Exemptions from compliance with the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act

In limited and clearly defined circumstances, certain businesses may apply for an exemption from specific requirements under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973, with any exemption granted being limited in scope, subject to conditions, and valid for up to three years unless revoked earlier.

You may be eligible to apply for an exemption under section 31(1) of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 if your business activities fall within one of the categories outlined below. Exemptions are discretionary and assessed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Financier (MF): A financier (finance provider) may be eligible for an exemption where the business ordinarily disposes of repossessed vehicles directly to licensed motor vehicle dealers or disposes of repossessed vehicles only through licensed auction houses.

Car hire operator (MH): A car hire operator may be eligible where the buying and selling of vehicles does not form a significant part of the business, and vehicles acquired in the course of the hire business are ordinarily disposed of directly to licensed motor vehicle dealers.

Auctioneer (MA): An auctioneer may be eligible where the sale of vehicles by auction does not form a significant part of the business, and the auctioneer undertakes not to sell vehicles owned by trade owners, including licensed motor vehicle dealers, finance companies, car hire companies.

Before you apply

1. You’ll need

• A completed exemption application form
• Payment of the application fee at the time of lodgement
• A signed authorisation and declaration, completed by the sole trader, or all directors and/or partners, where applicable Applications cannot be assessed until all required information has been received.

How to apply

Online

Apply and pay for your application

Conditions and revocation

An exemption, if granted:

• may be subject to conditions imposed by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, and
• may be varied or revoked at any time if the Commissioner considers it appropriate to do so.
• An exemption does not remove any obligations beyond those expressly stated in the exemption approval.