises to do anything else the police officer or authorised person reasonably needs to inspect or test any equipment in the premises. (5) A person must take all reasonable steps to comply with a requirement made of the person by a police officer or authorised person under this section. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (6) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence. (7) An authorised person who enters approved premises under this section is not authorised to remain on the premises if, when asked by the person in charge of the premises, the authorised person does not produce his or her identity card for inspection.

Part 3 Offences Section 18 page 14 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 3 Offences 18 Prohibition on using unregistered registrable vehicles or vehicles with suspended registration (1) A person must not use, or permit or allow a person to use, an unregistered registrable vehicle, or a vehicle with suspended registration, on a road or road related area. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the use of an unregistered registrable vehicle on a road or road related area if— (a) the vehicle is of a kind prescribed by a regulation mentioned in section 17 (Regulations may exclude vehicles and people from Act) as a vehicle exempt from this Act; or (b) the use is otherwise permitted under this Act. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a registrable vehicle left parked on a road or road related area— (a) within 15 days after the vehicle ceases to be registered or to be exempted from being registered or its registration is suspended; or (b) with the permission of the responsible person for the road or area. (4) In this section: registrable vehicle includes— (a) an incomplete or partly constructed registrable vehicle; and (b) the remains of a registrable vehicle.

Offences Part 3 Section 19 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 15 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au responsible person, for a road or road related area where a vehicle is left parked, means— (a) if a person other than the owner of the road or area has care, control and management of the road or area—that person; or (b) in any other case—the owner of the road or area. 19 Obtaining registration or unregistered vehicle permits by false statements etc (1) A person must not— (a) by a false statement or a misrepresentation or other dishonest means— (i) register a registrable vehicle; or (ii) renew the registration of a registrable vehicle; or (iii) obtain an unregistered vehicle permit for a registrable vehicle; or (iv) renew an unregistered vehicle permit for a registrable vehicle; or (b) without lawful authority or excuse, possess a device, plate or document obtained (whether in the Territory or elsewhere) using those means. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (2) A device, plate or document obtained in a way mentioned in subsection (1) is void, and the road transport authority may change the registrable vehicles register accordingly.

Part 3 Offences Section 20 page 16 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 20 Forgery of devices etc A person must not— (a) forge or fraudulently change or use, or fraudulently lend to or allow to be used by someone else, a device, plate or document issued under this Act or a corresponding law; or (b) without lawful authority or excuse, possess a device, plate or document issued under this Act, or a corresponding law, knowing it has been forged or fraudulently changed; or (c) without lawful authority or excuse, possess anything resembling a device, plate or document issued under this Act, or a corresponding law, and calculated to deceive. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both. 21 Obligations of registered operator (1) This Act does not affect the obligations of the registered operator of a registrable vehicle to comply with any applicable provisions of the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 and the Duties Act 1999. (2) The registered operator of a registrable vehicle must, in accordance with any requirements of the regulations— (a) ensure that any devices, plates and documents issued by the road transport authority are installed or displayed on, or attached to, the vehicle; and (b) while operating the vehicle, carry or cause the driver to carry, documents prescribed under the regulations; and (c) when required by the road transport authority, a police officer or an authorised person, produce any device, plate or document prescribed under the regulations; and

Offences Part 3 Section 22 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 17 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (d) keep records required to be kept under the regulations about the registration of the vehicle. Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units. (3) A registered operator of a registrable vehicle must comply with any directions given by, and conditions imposed by, the road transport authority about the registration of the vehicle. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units. 22 Offences about numberplates etc (1) The driver of a registrable vehicle commits an offence if the vehicle is used on a road or road related area and has installed or displayed on, or attached to, it— (a) a numberplate that was not properly issued, or was properly issued for another vehicle; or (b) a numberplate or anything else properly issued that has been fraudulently changed or changed in a way calculated to deceive; or (c) anything resembling a numberplate or anything else properly issued that is calculated to deceive. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (2) The registered operator of a registrable vehicle (other than the driver of the vehicle) used in contravention of subsection (1) also commits an offence if the operator failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the contravention. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (3) A person must not, without lawful authority or excuse— (a) remove a numberplate or anything else properly issued that is installed or displayed on, or attached to, a vehicle; or

Part 3 Offences Section 23 page 18 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (b) deface, damage, or otherwise interfere with, a numberplate or anything else properly issued. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (4) In this section: properly issued means issued— (a) by the road transport authority under this Act; or (b) under a corresponding law. 23 Offences relating to identification numbers of motor vehicles and trailers (1) In this section: prescribed part, of a motor vehicle or trailer, means the engine, engine block, or any other part of the motor vehicle or trailer prescribed under the regulations. (2) A person must not— (a) if the person is not the manufacturer—stamp or attach an identification number on or to a prescribed part of a motor vehicle or trailer without the written authority of the road transport authority or except as prescribed under the regulations; or (b) except as required or permitted under this Act—change, deface, remove or obliterate an identification number stamped on or attached to a prescribed part of a motor vehicle or trailer; or (c) without lawful authority or excuse, possess a prescribed part of a motor vehicle or trailer knowing the identification number stamped on or attached to it has been changed, defaced, removed or obliterated other than as required or permitted under this Act. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both.

Defective and dangerously defective vehicles Part 4 Section 24 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 19 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 4 Defective and dangerously defective vehicles 24 Meaning of defective vehicle and dangerously defective vehicle (1) A defective vehicle is a registrable vehicle that does not comply with a vehicle standard prescribed under the regulations. (2) A dangerously defective vehicle is a registrable vehicle that is in such a condition that if a person drives or tows, or tries to drive or tow, the vehicle it is likely the person will lose control of the vehicle. 25 Identifying defective vehicles (1) A police officer or authorised person may inspect a registrable vehicle on a road or road related area to find out its identity, condition or the status of any registration or permit relating to the vehicle. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the police officer or authorised person may, for that subsection, enter in or on the vehicle. (3) The responsible person for the registrable vehicle must give the police officer or authorised person all reasonable assistance to make the inspection. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (4) On discovering a defective vehicle, a police officer or authorised person may, in accordance with the regulations, do 1 or more of the following: (a) issue a warning or a defect notice; (b) impose conditions on the use of the vehicle; (c) prohibit the use of the vehicle. (5) A defect notice may be withdrawn or cleared in accordance with the regulations.

Part 4 Defective and dangerously defective vehicles Section 26 page 20 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (6) After inspecting a registrable vehicle, a police officer or authorised person may seize any device, plate or document in or on the vehicle if the police officer or authorised person suspects on reasonable grounds that the device, plate or document has been or is being used in committing an offence against this Act. 26 Using certain defective vehicles A person must not use a defective vehicle contrary to conditions or a prohibition imposed under section 25 (Identifying defective vehicles). Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. 27 Identifying dangerously defective vehicles (1) To decide whether a registrable vehicle being used on a road or road related area is dangerously defective, a police officer or authorised person may inspect and test the vehicle. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), a police officer or authorised person may, for that subsection, do 1 or more of the following: (a) request or signal the driver of a registrable vehicle to stop the vehicle; (b) request the driver of a registrable vehicle to give the police officer or authorised person any information the police officer or authorised person reasonably requires to inspect or test the vehicle; (c) request the driver of a registrable vehicle to do anything else the police officer or authorised person reasonably requires to inspect or test the vehicle.

Defective and dangerously defective vehicles Part 4 Section 28 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 21 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (3) If a registrable vehicle is stopped because of a request or signal under subsection (2) (a), any inspection or testing of the vehicle must be carried out— (a) at, or as near as practicable to, the place where the request or signal is made or given; and (b) as soon as practicable, and in any case within 1 hour, after the vehicle is stopped. (4) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a request or signal made or given by a police officer or authorised person under this section. Maximum penalty (subsection (4)): 20 penalty units. 28 Using dangerously defective vehicles (1) A person must not use a dangerously defective registrable vehicle on a road or road related area. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the use of a dangerously defective vehicle— (a) if the vehicle is at, or in the vicinity of, an accident and its condition is the result of damage caused by the accident; or (b) if the person using the vehicle knows the vehicle’s condition and has taken, or is taking, reasonable action to have the vehicle repaired or removed from the road or road related area; or (c) if the vehicle is being inspected or tested under section 27 (1); or (d) in any other circumstances prescribed under the regulations.

