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Designated Operator FAQ's

1. What is a designated operator?

A designated operator is the person who will receive all relevant infringement notices that have not been served on the actual driver of the vehicle eg speed camera offences, and be responsible for payment of the fine and any demerit points, or for nominating the driver if it was not the designated operator by using a Statutory Declaration. All vehicles registered with two (joint) registered operators are required to have a designated operator.

2. Why do we need to nominate a designated operator?

Without a designated operator, a traffic infringement notice is issued to joint registered operators. A Statutory Declaration must be completed to identify the actual driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence. The infringement notice is then reissued in that name. With a designated operator the infringement will be issued in one name. Because the designated operator would normally be the usual driver, it is more likely that you won’t have the extra requirement of having to complete a Statutory Declaration.

3. Who can be the designated operator?

Either of the two joint registered operators can be the designated operator. The designated operator would normally be the usual driver of the vehicle.

4. My car is in joint names but the person who normally drives the car is not listed as a joint operator. Can he be the designated operator?

No. Only one of the two joint registered operators can be the designated operator. The only way for this to change is if the vehicle is transferred out of the joint registered operators’ names into other names. Duty and transfer fees will apply.

5. What will happen if we don’t nominate a designated operator?

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles will choose one of the two joint registered operators to be the designated operator. However, to do this we need to ensure the identity of the designated operator is correct. If the designated operator has not had or does not hold a Tasmanian driver licence and has no record on our system, they will need to provide proof of identity to a Service Tasmania shop before they can be recorded as a designated operator.

6. If I am the designated operator will I receive the demerit points?

The traffic infringement notice will be issued to you, and when you pay the demerit points will be allocated to you. However, if you were not the driver at the time of the offence you can complete a Statutory Declaration identifying the actual driver, and a traffic infringement notice will be reissued to the identified driver.

7. Will both of us still be recorded as joint registered operators on our registration paperwork?

Yes. This will not change our records. You will both remain as joint registered operators and both names will be shown on all registration paperwork.

8. Can I change the nominated designated operator?

Yes. You can change the designated operator from one of the two joint registered operators to the other at any time.

9. Who can change or nominate a designated operator?

Either of the two joint registered operators can change or nominate the designated operator. They can nominate themselves or the other joint registered operator as the designated operator.

10. Can I change the designated operator over the phone?

Yes, providing you are one of the two joint registered operators and the nominated designated operator has an individual record on our register.

11. How often can the designated operator be changed?

You can change the designated operator as many times as you like.

12. How much will it cost me to change the designated operator?

There is no charge.

13. Do I need to complete a form?

No. You can ring us on 1300 851 225 and we can confirm your identity over the phone. Please have your Tasmanian driver licence number ready. However, if you would like to complete a form one is available, click here.

14. What Identification do I need?

The telephone consultants will identify you by asking for your Tasmanian driver licence number, full name, date of birth etc. If your identity can be verified over the phone and the designated operator (which must be one of the two joint registered operators of the vehicle) that you nominate is recorded on our database, the transaction will be completed.

If the telephone consultant is unsure of your identity, or the proposed designated operator does not have an individual record on our database (ie maybe an interstate driver licence) the nominated designated operator will need to provide proof of identity to Service Tasmania before being entered onto the database. This is to ensure that every individual on our database has been identified.

15. Do I have to nominate a designated operator for my caravan/trailer?

Yes. All vehicles registered in joint names must have a designated operator.

16. Does the record show who nominated the designated operator?

We can tell if the Registrar of Motor Vehicles selected the designated operator. As only one of the two registered operators can nominate the designated operator, if it was not you it must have been the other registered operator of your vehicle.

17. How can I find out who the designated operator of my vehicle is?

You can ask in person at Service Tasmania or phone 1300 851 225. We will only tell you who the designated operator is if you are one of the two registered operators.

18. Will you notify me when the designated operator is changed to me?

No, however you can find out at any time by ringing our enquiry service or asking in person at Service Tasmania.

19. My husband is on the pension. If I become the designated operator will this mean I am no longer eligible for concessions?

No. The designated operator will have no effect on registration costs or concessions.

20. I’ve lost the letter you sent me, what do I do?

The letter is not necessary to nominate a designated operator. You can ring us on 1300 851 225 and we can confirm your identity over the phone. Please have your Tasmanian driver licence ready. If you prefer to complete a form please click here.