So, you’ve got yourself a beloved classic that’s over 30 years old, but it spends most of the time in car storage, doing very limited kilometres year-to-year. Paying full registration certainly does hurt the hip pocket these days – particularly if you are in the 8 cylinder world. If the use of your car is primarily limited to travelling to and from car club events, why not consider converting to club registration under the Special Interest Vehicle (SIV) concession scheme?

Special interest vehicle concession scheme

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Queensland has a Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme and defines club registration as:

“A concession (or restricted registration) is available if you are registering a classic or vintage car, a street rod or a historic vehicle. This concession is based on the vehicle having a very strict and limited road use which is reflected in the reduced fees and compulsory third party insurance premium.”

The TMR guide sets out the requirements for registering vehicles under the scheme and explains the conditions and restrictions under which the scheme operates. Registered operators of our special interest vehicles should be familiar with the conditions of use as outlined within this guide and ensure that anyone driving the vehicle is also familiar with these conditions. 

Eligibility

The ruling applies to ‘Historic Vehicles’ – vehicles that are at least 30 years old.

How to apply?

Complete the registration concession application (F3937) and take it to your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services—please call to confirm before visiting. You will also need to bring standard evidence of identity and proof of eligibility – refer below for proof of eligibility requirements.

The special interest vehicle concession can be applied to multiple eligible vehicles—there is no limit. Just complete a registration concession application (F3937) for each eligible vehicle.

What do I need to apply?

• A completed registration concession application form F3937 

Registration Concession Application 

• Pensioners, Seniors and Prescribed Service Persons
• Special Interest Vehicles

• Proof of Club Membership Letter – 

You are required to provide evidence of current membership with an incorporated vehicle club (FGTOCQ) or association to be eligible for this concession. This membership should be maintained while the vehicle is registered under the scheme. The FGTOCQ club can provide evidence of your current membership, which will:

• be on club letterhead
• include details of your vehicle (make, model, year and chassis number)
• be signed by a club official

Arrangement of the proof of Club Membership Letter will take time.  Committee meetings are held monthly. 

Club membership for organisations must be in the name of the person responsible for the organisation (for example the proprietor/business holder or director). 

Can’t find your VIN number? Click here for help

If for whatever reason TMR cannot verify the date of manufacture, you will need a dating certificate – click here to find out more.

What does it cost?

Speaking from personal experience with putting a Falcon GTHO on club registration, 12 months cost us a total of $504.20, instead the $1151.70 we would’ve paid with full 8 cylinder registration. (Figures current as at April 2021). 

That’s a total saving of $647.50 in annual registration costs! 

Calculate your savings from getting a quote for registration from the TMR calculator.

What are the usage restrictions?

You and anyone driving your special interest vehicle must only use the vehicle for:

• Participating in rallies or events organised by the FGTOCQ, including impromptu events

Note: 

• A rally is a social event where a parade of special interest vehicles travel together for competition or to meet at an agreed location.

• An impromptu event is an event that has been initiated by a club member, involves one or more vehicles, and must comply with the following elements:

involves an invitation to wider club members to attend the event; and

is either

endorsed in advance of the event by the FGTOCQ committee; 

or,

where it exists, complies with published club guidelines as to what is a valid event; and is listed in the FGTOCQ newsletter or on the club’s website or social media FaceBook page (or in another manner approved by the FGTOCQ, such as the club calendar of events) prior to the event. 

The FGTOCQ maintains a register of impromptu runs. This register contains information on the impromptu run. Members complete the online form prior to the run to give notice to other members and details are shown on a read only spreadsheet. An email is also sent directly to a committee member.

• Participating in processions for which a Special Events Permit has been issued under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.
• Exhibiting the vehicle in displays, fetes or similar functions conducted for religious, charitable or educational purposes.
• Ceremonial purposes (such as weddings, formals, funerals) involving immediate and de facto family members only*, or as part of a sanctioned FGTOCQ event #, provided this is not done for fee or reward. 
• Preparing for, proceeding to, and returning from any of the above activities, including events in other states and territories in which the club is directly involved with.
• Direct travel to and from an approved inspection station to get a safety certificate or certificate of inspection before offering the vehicle for sale.
• Travel in order to have the vehicle repaired. There is no distance restriction, however, such travel must be reasonable and justifiable by the vehicle operator. 
• Road testing is permitted within a 15km radius from the place where the vehicle is garaged or is being repaired. The purpose of the travel must be to road test the vehicle following repair or restoration, or for general vehicle maintenance and not for any other purpose. This does not include use as an everyday means of transport. A passenger may travel in your vehicle to assist with road testing—only if your vehicle can legally carry passengers.

