Special Interest Vehicle (SIV) Registration Scheme

Queensland Concessional Registration for Historic Motorcycles

The Queensland Special Interest Vehicle (SIV) Concession Scheme provides reduced registration fees and Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance premiums for eligible historic vehicles.

For MECGC members, the scheme primarily applies to motorcycles that are at least 30 years old.

Because SIV registration is concessional registration, the motorcycle is subject to strict limitations on how it may be used. It is not a substitute for normal unrestricted registration.

The information below is intended as a practical guide for Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club Gold Coast (MECGC) members.

Motorcycle Eligibility

A motorcycle must be at least 30 years old to qualify as a historic vehicle under the Queensland SIV Scheme.

Modified motorcycles may also be eligible provided the vehicle continues to satisfy the eligibility requirements and any modifications requiring certification have been properly certified.

Club Membership

To obtain and retain SIV registration for a historic motorcycle, the registered operator must maintain current membership of an eligible incorporated vehicle club or association.

MECGC is an incorporated motorcycle club and can provide the necessary club membership documentation for eligible financial members.

A membership card by itself is not accepted by TMR as evidence for an SIV application.

The Club documentation supplied for an application must be on official Club documentation, signed by a Club official and identify the motorcycle, including details such as:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Chassis or VIN number

Membership must remain current for as long as the motorcycle is registered under the concession.

If you cease to be eligible for the concession, TMR must be notified in writing within 14 days.

Dating Certificate

A Dating Certificate is not required for every SIV application.

TMR will generally establish the age of the motorcycle from available information such as:

• Existing or previous Queensland registration records
• Import documentation
• Manufacturer’s identification plate
• Other acceptable vehicle identification information

If TMR cannot verify the motorcycle’s date of manufacture, a Dating Certificate may be required.

Where required, an MECGC Dating Officer or appropriate Club official can certify the motorcycle’s authenticity and year of manufacture.

The documentation must identify the motorcycle, including its make, model, year and chassis or VIN number.

Members requiring assistance should contact the Club before lodging their application.

Applying for SIV Registration

An application is made to the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads using the Special Interest Vehicle Registration Concession Application (Form F5392).

A separate application is required for each motorcycle being placed on the concession.

You will need to provide TMR with the appropriate identification and proof of eligibility. Depending on the motorcycle and its registration history, additional documentation may also be required.

TMR makes the final decision on eligibility for concessional registration.

Conditions of Use

SIV Registration Is Restricted Registration

The substantially reduced registration cost is provided because use of the motorcycle is restricted.

An SIV-registered motorcycle must not be used for normal everyday transport.

Examples of prohibited general use include:

• Commuting to or from work
• Riding to the shops
• General recreational riding that does not fall within an authorised SIV use
• Using the motorcycle as your normal means of transport
• Hire or reward
• Providing a booked-hire service

The registered operator is responsible for ensuring that anyone riding the motorcycle understands and complies with the SIV conditions.

Club Rides and Events

An SIV motorcycle may be used to participate in eligible rallies and events organised by an incorporated vehicle club or association.

This can include events conducted by MECGC as well as eligible events conducted by another incorporated vehicle club.

The event must be properly recorded before it occurs.

Information should include:

• Date
• Meeting time
• Starting location
• Destination or finishing location

Events may be recorded in the Club newsletter, website, social media, Club calendar or another method approved by the Club.

Travel directly associated with preparing for, travelling to, participating in and returning from an authorised event is permitted.

Impromptu Events and Rides

The SIV Scheme allows impromptu events, but simply deciding to take an SIV motorcycle for a ride does not automatically make the ride an authorised impromptu event.

An impromptu event must be initiated by a Club member and made available to the wider Club membership.

Before the event takes place it must also:

• Be endorsed in advance by the Club Committee; or
• Comply with published Club guidelines governing valid impromptu events.

The event must then be recorded before it occurs in an approved Club location such as the Club website, social media page, newsletter or Club calendar.

MECGC should maintain a record of endorsed impromptu events including the date, meeting time, starting location and destination.

Members should therefore ensure an impromptu ride has been properly recorded and approved in accordance with MECGC procedures before using an SIV motorcycle for the ride.

Other Permitted Uses

An SIV motorcycle may also be used for certain other purposes permitted under the Queensland scheme.

Displays and Community Events

The motorcycle may be exhibited at displays, fetes and similar functions conducted for religious, charitable or educational purposes.

Processions

The motorcycle may participate in a procession for which the appropriate Special Events Permit has been issued.

Ceremonial Purposes

The motorcycle may be used for certain ceremonial purposes including weddings, formals and funerals involving immediate or de facto family members.

It may also be used for a ceremonial purpose forming part of a sanctioned Club event.

The motorcycle must not be supplied or used for fee or reward.

For this purpose, the Queensland scheme defines immediate and de facto family as including parents, grandparents, sons, daughters, grandchildren, adopted children and adopted grandchildren.

Extended family such as aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces are not included in this particular provision.

Interstate Club Events

Travel associated with an eligible Club event in another state or territory is permitted where the Club is directly involved.

Queensland SIV vehicles travelling interstate continue to operate subject to the applicable SIV conditions.

Repairs

Travel to have an SIV motorcycle repaired is permitted.

