some more light reading that I borrowed

How is a club permit obtained?
An applicant for a permit must: produce written verification by the car club secretary (or a club official authorised by VicRoads) stating that he or
she is a member of the car club in the case of a vehicle that is not a street rod, provide a current certificate of roadworthiness or a letter from a
scrutineer authorised by the club, stating that the vehicle
is safe for use on the road

in the case of an application made in respect of a street rod, that is a vehicle modified in excess of the level prescribed in the Vehicle Standards Information No
8 document (VSI8), provide a Street Rod Inspection certificate issued by the Australian Street Rod Federation (ASRF)
pay an annual Club Permit fee of (currently) $37.40 plus
the applicable Transport Accident Charge

What road use is permitted under aclub permit?
A club permit only allows vehicles fitted with a specific club permit number plate to be used on the road network:
in connection with official activities organised by an association approved by VicRoads, such as car rallies, or
in the preparation of the vehicle for such activities; or when authorisation for “special use” has been granted
by a club. This authorisation allows a vehicle or vehicles within the scheme to be used for “one off” trips (not
for commercial purposes) outside of activities usually permitted.


Drivers must carry a copy of their club permit when operating on the road network.

What are the issues with the current scheme?
Consultation with car clubs and the police suggests
that the following elements of the current scheme
require review:
1. Definition of “preparation for club events”
Driving a vehicle operating by means of a club permit
on the road network to have it tested, repaired or
serviced in preparation for an official club event raises
issues of interpretation for both permit holders and the
police. This is because there is no agreed definition of
“preparation”. As a result, permit holders can never be
certain that they are legally using their vehicle, and police
have difficulty in deciding whether instances of such use
are legal or otherwise.
Permit holders deemed to be acting outside their permit
conditions can be charged with the offence of driving an
unregistered vehicle.
Efforts to legally define “preparation” have proved
unsuccessful because the definitions considered are
either too restrictive for vehicle operators (who at times
have complex vehicle preparation requirements due to
the specialised nature of many vehicles) or are too loose
to be enforceable by the police.
2. Special private use vouchers
Some stakeholders have expressed concerns as to
whether the issuing of “special use” vouchers by car
clubs is adequately covered by the provisions of the Road
Safety (Vehicles) Regulations. While VicRoads believes
that the provision complies with the regulations, the
issue has been considered in this review.
3. The age limit for classic and historic vehicles
The current 25 year age eligibility requirement for classic
and historic vehicles has the potential soon to include
many late 1980’s production vehicles that are still
operating under standard registration on a daily basis but
are rapidly approaching the end of their mechanical lives.
These vehicles are, in the majority of cases, not in the
category of enthusiast/hobby vehicles, but are daily use
vehicles. This presents a “grey” area where vehicles may
not yet be clearly historic or hobby vehicles but could be
used only to provide lower cost daily transportation.
Consultation already conducted with car club peak
bodies has indicated that there is some concern that
the use of unrestored vehicles of this age under a club
permit is arguably not a legitimate club activity engaged
in by people committed to restoration and preservation
of historic vehicles as a hobby. There is potential for
some vehicle owners to obtain a club permit as a means
of obtaining cheaper form of “registration” for normal
driving purposes.