Busted - Unregistered Car - Advice Please [NSW]

LDan83 on 07/10/2018 - 16:40
Last edited 08/10/2018 - 22:29 by 1 other user

I will try keep it brief… First forum post too…

I was just pulled over and fined by the Police for driving my (unbeknownst to me) several-months-ago unregistered car. I had to leave the car on the side of the road. The Police officer lost his hard exterior a bit once he saw my driving record doesn't have a single blemish and suggested I call/write to the state debt recovery office to see if they can take this into account and be lenient (the fine he said would be over $2K!). Otherwise I need to see the RMS to try and renew it on Monday (tomorrow). I will do both.

Any other suggestions or advice from someone caught in this position before???

One thing I am really curious about, does anyone else receive emails from RMS/Service NSW telling them that their rego is due soon? This is critical information, particularly as they took away the stickers for the car with the rego date on them.

I just checked and my postal mailing address is wrong - hence why I did not receive the hard copy… I got a few unimportant emails from Service NSW during the last year, a reminder for rego would have been nice too!!! I also can't see a tick option for something like 'receive rego via email'.

What a crap day…

Cheers

UPDATE 8/10

I have my car registered again!!! :)

Blue slip, CTP, new plates - what a relief… Now to wait for the fine.

Thanks for the insights everyone, particularly those that have been in a similar situation and offered some advice, plus those who shared their experience with emails/notifications from the RMS.

For all those that answered about emails/SMSs etc - it looks like it is all a bit random and inconsistent, which is pretty poor. As I've mentioned, I didn't get either. I asked two of the RMS officers today, one said they don't do it (which is obviously wrong, going off what others have mentioned here), the other said, "I get them, you didn't?". She checked and had my correct details. The CTP company said they don't do it either! Will try the app others suggested and of course setting my own reminder.

Will sign off with this interesting article on the topic: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/drivers-fined-mil…

Automotive

Comments

      • BuyoTheCat on 07/10/2018 - 18:15
        +2

        It wouldnt be valid.
        However it can show that you didnt intentionally not pay rego as without rego.

        good luck.

        • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:04

          Thanks mate.

  • zombie hunter on 07/10/2018 - 18:08
    +2

    Everyone know how to use fakebook and other bullshit social crap
    But when comes to using calendar reminder function most have NFI
    You got a smart phone use it.
    Once you get your reminder of rego via post and email from them enter in your smart phone easy as that

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:05

      Too true.

    • nith265 on 08/10/2018 - 12:38

      I was first thinking that this "put it in you calendar" advice was so obvious as to be insulting and condescending. There are heaps of day to day bills and things I should put in my calendar but don’t - life’s busy.

      Then I got to thinking that I’ve owned my cars for nearly as long as some of my kids and the rego date isn’t changing. So I’m happy to make an exception and will take up your advice on this occasion – diarised!

  • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 18:19
    +7

    $2k is cheap.

    If you damaged other property or killed someone you would be making repayments for the rest of your life.

    You owe that cop a beer.

    • npc on 07/10/2018 - 23:04
      +1

      One will be paying for the property damage anyway. CTP covers only 3rd party life and health…

  • djmm on 07/10/2018 - 18:29
    -3

    OP TBH I don't think you could afford a car. Buy a donkey.

  • DarkOz on 07/10/2018 - 18:34
    +1

    Think you are lucky in some way. Much better than to find out after a bad accident.

    The cop is also helping you out without not doing his job. All you need is to register it first thing on the next working day and wait for the fine. Then write a nice letter with your unblemished record.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:06

      I know - very lucky in that regard.

      • Antikythera on 07/10/2018 - 21:19
        +1

        A suggestion, if you can find the time, go pay the fine in person.

        I got done for not paying my rego when i was a poor student. It was 3 or 4 days overdue. I was pulled over driving home from work where I had collected my pay packet with the intention to pay the next day. I told the officer this.

        I think the cop took pity on me. I left paying the fine till the last day, because poor student, and so I went into the central office in the CBD to pay the fine. When the lady at the desk pulled up my details the fine was for an unregistered trailer $150ish, not car $500ish.

        Not sure if the copper made a mistake or was doing me a favour. But if I had have sent a cheque to the $500 the office probably would have found the error.

