Interstate Rego Process

[silvia_15]

Hey guys,

First of all, I have just joined the forum and its a pleasure to be here. This ACT community looks pretty helpful and fun.

Now, I am hopeful of buying a nice S15 (JDM) - unless I get tired of hunting for a nice example and find something else.

Obviously NSW has more cars on sales but I want to understand more about the process when buying an interstate import.

For example I talked to a guy selling an S15 in Sydney. He seemed authentic and told me that the car has its battery shifted to the boot to accommodate for the FMIC - and that is deemed illegal. So if I take it to Dickson (for ACT rego) would they fail that? What is the regulation? (Do they not like FMIC's? or is it battery in the back?)

As I understand any import car (purple plate or other) from interstate needs to be taken to Dickson and they will check.

Also what if the car fails that inspection? What are the repercussions?

Sorry for the noob questions, just don't wanna make a stupid decision. Any useful tips will be appreciated.

Cheers!

[Manuel Kasko]

Hey mate, welcome!

It's pretty quiet in here these days but you will still have people willing to help.

If the car has been cut up to fit the intercool then they may pick on it.

That being said my r33 passed with the pipe running through a cut hole under the battery tray. I also had the battery relocated into the boot and had no issues.

Repercussions if you fail I'm unsure about. When I had purchased inside of Canberra then I was told I had to fix them or they would cancel the rego. But I'm pretty sure they can't cancel NSW rego so it would probably just be failed and told to return when it's ready.

When you find the car then list up its mods and we can let you know. They don't care about coilovers or pod filters (as long as it has a bracket).

Two big things they do care about is noise from exhaust and child restraints. You can easily hide boost controllers and turbo timers.

[RosieR34]

Hey mate, welcome!

It's pretty quiet in here these days but you will still have people willing to help.

If the car has been cut up to fit the intercool then they may pick on it.

That being said my r33 passed with the pipe running through a cut hole under the battery tray. I also had the battery relocated into the boot and had no issues.

Repercussions if you fail I'm unsure about. When I had purchased inside of Canberra then I was told I had to fix them or they would cancel the rego. But I'm pretty sure they can't cancel NSW rego so it would probably just be failed and told to return when it's ready.

When you find the car then list up its mods and we can let you know. They don't care about coilovers or pod filters (as long as it has a bracket).

Two big things they do care about is noise from exhaust and child restraints. You can easily hide boost controllers and turbo timers.

Pretty much all this. But to add on - they will auto fail you if you do not have child restraints - no way around it. You're allowed one cold air induction legally in ACT which I chose to use as the FMIC. They pretty much spot for things being secure. But in saying that, if your car is too low or incorrect coilovers - they'll pin you for that. You're allowed a turbo timer as long as it has a manual delete somewhere (Forces the car to fully turn off even with turbo timer ticking down). Dickson can be Dick, son. But I normally get my shopping list and get it all sorted. If you go in with a JDM they will find something to pin you on, so you're better off to go in with a mod on somewhere that's easy to remove (i.e coilovers etc). Other than that, I used a pod box for my pod filter and they didn't try and look under it. So tighten things and hide things haha

As for failing and what happens, you have 30 days to come good or you need to go back for a full inspection, instead of just returning with the work done ready to be passed.

Good luck - Welcome to the Nissan family.

Edited February 1, 2016 by RosieR34

[silvia_15]

Thanks for the quick response! Haha, hope I will be part of the family again soon (I used to drive a 91 Pulsar )

Anyways - this is the car I was looking at. I haven't seen it in person so not sure if there are cuts to the body (I think yes) and if so then how big. Maybe I can ask for some detailed pics. What can be done if they don't like the cut? Elaborate hiding scheme? And if you bought an ACT car, purple plated, do you have to take it to Dickson or just need a RWC?

So is one of the FMIC or pod filter allowed? I guess its not too bad getting a pod removed or covered up maybe. Stainless steel intake doesn't count does it? Don't think it has a turbo timer. Boost controller will have to be hidden. What about the BOV? That creates any issues? And the gauges? And I have been told the exhaust is a very quiet one (but what's the limit anyways?).

The child restraint, would that be above the back seats? There is nothing on the front right?

Sorry for all the noob questions but I truly appreciate the help!

[Manuel Kasko]

Don't be sorry for asking questions, it's the way we learn.

As long as the pod has a bracket on it then it shouldn't be a problem, however covering it with some stainless or plastic should be fine.

I passed with an exposed pod and a FMIC with a hole under the battery tray, but I might just have been lucky.

BOV can't vent to atmosphere so make sure it's one that plumbs back, stock BOV plumbs back and they of course have no issues with this.

Some aftermarket ones vent to atmosphere and make a louder noise which causes emissions and thus is their issue.

As far as I am aware any imported car that is purchased will need to go over Dickson, It used to be just a RWC but this changed a few years back.

They also picked up that my boost controller was aftermarket by looking at the solenoid which could cause issues for you.

[Anfanee]

Depends on the colour of the compliance plate if it has to go over dickson.

[cpark]

When I took my GTR into Dickson the only thing they picked me up for was a leaking cv boot which I would have repaired anyways. They give you 10 days not 30 days to rectify otherwise it will warrant another full inspection. Child restraints are a must. In case you need I actually have my stock bov and piping from my previous s15 so if you end up picking one up that has a bov venting to atmosphere then let me know so it will save you the hassle of sourcing another. Will definitely need to take it to Dickson and the rwc's here in act from other mechanics are pretty straight as opposed to NSW where virtually any mechanic will sign off on your car. Good luck with the search.

[Trozzle]

Interstate rego needn't go to Dickson.....

