Owning a vehicle means staying on top of things like registration and insurance. In the ACT, skipping these steps can cost you a lot, both in fines and in potential risks. Luckily, it’s not hard to avoid these penalties if you plan ahead. In this post, we’ll cover what happens if you ignore your vehicle registration and insurance, why it matters, and the easiest way to stay on track.
The Financial Consequences
According to Access Canberra, if you’re caught driving an unregistered vehicle, you’re facing a $700 fine. And if your car is uninsured? Add $1009 to that. That’s a total of $1709 in penalties for missing your renewal dates. These fines can cause serious stress, especially since they’re completely avoidable.
Whether you’re running a business, commuting to work, or just using your car for everyday errands, this kind of fine can cause some serious stress. The good news is, it’s pretty easy to avoid.
Why Registration and Insurance Matter
Yes, the fines are high, but the real reason to stay registered and insured is about safety. Registration ensures your car is safe to drive, and insurance covers you and others if there’s an accident. Without it, you could be held responsible for a lot more than just a fine—you might have to pay for damages, medical bills, and legal fees. That’s not a situation anyone wants to be in.
FYI: Penalties and New Enforcement Measures in 2024
Since August 2024, the ACT government is stepping up enforcement by using road safety cameras to check vehicle registrations automatically. These cameras will no longer just catch speeders — they’ll be able to check if your car’s registration is up to date as well. So, if you’ve been putting off that renewal, now is the time to act. You won’t be able to fly under the radar.
Why This Matters (Even If You Don’t Drive)
Even if you’re not driving, the risks posed by unregistered and uninsured vehicles affect everyone on the road. Whether you’re crossing the street or riding in a friend’s car, you want to trust that everyone’s vehicle is safe and legally compliant.
The Easiest Way to Never Miss a Registration Renewal Again
Let’s be honest — keeping track of all your vehicles’s renewals can be a hassle. That’s where Manage My Renewals comes in. This tool automatically tracks all your important dates, including vehicle registrations, insurance renewals, and other licences, and sends reminders before they’re due. No more panicking when you realise your registration expired last month— it’s all handled for you.
With ManageMyRenewals, you get:
- Automatic reminders for key renewals
- A dashboard to view upcoming dates
- A centralised place to store all your documents
It’s a small but smart step that can save you from hefty fines. Staying on top of your vehicle registration and insurance is the best way to avoid legal trouble, expensive fines, and unnecessary stress. Services like Manage My Renewals help automate the process so you don’t have to worry about missing any important dates. It’s an easy solution that ensures you’re always compliant.
Ready to make sure you never miss an expiry date again?
See how easy it is to stay on top of your renewals. Start your 30-day free trial today and take the stress out of managing deadlines for good!