  • gimme on 07/10/2018 - 18:35
    +11

    Lol high horse brigade on the offensive. God forbid someone screws up.. nobody died…big deal. Neg away

    • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 18:58

      well at least you are offering a helpful comment

    • nith265 on 08/10/2018 - 13:01
      +4

      yeah - love all self righteousness of most of the comments. I always imagine a brigade of tedious retired old men.

      They spent their lives driving at 2 kms under the speed limit, cursing about those criminals overtaking at 2 kms over. They’d get their cars serviced exactly by the book exactly ontime. Pay every cent in taxes. Set a timer on their watch to avoid getting a parking ticket. They just shake their heads in disbelief at anyone who cant get their sh!t together.

      It’s not like OP is blaming anyone but himself – he’s asking if anyone has had a similar experience.

      Stuff happens in life, we’ve all done it and feel like idiots for forgetting something so simple.

      • bomhee13 on 08/10/2018 - 17:17

        lol this is spot on

      • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 22:12

        So true - thanks bud.

  • dcep on 07/10/2018 - 18:58
    +1

    upto 5k plus jail time for driving unrego vehicle in QLD

    • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 19:00

      whoa! wonder if somewhat same in NSW…?
      One hell of an incentive to stay on top of such things!

  • Euphemistic on 07/10/2018 - 19:02
    +4

    Sign up for the Service NSW app. It had reminders in it.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:07
      +1

      Cheers that's a good idea - I will definitely do that.

  • Randxyz123 on 07/10/2018 - 19:29
    +3

    I just checked and my postal mailing address is wrong - hence why I did not receive the hard copy

    How long ago did you move house? <3 months ago you might get some sympathy >6 months No way. You're pretty lucky you didn't cop an additional fine for not updating your address on your license(which presumably is done via the same website)

    It's shit but personally, I wouldn't bother writing in. Partly because they probably won't get back to you before the fine is due which will make the entire thing more complex. All they will say it is the driver's responsibility to keep on top of this stuff. You are VERY lucky you didn't have an accident

    I don't know NSW but can you not just pay it on the spot? As in login, pay by card and then it's sorted? Or has it been due for so long that it has now been cancelled? (Please don't say I don't want to pay by credit card so I don't have to pay the fees) Or do you need to deal with getting it inspected? Presumably tomorrow you can get an unreg permit, drive it to an inspection then pay the rego…

    You say the car is by the side of the road? Is it somewhere where it won't get towed or $200 in parking fines?

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:13

      Unfortunately it's longer.
      Yeah never had an accident, and I'm so glad it particularly didn't happen in the last few months!
      I think the rego expires straight away. I can't renew online.
      I'll go to the RMS tomorrow and say something like 'I messed up, what do I do?'. I presume I'll pay my rego and another fee (aside from the 2K), an they'll give me several days to arrange a blue slip (vehicle check). I presume the big 2K fee will come soon after, but separately. Not really sure - guess I'll find out tomorrow.
      It's parked somewhere safe (I think).

    • Euphemistic on 07/10/2018 - 21:35

      I don't know NSW but can you not just pay it on the spot?

      Unlikely to be able to renew on the spot as NSW requires a mechanical inspection (pink slip) annually before you can renew. The exception may be if it is a 6 monthly renewal and the inspection is not due for anourher 6 months.

      • Randxyz123 on 08/10/2018 - 15:30

        NSW requires a mechanical inspection (pink slip) annually before you can renew.

        God what a pain. I kinda understand the reasoning behind it but in other states, you can pay online and be done with it.

        • Euphemistic on 08/10/2018 - 17:31

          Personally i gladly suffer the 15-30 minute inspection knowing that most of the three NSW car on the roads around me have had a mechanic do some basic checks each year, mostly including the brake check. Some of the rust buckets getting around from interstate look downright dangerous.

  • tromboc on 07/10/2018 - 19:29
    +3

    Have to say, OP, you're taking quite the beating from the public here, and rather well. We all make mistakes, I've driven unregistered before as well, mistakes happen. Fines were paid. Lessons learned.

    As for answering your question, IANAL, however I feel like if you were to ask one, the suggestion might be to simply own up, pay the bill and learn the lesson the hard way.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:15

      Thanks mate, yeah people go pretty hard online. I now know what celebs feel like lol!

      • Roll Eyes on 08/10/2018 - 12:03
        -1

        Yeah another uninsured vehicle on the road. Not even CTP covered. No big deal. People who do the ‘grown up’ thing are sick of paying the price for people who enjoy the benefits of society and shirk their responsibilities.

