Motoring Index

Driving Licences

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Permanent Resident

A Permanent Resident is normally allowed to drive for 3 months before needing an Australian Licence, after that period they would be classed as driving without a valid licence.
 

Visitors

A person on a Visitors Visa does not have to abide by the same rules, and would be allowed to drive a private vehicle on a valid CURRENT driving licence from their own country, for as long as they have a valid visitors visa.

Visiting motorists are required to carry their licence (and English translation if applicable) at all times while driving and produce it to Police on request. Production of their temporary visas may also be required as evidence of their temporary residential status.

International Driving Permits

If your overseas licence is not in English, it is advisable to carry an International Driving Permit or an approved English translation of your licence (if you have either of these) with you when you drive.

Stamp duty on Australian Cars

Stamp Duty is payable when you buy a car in Australia, whether New or Used.

This figure varies between the States, and is not always mentioned when you speak to the Car Dealer, until while you are signing up. The seem to expect us all to know about it.

• NSW - July 2008 :
  Stamp duty is $3 for each $100 (or part $100) of the sale price or market value of the car (whichever is greater) up to $45,000, then $5 for each $100 (or part $100) on the amount above $45,000.
• QLD - July 2008 : Government Vehicle Registration Duty (previously called stamp duty) is
  • Hybrid and Electric vehicles: $2 for each $100 (or part $100) of the dutiable value of the vehicle.
  • Other vehicles with 1 to 4 cylinders: $3 for each $100 (or part $100) of the dutiable value of the vehicle.
  • Other vehicles with 5 or 6 cylinders: $3.50 for each $100 (or part $100) of the dutiable value of the vehicle.
  • Other vehicles with 7+ cylinders: $4 for each $100 (or part $100) of the dutiable value of the vehicle.
• VIC - 6th May 2008 :
  Stamp Duty rates $5 per $200 value up to $57,009. $10 per $200 value over $57,009 for New Cars, and $10 per $200 value for used cars.
• WA - July 2008 :
  Stamp Duty on New and Used Cars is:
  • Up to $25,000: 2.75% of the Dutiable Value
  • Between $25,000 and $50,000 (calculated)
  • Over $50,000: 6.5% of the Dutiable Value

Australian New Car Manufacturers Models, Specifications and Prices

• Discount New Cars New Car Prices in Australia with Manufacturer Specifications.
• Carguide New Cars with web sites for all manufacturers
• Carsguide News over 900 Road Test Reports
• Carbroker A car buying service

Used Cars

• Redbook A useful guide to used car prices in Australia
• Government Car Auctions Ex Government cars for sale are available here.
• Information on Buying a Used Car:
  Drive.com.au :
  Carsguide.com.au

Annual Roadworthy Certification (MOT)

• QLD - No annual Test required. Roadworthy certificates are required in certain cases.
• NSW - Light vehicles, unless exempt, require an annual inspection. Normally called a Pink Slip
• WA - Buses, taxis and left hand drive vehicles require an annual roadworthy test, but most private cars do not.
• SA - No reference found requiring an annual safety inspection. ?
• VIC - In Victoria a Certificate of Roadworthiness is generally required when a vehicle is sold or if a used vehicle is to be re-registered.
• TAS - Vehicles require inspection on various occasions including when the registration has expired for more than 3 months, and vehicles previously registered interstate/overseas.

Buying a USED car

NSW Used car statutory warranty NRMA Warranty Information
 

• Applies to all dealer-sold passenger cars with less than 160,000km and under 10 years old and not exceeding the luxury car tax threshold.
• The warranty is valid for three months or 5,000km from date of purchase.
• This warranty will cover most items on a car relating to safety, reliability and roadworthiness.
   

QLD Used car statutory warranty QLD Office of Fair Trading

• A three-month or 5,000km warranty (whichever comes first) covers a used car with an odometer reading under 160,000km and manufactured less than 10 years before the sale date.
   
• A one-month or 1,000km warranty (whichever comes first) covers a used car with an odometer reading above 160,000km or manufactured more than 10 years before the sale date.
   

VIC Used car statutory warranty VIC Warranty Information

• A used car Standard Statutory Warranty is 3 months or 5,000km
• A used car over 10 years old or has travelled more than 160,000 km, is not covered by a Statutory Warranty.