The definition of a road under Queensland law is much broader than many people realise. Under Queensland law, road includes areas such as shopping centre car parks, railway crossings, areas open to the public for use as a road and road related areas. A road related area includes areas such as footpaths, nature strips and road reserves.

Any vehicle that does not comply with the standard regulations for registration but requires access to roads to fulfil operational tasks should get conditional registration. This will affect some agricultural, construction and recreational vehicles including:

• tractors
• graders
• harvesters
• two, three or four-wheeled recreational vehicles.

If the vehicle is not being driven on a road and is only used on private property then it does not need conditional registration.

All vehicles which comply with normal registration requirements are not eligible for conditional registration. This includes truck-based mobile machinery and cranes.

The major benefit is that conditional registration gives you access to Queensland's roads and the protection of CTP insurance which covers you unlimited liability for personal injury caused by, through or in connection with the use of the insured motor vehicle in incidents to which the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 applies. From 1 May 2003 it became illegal to drive a non-standard vehicle on the road without conditional registration.

There are three categories of road access allowable under conditional registration:

• Limited access registration - vehicles are predominantly restricted to worksites and designated areas.
• Zone access registration - vehicles are allowed 20km, 40km and 80km access depending on their areas of operation in Queensland.
• Unlimited access registration - vehicles may still have conditions that apply to the time of operation.

Vehicles getting conditional registration must comply with the conditions for use outlined in the conditional registration guideline. Visit Queensland Transport's conditional registration website for a copy of the guideline.

If your vehicle is currently unregistered and you believe it should now have conditional registration, you should visit a Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre  or agency to organise the registration. You will need to complete an application form and pay for the registration. The registration costs include an administration fee, CTP insurance and the cost of the number plates when they are first issued.  A $25 stamp duty fee also applies.

No. On the application form there is a section that must be signed by the registered operator stating the vehicle complies with the guideline for conditionally registered vehicles. There is no additional requirement to get a vehicle inspection or Safety Certificate in addition to the declaration made on the application form.