IMPORTANT: 1 July 2023 – Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) - including light Trailers

The Road Vehicle Standards Act introduces the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV).

The RAV is an online publicly accessible electronic data base administered by the Australian Government. A vehicle entered on the RAV is searchable via the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and includes information vital for registration, such as mass ratings, manufacture date, tare and RAV entry date.

The RAV can be accessed from the following link. RAV

Compliance Plates (also referred to as Identification Plates) are not required if a vehicle is entered on the RAV.

There is a helpful video developed by the Australian Government to assist understanding the changes, including how to apply for approval under the new process.

It is also recommended you read the Changes affecting Low ATM Trailers information bulletin circulated in May 2023 which will provide additional information and guidance on the changes.

Yes, Trailer Plates are required for Low ATM trailers (Aggregate Trailer Mass of 4.5t or less).  Entry on the RAV is required from 1 July 2023 unless evidence of previous registration history is available.

Trailer Plates compliant with the Road Vehicle Standards legislation are available for purchase at Service Tasmania. Alternatively, can be sourced elsewhere.  See Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 (Revision 6) for the Trailer Plate marking requirements and other trailer related information.  VSB1 (Revision 6)

Information required on the Trailer Plate has also changed. Trailer Plates displaying the statement “….complying with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989” are not acceptable for a trailer entered on the RAV.

The maximum number of Trailer Plates that will be available for purchase at Service Tasmania will be five per transaction.

The current fee for a Trailer Plate is $2.50.

From 1 July 2023, Department of State Growth or ITGCC (Integrated Tasmanian Government Contact Centre – 1300 135 513) will no longer issue Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to Approved Inspection Stations (AIS).

Low ATM trailers will be issued a VIN as part of the Australian Government RAV entry (Concessional RAV entry) process.

A valid VIN allocated to a low ATM trailer may be nominated by the applicant as part of a Concessional RAV entry application. RAV entry is required from 1 July 2023 for trailers with no evidence of previous registration history.

The specific date recorded for registration purposes is dependent on the Australian Government RAV approval pathway. This is to accurately reflect the date the vehicle was manufactured, deemed compliant with relevant vehicle standards, and eligible to be provided and used on Australian roads.

Please refer to the Vehicle manufacture date for registration purposes information bulletin for further information.

To be eligible for registration, a trailer is required to successful pass an inspected at an Approved Inspection Station. From 1 July 2023 a trailer without evidence of previous registration history of the vehicle identifier being registered will be checked for RAV entry as part of the inspection process.