  • Melb69 on 07/10/2018 - 19:41

    Its up to you to ensure you keep the car registered or not. The authority shouldn't have to forward you a reminder, but they do as a courtesy. Put a reminder on your phone for a week before rego due.

  • icollected on 07/10/2018 - 19:44
    +5

    Hey OP.
    Bad luck buddy. I was pulled up a few months ago. Car was unregistered for 2 weeks. The cop was nice about it and suggested I contact them once the fine comes in.

    Like yourself, I’ve never lost a single demerit point and I was honest in my letter.
    1. Accept fault
    2. Apologised and gave my reason as to why I forgot (just returned from overseas and must have missed the letter).
    3. Made changes such as setting up notices on phones and laptop to ensure I don’t make this mistake again.

    They let me go with a warning.
    You don’t generally get too much sympathy for road fines here on OZb.
    You’re not alone. We are forgetful and if my memory serves me correctly. The head of the Victorian police force forgot her car registration payment when we switched over to no-stickers.

    Edit: nope. Definitely not chief commissioner XD
    but someone important and in politics or law enforcement. Made news a few years ago I’m sure of it!!

    • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 19:49

      Was it Bill Shorten.?

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:16

      Thanks heaps mate! That's super helpful. Exactly my scenario but mine had expired for longer. See how I go. Thanks again.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 19:47
    +2

    "Ok google {hey siri} remind me that my registration is due two weeks before (insert date here)"

    "OK Dan I have set up a reminder on (insert date here)"

    "Thanks google {siri}

    "I aim to please"

  • Melb69 on 07/10/2018 - 19:57
    +1

    https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/buy-sell-or-tra…

    For Vic Drivers. Look up your rego and stick the date in your caleneder for payment reminder a week before and also on day before.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 20:17

    Perhaps consider contacting service NSW and arranging to work the fine off. A mate of mine received a similar fine and arranged to work during his annual leave break. Of course, so may want to relax but this is a decent suggesting if you are the frivolous type.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:19

      Thanks - that is interesting. I need any time off work I can get though. Will suck it up if need be and pay.

  • ribze1 on 07/10/2018 - 20:18

    Advice - check all of the things you need to be updating your address on. Car Rego would be a top five so what else did you forget?

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:19

      Hopefully nothing else!

  • Peanut money on 07/10/2018 - 20:30

    Maybe go through a mental checklist every week of things that might be needing attention

    Regarding the tough love approach - most of them are just bitter people that like seeing other people go through misfortunes rather then trying to help. It makes me sometimes wonder when i do nice stuff for someone, if I’m helping one of these lemon eaters

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 20:41

      Love your comment - so true!
      Oh well, a smaller portion of the comments have genuinely offered really useful info and suggestions.
      The rest - well hopefully I made there day a little more entertaining. Or at least made them feel good about themselves.

  • geech on 07/10/2018 - 21:01

    Having had an old car run out of rego recently that I didn’t renew I can confirm I’ve received the following:

    Postal letter saying rego is due in approx one month
    Postal letter saying CTPI is due in approx one month
    Email reminding me my rego is due in 10 days
    Text message reminding me my rego is due 2 days prior to expiry
    Text message reminding me my rego is due on the day of expiry
    Email the day after my rego expired, reminding me it’s expired and warning me it will cost me at least $1346 if I drive the car and get caught
    Postal letter approx 2 weeks after my rego expired telling me it’s expired, and an offence to drive the car

    This does not include reminders I got about my comprehensive insurance.

    I haven’t done anything special to receive these “reminders” other than ensuring the RMS have my current address/phone/email some be surprised if you didn’t at least get a couple of these reminders.

    I’m also surprised you lasted “several months” given all of the automation they have on the roads these days.

    As much as it sucks getting such a big fine, I don’t see how you can try to blame anyone but yourself for driving unregistered.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 22:08

      Thanks for the info, good to see how it can work well.
      No I didn't get any of those. They have the right email, no phone details though (added now). Goes without saying, I presume I got send the mail copy of course, just not to the right address.
      Cheers.

  • MessyG on 07/10/2018 - 21:14

    Ah it happens to everyone at some point. You can talk debt collectors into a discount sometimes, claim financial hardship and you don't know how you're going to be able to pay it etc, I've had friends do this and they've knocked the debt down (this usually quite a while after the fact though after the debt has been sold onto another company). You can also try and get a payment plan so it doesn't sting so much.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 22:08

      Thanks for your input.

