Factsheet 19 – June 2008

Motor vehicle licensing and registration

Back to Factsheet 19

• What is motor vehicle licensing?
• What is registration?
• What is a 'road'?

What is motor vehicle licensing?

Motor vehicle licensing is commonly (but incorrectly) called 'registration'. Motor vehicle licensing is the payment of a fee for using a motor vehicle on the road.

(Read an explanation of the legal definition of 'road'.)

When the fee is paid you receive a label showing the licence's expiry date. This label must be displayed on your vehicle.

What is registration?

Registration is when a vehicle is added to the Motor Vehicle Register and given registration plates.

What is a 'road'?

The definition of a road, in transport law, is very broad. It includes not only streets and highways, but any place the public has access to – including bridges, culverts, beaches, riverbeds, reserve lands, wharfs and road shoulders.

This doesn't mean that you always have a right to use these areas. What it means is that if you do use these areas – whether you're allowed to or not – the rules relating to registration, licensing and general driver behaviour apply.