If you're putting a vehicle onto the VicRoads Club Permit Scheme, one of the first decisions you'll make is how many days you actually need, 45 or 90. It's easy to assume more is always better, but the right answer really comes down to how often you actually plan to drive the car.
What's the actual difference
Both permit lengths work the same way, you keep a logbook, and every time you drive the vehicle more than 100 metres from its garage address, you log the trip. The permit length is simply how many logbook entries you're allowed to use across the year.
The cost difference reflects that: currently $91.50 for a 45-day permit versus $176.40 for a 90-day permit, on top of your club membership fee.
When 45 days is usually enough
If your vehicle comes out for the occasional weekend drive, a monthly cars-and-coffee catchup, the odd errand, or a handful of longer trips across the year, 45 days covers that comfortably. Roughly speaking, that's about one drive a week if you spread it evenly, though most owners don't drive it that consistently, they save days for when the weather's good or an event comes up.
When 90 days makes more sense
90 days suits owners who treat the vehicle more like a genuine second car, a regular weekend driver, someone who tows it to shows and drives it around once there, or anyone who knows they'll want it out more than once a week on average. It's worth being honest with yourself here, a lot of owners underestimate how quickly logbook entries add up once the vehicle's actually enjoyable to drive.
Running out of days
This is the scenario worth planning for. If you started on 45 days and find you're running low partway through the year, you're not stuck, VicRoads allows you to extend a 45-day permit by adding another 45-day block, effectively topping up to 90 for that period. It's a straightforward option if your driving picks up more than expected, but it's still worth budgeting for from the start if you can, since it saves you having to think about it partway through summer.
Quick way to decide
- Drive it a handful of times a year, mostly special occasions: 45 days
- Drive it most weekends, or use it for shows and events regularly: 90 days
- Not sure: 45 days is the cheaper starting point, and you can top up to 90 later in the period if you need to, or reassess at your next renewal based on how the year actually went
Whichever you choose, the permit length doesn't affect your club membership cost, it's purely the VicRoads fee. With Traf's Club, membership itself is just $5 for your first year. If you're ready to get started, see how to join Traf's Club, or check the full cost breakdown for both options.