Letting registration lapse in SA

sgt_doofey · 22-06-2007, 12:32 PM

Well, it's that time of the year again when the XE's registration is coming up. My brother and I have decided to just let it lapse as it is just sitting in a shed not going anywhere, so it's not worth registering at this point in time. If we do decide to drive it, then it'll be on a temp permit or we'll re-register it for 3 months.
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this and was also wondering what our responsibilities are, in particular to the license plates? Do Transport SA demand them back after a certain period of time? Is there a requirement to get an inspection of the car at Regency if it has been unregistered for a certain amount of time before registering it again?

I'll probably get in contact with Transport SA next week some time to get some info, but was wondering what other people's experiences have been in the past.
Cheers.

RogueDriver · 22-06-2007, 12:51 PM

Dad used to have a few cars at a time and discovered an easier way than doing that or keeping all of them registered. If I remember correctly it was called "seasonal registration" and it meant that he could keep the plates and just register the car whenever he wanted to use it. He had 2 wagons at one stage and registered one for 3 months every now and again without paying penalties or going to Regency.
It was a little while ago so I could be wrong but that seems the easiest option.

SP.UTE1 · 22-06-2007, 01:32 PM

Yep, you can get seasonal registration. I do it for my bikes as I don't ride the NOS powered Triumph in the wet cold winter days, so I only register it for 6 months of the year.

ZA-289 · 22-06-2007, 01:35 PM

In SA a car can be unregistered indefinatly without haveing to go to regency as long as you dont change the engine, the plates are yours for 10 years without rego, then they are up for grabs.

Riksta · 22-06-2007, 01:52 PM

They will send you nice little letters asking for you to hand the plates back in after a few months, however its not compulsory and you're not obliged to do so as far as I know.

My old Colt is sitting in the backyard with the plates still attached, basically waiting for my cousin to get some $$$ together to buy it, although its been off the road for just over two years now. I got the letter requesting my plates and never did anything about it, and I've never heard anything since.

Basically, I think they request you hand the plates back in to stop some lowlife pinching them off an unused car and using them on theirs to avoid speeding fines etc.

Also note that if the car is unregistered for a period of time (90 days I believe) there is a re-establishment fee when you do go to re-register it. Also, if you leave it unregistered for like 88 days and go to re-register it again for three months, I THINK you'll only get until what the normal expiry date was (ie 2 days worth!) unless you pay a fee to adjust the expiration date.

Hope this is of some help.

sgt_doofey · 22-06-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

Also note that if the car is unregistered for a period of time (90 days I believe) there is a re-establishment fee when you do go to re-register it. Also, if you leave it unregistered for like 88 days and go to re-register it again for three months, I THINK you'll only get until what the normal expiry date was (ie 2 days worth!) unless you pay a fee to adjust the expiration date.

Hope this is of some help.

I know this is the case, but it is a lot cheaper than having to pay the $650 a year to have it sit in a shed

Thanks for the info guys.

DOC · 22-06-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta
Also note that if the car is unregistered for a period of time (90 days I believe) there is a re-establishment fee when you do go to re-register it. Also, if you leave it unregistered for like 88 days and go to re-register it again for three months, I THINK you'll only get until what the normal expiry date was (ie 2 days worth!) unless you pay a fee to adjust the expiration date.

Hope this is of some help.

I know this is the case, but it is a lot cheaper than having to pay the $650 a year to have it sit in a shed

Thanks for the info guys.

Not quite right, where you only get the 2 days example, you can pay a small fee ( $15 ) and it will re set the rego back for the full 3 0r 6 months etc

Riksta · 22-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Thanks for the clearup on that Doc. I knew there was something like that but wasn't 100% sure - hence why I had the word "THINK" in my post

DOC · 22-06-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

Thanks for the clearup on that Doc. I knew there was something like that but wasn't 100% sure - hence why I had the word "THINK" in my post

All ok i had to ask my wife, she does all that sort of stuff and only found out as my car has been left for a month in the shed ( have 2 other cars ) and am about to throw it back on the road for while.