Buying and registering a trailer in NSW

Trailer Design

Trailers must comply with the applicable vehicle standards as set out in the relevant revision of Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1.

For trailers manufactured on or after 1 July 2023, or those with a RAV entry:

• VSB1 Revision 6

For trailers manufactured between 1 July 1990 and 1 July 2023

• VSB1 Revision 5

For trailers manufactured before 1 July 1990

• Applicable standards from the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017, Schedule 2 Light Vehicle Standards Rules.

Trailer Identification

A prospective trailer buyer should check for the presence of the following:

Primary identifier

All trailers registered in NSW must bear a primary identifier. Primary identifiers may either be a chassis number or a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) depending on the trailers build date.

Vehicle Plate

Also known as a “trailer plate”, this label contains critical information on the trailer’s specifications and compliance.

The sections below detail the identity requirements for trailers depending on their date of manufacture (build date). If a trailer does not comply with these minimum requirements, the trailer may not be suitable for registration in NSW.

Trailers manufactured before 1 January 1989

• a chassis number (may be any length or combination of characters)
• not required to be fitted with a vehicle plate

Trailers manufactured between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 1990

• a 17 character VIN  
• not required to be fitted with a vehicle plate

Trailers manufactured between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 2021

• a 17 character VIN
• must be fitted with a vehicle plate, affixed by permanent non-tamper means, displaying the following information:
  • manufacturer's or importer’s name (whichever party takes responsibility for the certification statement);
  • Trailer Model;
  • Vehicle Identification Number
  • Date of Manufacture (month/year)
  • Aggregate Trailer Mass (kg);
  • The Certification Statement (specified below):
    “This trailer was manufactured to comply with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.”
    
    Or for used imported trailers:
    “This trailer is an imported used trailer. It has been modified and assessed as complying with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.”

Trailers manufactured between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023

This time period reflects the transitional period between the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MSVA) and the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018(RVSA). Trailers could be manufactured and supplied under both provisions and may either bear the certification statement of the MVSA 1989 or be issued with a RAV entry. 

Trailers fitted with a vehicle plate bearing the certification statement must comply with the requirements given above.

Trailers issued with an entry on The RAV must comply with the requirements for RVSA trailers given below.

Trailers manufactured between after 1 July 2023, or complied with the RVSA

• a 17 character VIN
• must be fitted with a vehicle plate, affixed by permanent non-tamper means, displaying the following information:
  • Manufacturer's Name
  • Trailer Model
  • Vehicle Identification Number
  • Date of Manufacture (month/year)
  • Aggregate Trailer Mass (kg)
  • Gross Trailer Mass (GTM)
  • Tare Mass
• must have an entry on the Register of Approved Vehicles (the RAV)

 
To see if a trailer has a RAV entry, enter the trailers VIN onto the Register of Approved Vehicles Search.
 
Go to RVSA Trailers for more information.

A note on the use of “homemade” as a manufacturer

Prior to 13 December 2021, it was common practice in NSW for one-off trailer manufacturers to record the manufacturer on the compliance plate as “homemade” or a similar generic name.  
This practice was not in keeping with the requirements of VSB 1 Revisions 1-5 which required that the manufacturer be shown as the person taking responsibility for the certification statement given on the trailer’s vehicle plate.

Trailers that are presented for inspection at AUVIS/HVAIS with the manufacturer listed as “homemade” or any other generic name not compliant with the provisions of VSB1 will be rejected unless;

• evidence is provided of that trailer being registered in NSW prior to 13 December 2021 under that manufacturer name, or
• evidence is provided showing that trailer was previously registered in another state or territory of Australia with that manufacturer name.

Inspections required for registration

Go to Unregistered Trailer Inspections for more information on what inspections are required to register a trailer in NSW.

Trailers without primary identifiers

Go to Trailers without VINs for more information on trailers that do not have primary identifiers.