Driving an unregistered vehicle in Victoria: Demerit Points & Fine (2026-27)
Infringement penalty as at 1 July 2026 (Fines Victoria)
Transport Victoria / Fines Victoria (2026-27 schedule) · 2026-27 scheduleHow this penalty compares
- $1,046 is the highest of 18 on-the-spot fines in VIC's schedule.
- At driving an unregistered vehicle (shortest lapse where the fine depends on it), VIC ranks 1st highest of 6 states, from TAS ($266.25) to VIC ($1,046).
| Offence | Points | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| NSW: Driving an unregistered vehicle | 0 | $818 |
| VIC: Driving an unregistered vehicle | 0 | $1,046 |
| QLD: no row in our dataset | — | — |
| WA: no row in our dataset | — | — |
| SA: Driving an unregistered vehicle | 0 | $502 |
| TAS: Driving an unregistered vehicle | 0 | $266.25 |
| ACT: Driving an unregistered vehicle | 0 | $750 |
| NT: Driving unregistered (up to 1 month lapsed) | — | $300 |
Compare unregistered and uninsured vehicles across states →
Driving an unregistered vehicle means using a vehicle on a public road when its registration has lapsed or was never in place. Registration is what records a vehicle as roadworthy and known to the authorities, and once it expires the vehicle is not permitted on the road even if it is mechanically sound and being driven carefully.
Enforcement leans heavily on automatic number plate recognition, which police vehicles and fixed cameras use to check registration status against the register in real time, so an unregistered vehicle is often flagged without any other reason for a stop. Penalties commonly increase with how long the vehicle has been unregistered, treating a lapse that has just occurred more leniently than one that has run on for an extended period.
In some jurisdictions registration and compulsory insurance are bundled together, which means an unregistered vehicle is uninsured at the same time and exposes the driver to the consequences of both. The exact penalties differ by state and territory and are set out in the schedules above.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if I'm caught — driving an unregistered vehicle in VIC?
- The standard penalty is 0 demerit points and a $1,046 fine.
- How close does this put me to suspension in VIC?
- 12 points in any 3-year period (full licence). This offence adds 0 points to your record.
Standard first-offence penalty for a full-licence holder unless noted. Information, not legal advice — if your licence is at stake, get legal advice.