Click on the below link for current guidelines, as posted by Transport for NSW

Note: check the current list on a regular basis, as it may get updated or ammended.

 Historic Vehicle Scheme period options, accessories and safety items

This guidline was published in February 2025 

As part of ongoing improvements to the Historic Vehicle Scheme, (HVS),Transport for NSW has compiled a list of period options, accessories and safety items which are accepted and are compliant with conditional registration under the Scheme.

We recommend all historic vehicle clubs circulate this list to members - to provide appropriate education and advice about the importance of following these guidelines.

Transport for NSW are committed to working closely with you to continually improve the Historic Vehicle Scheme and thank you in advance for any feedback you provide.

Changes to HVS, latest updates and general information can be found here. (click on a title)

Historic and Classic Vehicle Declaration Forms - Fillable Fields

 CVS Documents

 Permission To Move

 CMC Advice On New Seatbelt Laws

 Historic Commercial Vehicles

 Origin Of HVS Plates

 Who Can Drive HVS Vehicles

Period Options, Accessories & Safety Items

The NSW RTA advise that as the vehicle is registered in NSW, albeit conditionally, anyone holding a valid licence which the NSW RTA recognise and is suitable for the vehicle concerned can operate the vehicle with the registered owner’s permission. The rules pertaining to L and P plate drivers and riders naturally apply. There is no NSW RTA requirement for that person to be a member of the Primary Club which issued the HVS & CVS 1259 form. If any individual Club has by laws to the contrary then those by laws prevail. Again this is a matter for the Clubs to handle and decide on their particular needs. The CMC will not intervene in such things. The Club concerned has to make their own decisions.

www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or phone 13 32 20.

Coverage can be obtained from several Brokers including TCIS in Adelaide, and CAMS. Many Clubs think that CAMS are only for car racing Clubs however their insurance covers all Clubs, no matter if they race or not. Later this year CAMS will come out with a package for non racing Clubs which will be very competitively priced. I declare my interest in this as I am the Chair of the CAMS Marque Touring and Enthusiasts Commission or MTEC. I took on this role to gain benefits for the non racing Clubs. It has been a long battle to get things approved as change is always resisted. I hope that when you see the greatly reduced costs on offer with a $100 M coverage from a very substantial company, you will see that benefits have been gained.

Regards

Terry Thompson OAM

The origin of HCRS plates (as they are now known) dates back to 1958. The members of the Veteran Car Club of Australia (New South Wales region) were actively involved in the restoration and preservation of veteran vehicles and were often requested to attend various functions and public events including school fetes and parades such as the Waratah Festival, at the invitation of the NSW government. They were also invited to attend charity events in addition to normal club rallies and activities. In order to transport the vehicles to these various functions the owner was required to obtain an Unregistered Vehicle Permit (UVP) from the Department of Motor Transport at a cost, at that time, of £2 (two pounds), which was a reasonable amount in those days.

A member of the VCCA, Mr Victor Jacobs (owner of Broadway Motors) was actively involved in the Lions Club and was a well-known businessman who was approached by Anthony Horderns to arrange a display of veteran vehicles at Anthony Hordern’s department store in Pitt Street Sydney. The entry fee was a silver coin with the proceeds to go to charity. Anthony Horderns chose Legacy and the Limbless Soldiers Association as beneficiaries. The display was opened by a Mr. Enticknap, who was President of the Limbless Soldiers Association and also the Minister for Transport in New South Wales. During the process of the evening Mr Enticknap asked how the vehicles were brought to the venue and it was explained that an unregistered vehicle permit was required each time the cars were driven. Mr Enticknap was taken by the generosity of the VCCA in supplying the cars and on the basis of “you have done something for others so I will try and do something for you” he referred the matter to the Commissioner of Motor Transport.

The VCCA were invited to attend a meeting with the Commissioner with a view to looking for a better process to move the veteran cars to various events without the constant attendance at a registry office to obtain a ‘UVP’. The members of the VCCA who attended the meeting were George Roberts, George Green and Alan Rose-Bray. George Roberts suggested the possible issue of a “special plate” to be attached to veteran cars that would act as a ‘UVP’ for the movement of the cars. The Commissioner agreed to this proposal in the light of the credibility of the VCCA and its community activities.

A list of eleven guidelines were instituted by the VCCA and offered to the Commissioner and an agreement was struck on the 9th of April 1959 with Mr. Alan Rose-Bray of the VCCA and Mr. Sep Hall, VCCA’s legal advisor, and the Commissioner in attendance. An initial quantity of 100 sets of special Veteran Car Club plates coloured, red and white, were issued at an annual fee of £1/10/- (one pound, ten shillings), thereby commencing the “club plate” system. It was on this precedent that other clubs applied for their dispensation.

John Hewitt
Honorary Secretary
Veteran Car Club of Australia (NSW Region)