NSW government to offer free rego to frequent toll road users

The New South Wales announced it plans to introduce a ‘rego rebate’ to ease the costs of using toll roads.

Motorists paying more than $25 per week on tolls throughout the year will be refunded the cost of their vehicle’s private registration, depending on that vehicle’s weight.

Cars which weigh less than 975kg are set to draw a $272 refund, while vehicles weighing 2505kg to 2794kg will receive a $715 rego refund.

However, most motorists will receive either $305 (vehicles weighing 976kg to 1154kg), $358 (1155kg-1504kg), or $513 (1505kg-2504kg) back from their toll spending.

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Photo: Cameron Spencer

Motorcycles are also eligible to receive a $127 refund.

Additionally, the NSW government says “private motor vehicles weighing more than 2795kg, such as trucks, are not included in the scheme.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the plan comes as the government is in a strong financial position to offer this rebate to regular toll road users.

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““The Government’s strong budget position allows us to give back to toll users,” Berejiklian says.

“The NSW Government has made it a priority to drive down the cost of owning a vehicle with big savings being delivered through reforms to CTP Green Slips and the introduction of a FuelCheck app.”

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Photo: Jack Atley

The NSW government adds: “the scheme will be backdated, so eligible motorists will enjoy free vehicle registration if they spend more than $25 a week from July 1, 2017.”

The scheme also applies to any new toll roads in the future. But NSW Labor leader Luke Foley took to Twitter to criticise the plan, saying it doesn’t excuse high toll costs.

"The Liberals slug you with a $2000 a year toll & now say they'll give you $300 back. The toll road operators are the only winners & motorists are still the losers,” Foley writes.

At $25 per week on average, a motorist must pay $1300 in tolls per year to be eligible for the ‘rego rebate’ scheme.