The Loophole That Could Prevent You From Getting Free Car Rego

Commuters from Sydney's south-west will not be automatically able to claim the free vehicle registration under the new 'toll relief' program from the NSW government.

It is understood that drivers will have to choose between the M5 cashback program and toll relief, with drivers not able to claim under both schemes.

The M5 cashback allows NSW residents to claim back tolls paid while travelling on the M5 south western motorway.

Contrastingly, the new toll relief system will offer free vehicle registration to owners of cars if they spend $25 or more per week on tolls on NSW roads.

The toll relief program comes into effect on July 1, with motorists eligible to lodge a claim when renewing their registration from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

If eligible, motorists will receive one free (12 month) vehicle registration, equating to a saving between $127 and $715.

To claim toll relief, you must meet the following criteria:

• $1,300 to be spent on NSW toll roads in a financial year (roughly working out to be $25 or more per week);
• the $1,300 must be spent on one or more tag while driving a NSW privately registered vehicle (heavy vehicles and those registered for a use other than private are excluded);
• have a NSW toll account (e.g. E-Toll account)
• have the number plate of the vehicle on their toll account.

It is also worth noting that multiple tag/tagless accounts cannot be joined together to meet the $1,300 threshold.

Eligible toll roads include:

• M5 (unless the M5 cashback is claimed)
• Westlink M7
• Hills M2
• WestConnex
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sydney Harbour Tunnel
• Lane Cove Tunnel
• Eastern Distributor
• Cross City Tunnel
• Military Road E-Ramp

The cashback also only applies to 12 month registration, and you need to purchase a 12-month CTP green slip in order to get the free rego.

The free registration entitlement does not include personal licence plate fees or CTP Green Slip charges.

Toll relief will also be unavailable if your employer pays your tolls.

In order to opt out of you M5 cashback scheme, you'll need to contact your toll provider (e.g. E-Toll). If you are not registered for the M5 cashback scheme, tolls on the M5 do count towards toll relief.

You will need to opt out of the M5 cashback scheme before any trips are counted towards the toll relief scheme as they will not be backdated.

For more information, check the Service NSW site.