    • gth on 08/10/2018 - 11:57

      You might be curious to obtain a credit rating report on yourself. What you're describing can have consequences you either might not be aware of, or not care about?

      • MessyG on 09/10/2018 - 21:45

        Not aware of - said friend later got a home loan so I assumed all ok?

  • darkchoc on 07/10/2018 - 21:14
    +2

    Same happened to me. Renewed the next day. When I received fine, wrote in to admit guilt (wrote to traffic officer in charge), attached proof registration was paid next day, proof that address changed and admitted it was my mistake. I also noted that I had a clean driving record and have paid rego every year prior and would set a reminder so it would not happen again.

    Requested for an official warning.

    Vic police write back and have an official warning and waived the fine.

    Good luck

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 22:09

      Great comment - thank you very helpful.

  • ComfortablyNumb on 07/10/2018 - 21:30
    +1

    Unfortunately in situations like this, you did the crime, do the time. (I am assuming you did not have CTP either? Imagine if you hit someone or something!)
    Plead ignorance, plead address changes, try your luck, but from my experience, it generally does not amount to much when a registration is far overdue.

    You've learned a very valuable lesson in all this at least, keep on top of your bills (you're on Ozbargain so I have a slight inkling that you scrutinise charges and looks for the best deals).

    Get to know Google calendar… set annual, half yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly, daily reminders for everything!
    Whether it's dog flea drops, water bills, birthdays… it will help and prevent this happening again.

    As people have said above, I think they have hardship calculators to help pay the debt once the fine is finalised. The most important thing for you in this situation is that you have learned from it.

    • Dan83 on 07/10/2018 - 22:11

      Thanks for comment - I'll see how I go - and yes quite the lesson!

  • MindGrenadius on 07/10/2018 - 22:12

    You'll be lucky you didn't get an additional fine for not having updated your details.

    Once I had the RMS website error on me during my address update, I got a parking ticket that I didn't know about and it went unpaid and got pulled over and told my license was suspended. Something like an additional $120 for not updating address within two weeks.

  • Gelato on 08/10/2018 - 00:00
    +2

    thats a very expensive lesson learnt, feel sorry for you mate. pay up and think about how to avoid it from happening again…

    personally i set up a bank account for car maintenance, deposit $100/month. when my rego and CTP are due to renew in june, which cost about $1200 i will fund it from that account (in details pay by my cc to accumulate points and pay my cc by that account…)

    everyone manages their bills and finance differently. just have to find out which works for ya

  • notfrodo on 08/10/2018 - 07:46

    I am not sure about NSW, but if you register your car on VicRoads, they send you reminders by email.

  • alxr0101 on 08/10/2018 - 07:57

    Your CTP provider also sends you a renewal…by post and email if you listed it.

    For fifty bucks I will print out a Brother label maker tape with the date and you can stick that in the door frame. You will see it every time you open the door.

    For another twenty bucks I'll schedule an email reminder.

    Nsw may also back date the renewal (but not to your advantage re your fine)…ie you now just paid 12 months renewal but it now expires in 9 months (if 3 months overdue).NOT SURE on how long the lapse is before cancelled.

    But I suspect if unregistered for that long then its a new registration.At least you will not be slugged stamp duty.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/10/2018 - 08:17

    Wow..Look at this thread..all the saints came down from heaven to criticize OP.

    • Ryanek on 08/10/2018 - 10:37

      Imagine getting hit by an unregistered driver with no insurance. Now what?

      • [Deactivated] on 08/10/2018 - 11:16
        -1

        Compared to the shit that goes on in this country I would have given op a warning if I was that cop considering his record.
        Besides, nsw is over populated.

        • Ryanek on 08/10/2018 - 11:56
          +1

          Well that escalated quickly.

    • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 22:15

      @sidewinder1 and those saints have brought their pitchforks and torches!!! jks saints jks, don't bring the pitchforks…

  • Micko179 on 08/10/2018 - 08:48

    One has to wonder how you keep air in your tyres or even get scheduled servicing done on time! Not sure about NSW but up here in Bananaland I get emails from QLD Transport on a weekly basis pretty much(have in excess of 15 regos currently), whether it be a renewal sent a month in advance, a 3 day reminder, a reminder on the day, or a final notice 10 days after(along with a $50 penalty for paying it late) so there's really no excuse for it here unless you're, well flat broke which leads to my suggestion, get a bike if it's too much to take care of!

