By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 20 April 2026.
Key points
- It is an offence in Victoria to use, or to own, a motor vehicle or trailer used on a road or road related area unless it is registered, exempt, or covered by a registration permit.
- The fine for an unregistered car is 5 penalty units: $1,046 in 2026-27.
- Other vehicles: $1,882 for motor vehicles with 3 or more axles; $209 to $1,046 for motor cycles, by engine size; $209 for an ordinary trailer.
- In court, the maximum for an individual is 25 penalty units ($5,227.50) for a first offence and 50 ($10,455) for a later one.
- Owners are liable too, not just the person driving.
- No prison and no demerit points for the offence itself.
- For advice on an unregistered vehicle fine or charge, call 1800 577 015 at any hour: free general legal information, and a 60-minute consultation with a lawyer who practises in Victoria for a fixed $295.
In Victoria, section 7 of the Road Safety Act 1986 makes it an offence to use a motor vehicle or trailer on a road or road related area, or to own one that is used there, unless it is registered, exempt or covered by a registration permit. The on-the-spot fine for an unregistered car is 5 penalty units ($1,046 in 2026-27), and a court can impose up to 25 penalty units ($5,227.50) for an individual's first offence and 50 penalty units ($10,455) for a later one.
Checked on 23 October 2026 against the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic) and the Road Safety (General) Regulations 2019 (Vic).
The law on unregistered vehicles in Victoria
- The rule: under section 7 of the Road Safety Act 1986, a person must not use a motor vehicle or trailer on a highway, or own one that is used on a highway, unless it is registered, exempted from registration by the regulations, or used as allowed by a registration permit granted under the regulations.
- Highway means a road or a road related area, so the rule is not limited to main roads.
- Owners as well as drivers: the owner commits the offence if their unregistered vehicle is used on a highway, as well as the person using it.
- Registration conditions: it is also an offence to use a vehicle in breach of a condition of its registration, or for the registered operator to allow that.
- One offence for one set of facts: a person cannot be convicted of more than one of these offences for the same circumstances.
Fines for driving unregistered in Victoria
| Vehicle | Infringement penalty | Amount in 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Car or other motor vehicle with 2 axles (not a motor cycle) | 5 penalty units | $1,046 |
| Motor vehicle with 3, 4, or 5 or more axles | 9 penalty units | $1,882 |
| Motor cycle, 60 cc or less | 1 penalty unit | $209 |
| Motor cycle, 61 cc to under 501 cc | 3 penalty units | $627 |
| Motor cycle, 501 cc or more | 5 penalty units | $1,046 |
| Trailer that is not a heavy vehicle | 1 penalty unit | $209 |
| Heavy vehicle trailer with 1, 2, or 3 or more axles | 4, 6 or 9 penalty units | $836, $1,255 or $1,882 |
These are the on-the-spot amounts set by Schedule 7 of the Road Safety (General) Regulations 2019. The dollar figures use the 2026-27 penalty unit of $209.10, rounded to the nearest dollar as the Monetary Units Act 2004 allows; the value of a penalty unit changes each 1 July.
If the case goes to court
| Offender | First offence (maximum) | Second or later offence (maximum) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | 25 penalty units ($5,227.50) | 50 penalty units ($10,455) |
| Company | 125 penalty units ($26,137.50) | 250 penalty units ($52,275) |
The offence carries a fine only: section 7 provides no prison term and no demerit points for it.
Free legal help in Victoria
| Service | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Legal Aid | 1300 792 387 | 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday |
How Go To Court Lawyers can help
Our free line, 1800 577 015, answers at any hour. Jen, our AI legal information assistant, gives general legal information and takes your details; Jen is not a lawyer and does not give advice about your case. A 60-minute consultation with a lawyer who practises in Victoria is a fixed $295, by phone, video or in person where the lawyer offers it. The lawyer can advise you on whether to pay the fine, ask for it to be reviewed or contest it in court, and on any exemption or permit that may apply. Requests are taken at any hour; how soon a lawyer can see you depends on who is available. Request a $295 consultation.
General information only, not legal advice. Updated 23 October 2026. Checked against the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic), authorised version 237 incorporating amendments as at 30 September 2026, sections 3 and 7; the Road Safety (General) Regulations 2019 (Vic), authorised version 024, Schedule 7, items 160 to 163 and 171 to 177; and the Monetary Units Act 2004 (Vic), section 7, on 23 October 2026. Dollar amounts use the Victorian penalty unit of $209.10 for 2026-27.