Part 5 Miscellaneous Section 29 page 22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 5 Miscellaneous 29 Registered operators (1) The road transport authority may record 1 or more people as registered operators of a registrable vehicle in accordance with the regulations. (2) Subject to any regulations made under subsection (3), if more than 1 person is recorded as a registered operator of a registrable vehicle at any time, a reference in any relevant legislation to the registered operator of a registrable vehicle is taken to include a reference to each registered operator of the vehicle at that time. (3) The regulations may provide in relation to deciding the respective rights and liabilities of each registered operator of a registrable vehicle under any relevant legislation. (4) In this section: relevant legislation means— (a) a provision of this Act; or (b) a provision of any other Act (or a provision of a regulation made under any other Act) concerned with the registered operator of a registrable vehicle within the meaning of this Act. 30 Seizure of numberplates, registration labels etc (1) A police officer or authorised person may on reasonable grounds seize— (a) a numberplate attached to, or located in, a registrable vehicle if the registration of the vehicle— (i) has expired more than 15 days earlier; or (ii) is cancelled; or

Miscellaneous Part 5 Section 30 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 23 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (b) a numberplate used in contravention of a regulation prescribed for this section; or (c) a numberplate, registration label or other document attached to, or located in, a registrable vehicle if the numberplate, registration label or other document is— (i) not properly issued; or (ii) properly issued for another registrable vehicle; or (iii) fraudulently changed; or (iv) changed in a way calculated to deceive; or (d) anything resembling a numberplate, registration label or other document that is attached to, or located in, a registrable vehicle and is calculated to deceive. (2) A police officer or authorised person may enter or access a vehicle for the purpose of seizing something under subsection (1). (3) A numberplate, other document, or anything resembling a numberplate or other document seized under subsection (1) must— (a) if likely to be required as evidence in a proceeding—be retained for use as evidence; or (b) in any other case—be given to the road transport authority as soon as practicable. (4) If something is given to the road transport authority under subsection (3) the road transport authority may deal with the thing in the way the authority considers appropriate. (5) In this section: other document— (a) means any document that relates to, or purports to relate to, the registration of a vehicle; but

Part 5 Miscellaneous Section 31 page 24 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (b) does not include a registration label or anything resembling a registration label. Example—other document a registration certificate under the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000, s 40 properly issued means issued— (a) by the road transport authority under this Act; or (b) under a corresponding law. 31 Vehicles with unregistered vehicle permits taken to be registered (1) If an unregistered vehicle permit is in force for an unregistered registrable vehicle, the vehicle is taken to be a registered vehicle for— (a) this Act; and (b) any other law about the registration or licensing of vehicles. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation Act, s 104). (2) However, subsection (1) does not apply to the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019. 32 References to Motor Traffic Act etc In any Act or document, a reference to the Motor Traffic Act 1936 or the Motor Traffic Regulations 1934 is, in relation to anything to which this Act applies, a reference to this Act. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act (see Legislation Act 2001, s 104).

Dictionary R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Dictionary (see s 3) Note 1 The Legislation Act 2001 contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act. Note 2 In particular, the Legislation Act 2001, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms: • ACT • exercise • function • instrument (see s 14). Note 3 The Road Transport (General) Act 1999 contains definitions relevant to this Act. For example, the following terms are defined in the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, dictionary: • another jurisdiction • driver • jurisdiction • light rail vehicle • motor vehicle • National Transport Commission • ride • road • road related area • road transport authority (or authority) (see s 16) • road transport legislation (see s 6) • trailer • use (in relation to a vehicle) • vehicle. Note 4 If a word or expression is defined in an Act (but not a regulation or another publication) included in the road transport legislation, the definition applies to each use of the word or expression in other road transport legislation unless the contrary intention appears (see Road Transport (General) Act 1999, s 8).

Dictionary page 26 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au approved premises—see section 15 (3) (b). authorised person, for a provision of this Act, means— (a) a person who is appointed as an authorised person under the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 19 for the provision; or (b) a person who is, under the regulations made under this Act or the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, an authorised person for the provision. corresponding law means a law of another jurisdiction under which devices, plates and documents relating to the registration of vehicles are issued. dangerously defective vehicle—see section 24. defective vehicle—see section 24. drive a vehicle includes— (a) be in control of the steering, movement or propulsion of the vehicle; and (b) if the vehicle is a trailer—draw or tow the vehicle; and (c) if the vehicle can be ridden—ride the vehicle. garage address, of a vehicle, means— (a) if the vehicle is normally kept at a depot or base of operations when not in use—the main depot or base of operations of the vehicle; or (b) if the vehicle is normally kept at a place (other than a depot or base of operations) when not in use—the place where the vehicle is normally kept. GCM––see gross combination mass.

Dictionary R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 27 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au gross combination mass (or GCM), of a motor vehicle, means the greatest possible sum of the maximum loaded mass of the motor vehicle and any vehicle that may be towed by the motor vehicle at the same time— (a) stated on the RAV for the motor vehicle; or (b) if the GCM is not stated on the RAV for the motor vehicle— (i) stated by the motor vehicle’s manufacturer on the identification plate on the vehicle; or (ii) if there is no GCM stated on the identification plate or the GCM stated on the plate is not appropriate because the motor vehicle has been modified—certified by the road transport authority. gross vehicle mass (or GVM), of a vehicle, means the maximum loaded mass of the vehicle— (a) stated on the RAV for the vehicle; or (b) if the GVM is not stated on the RAV for the vehicle— (i) stated by the vehicle’s manufacturer on the identification plate on the vehicle; or (ii) if there is no GVM stated on the identification plate or the GVM stated on the plate is not appropriate because the vehicle has been modified—certified by the road transport authority. GVM––see gross vehicle mass. heavy vehicle— (a) means a motor vehicle or trailer with a GVM more than 4.5t; but (b) does not include a light rail vehicle.

Dictionary page 28 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au identification plate means a plate approved to be placed on a vehicle, or taken to have been placed on a vehicle, under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth) (repealed), section 10A. Note 1 Identification plates were approved for vehicles that complied with the national standards. Identification plates were also approved for vehicles that failed to comply, but either the noncompliance was minor and inconsequential, or the vehicle complied to an extent that made it suitable for supply to the market (see Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth) (repealed), s 10A). Note 2 Despite the repeal of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth) on 1 July 2021— (a) approvals in force immediately before the repeal continue in force until 1 July 2022; and (b) new approvals may be given between 1 July 2021 to 1 July 2022, and remain in force until 1 July 2022. (See Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 (Cwlth), sch 3, s 4 and s 6.) Note 3 Identification plates include compliance plates placed, or taken to be placed, on vehicles as early as 1972 (see Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth) (repealed), s 42 (d)). inspect, in relation to a registrable vehicle, includes observe the vehicle’s performance, with or without the use of instrumentation. premises means any place. RAV means the Register of Approved Vehicles kept under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cwlth), section 14. register—see registrable vehicles register. registered, for a vehicle, means registered under this Act. registered operator means— (a) for a vehicle registered under this Act—a person recorded in the registrable vehicles register as a registered operator of the vehicle; or

Dictionary R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 29 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (b) for a vehicle registered under the law of another jurisdiction—a person recorded in the register of the other jurisdiction corresponding to the registrable vehicles register as a registered operator of the vehicle. Note A reference to the registered operator includes each registered operator (see s 29). registrable vehicle means— (a) any motor vehicle except a light rail vehicle; or (b) any trailer; or (c) any other vehicle prescribed under the regulations for this definition. registrable vehicles register (or register) means the registrable vehicles register required to be kept under section 6. responsible person, for a vehicle—see the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 10. trader’s plate means a numberplate issued by the road transport authority to a person engaged in a relevant trade to move unregistered registrable vehicles for short-term purposes. unregistered vehicle permit means a permit mentioned in section 7 (d) (Powers of road transport authority). vehicle standard— (a) includes a standard or other requirement relating to the construction, design or equipment of a registrable vehicle; but (b) does not include a heavy vehicle standard within the meaning of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (ACT).

