Is a Club Permit Worth It? Pros and Cons for Enthusiast Owners

Quick answer: Is a Club Permit worth it? For many Victorian enthusiast owners, yes. A Club Permit can be a great option if your vehicle meets the eligibility requirements and you mainly use it for occasional drives, weekends, car shows, events, or other limited trips. However, it may not be the right choice if you rely on the vehicle for unrestricted, everyday driving and want the flexibility of standard registration. Ultimately, whether a club permit is worth it comes down to how often you drive your vehicle and how you plan to use it.

If you're still new to the scheme, our guide to what a club permit is is a good place to start before weighing up the pros and cons below.

The Upsides of a Club Permit

• Lower ongoing costs: generally more affordable than full registration if you only use your enthusiast vehicle occasionally, since the permit fee, membership and insurance are all scaled for limited use rather than daily driving.
• Connect with other enthusiasts: enjoy access to club communities, events, cruises, and shows.
• A legitimate way to drive your car: gives you a recognised, logged way to use an eligible enthusiast vehicle on Victorian roads without the cost of standard registration.

The Trade-Offs of a Club Permit

• Limited usage: your driving days are capped at 45 or 90 days per 12-month permit period (up to 90 days total), and each trip needs to be recorded correctly in the logbook.
• Ongoing requirements: club membership, a current roadworthy certificate, and other permit conditions are part of the commitment, not a one-off setup step.
• Not ideal for daily driving: if you commute in the vehicle or use it regularly, full registration may be a better fit. See our full club permit vs full registration comparison if you're weighing up both options.

Who a Club Permit Suits

Owners with a genuine weekend, classic, or show car who don't drive it regularly and are comfortable managing the logbook and other requirements in exchange for potentially lower running costs. If you're not sure your vehicle qualifies, run through our club permit eligibility checklist before you decide.

Who a Club Permit Doesn't Suit

Owners who want to drive their vehicle whenever they like without tracking their usage. If flexibility is your priority, full registration may be the simpler option.

Common Mistakes When Deciding If a Club Permit Is Worth It

• Underestimating the usage limits: the permitted days can disappear faster than expected, especially across a busy show season.
• Ignoring the membership commitment: factor club membership and other requirements into the overall decision, not just the headline permit fee.
• Choosing based on cost alone: consider how you actually use your car before deciding which option makes sense — the cheapest option on paper isn't always the best fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days can I drive on a club permit?

A club permit allows either 45 or 90 days of use per 12-month permit period, with a maximum of 90 days total per registration period. You can also add a further 45-day period on top of an existing one, up to that 90-day cap.

Do I need to keep a logbook with a club permit?

Yes. You need to log any trip that takes the vehicle beyond 100 metres from its registered garage address. Trips within 100 metres don't need to be logged, and if you drive the vehicle more than once in a day, only the first use needs a logbook entry.

Do I have to join a car club to get a club permit?

Yes, you must be a member of a VicRoads-approved club to hold a club permit. If you switch clubs, there's a maximum allowed gap of 14 days between memberships so your permit stays valid.

How old does my car need to be for a club permit?

Generally, a vehicle needs to be at least 25 years old (by build date) to be eligible for a club permit. For a full breakdown by vehicle category, see our guide on how old a car needs to be for a club permit.