Guidelines for Historic Vehicle Registration

What is a Historic Vehicle?

To apply for registration under the Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS), you must be a full member of the Mazda MX-5 Club of NSW for the duration of your period of registration.

Historic vehicle registration is mainly for operators who only drive their vehicles occasionally (see link for an explanation of what occasionally means). If you drive your historic vehicle regularly, consider applying for standard registration.

For information about the Historic Vehicle Registration scheme, please refer to: TfNSW - Registering and Using a Historic Vehicle

Please note that vehicles applying for historic vehicle registration must be standard. Changing wheels, steering wheels, seats or altering suspension or exhaust (other than with items which meet the original manufacturer's specifications) will invalidate the vehicle’s conformity to the Historic Vehicle conditional registration. You may however be able to apply for a Classic Vehicle Registration (refer to guidelines on our website).

Is my MX-5 eligible for Historic Registration?

To be eligible for the HVS:

• your vehicle must be at least 30 years of age or older from the year it was manufactured. The vehicle must not be modified.
• your vehicle must comply with the applicable vehicle standards as at the date of vehicle manufacture.
• your vehicle must be as close to original condition as possible, with no alterations except for period options, accessories and safety items.
• you must be a financial member of a Transport for NSW-recognised historic vehicle club - in this case the MX-5 Club of NSW. Membership information is available here.

NOTE:

• If you change clubs during your registration period you need to fill out a Historic Vehicle Declaration (PDF 292.28KB) and get it signed by your new club. Take it to a service centre to get a replacement Certificate of Approved Operations.
• If you become unfinancial with the MX-5 Club of NSW and have not transferred your Historic Registration to another club, your car will no longer be legally registered, and hence your insurance will also be invalid.

Steps in the Application Process

1. Obtain a pink slip from an Authorised Inspection station (AIS) to establish the road worthiness of the vehicle. This is no different to any other vehicle over 5 years old. Note that the pink slip is only valid for 6 months. If the vehicle is unregistered, obtain a blue slip to apply for Historic Registration.
2. Scan or photograph the following documents:
• Proof of your identity (drivers license)
• Proof of registration entitlement – such as an original receipt for the vehicle showing buyer’s name, seller’s name, address, signature, the vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis/frame or serial number and the date of acquisition). Generally the current Certificate of Registration is acceptable.
• Completed TfNSW Application for Conditional Registration Form 1246 (PDF 373.69KB)
• Completed TfNSW Historic Vehicle Declaration Form 1259 – Section 1 and 2
• Pink slip
3. Take current digital photographs of the vehicle covering front / rear / sides / interior / boot / underbonnet.
4. Email the above documents and photographs to Mazda MX-5 Club NSW on historic.mx5nsw@gmail.com.
5. Once your documents are received, the Club will confirm membership and eligibility, stamp and sign the Historic Vehicle Declaration and place the car onto the Club’s HVS register. The original stamped Declaration Form will be returned to the member.
6. Once received you must take these forms to TfNSW to complete the process.
7. Once the vehicle has been accepted for HVS by TfNSW, you must email the Scheme Administrator at historic.mx5nsw@gmail.com with the new HVS number plate and Log Book Reference number.

Steps in the Renewal Process

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED SINCE THE LAST DATE OF REGISTRATION. If the car has been modified since the last date of registration, you will need to follow the renewal process for a Classic Vehicle Registration excluding the Application for Conditional Registration Form 1246.

1. Obtain a pink slip from an Authorised Inspection station (AIS) to establish the road worthiness of the vehicle. This is no different to any other vehicle over 5 years old. Note that the pink slip is only valid for 6 months.
2. Scan or photograph the following documents:
• completed TfNSW Historic Vehicle Declaration Form 1259 – Section 1 and 2.
• Pink slip
3. Take current digital photographs of the vehicle covering front / rear / sides / interior / boot / underbonnet.
4. Email the above documents and photographs to Mazda MX-5 Club NSW on historic.mx5nsw@gmail.com.
5. Once your documents are received, the Club will confirm membership and eligibility, stamp and sign the Historic Vehicle Declaration and place the car onto the Club’s HVS register. The original stamped Declaration Form will be returned to the member.
6. Once received you must take these forms to TfNSW to complete the process.
7. Once the vehicle has been accepted for HVS by TfNSW, you must email the Scheme Administrator at historic.mx5nsw@gmail.com with the new Log Book Reference number.

When can historic vehicles be used?

If your vehicle has historic vehicle registration, it can only be used:

• for events organised by primary clubs affiliated with Transport for NSW approved organisations. Our events are listed here.
• for events organised by community organisations if an official invitation is received and recorded by the primary club in the official minutes or 'Day Book'
• for short journeys to service and inspect the vehicle from your place of garaging
• on longer journeys if you notify your primary club and the details are recorded in the primary club's official minutes

Historic vehicle log books

If you record your vehicle use in a historic vehicle log book, you can drive your registered vehicle for up to 60 days each year outside of organised club events. Find out more about historic and classic vehicle log books.