It is recommended by TMR that you carry paperwork that supports your reason for travel – this can include a Facebook event on your phone, the FGTOCQ newsletters or calendar of events (again an internet search from your phone to our FGTOCQ website 

* Immediate and de facto family means parents, grandparents, sons, daughters, grandchildren, adopted children and adopted grandchildren, but not extended family members such as aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. (wording taken from the TMR web)

# An example of this is if a club member was to get married or for the purpose of a club funeral, club members were invited to attend with their vehicles.

What to carry in my car? 

We recommend you carry paperwork that supports your reason for travel. This could include:

• FGTOCQ newsletter
• Map printout of a 15km radius from your house
• Printout of club calendar of events from the FGTOCQ website
• Social media event on your phone

If your vehicle is being used and displayed for a funeral event, we understand there may not be enough time to include this as an event on an official club newsletter or calendar of events. In this instance, funeral notice or an order of service would be suitable to support your reason for travel.

What happens if I get pulled over and don’t have a valid reason for driving my car? 

Whilst scarce on specifics, TMR states the following if you are caught violating the club registration laws:

“If you use your vehicle outside of the conditions of the Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme, you may face a fine or risk having your concession revoked.

You may also risk serious insurance implications if your vehicle is involved in a crash whilst being used contrary to the conditions of this scheme. If there is damage to your vehicle, yourself or others, your compulsory third party insurance and comprehensive insurance may become null and void”

We recommend that before every drive, either have your club event documents on hand, or have the reason why you are driving the car in mind (e.g. taking it for mechanical repairs).

What happens if I get into an accident and don’t have a valid reason for driving my car? 

Do we need to explain what happens here? No insurance or CTP insurance will cover you and you are open to civil litigation, were you have the potential to lose all your assets and will be paying compensation damages and court costs.  

Is it worth it? No! It is at your risk so you need to make that decision (you are responsible for that decision, not the FGTOCQ). If you feel the need to use your vehicle, this is when full registration is worth it.

What happens with number plates?

For a new registration, you will be issued a new set of plates, in the same style as below. You are also permitted to have (or retain) personalised plates (via an application) under club concession registration. 

For more information, on special interest club registration, please refer to the Qld TMR website, or give them a call on 13 74 68. 

How are our interests represented and consulted on with TMR?

Well it is a long process but it works….

The FGTOCQ has a membership of more than 400 and views are discussed at meetings and on social media. We have 2 delegates in our club who represents the members views at the Queensland Historic Motoring Council Inc. (QHMC) meetings.

These aren’t the delegates view but the views and position of our the FGTOCQ. Our minutes can be located in our newsletter and on our website

Then the FGTOCQ delegates are off to the Queensland Historic Motoring Council Inc. (QHMC)

The QHMC represents approximately 100 member clubs across Queensland with approximately 13,000 club members and 21,000 historic vehicles. The QHMC have delegates that are representatives of the RMVSG.

Again these are not the view of one club in the QHMC but the view and position of all clubs. Their meeting minutes and newsletter can be located on their website

Then the QHMC delegates are off to the Recreational Motor Vehicle and Safety Group (RMVSG)

The RMVSG is established to foster engagement between the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and representative bodies whose stakeholders have an interest in or are impacted by legislation and policy matters relevant to motor recreational activities and vehicle safety.

The RMVSG also provides a consultative forum for wider matters relevant to historic, classic and recreational vehicle use, including caravanning.

Prior to April 2021, this group was previously called the Motoring Organisations and Car Club (MOCC) forum.

Their meeting minutes can be located publication portal.

Then legislation is changed to become law …. once it is debated and passed in parliament.

Easy peasy…. happy reading

This concessional scheme is a privilege for our members and we would hate to see it taken away due to it being abused. It is the responsibility to every individual member to comply and the FGTOCQ to equip you with the current information.

Disclaimer

This is a general guide only for the members of the Falcon GT Owners Club of Queensland – please conduct your own research in specific details on club registration eligibility before making an application. 

This guideline is to assist you in your own research and is an extension to the legislation (legal law) that is administered by TMR.