....unless it's a grey import (JDM), in which case it's supposed to go to Dickson for any rego inspections. Period.

If you find someone who doesn't realise they're not supposed to do the inspection as it's an import, you can try your luck taking the certificate into the shopfront and seeing if they pick up on it (really unlikely).

I bought my 33 with QLD rego, took it to a garage (who no longer have their ticket lol), got it passed, and that was good enough for the shopfront. Your mileage may vary though haha

[Anfanee]

Again it depends on the compliance plate colour....

[Trozzle]

Not that I believe they have half a clue what they're talking about themselves, but it was on the word of Dickson themselves advising me that if it was a private grey import of any kind (ie every 33/34 and most 32 Skylines) it had to go over Dickson before ACT registration could be established. It wouldn't surprise me if this was incorrect information, but it kinda makes sense that the overbearing assholes would want to make sure they check over every single potentially modified vehicle before it's allowed registration. They're dream boats.

I mean the inspection guide PDF on the ACT rego website doesn't even make it clear who's allowed to inspect it, only that it needs a green compliance plate.

[zebra]

Can Confirm, there is no way around it anymore

[RosieR34]

Not that I believe they have half a clue what they're talking about themselves, but it was on the word of Dickson themselves advising me that if it was a private grey import of any kind (ie every 33/34 and most 32 Skylines) it had to go over Dickson before ACT registration could be established. It wouldn't surprise me if this was incorrect information, but it kinda makes sense that the overbearing assholes would want to make sure they check over every single potentially modified vehicle before it's allowed registration. They're dream boats.

I mean the inspection guide PDF on the ACT rego website doesn't even make it clear who's allowed to inspect it, only that it needs a green compliance plate.

Compliance plates use to matter. Now they don't...since like 2014 or something. If it has ACT Rego, you're fine. If it has any other state. Dickson it is, regardless of plate colour. For imports that is.

Edited February 3, 2016 by RosieR34

[k_d]

Yeah. Interesting that dickson is only 10 days for reinspection as the legislation is either 28 or 30 days (cant remember exactly) for everywhere else. Powertrippers.

That looks like a nice s15 though, tasteful mods (im a sucker for mca's lol)

[k_d]

Compliance plates use to matter. Now they don't...since like 2014 or something. If it has ACT Rego, you're fine. If it has any other state. Dickson it is, regardless of plate colour. For imports that is.

Pretty sure even imports already registered in act still have to go over there. Might be wrong. Will ask rego chappie at work tomorrow!

[RosieR34]

Pretty sure even imports already registered in act still have to go over there. Might be wrong. Will ask rego chappie at work tomorrow!

I believe change of hand does not require a Dickson inspection, however, this could have changed in the 2014 new ruling. go and find out

[Trex]

transfer of registration of an act registered vehicle.

http://www.rego.act.gov.au/registration/acquiring-or-disposing-of-a-vehicle/transferring-an-act-registered-vehicle

list of approved road worthy examiners for green and yellow compliance plates.

http://www.rego.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/549572/90015-Approved-Inspection-Stations-27012016.pdf

any import from another state needs to go through dickson.

Dickson blokes are ok. Know their stuff, spoke to me and asked about some of the things i had done to the car. I had to go twice because some laws differ between nsw and act.

[k_d]

Thanks for clarifying Trex!!

Im sure there are a few good blokes there, and a few bad ones same as everywhere. Cant say i have had any good dealings with them...

[silvia_15]

"All imported vehicles with a magenta (purple) compliance plate whether from the ACT or another jurisdiction must be inspected at the Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry."

That is from the website. I think all Skylines and Silvia's have a purple plate - so no matter where you buy it, to transfer rego to your name in the ACT you would have to go to Dickson. I think we all agree here.

So the consensus is:

FMIC should be fine, even with hole cut through battery tray.

Pod should also be fine if held properly.

Boost controller will need to be hidden.

Any issues with the MCA coilovers? They aren't too low or something?

And one other point: I was thinking of having the car checked by some mechanic that can report to me. I inquired with Stateroads and they charge 290 for a report - its 6 pages and basically is a tick for satisfactory or not satisfactory for a list of things. Mainly it will point out a more major fault. Is it worth going with them or is there a better/cheaper alternative? I would like a check for the peace of mind.

[Trex]

Thanks for clarifying Trex!!

Im sure there are a few good blokes there, and a few bad ones same as everywhere. Cant say i have had any good dealings with them...

It's a shame I've heard so many bad stories. They did get me on weird things like rear window tint, even though it's a wagon, but everything they got me for was in line with act law.

[Trex]

"All imported vehicles with a magenta (purple) compliance plate whether from the ACT or another jurisdiction must be inspected at the Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry."

That is from the website. I think all Skylines and Silvia's have a purple plate - so no matter where you buy it, to transfer rego to your name in the ACT you would have to go to Dickson. I think we all agree here.

So the consensus is:

FMIC should be fine, even with hole cut through battery tray.

Pod should also be fine if held properly.

Boost controller will need to be hidden.

Any issues with the MCA coilovers? They aren't too low or something?

And one other point: I was thinking of having the car checked by some mechanic that can report to me. I inquired with Stateroads and they charge 290 for a report - its 6 pages and basically is a tick for satisfactory or not satisfactory for a list of things. Mainly it will point out a more major fault. Is it worth going with them or is there a better/cheaper alternative? I would like a check for the peace of mind.

Mca is fine. They were happy about mine. But not about how stiff they were.

Get new tyres and make sure there are no leaks of any kind.

Take boost controller out. They know how to follow a vac line haha