National heavy vehicle registration
On 1 July 2018 the National Heavy Vehicle Registration Scheme aligned some heavy vehicle registration functions and a number of policies across Australia. Jurisdictions continue to perform registration related functions and are responsible for registering heavy vehicles in their state.
Find out more about the National Heavy Vehicle Registration Scheme and other jurisdictions participating in the scheme.
Heavy vehicles affected
The National Heavy Vehicle Registration Scheme applies to all heavy vehicles in Queensland, that is motor vehicles or trailers over 4.5 tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM).
The scheme does not apply to heavy vehicles registered under the conditional registration and special interest vehicle schemes, vehicles with farm plates and Queensland Fire and Rescue authority vehicles.
Changes to heavy vehicle registration
Under the National Heavy Vehicle Registration Scheme:
- Heavy vehicles are issued a national heavy vehicle number plate.
- National heavy vehicle number plates are transferable between participating jurisdictions when registering vehicles in another state or territory.
- Operators can choose to have a common due date if they have 2 or more heavy vehicles registered under the same customer reference number.
- Heavy vehicles no longer need to display a registration label.
The Federal Interstate Registration Scheme ceased for any new registrations on 1 July 2018. Existing vehicles registered under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme have been transitioned to the National Heavy Vehicle Registration Scheme.
When do I need a national heavy vehicle number plate
Standard number plates are no longer issued to heavy vehicles. Operators of currently registered heavy vehicles in Queensland do not need to swap their current standard number plates or personalised or customised plates for a national heavy vehicle number plate, but can choose to.
You must have a national heavy vehicle number plate, when:
- Standard number plates on your Queensland registered heavy vehicle are replaced in Queensland — find out how to replace heavy vehicle number plates and the cost for a national heavy vehicle number plate.
- Unregistered heavy vehicles are registered in Queensland or another participating state or territory.
- Vehicles currently registered in another state or territory that do not have a national heavy vehicle number plate and are registered in Queensland.