Endnotes 1 About the endnotes page 30 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Endnotes 1 About the endnotes Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes. Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office. Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history. If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering. The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications. 2 Abbreviation key A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument AF = Approved form o = order am = amended om = omitted/repealed amdt = amendment ord = ordinance AR = Assembly resolution orig = original ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph CN = Commencement notice pres = present def = definition prev = previous DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously dict = dictionary pt = part disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule Assembly reloc = relocated div = division renum = renumbered exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No Gaz = gazette RI = reissue hdg = heading s = section/subsection IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law LR = legislation register sub = substituted LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced mod = modified/modification or to be expired

Endnotes Legislation history 3 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 31 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 3 Legislation history Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 A1999-81 notified 23 December 1999 (Gaz 1999 No S65) s 1, s 2 commenced 23 December 1999 (IA s 10B) remainder commenced 1 March 2000 (s 2 and Gaz 2000 No S5) as amended by Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2001 A2001-27 sch 3 notified 24 May 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 21) s 1, s 2 commenced 24 May 2001 (IA s 10B) sch 3 commenced 24 May 2001 (s 2) Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 349 notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30) s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B) pt 349 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001 No S65) Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 A2001-62 pt 1.7 notified 10 September 2001 (Gaz 2001 No S66) s 1, s 2 commenced 10 September 2001 (IA s 10B) pt 1.7 commenced 1 December 2001 (s 2 and CN 2001 No 2) Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002-30 pt 3.74 notified LR 16 September 2002 s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2)) pt 3.74 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1)) Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 (No 2) A2002-49 pt 3.25 notified LR 20 December 2002 s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 7 October 1994 (LA s 75 (2)) pt 3.25 commenced 17 January 2003 (s 2 (1)) Criminal Code 2002 A2002-51 pt 1.21 notified LR 20 December 2002 s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2002 (LA s 75) pt 1.21 commenced 1 January 2003 (s 2 (1))

Endnotes 3 Legislation history page 32 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Statute Law Amendment Act 2005 A2005-20 sch 3 pt 3.59 notified LR 12 May 2005 s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 8 March 2005 (LA s 75 (2)) sch 3 pt 3.59 commenced 2 June 2005 (s 2 (1)) Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2006 A2006-26 pt 4 notified LR 14 June 2006 s 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2006 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 4 commenced 2 July 2006 (s 2 and CN2006-12) Road Transport (Third-Party Insurance) Act 2008 A2008-1 sch 1 pt 1.11 (as am by A2008-39 s 4) notified LR 26 February 2008 s 1, s 2 commenced 26 February 2008 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.11 commenced 1 October 2008 (s 2 as am by A2008-39 s 4) Road Transport (Third-Party Insurance) Amendment Act 2008 A2008-39 notified LR 22 August 2008 s 1, s 2 commenced 22 August 2008 (LA s 75 (1)) remainder commenced 23 August 2008 (s 2) Note This Act only amends the Road Transport (Third-Party Insurance) Act 2008 A2008-1. Road Transport (Third-Party Insurance) Amendment Act 2009 A2009-16 sch 3 pt 3.4 notified LR 30 June 2009 s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2009 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.4 commenced 5 July 2009 (s 2) Road Transport (Mass, Dimensions and Loading) Act 2009 A2009-22 sch 1 pt 1.12 notified LR 3 September 2009 s 1, s 2 commenced 3 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.12 commenced 3 March 2010 (s 2 and LA s 79) Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) A2009-49 sch 3 pt 3.65 notified LR 26 November 2009 s 1, s 2 commenced 26 November 2009 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.65 commenced 17 December 2009 (s 2)

Endnotes Legislation history 3 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 33 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Statute Law Amendment Act 2010 A2010-18 sch 3 pt 3.24 notified LR 13 May 2010 s 1, s 2 commenced 13 May 2010 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.24 commenced 3 June 2010 (s 2) Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2011 A2011-14 pt 6 notified LR 11 May 2011 s 1, s 2 commenced 11 May 2011 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 6 commenced 3 June 2011 (s 2 (1) and CN2011-7) Statute Law Amendment Act 2013 A2013-19 sch 3 pt 3.46 notified LR 24 May 2013 s 1, s 2 commenced 24 May 2013 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.46 commenced 14 June 2013 (s 2) Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2013 (No 3) A2013-20 sch 1 pt 1.4 notified LR 13 June 2013 s 1, s 2 commenced 13 June 2013 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.4 commenced 1 July 2013 (s 2 (2) and CN2013-6) Heavy Vehicle National Law (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013 A2013-52 pt 15 notified LR 9 December 2013 s 1, s 2 commenced 9 December 2013 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 15 commenced 10 February 2014 (s 2 and see Heavy Vehicle National Law (ACT) Act 2013 A2013-51, s 2 (1) and CN2014-2) Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2014 (No 2) A2014-49 sch 1 pt 1.21 notified LR 10 November 2014 s 1, s 2 commenced 10 November 2014 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.21 commenced 17 November 2014 (s 2) Freedom of Information Act 2016 A2016-55 sch 4 pt 4.25 (as am by A2017-14 s 19) notified LR 26 August 2016 s 1, s 2 commenced 26 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 4 pt 4.25 commenced 1 January 2018 (s 2 as am by A2017-14 s 19)

Endnotes 3 Legislation history page 34 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (No 2) A2017-14 s 19 notified LR 17 May 2017 s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2017 (LA s 75 (1)) s 19 commenced 24 May 2017 (s 2 (1)) Note This Act only amends the Freedom of Information Act 2016 A2016-55. Road Transport Reform (Light Rail) Legislation Amendment Act 2017 A2017-21 pt 11 notified LR 8 August 2017 s 1, s 2 commenced 8 August 2017 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 11 commenced 15 August 2017 (s 2) Statute Law Amendment Act 2018 A2018-42 sch 3 pt 3.31 notified LR 8 November 2018 s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2018 (LA s 75 (2)) sch 3 pt 3.31 commenced 22 November 2018 (s 2 (1)) Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 A2019-12 sch 3 pt 3.15 notified LR 31 May 2019 s 1, s 2 commenced 31 May 2019 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.15 commenced 1 February 2020 (s 2 (1) and CN2019-13) Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2019 A2019-21 pt 16 notified LR 8 August 2019 s 1, s 2 commenced 8 August 2019 (LA s 75 (1)) s 107 commenced 19 September 2019 (s 2 (1)) pt 16 remainder commenced 22 August 2019 (s 2 (4)) Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (No 2) A2022-5 pt 8 notified LR 13 April 2022 s 1, s 2 commenced 13 April 2022 (LA s 75 (1)) s 35, s 36 commenced 11 May 2022 (s 2 (2)) pt 8 remainder commenced 27 April 2022 (s 2 (1))

Endnotes Amendment history 4 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 35 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 4 Amendment history Preliminary pt 1 hdg note am A2001-44 amdt 1.3806; A2001-62 amdt 1.27 om A2005-20 amdt 3.384 Name of Act s 1 am A2005-20 amdt 3.385; A2008-1 amdt 1.35; A2009-22 amdt 1.28; A2013-52 s 69, s 70; A2019-12 amdt 3.100, amdt 3.101 Objects of Act s 2 hdg (prev s 3 hdg) bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 2 orig s 2 om A2001-27 amdt 3.60 pres s 2 (prev s 3) am A2005-20 amdt 3.386 renum as s 2 A2006-26 s 35 am A2022-5 s 33, s 34 Dictionary s 3 hdg (prev s 4 hdg) bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 3 orig s 3 renum as s 2 pres s 3 (prev s 4) sub A2005-20 amdt 3.387 renum as s 3 A2006-26 s 35 Notes s 4 hdg (prev s 5 hdg) bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) orig s 4 renum as s 3 pres s 4 (prev s 5) (2), (3) exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) renum as s 4 A2006-26 s 35 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc s 5 orig s 5 renum as s 4 pres s 5 ins A2006-26 s 36 Functions of road transport authority generally div 2.1 hdg sub A2002-30 amdt 3.776 Functions of road transport authority s 6 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3))