  • MrRotundo on 08/10/2018 - 10:37

    Several months? Might have to go over the pits and get a blue slip?

  • haimrevolution on 08/10/2018 - 10:40
    +2

    What would be interesting if you are in a similar situation to me. I didn’t let my rego slip by or anything but I realised I wasn’t receive any communication at all from the rta when I changed addresses. Turned out the lady at the desk input the address incorrectly. If that’s happened to you they should be a bit lenient as it is their fcup

  • [Deactivated] on 08/10/2018 - 10:43

    lesson learnt. pay and move on and do better next time.

  • Munki on 08/10/2018 - 11:14

    I get SMS notifications when it's time to renew. Also, Greenslip goes to my emails too - so I'll know it's time…

  • cuteseal on 08/10/2018 - 11:43
    +1

    Same boat as you - I got pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle (in VIC) a year ago. What happened was, my wife had tossed aside the renewal letter by mistake and I never even saw it. But like others say - there really isn't any defence against this.

    The fine was not as hefty as yours - mine was over $700, on top of the rego renewal fee. But I applied for a payment plan with them, and paid $100 per month, which is more manageable. That's probably my best suggestion to you.

  • Butt Scratcher on 08/10/2018 - 12:11
    +1

    Several months is pretty inexcusable.

    You should know roughly when it's due. Idk about you, but i get plenty of reminders.

    1. Via mail, from both rms and insurance provider. So the adress youve provided to rms and insuranve is wrong?
    2. Texts from greenslip provider, with a link to pay if i dont pay their bill.
    3. Email bill from insurance

    Isnt the RMS supposed to have your latest address (for drivers licence)?

    If it's hard to remember because they no longer use stickers, then whip out a sharpie and write it on your windscreen. If i were you, i wouldn't though, id hate to explain it if someone asks me about it.

    If it was a week or 2 out, you could probably get away. But several months? Oh no

    As for the payment, if 2k is too much to fork out upfront, then you could pay it in instalments by asking revenue

  • FimpBARGAIN on 08/10/2018 - 12:18

    I know this fine seems harsh, but the cop has done you a favour.
    Could you imagine the financial cost of having even a minor accident and causing a injury to another driver? This could have cost you anywhere from a few grand to a few hundred grand!

    I have had too many incidents with unregistered or uninsured people to have much sympathy for you, sorry.

  • singlemalt72 on 08/10/2018 - 12:28

    2 cars, 2 motorcycles and a camper trailer and I know when every one of them is due.
    How do people get through life not knowing such basic things?
    I plan ahead knowing when insurance and rego, rates and other big ticket bills are due.

  • jno on 08/10/2018 - 12:46

    You know when you havent had a big bill in a while and you normally get a big bill, its not time to celebrate obviosly something is wrong.

    In vic you can check your car rego online takes about 5 seconds to type in your plates and see if its valid or not.

  • geoffs87 on 08/10/2018 - 12:56
    +1

    not sure if anyones already mentioned, but the service nsw app for your phone lists your regos and licenses, and their expiries. I just checked my app, and you can set a reminder within the app (probably adds something to your calendar.

    As many have said, you missed it, you pay it, but put steps in place to avoid this happening again.

    I work for a company where a big part of my remuneration is a bonus. A requirement of that bonus is that i complete certain online learning regularly (they take like 20mins a few times a year). I forgot to do one, and now my bonus will be hit by ~10%, which is much more than your 2k fine… in my case - i just have to suck it up and accept the error i made and put steps in place to avoid it happening again.

  • rave75 on 08/10/2018 - 12:56
    +1

    I once drove an unregistered car (less than a month late though) in a crappy car, got stopped (500m from home at 1am) because I had major stomachache and pass the double lines slightly. The officer felt pity and somehow he only fined me from crossing the double lines and let me go.

  • fersea on 08/10/2018 - 13:09

    You have nothing to lose by asking for leniency. I am a generally law abiding citizen but like most people a couple of times I have missed the parking sign and got booked.

    In my experience, when you get the fine, you have about 4 weeks to pay. If you write asking for leniency, the fine gets put on hold, so you don't have to pay within the 4 weeks. It is then reviewed by the government department, as is your right to ask for a review. They will probably come back "we can't give you leniency on this occasion" but it will probably take them 4-6 weeks to do so. They will then give you another 4 weeks to pay.

    So at least if nothing else, you have bought yourself another couple of months to get the money together to pay the fine.

    It is only if you go to court where the amount can increase.

    • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 20:50

      Thanks, that is good info.

  • Oz8argain on 08/10/2018 - 13:41
    +1

    I was in the exact situation a few years ago. I was driving to work and got pulled over by the police. My rego was expired for 3 months….

    The car was my mum's, she bought it from the dealership and only had 3 months of registration. She only relied on physical mail to remind her of registration renewal but never got mail.

    The fine was over $800, my first offence, I just paid registration online on the side of the road and kept driving. Didn't know anything about asking for leniency.

    We went to Vicroads later and found out that they had issues with their mail system and never sent out the letters to us. Over a month later we got an apology letter from Vicroads explaining the error on their behave. I forwarded it to the police but it was too late by then, as I had to pay the fine by deadline. Addtionally, they said it is not an excuse as the driver should always be aware of these info.

    My question is, do you always ask for registration (and maybe insurance) before you drive a car that's not yours? Every time? I did from then on. It was a expensive lesson, I should only trust myself and not trust others to get things done.

    • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 20:50

      Wow, that's particularly crap. Thanks for sharing.

  • sghetti on 08/10/2018 - 13:57

    Some of the comments about how can you not remember when your car rego is due are a bit rough. To be fair, I don't remember the month/year we bought our cars in.

    Having said that, it's the manner in which you ensure you're reminded when it is due which is important. I don't know about other states but in SA we still get mailed bills. All of the bills that need to be scheduled or paid for via government web portals are stuck to the fridge by magnet, with the bill due soonest at the front. I pretty much open the fridge and check the date of the top bill every day to remind myself of when it's due.

    A lot of traffic cameras have plate readers and you can receive automatic 'unregistered' fines in the mail now, it's not worth the risk of forgetting.

  • Scab on 08/10/2018 - 13:59

    does anyone else receive emails from RMS/Service NSW telling them that their rego is due soon?

    I get both an email and SMS that it's due.

  • yotto27 on 08/10/2018 - 14:01
    +2

    wow a lot of harsh comments in here, yes OP is in the wrong but the same thing happened to my wife only about 3 months ago - borrowed a car from a friend, currently no rego stickers on cars anymore here in Victoria either so the assumption was that it was registered, didn't even think to ask that when borrowing the car for a couple of weeks while one of ours was getting fixed, the owners had been using the car too, wasn't like it was sitting there etc.

    got pulled over on one of those deals where they have a van with a camera set up and marked/unmarked cop cars driving around pulling people over for unregistered cars or other issues, car happened to be out of registration by a few weeks, driver gets the fine, not the owner of course, pleaded her situation with the cop but got nowhere of course ( just doing their job, not their fault), allowed her to ring the owner of the car and they paid the rego straight away and sent through the receipt so she could show the cop - he said it was the only way she was going to be able to drive away, otherwise it was to be left on the side of the road or towed.

    so a few weeks later the $900 odd fine comes in the mail but as she has basically never gotten a speeding fine and possibly due to the circumstances of the situation, sent off a letter and after a bit of back and forthing for a few weeks, the fine got withdrawn. Very lucky in the end but seriously people let up on OP, I'm sure they don't really need the lecture or a lot of the negativity you are all sending on.

    • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 20:48
      +1

      Thanks mate.

  • Love a bargain on 08/10/2018 - 14:08
    +1

    My rego is due in about a week. Have received 2 reminders by mail and 1 by email so far.

  • Kamsi on 08/10/2018 - 14:58

    I do get sms reminder.

    Lucky my car insurance and the rego is 6 month difference.

  • MementoMori on 08/10/2018 - 15:12
    +1

    It happens to all of us.

    I missed mine due to an AusPost failed mail forward. For some reason they didn't forward my rego renewal, but did everything else.

    I was 2 days out of rego, ~$600 fine.

    Insurances, City Link, Fishing lic, Roadside assist address, Electoral roll, Medicare bank account, Banks, Gas, Elec, Water, Pet rego, Motorbike rego, Trailer rego, Caravan rego, etc etc etc… there are a lot of organisations that require updating if you're a renter and move every 2-3 years, it's not hard to miss one and they should give some leniency on this for otherwise good drivers.

    You won't get much sympathy here, people will say it's all part of being an adult, which in some way is true but also go back 50 years and we didn't need to do half of this stuff…

    • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 20:47

      Ouch, particularly harsh for you. Thanks for sharing.

