Residents living north of the Archer River, as well as those in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama, will no longer need a permit to drive south.
CAPE York residents who pay for a restricted area concession registration will no longer need to get a permit when they drive out, TMR has confirmed.
Motorists received emails on Friday informing them of the change.
It will have an impact on those living in Weipa, Aurukun, Lockhart River, Napranum and Mapoon, as well as the NPA.
Residents in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama are also able to get the registration, which doesn’t require a roadworthy certificate when transferring a vehicle’s ownership.
“We have recently reviewed the restricted area concession for vehicle registration in Queensland,” a TMR spokesperson told Cape York Weekly.
“From July 7, a permit will no longer be required if a vehicle registered with a restricted area concession needs to be used outside of the restricted area.
“This change will remove an existing requirement on concession holders and is a great outcome for customers living in these areas.”
Before the change, those on the concessional registration would need to visit their local police station or court house to get a permit and pay a small fee.
It was a process that couldn’t be done online and frustrated many motorists who wanted to drive to Cairns or the Tablelands on short notice.
TMR said all registration holders would be contacted.
“We are in the process of writing to all people with a vehicle in the restricted area concession scheme to advise of the changes, noting that all other existing arrangements under the concession remain in place, including that the vehicle must be garaged at an address in one of the eligible restricted areas,” the spokesperson said.
“More information can be found on the TMR website.”
