Use of Red Plate (Club permit) vehicles in Victoria.
VERSION 1.0 DATE 1/1/2026
“This document does not need ratification from the committee or club members as it is a legal requirement. It is posted here to clarify members beliefs as some were still to the pre 2011 legal requirements.”
You can use a red plate vehicle at random for any reason with a few specific legal steps you must follow.
Since 2011 the rules changed so that you are no longer restricted to official club events or sanctioned club runs. You can use your vehicle to go to the shops, have a coffee meet or just a random day’s use without the club, however to do this legally you must meet these four core requirements.
1.The logbook (the most important rule.)
You cannot just use your red plate vehicle. Before you leave your driveway (or more specifically before you travel more than 100 m from your garage) you must fill out your logbook entry for that day.
- The midnight rule. A single logbook entry lasts until midnight. If you use your vehicle at, say 11 pm and come home at 1 am you must use two days’ worth of entries.
- The penalty. If you are caught you using your vehicle without the logbook filled in, it is considered unregistered which carries a fine often over $900 and potential loss of the permit.
2.Usage limits 45 or 90 days.
When you pay your permit fee to VicRoads you choose either a 45 day or 90-day permit. You can use your vehicle on any day you like but once you run out of days in your logbook you cannot use the vehicle again until the next permit year starts.
You cannot buy more days halfway through the year if you used a 90-day permit, you have to wait for renewal.
3.Financial club membership.
To keep the red plates valid, you must remain a financial member of your club. If your club membership lapses your registration automatically becomes invalid even if the plates haven’t expired yet.
4.Personal use only.
You can use your red plated vehicle at random; you cannot use it for commercial use. You can’t use it for delivery work e.g. Uber eats or any hire/ reward purpose.
Commuting. Whilst technically allowed if you have the logbook days, most people avoid this to save their limited days for recreational use.
