Registration of new concessional trailers
What is a concessional trailer?
Prior to the implementation of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, the compliance and registration of trailers was mostly governed by the state and territory registration authorities.
One-off trailers built by individuals were referred to commonly as “homemade” trailers.
Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, where a manufacturer is producing less than four low-ATM trailers per year, these trailers will now be known as Concessional Trailers in keeping with the type of Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) entry they are issued with by the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth compliance approval
Under the Road Vehicle Standards legislation, if you are building four or less low-ATM trailers (4.5 tonnes ATM or less) in a 12-month period you can seek compliance approval and entry to the RAV via a concessional RAV entry approval.
Applicants must provide a declaration that the trailer complies (or will comply) with the relevant road vehicle standards at the time the vehicle is entered on the RAV. Applicants may request a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as part of the concessional RAV entry application.
For more questions on obtaining a concessional RAV entry, please contact the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication’s, and the Arts via the methods show on their contact us webpage.
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
From July 2023, Transport for NSW (Transport) will no longer allocate VIN numbers to new homemade trailers.
Applicants must request a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as part of the concessional RAV entry application.
The characters of the VIN must be stamped at least 7mm high and at least 4mm. They must be legible, uniform, in one line and less than one character-width apart. The stamping dies used must be the same size and font.
The allocated identifier does not include the letters I, O and Q.
Double stamped and incorrectly stamped characters are unacceptable.
The VIN must be stamped on a suitable part of the trailer frame, preferably on the 'A' frame, and the trailer must have a compliant trailer plate with a VIN listed on both the plate and the RAV prior to registration in NSW.
Standards applicable to the construction of low-ATM trailers
Any low-ATM trailer manufactured between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023 that has been complied under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 will require an entry on the RAV and must be compliant with Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 Revision 6 or higher.
All low-ATM trailers manufactured on or after 1 July 2023 must have an entry on the RAV and be compliant with VSB1 Revision 6.
Concessional trailer inspection
All trailers must pass an unregistered vehicle inspection prior to the establishment of registration.
The Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) examiner will verify the vehicles entry on the RAV, and during the inspection will verify that the unregistered trailer is safe and meets design and identity standards.
If the trailer is not found on the RAV by the examiner, the trailer will fail the inspection.
Examiners will request an identity check from Transport. If you are registering a concessional trailer in NSW for the first time, you will need to provide the following when you attend the AUVIS/HVAIS inspection:
- A weighbridge ticket confirming the tare of the vehicle matches the tare listed on the trailer plate and bearing the trailers VIN.
- Receipts for parts and material used to construct the trailer.
- Or, evidence that the trailer has been registered previously in another Australian state or territory.
For more information about inspections for unregistered trailers, see Unregistered Trailer Inspections.
Establishing registration
Once you have your unregistered vehicle inspection report, you can attend your nearest Service NSW service centre to establish registration for your trailer.
For information on how to apply for registration visit Service NSW.