How Long Can You Leave a Car Unregistered in South Australia?
In South Australia and its capital Adelaide, leaving your car unregistered is a big gamble. It’s a gamble because there is no grace period for unregistered cars in South Australian Government Laws. The government in South Australia considers your vehicle unregistered the moment its registration expires. It means The answer to the question, “How Long Can You Leave a Car Unregistered in South Australia?” is zero days. The vehicle owners in South Australia, Adelaide and the broader region are subject to heavy fines on their vehicles on unregistered cars – even for parking on public parking spaces.
Car owners are subject to hefty fines on driving or parking unregistered cars on public roads from the moment their registration expires and they cannot claim benefits. The loss of insurance is a benefit the car owners in SA lose on any mishaps or accidents. The blog is a summary of the cost and ways to prevent costs arising from skipping the vehicle Registration SA.
How long can Car Registration SA be avoided?
There is only one condition, a driver can avoid fines and penalties on unregistered cars for a long period of time in Adelaide and SA. Letting it occupy your garage or parking space at home is the only way to avoid any kind of fines. Keeping your private no rego car in Adelaide under a private property does not attract the Motor Vehicles Act of 1954. You can keep it indefinitely in the private property under any condition, rust, scrap, non operational and more at a cost of occupied space. However, the moment it hits the road or is parked outside private property, it attracts fines and penalties.
What’s the cost, fine and risk associated with an unregistered car?
Let’s revisit the rules for unregistered car in SA before proceeding to fines and risks associated it:
- No Grace Period: The car becomes unregistered right in the second of its expiry date provided to you, the government does not give you a grace period to renew it registration. The fines are applicable right when your vehicle exceeds its registration date.
- Public Roads: The use of public roads for driving and parking attracts additional fines along with the penalties on failing to renew registration. You cannot even park it outside on a public road right beside your home when its registration ends.
Let’s move on to fines associated for use of no rego vehicles in SA and Adelaide Regions:
| S.N. | Offence | Penalty in 2025/26 |
| 1. | Driving/parking unregistered vehicle in SA | $ 486 fine plus $ 105 levy fee = Total $ 591 |
| 2. | Driving uninsured (no CTP) | Up to $1,500 and extra |
| 3. | Court escalation (if unpaid) | Additional penalty charge and court costs. |
| 4. | Repeat use of unregistered car | Vehicle Impoundment |
As outlined in the table above, fines can exceed costs of $1500. While you may feel like only driving or parking charges apply on unregistered vehicles in Adelaide and SA region, it’s a false assumption. The insurance company does not cover any accidents, risks or unforeseen damage costs like Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, the moment your vehicle registration expires. It means you bear the brunt of fines and penalties of $591 along with the cost of repairs on any unfortunate accidents. In addition to fines and penalties car owners can also be penalised and given demerit points on their licenses.
What should owners do if their vehicle registration expires?
Your unregistered car in Adelaide is a driving nightmare adding up costs, if it’s not parked on your land or parking space. Conscious driver seeking to reduce the fines of registration expiration should follow the steps below to avoid government fees:
- Park it – Do not drive your car even for grocery shopping to the nearest block or square.
- Check rego expiration: Check how long the registration on your car has been invalid for. For drivers whose vehicles have expired less than 90 days a standard fee without any fines is charged by the government. Pay the online fee or visit the nearest Service SA centre in a different vehicle or public transport. For those with expiration of exceeding 90 days, re-registration and late fee of AUD 21 is charged.
- Check: To avoid fines, late fees and costs related to expiry always set reminders on your calendar and phone.
What to do with my scrap cars in Adelaide with no rego?
The drivers with non functional unregistered cars in SA and Adelaide region should contact nearest cash for car dealers. At Cash for Car Adelaide, we provide car removal services in Adelaide within 24 hours with an absolutely tow free service. We handle the paper work for unregistered vehicles without any charges at a right cash bargain.