Endnotes 4 Amendment history page 36 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Powers of road transport authority s 7 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 7 am A2009-16 amdt 3.5; A2019-12 amdt 3.102 Registrable vehicles based outside ACT not to be registered s 8 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Register does not provide evidence of title s 9 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Keeping of register s 10 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Security and disclosure of information in register s 11 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 11 sub A2002-49 amdt 3.234 am A2014-49 amdt 1.45; A2016-55 amdt 4.25 Ownership of devices, plates and documents s 12 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) General regulation-making power s 13 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 13 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3807 Regulations to establish registration system s 14 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 14 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3808; A2002-49 amdt 3.235; A2018-42 amdt 3.102 Regulations to establish system for vehicle standards and inspections s 15 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 15 am A2001-27 amdts 3.61-3.63; A2001-44 amdt 1.3809; A2002-49 amdt 3.235; A2022-5 s 35, s 36 Regulations may apply certain documents s 16 sub A2002-30 amdt 3.777 am A2002-51 amdt 1.45 sub A2005-20 amdt 3.388; A2022-5 s 37 Regulations may exclude vehicles and people from Act s 17 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Enforcement—approved premises div 2.3 hdg ins A2006-26 s 37 Purpose of powers under div 2.3 s 17A ins A2006-26 s 37 Power to inspect approved premises, records and equipment s 17B ins A2006-26 s 37

Endnotes Amendment history 4 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 37 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Prohibition on using unregistered registrable vehicles or vehicles with suspended registration s 18 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 18 am A2019-21 s 107 Obtaining registration or unregistered vehicle permits by false statements etc s 19 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Forgery of devices etc s 20 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Obligations of registered operator s 21 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 21 am A2001-27 amdt 3.64, amdt 3.65 Offences about numberplates etc s 22 hdg sub A2018-42 amdt 3.103 s 22 am A2013-20 amdt 1.4; A2018-42 amdts 3.104-3.107 Offences relating to identification numbers of motor vehicles and trailers s 23 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Meaning of defective vehicle and dangerously defective vehicle s 24 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Identifying defective vehicles s 25 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Using certain defective vehicles s 26 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Identifying dangerously defective vehicles s 27 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Using dangerously defective vehicles s 28 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) Registered operators s 29 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 29 am A2001-27 amdt 3.66; A2002-49 amdt 3.235 Seizure of numberplates, registration labels etc s 30 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 30 sub A2011-14 s 22 am A2013-20 amdt 1.5; A2018-42 amdt 3.108 Vehicles with unregistered vehicle permits taken to be registered s 31 hdg bracketed note exp 17 September 2002 (s 5 (3)) s 31 sub A2009-16 amdt 3.6 am A2019-12 amdt 3.103

Endnotes 4 Amendment history page 38 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au References to Motor Traffic Act etc s 32 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3810, amdt 1.3811 Transitional pt 6 hdg exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Definitions for pt 6 s 33 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Existing registrations s 34 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Existing temporary licences s 35 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Owner taken to be registered operator s 36 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Existing trader’s plates s 37 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Existing registration records s 38 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Existing defect notices s 39 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Transitional regulations s 40 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Modification of Part’s operation s 41 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Expiry of Part s 42 am A2001-27 amdt 3.67 exp 1 June 2001 (s 42) Dictionary dict am A2002-30 amdt 3.778; A2006-26 s 38; A2010-18 amdt 3.105; A2013-19 amdt 3.444; A2017-21 s 86; A2019-21 s 110; A2022-5 s 38 def another jurisdiction om A2010-18 amdt 3.106 def approved premises ins A2006-26 s 39 def Australian Transport Council sub A2005-20 amdt 3.389 om A2010-18 amdt 3.106 def authorised person sub A2002-30 amdt 3.779 def authority om A2010-18 amdt 3.107 def driver om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def exercise om A2002-30 amdt 3.780 def function om A2002-30 amdt 3.780 def garage address am A2005-20 amdt 3.390 sub A2009-49 amdt 3.158

Endnotes Amendment history 4 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 39 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au def GCM ins A2009-49 amdt 3.159 def GCM (or gross combination mass) om A2009-49 amdt 3.160 def gross combination mass (or GCM) ins A2009-49 amdt 3.160 sub A2019-21 s 108 def gross vehicle mass (or GVM) ins A2009-49 amdt 3.162 sub A2019-21 s 108 def GVM ins A2009-49 amdt 3.161 def GVM (or gross vehicle mass) om A2009-49 amdt 3.162 def heavy vehicle sub A2017-21 s 87 def home address om A2009-49 amdt 3.163 def identification plate ins A2019-21 s 109 sub A2022-5 s 39 def jurisdiction om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def motor vehicle om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def National Road Transport Commission om A2005-20 amdt 3.391 def National Transport Commission ins A2005-20 amdt 3.391 om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def RAV ins A2019-21 s 109 def registered am A2001-27 amdt 3.68 def registered operator am A2001-27 amdt 3.69; A2005-20 amdt 3.392 def registrable vehicle am A2017-21 s 88 def ride om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def road am A2002-30 amdt 3.781 om A2019-21 s 111 def road related area am A2002-30 amdt 3.781 om A2019-21 s 111 def road transport authority om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def road transport legislation om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def the regulations om A2001-44 amdt 1.3812 def this Act (or the Act) om A2001-44 amdt 1.3812 def trailer om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def use om A2010-18 amdt 3.108 def vehicle om A2013-19 amdt 3.445 def vehicle standard sub A2013-52 s 71

Endnotes 5 Earlier republications page 40 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 R26 11/05/22 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 5 Earlier republications Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order. Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk () in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical. Republication No and date Effective Last amendment made by Republication for R1 (RI) 26 June 2003 1 Mar 2000– 23 May 2001 not amended new Act reissue of printed version R2 12 Sept 2001 12 Sept 2001– 30 Nov 2001 A2001-44 amendments by A2001-27 and A2001-44 R3 3 Dec 2001 1 Dec 2001– 16 Sept 2002 A2001-62 amendments by A2001-62 R4 10 Oct 2002 17 Sept 2002– 31 Dec 2002 A2002-30 amendments by A2002-30 R5 1 Jan 2003 1 Jan 2003– 16 Jan 2003 A2002-51 amendments by A2002-51 R6 17 Jan 2003 17 Jan 2003– 1 June 2005 A2001-51 amendments by A2002-49 R7 2 June 2005 2 June 2005– 1 July 2006 A2005-20 amendments by A2005-20 R8 2 July 2006 2 July 2006– 30 Sept 2008 A2006-26 amendments by A2006-26 R9 1 Oct 2008 1 Oct 2008– 4 July 2009 A2008-39 amendments by A2008-1 as amended by A2008-39 R10 5 July 2009 5 July 2009– 16 Dec 2009 A2009-16 amendments by A2009-16 R11 17 Dec 2009 17 Dec 2009– 2 Mar 2010 A2009-49 amendments by A2009-49

Endnotes Earlier republications 5 R26 11/05/22 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 Effective: 11/05/22 page 41 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Republication No and date Effective Last amendment made by Republication for R12 3 Mar 2010 3 Mar 2010– 2 June 2010 A2009-49 amendments by A2009-22 R13 3 June 2010 3 June 2010– 2 June 2011 A2010-18 amendments by A2010-18 R14* 3 June 2011 3 June 2011– 13 June 2013 A2011-14 amendments by A2011-14 R15 14 June 2013 14 June 2013– 30 June 2013 A2013-19 amendments by A2013-19 R16 1 July 2013 1 July 2013– 9 Feb 2014 A2013-20 amendments by A2013-20 R17 10 Feb 2014 10 Feb 2014– 16 Nov 2014 A2013-52 amendments by A2013-52 R18 17 Nov 2014 17 Nov 2014– 14 Aug 2017 A2014-49 amendments by A2014-49 R19 15 Aug 2017 15 Aug 2017– 31 Dec 2017 A2017-21 amendments by A2017-21 R20 1 Jan 2018 1 Jan 2018– 21 Nov 2018 A2017-21 amendments by A2016-55 as amended by A2017-14 R21 22 Nov 2018 22 Nov 2018– 21 Aug 2019 A2018-42 amendments by A2018-42 R22 22 Aug 2019 22 Aug 2019– 18 Sept 2019 A2019-21 amendments by A2019-21 R23 19 Sept 2019 19 Sept 2019– 31 Jan 2020 A2019-21 amendments by A2019-21 R24 1 Feb 2020 1 Feb 2020– 26 Apr 2022 A2019-21 amendments by A2019-12 R25 27 Apr 2022 27 Apr 2022– 10 May 2022 A2022-5 amendments by A2022-5 © Australian Capital Territory 2022

The Act builds around a set of interlocking statutory concepts that determine who may drive what, how vehicles are authorised for use, and how inspection and enforcement operate. Key statutory concepts are:

Registrable vehicle: defined in the dictionary to include any motor vehicle except a light rail vehicle, any trailer, and any vehicle prescribed by regulation (dictionary, registrable vehicle). This is the central object: vehicles caught by the registration regime are “registrable vehicles” (see s 14 for regulatory scope).
Registration and registered operator: registration is the process governed by the authority’s powers (s 7). A registered operator is the person recorded in the register as such for an ACT vehicle, or the corresponding record in another jurisdiction for an out-of-jurisdiction vehicle (dictionary, registered operator). The road transport authority may record one or more registered operators (s 29).
Registrable vehicles register and register security: the authority must keep the register and may keep it as one or more computer databases or other form (s 10). The authority must keep register information secure and disclose only as the Act or other territory law allows (s 11). Notes point to the Territory privacy principles and access under the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (s 11 notes).
Devices, plates and documents: items issued by the authority to authorise vehicle use remain the property of the Territory (s 12). “Properly issued” items are those issued by the ACT authority or under a corresponding law (s 22(4), s 30(5) definitions and examples).
Unregistered vehicle permit: the authority may issue permits to use unregistered registrable vehicles in specified circumstances (s 7(d)). A valid unregistered vehicle permit causes the vehicle to be taken to be registered for the purposes of this Act and most other registration or licensing laws (s 31(1)), though not for the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 (s 31(2)).
Vehicle standards, defective and dangerously defective vehicles: regulations may prescribe vehicle standards and inspection regimes (s 15). The Act defines a defective vehicle as one that does not comply with a prescribed vehicle standard, and a dangerously defective vehicle as a vehicle in such a condition that driving or towing it is likely to lead to loss of control (s 24). Police or authorised persons may inspect vehicles and issue defect notices, impose conditions or prohibit use (s 25).
Approved premises and authorised examiners: regulations may authorise examiners to inspect and test vehicles and approve premises for inspection and testing (s 15(3)). Division 2.3 gives police officers and authorised persons powers to enter and inspect approved premises, review records, operate equipment, take copies and require assistance; a failure to take reasonable steps to comply with such a requirement carries a maximum penalty and is a strict liability offence in certain circumstances (ss 17A-17B).
Certification of GCM and GVM: the authority can certify gross combination mass and gross vehicle mass where the RAV or manufacturer plate does not give appropriate figures; such certification affects classification of heavy vehicles (s 7(h); dictionary GCM, GVM, heavy vehicle).
Regulation-making and incorporation of external instruments: the Executive can make regulations for this Act and may apply National Transport Commission publications or other instruments as in force from time to time (ss 13, 16). Regulations can also exempt vehicles or persons, or authorise the authority to grant exemptions (s 17).

These concepts distribute legal effects: registration or a permit primarily authorises use on roads or road related areas (s 14(1)), while seizure powers, inspection regimes and offences regulate compliance. The Act deliberately leaves detailed standards, evidentiary certificates, fees, conditions and exemptions to subordinate regulation (ss 13-16, 17). The dictionary and notes explicitly link the Act to other road transport legislation and to Commonwealth instruments such as the RAV and (repealed) Motor Vehicle Standards Act approvals, which affects how standards and identification plates are treated (dictionary entries; notes).

Mechanically, these concepts create a framework in which the road transport authority decides registration status, imposes conditions and certifies technical matters, authorised examiners and approved premises carry out inspection and testing, and police and authorised persons enforce compliance through inspection, defect notices, prohibitions and seizure, with criminal and civil penalties for specified contraventions (ss 6-7, 15, 17A-17B, Pt 3, Pt 4, s 30).

The Act affects a range of participants in the ACT road transport ecosystem. The main categories and the legal consequences for each are:

Vehicle owners and registered operators: Anyone who owns or is recorded as a registered operator must comply with registration obligations. The road transport authority may record multiple registered operators and the regulations may allocate their relative rights and liabilities (s 29). Registered operators must ensure devices, plates and documents issued by the authority are installed or displayed, carry prescribed documents when operating the vehicle, produce devices or documents when required, and keep records prescribed under the regulations (s 21(2)). Failure to comply attracts penalties (s 21).
Drivers and users: Drivers are directly subject to prohibitions on using unregistered or suspended vehicles on roads and road related areas, and to prohibitions on using defective or dangerously defective vehicles (ss 18, 26, 28). Drivers can commit numberplate offences where a vehicle is used with improperly issued, fraudulently altered, or deceptive numberplates (s 22).
Road transport authority and administrative officers: The authority decides whether to register, renew, transfer, suspend, cancel or impose conditions on registrations, and administers the register and inspection systems (ss 6-7, 10, 15). It collects fees and certifies GCM/GVM (s 7(g), (h)). The authority also keeps and deals with seized items (s 30(4)).
Police officers and authorised persons: The Act gives police officers and authorised persons powers to inspect vehicles, seize numberplates and documents, inspect approved premises, require production of records, and test equipment (ss 17A-17B, 25, 30). For approved premises, failure to comply with reasonable steps is a strict liability offence (s 17B(5)-(6)).
Traders and motor trades: Trader’s plates are specifically contemplated. Regulations can govern trader’s plates, including forms, issue, and record keeping, and empower police or authorised people to question drivers or persons in charge about the use of trader’s plates (s 14(2)(f)-(i), (g), (h), (i)). Traders who use trader’s plates must maintain records and answer authorised enquiries.
Approved premises operators and authorised examiners: Businesses that operate inspection and testing premises must meet approval conditions and permit inspection and equipment testing (s 15(3)(b), (c), (d); ss 17A-17B). The Act authorises certification by authorised examiners and sets out duties and possible review of examiner decisions (s 15(3)(a), (g)).
Vehicle buyers and sellers: Regulations may require buyers to provide information or documents about vehicle compliance with standards (s 15(2)(a)). Sellers and buyers must take account of laboratory and inspection certificates when transferring ownership or certifying compliance with vehicle standards.
Interstate vehicle operators and other jurisdictions: The authority may only register a vehicle whose garage address is in the ACT (s 8). The Act includes provisions recognising things done under corresponding laws and registrations from other jurisdictions (s 14(2)(e)). The definition of registered operator includes those recorded in other jurisdictions’ registers for vehicles not registered in the ACT (dictionary).
Insurers and personal injury schemes: The Act treats vehicles with unregistered vehicle permits as registered for most registration and licensing laws, but gives an express carve-out: the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 is not covered by the deeming (s 31(2)). The note to s 7(d) also draws attention that UVP liability contributions are required under the Motor Accident Injuries Act when UVPs are issued.
The public and landowners: The Act’s parking exceptions permit a registrable vehicle to be left parked for up to 15 days after registration expiry without contravention, unless the responsible person of the road or area permits otherwise (s 18(3)). Responsible persons for roads or areas may therefore be relevant decisionmakers in practice.

Who pays: statutory fees and charges are to be determined under the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 and set by regulation (s 7(g); s 14(2)(d); s 15(3)(i)). Persons applying for permits must, in addition to any permit fee, pay the unregistered vehicle permit liability contribution required by the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 (note to s 7(d)). Registered operators bear record-keeping and compliance costs (s 21).

Who decides: the road transport authority is the central decisionmaker on registration, certification, imposition of conditions, suspension, cancellation and approvals (ss 6-7, 15). The regulations give the Executive and the authority further discretion to exempt vehicles or people and to shape inspection and standards regimes (ss 13, 17). Police and authorised persons exercise enforcement decisions and operational inspections (ss 17A-17B, 25).

Practical behavioural effects: owners must maintain registration and display properly issued devices, plates and documents, traders must keep and make available records when using trader’s plates, approved premises must keep and produce inspection records and permit equipment testing, drivers must not operate unregistered or defective vehicles and must comply with inspection requests (ss 7, 14, 17B, 21, 25, 27).