  • askme69 on 08/10/2018 - 15:14
    +1

    You will not get off with SDRO. The officer could have just given you the UNREG, I assume you got all 3 (UNREG, UNINS and TAX).

    Go to court, the Magistrate can make a determination.

    The address issues does not alter anything, its still your responsibility (sorry).

  • Hasbulla on 08/10/2018 - 15:26
    +1

    Don't bother fighting it.
    You stand no chance.

    However, if you are in genuine financial hardship (unemployed and such…), you can go for a work development order in NSW.
    All the info are here: https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines/eo/wdo
    You can pay off up to a max of $1,000/month.

    I hope it helps mate.

    • Scab on 08/10/2018 - 15:45

      You don't have to do that, if you're in financial hardship you can get all outstanding fines waived.

      • Hasbulla on 08/10/2018 - 16:03

        This is not what the link above says.
        I've paid off two very large fines through WDO myself.
        It was a great experience that definitely assisted me in finding a proper job eventually.

        • Scab on 08/10/2018 - 16:11

          I've done it, thousands of dollars waived.

          Just wrote a letter to the commissioner who has the discretion to do that:

          https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1996/99/part4/…

          • Hasbulla on 08/10/2018 - 19:41

            @Scab: Nice.
            Sounds discretionary tho.
            cheers

            • Scab on 08/10/2018 - 19:44

              @Hasbulla: Yeah it is and not that easy.

              Never heard of a work order, is that like community service, as in unpaid work?

              • Hasbulla on 09/10/2018 - 07:05

                @Scab: exactly that.

              • askme69 on 09/10/2018 - 09:49

                @Scab: Not Community service. For starters you have to be unemployed.

                Are you on a Pension? If so, that changes your appeal.

                PM me.

      • askme69 on 09/10/2018 - 09:47

        Its harder than you think nowadays.

        Years ago yes, they had the FHRB (Financial hardship review board) that was before they had Centrelink deductions, Work development orders etc which capture 99% of all scenarios.

  • DBBROS on 08/10/2018 - 15:27

    I do receive emails from the CTP insurer but not from the RMS. Currently I am relying on their app to be reminded of it

  • lionelhutz on 08/10/2018 - 16:56

    This exact thing happened to me in Victoria a few years ago. $600 fine, plus the new rego fee, plus the cost of towing it home (luckily it wasn't far from home).

    I had only just returned from living overseas and the rego notice went to my old overseas address. But I should have changed my address, should've remembered what month it was registered, etc etc. Totally my own stupidity. I was just fortunate I didn't have an accident while unregistered.

    You have no chance of getting out of it, driving an unregistered car is pretty serious, even if it was unintentional. Plus it's pretty easy money for the government now that police cars have cameras that automatically recognise unregistered plates.

    • Scab on 08/10/2018 - 19:06
      +1

      You have no chance of getting out of it, driving an unregistered car is pretty serious,

      You can get out of it, heaps of people have on Highway Patrol on telly.

      Although the OP is months out which limits his chances, no harm in trying though.

  • Elmer Fudd on 08/10/2018 - 17:53

    This app for your mobile maybe useful to keep on top of these type of things. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.nsw.ser…
    I use the Qld rego equivalent and it allows me to add reminders to my calendar for rego renewals.

  • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 21:03
    +1

    Update - I have my car registered again!!! :)

    Blue slip, CTP, new plates - what a relief… Now to wait for the fine.

    Thanks for the insights everyone, particularly those that have been in a similar situation and offered some advice, plus those who shared their experience with emails/notifications from the RMS.

    For all those that answered about emails/SMSs etc - it looks like it is all a bit random and inconsistent, which is pretty poor. As I've mentioned, I didn't get either. I asked two of the RMS officers today, one said they don't do it (which is obviously wrong, going off what others have mentioned here), the other said, "I get them, you didn't?". She checked and had my correct details. The CTP company said they don't do it either! Will try the app others suggested and of course setting my own reminder.

    Will sign off with this interesting article on the topic: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/drivers-fined-mil…

  • chriskq on 08/10/2018 - 22:16

    Anyone got any stats on revenue raised on rego fines pre and post stickers…. i bet the gov really like the new cheaper and higher rev raising?? method

    annd OP posted the stats in the post above…. i didnt get to page 2 of the comments.. soz

    • Dan83 on 08/10/2018 - 22:18

      The article I posted just above covers it. Similar to speed cameras in areas likely to catch people out rather than actually dangerous places.

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