News

In its July 2024 edition of the Drive Lite Historic and Classic Vehicle Schemes (HVS) and (CVS) Transport for NSW has updated information on club number plates and the issues around wearing seatbelts.

New number plates available

Thanks to industry feedback, collaboration, consultation and testing, a new number plate for classic vehicles is now available.  The plate size and design better fits most classic vehicles and enhances authenticity by differentiating classic vehicles from others on the road.

The new number plate replaces the Conditional number plate traditionally issued to vehicles in the Scheme.

It will be automatically issued to new Classic Vehicle Scheme registrations and available to be purchased, at the time of registration renewal, for a one-off fee of $55, for vehicles in the Scheme

Terry Thompson OAM, President of the Council of Motor Clubs said: “The new plates are a demonstration of the collaborative relationship between industry and Transport for NSW.

“They represent a customer-centric solution to our needs and help to differentiate classic vehicles from other conditionally-registered vehicles.”

View the Classic registration number plate fact sheet for more information:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/noindex/2024-06/cvs-number-plate-fact-sheet.pdf 

Seatbelt detection camera issues

NSW seatbelt detection cameras now detect vehicles where a seatbelt is not worn properly by both drivers and passengers. NSW Police will also continue to enforce seatbelt and restraint compliance.

As with police detection, camera-detected drivers can be fined and have demerit points applied if they and/or their passengers are not wearing their seatbelts properly.

The age of the vehicle and the requirement of the vehicle to have seatbelts fitted will be considered by trained officers, in determining whether to issue a fine.

A vehicle that does not have seatbelts installed must be compliant with the relevant legislation and/or Australian Design Rules at the time of manufacture.

Seatbelts are recommended for all vehicles where installation is possible. 

If a seatbelt is fitted: it must be used.

Wearing a seatbelt doubles the chance of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of injury.  Historically, each year in NSW, around 29 people are killed and 76 are seriously injured, because they’re not wearing available seatbelts.

Passengers who are in a vehicle that does not have seatbelts fitted should sit in the back seat, where possible.

Registering a classic or historic vehicle does not mean that you are automatically exempt from seatbelt compliance. Existing child car seat and seatbelt road rules continue to apply.

It is important to make sure vehicles are compliant and have the appropriate registration.

Seatbelt detection operates in a way similar to mobile phone detection. Cameras capture images of passing vehicles in all traffic and weather conditions. Artificial intelligence software then automatically reviews images and detects potential offences.

The images showing likely offences go through several stages of human review before a fine is issued.

If you receive a fine but believe you haven’t committed an offence, you can request a review by Revenue NSW. More information about requesting a review is available on the Revenue NSW website.

For more information on seatbelts and seatbelt detection cameras, visit transport.nsw.gov.au/seatbelts and for information on child car seats visit childcarseats.com.au/legal-requirements.

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