The Act allocates explicit duties and confers certain rights. The most significant are:

Duties

Road transport authority duties: to administer the registration system, keep the register and provide information about registrable vehicles and registered operators, administer vehicle standards and inspection systems, and exercise other Act-given functions (s 6). The authority must ensure the register is kept securely and disclose only in accordance with the Act or other laws (s 11).
Registered operator duties: ensure devices, plates and documents issued by the authority are installed or displayed on the vehicle and that drivers carry prescribed documents while operating the vehicle; produce devices, plates or prescribed documents when required by authority, police or authorised person; keep records required by regulations; and comply with directions and conditions imposed by the authority (s 21(2)-(3)). Penalties apply for breaches (s 21).
Driver duties: do not use or permit use of an unregistered registrable vehicle or a vehicle with suspended registration on a road or road related area, subject to specified exceptions (s 18); do not use defective or dangerously defective vehicles in contravention of notices or prohibitions (ss 26, 28); comply with inspection or testing requests and signals from police or authorised persons (s 27); and avoid using vehicles with improper or deceptive numberplates (s 22).
Approved premises and authorised examiners: comply with regulations governing approvals and duties; make records available for inspection and testing; allow police or authorised persons to inspect premises and test equipment; and assist lawful inspection (ss 15(3), 17B).
Persons given a requirement under s 17B: take all reasonable steps to comply with a police officer’s or authorised person’s requirement to produce records or assist inspection; failure is a 20 penalty unit offence and in some instances strict liability (s 17B(3)-(6)).

Rights and administrative safeguards

Authority discretion with statutory constraints: the authority has broad powers to register, refuse, renew, cancel, impose conditions and issue permits (s 7). However, its operation is subject to regulation, administrative law and other territory laws. Regulations may provide for review of authorised examiner decisions (s 15(3)(g)). The administrative framework in the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 is also cross-referred (s 1 note; s 6 notes).
Evidentiary certificates for inspection/testing and approvals: regulations may provide for certificates of inspections, tests, authorisations and approvals and prescribe their evidentiary effect (s 15(3)(e)-(f)). These certificates can streamline proof of compliance, subject to provisions in regulations.
Right to possess certain documents while operating the vehicle: registered operators and drivers must carry documents prescribed by regulations and are entitled to produce them to an officer on request rather than be criminalised for not having them at all times if permitted under regulations (s 21(2)(b)-(c)).
Seizure safeguards and disposal: seized items must be retained if likely required as evidence or be given to the road transport authority as soon as practicable. The road transport authority may deal with seized things as it considers appropriate (s 30(3)-(4)). For records taken temporarily from approved premises, the inspector may keep them for not longer than 7 days (s 17B(3)(b)).

Operational rights and obligations that regulate trading and inspection

Trader’s plates: the authority may license special numberplates for trade use and require records and answerability by drivers and persons in charge of vehicles using such plates (s 14(2)(f)-(i)). Regulations may require record keeping about trader’s plates and empower police or authorised persons to require a driver or person in charge to answer questions about the use of the plates.
Regulation-made exemptions: regulations may exempt vehicles or persons from the Act or permit the authority to grant conditional exemptions (s 17(1)-(3)). These exemptions are regulatory rights that can substantially alter obligations for specified classes of vehicles or persons.

Penalty frameworks and strict liability designations

Various statutory offences carry monetary penalties and, in some cases, imprisonment (ss 18-23; s 20 maximum 50 penalty units and 6 months imprisonment). Section 17B identifies certain inspection-assistance offences as strict liability (s 17B(6)).

Interplay with other statutory rights and duties

The register is explicitly not evidence of title (s 9), so rights as registered operator are functionally administrative and do not themselves confer ownership title. Cross-references to the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 and other road transport legislation imply duties and procedural safeguards beyond this Act. The dictionary and notes identify interaction with Commonwealth instruments, the RAV, and the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 (dictionary; s 31 note; s 7(d) note).

The Act sets a mix of criminal and regulatory enforcement tools, penalty levels and procedural powers for police, authorised persons and the road transport authority. Key enforcement mechanics and penalty consequences are:

Penalty units and maximum sanctions

Penalty unit values at the republication date are specified in the front matter: $160 per penalty unit for an individual and $810 per penalty unit for a corporation (Preamble). The Act’s provisions reference penalty units without dollar conversion. The Act provides maximum penalties for offences throughout: for example, using unregistered or suspended vehicles carries a maximum of 20 penalty units (s 18); obtaining registration by false statements is 20 penalty units (s 19); forgery of devices, plates or documents carries up to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both (s 20); obligations of registered operators carry fines up to 5 penalty units for certain breaches and 50 penalty units for failure to comply with directions or conditions (s 21); strict liability for certain inspection cooperation offences (s 17B(6)).

Seizure and retention powers

Police and authorised persons may seize numberplates, registration labels or other documents attached to or located in a registrable vehicle where registration has expired more than 15 days, is cancelled, or the document is not properly issued, is issued for another vehicle, has been fraudulently changed or changed to deceive, or where the thing resembles such a document and is calculated to deceive (s 30(1)). They may enter a vehicle to seize such items (s 30(2)). Seized items likely needed as evidence must be retained for use; others must be given to the road transport authority as soon as practicable (s 30(3)). The authority may deal with things it receives as it considers appropriate (s 30(4)). After inspecting a registrable vehicle, a police officer or authorised person may seize any device, plate or document they suspect on reasonable grounds has been or is being used to commit an offence under the Act (s 25(6)).

Inspection, testing and approved premises enforcement powers

Division 2.3 empowers police officers and authorised persons to enter approved premises at reasonable times, inspect premises, inspect records related to inspections and tests, inspect or test equipment used or proposed for use in inspection and testing, require production of records and make copies or extracts, and take possession of records for not longer than 7 days (ss 17A-17B(1)-(3)). Inspectors may operate equipment and require persons in charge to provide information or assistance (s 17B(4)). A person must take all reasonable steps to comply with a requirement to assist inspectors (s 17B(5)). Failure to comply carries a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units; the offence is strict liability (ss 17B(5)-(6)). An authorised person who does not produce an identity card upon request is not authorised to remain on the premises (s 17B(7)).

Offence structure and evidentiary devices

The Act criminalises dishonest procurement of registration or permits by false statements or misrepresentations and declares any device, plate or document obtained that way void with power for the authority to correct the register accordingly (s 19(1)-(2)). Forgery and fraudulent use or possession of devices, plates or documents are criminalised (s 20). Offences relating to numberplates include using improperly issued plates, fraudulently changed plates or anything resembling a plate calculated to deceive; registered operators can also be liable if they failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the contravention (s 22).
Regulations can establish certificates about inspection and testing, authorisation of examiners and approval of premises and can prescribe the evidentiary effect of those certificates (s 15(3)(e)-(f)). These regulatory certificates will likely be important in enforcement and prosecution.

Strict and objective liability designations

The Act specifies at least one strict liability offence: failure to comply with a reasonable-step requirement under s 17B is a strict liability offence (s 17B(6)). Other offences are expressed as general offences or carry criminal penalties and may be subject to general Criminal Code principles where the Code is expressly applied (see s 5 note on application of Criminal Code ch 2 to s 17B(5) specifically).

Administrative enforcement and discretion

The authority has broad administrative enforcement levers: impose conditions on registrations or permits, suspend or cancel registrations, impose record-keeping requirements, and remedy register errors (s 7(e), (f), s 10(3)). Regulations may provide for review of decisions of authorised examiners (s 15(3)(g)), which creates an administrative review channel. The Act does not itself provide detailed procedural appeal mechanisms for all authority decisions; many procedural mechanisms are left to regulation or to general administrative law.

Interaction with other enforcement regimes

A vehicle with a valid unregistered vehicle permit is taken to be registered for this Act and for most other registration or licensing laws, but the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 is excluded from that deeming (s 31(1)-(2)). This exclusion has enforcement and financial consequences, since a UVP requires payment of the UVP liability contribution under the Motor Accident Injuries Act (note to s 7(d)). The dictionary and s 1 notes make the Act part of a broader set of road transport legislation, so enforcement often interfaces with other regimes such as heavy vehicle laws and driver licensing.

The Act is explicitly drafted to operate within a system of territory and national road transport laws and incorporates cross-references to multiple instruments. Important interactions are:

Road transport legislation suite

The Act is part of the road transport legislation for the ACT. Section 1 draws attention to other linked Acts including the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1999, the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999, the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 and the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019. The Road Transport (General) Act 1999 contains definitions and administrative provisions that apply across the suite and authorises appointment of authorised persons (s 1 notes; dictionary).

Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019

The Act specifically references the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 in the context of unregistered vehicle permits. The note to s 7(d) requires that, in addition to any fee for an unregistered vehicle permit, the applicant must pay the UVP liability contribution under the Motor Accident Injuries Act for the period of the permit. Further, s 31(2) expressly states the deeming that a vehicle with a UVP in force is taken to be registered does not apply to the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019. This carves out third-party injury insurance and claim application from the registration deeming and establishes a direct regulatory interaction between permit issuance and compensation scheme liability.