There is no specific distance limit for travel for repairs; however, the journey must be reasonable and justifiable.

This provision should not be treated as permission for general recreational riding.

Road Testing and Maintenance

An SIV motorcycle may be road tested following repair or restoration or for general vehicle maintenance.

Road testing is limited to a radius of 30 km from the location where the motorcycle is garaged or being repaired.

The purpose of the journey must genuinely be road testing following repair or restoration, or general vehicle maintenance.

It must not be used as an excuse for normal everyday or recreational use.

Safety Certificate Inspections

Direct travel to and from an approved inspection station is permitted for obtaining a Safety Certificate or Certificate of Inspection before offering the vehicle for sale.

Carrying a Passenger

A passenger may be carried when travelling to or from an event permitted under the SIV Scheme, provided the motorcycle is legally permitted and appropriately equipped to carry the passenger.

A passenger may also accompany the rider during an authorised road test where the motorcycle can legally carry a passenger and the passenger is assisting with the road test.

Towing a Trailer

An eligible SIV motorcycle may tow a trailer provided:

• The journey itself is permitted under the SIV Scheme
• The motorcycle and trailer comply with normal legal requirements
• The motorcycle’s permitted towing capacity is not exceeded
• Any load carried is associated with the permitted purpose of the journey

A load cannot be carried for hire or reward.

Evidence to Carry

TMR recommends carrying evidence supporting the reason why the motorcycle is being used.

This may include:

• Club newsletter
• Club calendar
• Details of the Club event
• Digital evidence from the Club website
• Digital evidence from the Club social media page
• Appropriate documentation relating to the permitted journey

For an eligible funeral where advance Club publication may not have been practical, a funeral notice or order of service may be appropriate evidence.

Members should make it easy to demonstrate that their motorcycle is being used for a legitimate SIV purpose.

Number Plates

Motorcycles registered under the SIV Scheme are normally issued a small S-series special interest number plate.

Certain personalised plates and some previously issued plates may also be permitted under TMR rules.

The availability and use of particular plate types should be confirmed with TMR when registering the motorcycle.

Moving to a New Garaging Address

The SIV conditions do not automatically permit an unrestricted journey simply because the motorcycle is being moved to a new home or garaging address.

TMR advises owners to obtain a Letter of Authority before moving an SIV vehicle from its existing garaging address to a new garaging address.

The authority permits the one-way journey to the new address.

Evidence of the new garaging address may be required. Owners should also confirm that their CTP insurance covers the journey.

Selling an SIV Motorcycle

If an SIV-registered motorcycle is sold, the new registered operator must independently satisfy the eligibility requirements if the concession is to continue.

In particular, the new registered operator must satisfy the applicable Club membership requirements.

The concession cannot simply be assumed to continue because the motorcycle was already registered under the SIV Scheme.

If You Leave the Club

Current membership of an eligible incorporated vehicle club or association must be maintained while a historic motorcycle is registered under the SIV Scheme.

If you cease to satisfy the eligibility requirements, TMR must be notified in writing within 14 days.

The concession will need to be removed unless eligibility is maintained through another qualifying club or association.

Removing the SIV Concession

The concession must be removed if:

• The motorcycle is going to be used for purposes outside the permitted SIV conditions
• The registered operator no longer meets the Club membership requirement
• Registration is transferred to a person who does not meet the SIV eligibility requirements

Additional registration charges may apply where the concession is removed part-way through a registration period.

Depending on the circumstances, SIV plates may also need to be surrendered and replaced with standard registration plates.

Penalties and Insurance

Breaching the SIV conditions can have serious consequences.

A person who uses, or permits the use of, an SIV motorcycle contrary to the conditions may face:

• A fine
• Withdrawal of the registration concession
• Potential CTP insurance consequences
• Potential comprehensive insurance consequences

The reduced registration and CTP premiums are based specifically on the restricted use of the motorcycle.

Members should therefore not ride an SIV motorcycle unless they are satisfied that the journey falls within an authorised use.

MECGC Member Checklist

Before Applying for SIV Registration

• Ensure the motorcycle is at least 30 years old
• Ensure your MECGC membership is current
• Confirm the motorcycle’s VIN or chassis number
• Confirm its year of manufacture
• Determine whether TMR can verify its age
• Contact the Club if Club documentation or a Dating Certificate is required
• Complete the TMR SIV concession application
• Obtain any other documentation required by TMR

Before Riding an SIV Motorcycle

• Confirm that the proposed journey is permitted
• If attending a Club ride or event, confirm it has been properly recorded
• If attending an impromptu event, ensure it has been properly approved or complies with MECGC guidelines and has been recorded before departure
• Carry or have access to evidence supporting the journey
• Do not use the motorcycle for normal everyday transport

Important Notice

This information is provided by the Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club Gold Coast (MECGC) as a practical guide for members.

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads determines the eligibility requirements and conditions applying to the Special Interest Vehicle Registration Concession Scheme.

Government requirements may change from time to time.

If there is any inconsistency between this information and the current requirements of Queensland Transport and Main Roads, the TMR requirements take precedence.

Members and registered operators are responsible for ensuring that their motorcycle is registered and used in accordance with the current law and SIV Scheme conditions.

Last reviewed: August 2026