Having already been ‘caught’ in ‘Covid Queensland’ during the lockdowns, full-time grey nomads Rowley and Jayne Moore were keenly aware that travelling between different states can sometimes seem like travelling between different countries.
However, the couple – who tow a Leader Palladium 24’ 2016 behind a 2013 Ford Ranger XLT – were recently caught out yet again when their vehicles needed registering … and they ran into tint trouble!
The pair from NSW were over in WA when their renewal date was rolling around.
They contacted Services NSW for advice and were told that they needed to go to a WA Transport Inspection Station to obtain an Inspection Certificate.
A rego check revealed differing standards for tinted windows between states.
“Approximately $240 later, the car failed inspection on four counts – three of which I had repaired at a scheduled service,” said Rowley. “However, I was advised that the fourth fault was my window tint, which was 10 years old and though legal in NSW would have to come off … nine windows, including the canopy windows.”
When Rowley explained that he was only having the vehicle inspected for renewal of NSW registration, the WA authorities told him they could only inspect as if the vehicle was to be registered in that state … where his tint was too dark!
Not keen on the idea of stripping off the tint and paying $187 for a re-inspection, Rowley contacted Services NSW again, but was told there was nothing they could do as each state had its own regulations.
With the date for registration almost past, the Moores turbocharged their existing plans to head back east and were told by Transport WA that they could buy ‘point-to-point, 48- hour permits’ for $32.
“I purchased two and set off through Norseman and onto Bordertown having been told that one of the ‘points’ could be the border but no further,” said Rowley. “However, approaching Border Village I was advised by Transport SA that they do not inspect vehicles … but would ‘honour’ the WA ‘point to point’ permits across SA to the NSW border within the time limits.”
With the clock ticking, Rowley headed past Border Village, and through Ceduna to Cockburn on the border with NSW.
“So far, on questionable permits, I had driven some 2,750 kilometres before crossing into NSW and carefully driving the 48 kilometres to Broken Hill where my vehicle passes rego and I am charged $50,” said Rowley. “Now fully registered, and retaining my tint, I am able to drive to Sydney, passing numerous Highway Patrols with confidence.”
Despite the dramas, Rowley and Jayne wouldn’t change their Big Lap lifestyle for anything.
They are always on the lookout for work or housesitting opportunities as they go, and – apart from that one mad rego deadline dash across the country – like to travel nice and slowly … and with tinted windows!
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer
None of this sort of BS will be solved until we have National Rego. We did have National Heavy Vehicle Licenses some years ago, but somehow that was eventually canned. What a stupid idea was that. I had a National license then and could renew it in any state.