Heavy Vehicle National Law and other Commonwealth frameworks

The dictionary excludes heavy vehicle standards within the meaning of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (ACT) from the definition of vehicle standard (dictionary, vehicle standard), so heavy vehicle regulatory standards are governed principally by the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The Act’s definitions of GVM and GCM reference the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cwlth) and manufacturer identification plates, and permit the authority to certify a figure where necessary (dictionary GCM, GVM). This is an express interaction with Commonwealth vehicle standards and certification frameworks, and the Act imports RAV references (dictionary; s 15(2)(b)-(c) referencing identification of parts).

Incorporation of external instruments

Section 16 permits regulations to apply a publication of the National Transport Commission or any other instrument as in force from time to time. This allows technical standards and inspection protocols to be updated by reference without primary amendment. The note to s 16 highlights the notifiable instrument regime considerations for the text of those applied instruments.

Freedom of Information and Privacy

Section 11 requires the authority to keep register information secure and disclose only in accordance with this Act or another law. The note to s 11 references that the Territory privacy principles apply under the Information Privacy Act 2014 and that access to the register may be sought under the Freedom of Information Act 2016. These laws provide statutory constraints on information disclosure from the register.

Criminal Code

The Act expressly applies the Criminal Code, ch 2, to the offence under s 17B(5) regarding the power to inspect approved premises, records and equipment (s 5 note). The Criminal Code provides general principles of criminal responsibility including offences, burdens of proof and defences which may apply where specified.

Corresponding laws and interstate recognition

Regulations may make provision for recognition of anything done under a corresponding law (s 14(2)(e)). The dictionary defines corresponding law as a law of another jurisdiction under which devices, plates and documents relating to vehicle registration are issued. The authority may only register vehicles whose garage address is in the ACT (s 8), but the Act contemplates cross-jurisdictional recognition and corresponding documents in the regulatory schema.

Repealed and transitional Commonwealth instruments

The dictionary contains an entry for identification plate that references the repealed Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth) and transitional provisions arising from the Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 (Cwlth). The Act preserves the legal effect of identification plates approved under the repealed Commonwealth regime to specified transitional dates (dictionary, identification plate notes).

Administrative law and review

The Act leaves many operational decisions to the authority and to regulations but provides for regulatory review mechanisms for decisions of authorised examiners (s 15(3)(g)). Otherwise administrative law remedies and judicial review under territory administrative law regimes will apply to the authority’s decisions where relevant.

Practical interaction consequences

The Act’s cross-references mean that compliance often requires attention to both ACT regulations and several national instruments or Commonwealth regimes, for example RAV listings, heavy vehicle standards, applied National Transport Commission publications, and the Motor Accident Injuries Act’s UVP liability contributions. The authority’s certification powers for GVM/GCM bridge Commonwealth manufacturer information and ACT registration classification (s 7(h); dictionary).

The republished Act includes a detailed legislative history in the endnotes. Key mechanical amendments and their themes up to 11 May 2022 are:

Enactment and commencement: The Act was originally notified on 23 December 1999. Parts commenced on varying dates; the remainder commenced 1 March 2000 (Legislation history).
Early and ongoing integration with broader road transport reforms: The Act has been amended repeatedly to integrate with the ACT’s evolving road transport legislative suite and with national reforms. Amendments include the Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2001, consequential amendments in 2001, and numerous Statute Law Amendment Acts (2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2018).
Insertion of enforcement and approvals architecture: The Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act was expanded to include the approved premises and authorised examiner enforcement framework by the Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (A2006-26) which inserted Division 2.3 (ss 17A-17B) and the concept of approved premises (amendment history lines identifying A2006-26).
National alignment and heavy vehicle rules: Amendments tie the Act to national schemes and the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The Heavy Vehicle National Law consequential amendments (A2013-52) and later amendments defined heavy vehicle terms and adjusted the interplay with heavy vehicle standards (amendment history).
Vehicle standards and identification updates: The dictionary and operative provisions were amended over time to reflect changes to Commonwealth vehicle standard frameworks, including the introduction of the Register of Approved Vehicles and transitional arrangements following repeal of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. The dictionary entries for GVM, GCM and identification plate have been inserted or revised (amendment history entries; A2009-49; A2019-21; A2022-5).
Modernisation of recordkeeping and privacy interaction: Amendments to s 11 concerned security and disclosure of register information and cross-referenced the Freedom of Information Act 2016 and the Information Privacy Act 2014 (A2014-49; A2016-55).
Recent amendments in 2019 and 2022: The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 introduced cross-referenced UVP liability contribution requirements for unregistered vehicle permits with consequential amendments (A2019-12). The Road Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2019 and A2022-5 made further amendments, including changes to definitions and certification provisions; the endnotes identify A2022-5 amendments commencing in April and May 2022 (Legislation history).

The amendment history in the endnotes itemises amendments by statute and date, including many amendments that modernised definitions, adjusted regulatory powers, inserted enforcement mechanisms and aligned the ACT scheme with national instruments. The Act’s reliance on subordinate instruments and regulatory detail has been a persistent design feature, with regulations and applied instruments being used to update technical content and procedural mechanisms without primary amendment.

For practitioners, the amendment history underlines that the Act’s operational detail is dynamic and frequently updated by subordinate instruments and consequential amendments, so compliance and advisory work requires checking both the Act as amended and the current regulations, applied instruments and relevant national registers such as the RAV.

This republication of the Act does not record any judicial decisions or litigation in the body of the instrument. The endnotes provide detailed legislative and amendment histories but do not list case law or court interpretation of provisions. The Act does specifically record the application of the Criminal Code chapter 2 to an offence in s 17B(5) (see s 5 note), which identifies that general criminal responsibility principles in the Criminal Code apply to the specified inspection-related offence. Beyond that statutory cross-reference, the republication contains no case listings, no annotated judicial interpretations and no decision summaries.

Implications for legal research and practice

No cases are named in this republication: because the source material itself does not list litigation, this deep dive cannot cite judicial interpretation or appeal decisions. Practitioners must therefore consult legal databases, tribunal records and court reporting services to ascertain whether particular Act provisions have been subject to litigation or judicial review since commencement and through the latest amendments.
Administrative law review likely relevant: Many of the Act’s operational powers (registration decisions, imposition of conditions, approvals and suspensions, certification of GVM/GCM) are administrative acts susceptible to judicial review on conventional administrative law grounds. Absent specific case law in the republication, advice must treat those powers as potentially contestable in court on grounds such as procedural fairness, jurisdictional error or irrationality.
Enforcement and evidentiary patterns uncertain without case law: The Act provides for regulatory certificates and for evidentiary effects to be prescribed by regulation (s 15(3)(e)-(f)). The practical weight and judicial reception of such certificates will be informed by case law not present in the republication. Similarly, the interpretation of “dangerously defective” in s 24(2) and the tests for “reasonable steps” in s 17B(5) are likely to be litigated in practice; check reported decisions for guidance.
Compatibility and constitutional issues not canvassed: The Act interacts with Commonwealth instruments and the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Any constitutional or intergovernmental disputes or litigation arising from those interactions would be recorded in case law, not in this republication.

Recommendation for practitioners

Consult consolidated case law databases, tribunal reports and legal research services for any decisions that interpret registration, inspection, seizure, certification or defect notice provisions in this Act. Where litigation has occurred, it will provide authoritative guidance on strict liability designations, evidentiary effects of certificates provided under the regulations, what constitutes reasonable assistance under s 17B and how the deeming in s 31 interacts with third-party injury schemes.

