THE NSW government has launched a new concessional registration scheme – known as the Classic Vehicle Scheme, or CVS – for non-standard cars and motorcycles at least 30 years old. It is in addition to the existing Historic Conditional Registration Scheme (HCRS) for stock or restored cars, which continues in its current form.

Both are club-based logbook schemes, allowing for 60 days private use per year in addition to gazetted club events, at savings compared to full rego that you won’t believe.

“Motoring enthusiasts in NSW have many fabulous older vehicles that they want to enjoy on the roads for limited personal use, and have others enjoy seeing these vehicles in their natural environment,” the Minister for Roads, Maritime & Freight, Duncan Gay, told Street Machine.

“It was my intention to introduce the trial of a logbook-based conditional registration scheme in two phases. We introduced stage one for Historic Vehicles in 2015, and we have now got stage two – the Classic Vehicle Scheme – also up and running.”

The CVS was initially proposed by the Australian National Street Machine Association (ANSMA) and supported by fellow member organisations of the Australian Confederation of Motor Clubs (ACMC). Terry Thompson OAM, who heads the historic clubs, did most of the heavy lifting on our behalf, well supported by ACMC patron Alan Hay, president Tony O’Donnell and ANSMA’s Garry Warnes. It also helps when the roads minister likes cars.

“I was contacted by many motoring enthusiasts who welcomed the Historic Vehicle Scheme but wanted another scheme for 30-year-old vehicles that were registered but had been modified and therefore could not fit within the Historic Vehicle Scheme,” the Minister said. “I have listened and am truly delighted to have both schemes now operating.

”These two schemes provide for 60 days of general use and maintenance, which must be recorded in a logbook, for which there is a concessional registration fee. The trial will ensure that the schemes can be polished should there be any unforeseen circumstances.”

The historic logbook trial has been a great success, with large flocks of early girls returning to the road. It’s no secret, however, that these included some modified cars that stretched the interpretation of ‘period accessories’ and so fell outside the intent and spirit of the long-running historic scheme, which is all about preserving older vehicles, not modifying them. Hence the new scheme, created especially for people like us.

Eligible cars under the CVS must be at least 30 years old and meet exactly the same vehicle modification regulations as for full rego; there are no differences. Blue slips will be required to join the CVS and pink slips annually thereafter. Vehicle owners must be members of an ACMC-affiliated club and use is limited to 60 days per annum – which must be recorded in an owners’ logbook – as well as authorised club events.

Now for the good bit: the cost in the first year is $120, which includes a one-off fee of $44 for number plates. It also includes an annual $25 administration fee to the ACMC, which is running the Classic Vehicle Scheme on behalf of the government. The annual cost includes Compulsory Third Party insurance (green slip), so feel free to compare all that with what you’re paying now.

In more detail:

* You must be a NSW resident with a NSW licence, and the vehicle garaged in NSW

* Eligibility is on a rolling 30-year basis. If your car was manufactured at any time during 1987, for example, it is eligible to join the CVS from 1st January, 2017

* The existing Historic Scheme (HCRS) will not change in any shape or form. If your vehicle complies with HCRS rules as interpreted by your primary club, it can stay on the HCRS. Stock vehicles are also eligible for the CVS if the owner prefers that option

* If your vehicle has modifications that take it outside the HCRS, the Classic Scheme (CVS) is for you. This includes non-standard cars already on the HCRS, which are expected to transfer across

* Allowable mods that can be owner-certified are the same as for full rego and are listed on VSI-6 on the RMS website

* Mods that go further must be certified by a VSCCS engineer. Older certification will generally be acceptable provided it is on the RMS system

* CVS covers all light vehicles, including four-wheel drives and motorcycles. There is no pre-’48 cut-off, so hot rods are also eligible

* You must be a financial member of a vehicle club affiliated with one of the seven member organisations of ACMC: Australian National Street Machine Association; Australian Street Rod Federation; Council of Motor Clubs (historic); Drag Ens Hot Rod Club; Motorcycle Council of NSW; 4WD NSW & ACT; and NSW Southern Motoring Association

* Unlike the HCRS, clubs do not have to register with RMS. Club affiliation with an ACMC member organisation is sufficient, inexpensive and may also bring with it other benefits like public liability insurance

* If you can’t find a suitable club in your area, some ACMC organisations including ANSMA welcome individual memberships which will get you into the game

* To ensure the integrity of the new scheme, the government requires a current blue slip (printed copy) be included with the initial CVS application, even if the vehicle is currently on full registration or the HCVS. No exceptions

* Annual pink slips (printed copies) are required in subsequent years

* You will be required to purchase new number plates, similar to H-plates but green on white as seen on tractors and the like. Currently they end in D. As with historics, there is no provision to retain your existing plates so they’ll have to go on hold or onto your daily. An old-style rego expiry sticker will also be supplied to stick on a left-side window

* First-year costs comprise: conditional registration fee $22; CTP insurance premium $29; number plate fee $44 (less for motorbikes); ACMC administration fee $25; TOTAL $120. You can read that again if you like

* Number plate fee does not apply in subsequent years, potentially bringing the annual cost below $80. The CTP premium is based on the current HCRS premium and may change according to CVS claims experience. The historic guys just don’t crash, hence the super-low premium. We should follow their lead

* Logbooks must be filled in prior to every use other than designated club runs; to not do so leaves you unregistered and uninsured. For-profit use (commercial wedding hire, for example) is banned, but apart from that, a day is a day, you can drive as little or as far as you like, wherever you like

* There are no extensions to 60 days use per year. If that is a problem, you’re probably outside the spirit of the scheme, so either fork out for full rego or (better idea) buy another old car or two

* Ongoing vehicle compliance will be monitored and controlled by individual clubs, who will be sanctioned for any members driving illegally modified cars on CVS plates, potentially putting other club members’ concessional rego in jeopardy. The same applies to non-standard cars remaining on HCRS plates which should be on the CVS; a period of grace will allow for the annual rego cycle but will then be policed

* For application guidelines and documents, go to www.confederationofmotorclubs.org.au and click on the link to the Classic Vehicle Scheme.