The Act contains a number of features that can produce unexpected legal consequences in practice. These features are statutory; this section lays out the concrete mechanics and their immediate implications:

Register is not title evidence (s 9)
- The registrable vehicles register does not provide evidence of title. Registration is an administrative authorisation, not proof of ownership. Transactions that rely on registration as title evidence must take additional steps (contractual warranties, verification of chain of title). Practitioners should not assume registration equates to legal ownership.
Territory retains ownership of devices, plates and documents (s 12)
- Numberplates and registration documents remain Territory property. This means removal, unauthorised use or retention by private parties can trigger property-based enforcement and offences under s 22 and s 30. If a purchaser expects to take physical possession of a plate as an asset, the statutory ownership is a limiting factor.
Garage address requirement for ACT registration (s 8)
- The authority may only register a vehicle if its garage address is in the ACT. Owners who primarily operate out-of-jurisdiction vehicles cannot obtain ACT registration unless the garage address requirement is satisfied. This has practical implications for businesses that operate across borders.
Unregistered vehicle permits are taken to be registration in most contexts but not for Motor Accident Injuries Act (s 31)
- A UVP causes the vehicle to be “taken to be” registered for this Act and most other registration and licensing laws (s 31(1)), but not for the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 (s 31(2)). UVP applicants also must pay the UVP liability contribution under the Motor Accident Injuries Act (note to s 7(d)). This bifurcation means that a UVP does not confer coverage under the MAI scheme; parties should check insurance and liability arrangements separately.
Regulatory detail and external instruments can change compliance requirements without primary amendment (s 16)
- Regulations may apply National Transport Commission publications or other instruments as in force from time to time. Because regulatory instruments and applied publications can be updated, technical standards and inspection requirements can change without amending the Act. Compliance regimes therefore require continuous monitoring of both regulations and applied instruments.
Strict liability and narrow time windows for inspections (s 17B)
- Failure to take all reasonable steps to comply with a requirement under s 17B is a strict liability offence with a 20 penalty unit maximum. Where approved premises are subject to inspection, operators must ensure access, records and equipment are available; temporary seizure of records for up to 7 days may occur (s 17B(3)(b)). Operational disruption risk for small businesses operating approved premises is real.
Certificates and evidentiary effect left to regulations (s 15(3)(e)-(f))
- Regulations may determine the evidentiary effect of inspection or authorisation certificates. Until those regulations are consulted, the strength of certificate evidence is indeterminate. Practitioners should obtain the current regulations and any prescribed evidentiary rules before relying on certificates.
Deceptive or improperly issued numberplates carry multiple routes to liability and seizure (s 22, s 30)
- Use of a numberplate not properly issued, or one that has been fraudulently changed or is calculated to deceive, is an offence (s 22). Police may seize numberplates or documents suspected to be improperly issued or deceptive (s 30). Private parties should check provenance and proper issue of plates when acquiring vehicles.
“Dangerously defective” is a low-threshold statutory standard for prohibition (s 24(2), s 28)
- A vehicle is dangerously defective if its condition makes loss of control likely while driving or towing. Police or authorised persons can stop, inspect and test vehicles (s 27) and ban their use (s 25(4), s 28). Commercial operators must have robust maintenance and inspection regimes to avoid sudden prohibitions while on the road.
Register corrections and authority discretion (s 10(3), s 7)
- The authority can correct mistakes in the register and has broad discretion to refuse or transfer registration, impose conditions, and cancel or suspend registrations (s 10(3), s 7). Parties involved in transfers or disputes over registration should expect administrative determinations and should prepare evidence to support applications and to contest adverse decisions.
Multiple registered operators and allocation of liability (s 29)
- The authority may record more than one registered operator for a vehicle. By default, references to “the registered operator” include each operator unless regulations provide otherwise (s 29(2)). Regulations may allocate rights and liabilities among multiple operators (s 29(3)). Contracts and vehicle sharing arrangements must consider statutory default consequences.
Transitional and historical Commonwealth approvals remain relevant for some identification plates (dictionary)
- Identification plates approved under the repealed Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 have transitional continuance until specified dates. Vehicle identity or compliance issues tied to historical approvals require attention to transitional rules in the dictionary notes. Practitioners should confirm the continuing legal status of particular compliance plates.

Compliance with the Act requires attention to primary statutory duties, the regulations that operationalise the Act, and connected territory and Commonwealth instruments. Concrete compliance steps:

Registration and garage address
- Ensure each registrable vehicle to be registered in the ACT has a garage address in the ACT and provide accurate information to the road transport authority. The authority may refuse registration where the garage address is not in the ACT (s 8; s 7(a)-(c)).
Devices, plates and documents
- Fit and display numberplates, registration certificates and other devices exactly as required by regulations and keep them secure. Remember that these devices remain Territory property (s 12) and that improper issuance or fraudulent alteration is an offence (ss 20, 22). If a plate is lost or stolen, report promptly and follow the authority’s replacement procedures.
Carry and produce prescribed documents
- Registered operators must ensure that drivers carry documents prescribed under the regulations while operating the vehicle and must produce devices, plates or prescribed documents when required by the authority, a police officer or an authorised person (s 21(2)(b)-(c)). Establish operational checks to ensure drivers have the required documents.
Record-keeping for traders and multiple operators
- If using trader’s plates, comply with record-keeping and disclosure requirements set out in the regulations (s 14(2)(g)-(i)). For vehicles with multiple registered operators, understand and record the allocation of rights and liabilities that the regulations may impose (s 29(2)-(3)).
Vehicle standards, inspection and maintenance
- For vehicles subject to standards, maintain them so they comply with the vehicle standards prescribed in regulations. Implement scheduled maintenance and defects reporting so vehicles do not become defective or dangerously defective (s 24). If a defect notice is issued, follow the regulatory process for withdrawal or clearance (s 25(4)-(5)).
Approved premises and authorised examiners
- If operating an approved premises or acting as an authorised examiner, ensure premises and equipment meet approval conditions, retain and provide records of inspections and tests, co-operate with police and authorised person inspections and enable equipment testing. Ensure staff can produce identification cards and records and that premises meet security and privacy obligations (s 15(3); ss 17A-17B).
Responding to inspections and cooperation obligations
- When a police officer or authorised person requests assistance, produce the requested records and provide reasonable assistance; failure to do so can be a strict liability offence in some circumstances (s 17B(3)-(6)). Train staff on how to respond to lawful requests and maintain an audit trail of records provided.
Handling of seized items
- If numberplates or documents are seized, cooperate with police and provide required evidence. Seized items likely to be used as evidence will be retained; other items will be given to the authority, which may deal with them as it considers appropriate (s 30(3)-(4)). Keep copies where legally permitted and seek legal advice if items are essential to business operations.
Permits and UVP obligations
- Where using or applying for an unregistered vehicle permit, ensure application fees and any UVP liability contributions under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 are paid for the period of the permit (note to s 7(d)). Remember that the UVP does not make the vehicle registered for purposes of the Motor Accident Injuries Act (s 31).
Monitor regulations and applied instruments
- The Act places much detail in regulations and allows application of external publications. Regularly review the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation, related notices and any National Transport Commission publications applied by regulation (ss 13-16). Changes to applied instruments may change technical compliance requirements without amending the Act.
Insurance and third-party risk
- Since the UVP deeming excludes the Motor Accident Injuries Act, ensure insurance arrangements and third-party coverage are separately confirmed. Consult the Motor Accident Injuries Act to determine whether additional payments or cover are required.
Administer internal compliance controls
- Maintain a register of all vehicles, evidence of garage addresses, copies of registration certificates, maintenance logs, inspection certificates and trader’s plate records. Conduct periodic audits to ensure devices, plates and documents are properly issued, genuine and current, and that GVM/GCM certifications correspond to manufacturer plates or authority certifications where required (s 7(h); dictionary).
Seek regulatory and legal confirmation where ambiguous
- For borderline classification issues such as whether a vehicle is a heavy vehicle, what counts as a prescribed part for identification numbering offences, or the evidentiary weight of inspection certificates, obtain the relevant regulations and, where appropriate, legal advice.
Administrative review and appeal preparedness
- When the authority imposes conditions, suspends or cancels registration, identify applicable regulatory review mechanisms such as review of authorised examiner decisions (s 15(3)(g)) and general administrative law remedies. Preserve evidence and be ready to meet procedural requirements for review.

Practical checklists and risk controls

For fleet operators: map each vehicle to its garage address, ensure registration renewal processes are automated, maintain service logs keyed to statutory inspection standards and train drivers to produce prescribed documents.
For motor traders: ensure trader’s plate records are accurate, respond to authorised person queries promptly, and retain proof of transactions that demonstrate legitimate short-term movements.
For approved premises operators: implement secure record systems, staff training on inspector engagement, and maintenance schedules for test equipment.

In all instances, consult the current Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation and any applied instruments cited by regulation. The Act’s design delegates many technical requirements to subordinate instruments; compliance requires keeping those instruments under continual review and aligning business processes to their specifications.

Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999

Source text: opening excerpt

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply