How to Check a Vehicle on Australia's Register of Approved Vehicles by VIN
Search Australia's public Register of Approved Vehicles using a VIN, read the vehicle entry and understand common reasons for a missing result.
AU Australia
Driving & Vehicles ~ 3 min read
5 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-25
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Enter the vehicle's permanently marked VIN in the Australian Government's public Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) search. A missing result can mean the VIN is incorrect, the vehicle is not yet entered, it has an older approval or a non-RAV import approval, or it has no approval.
What you need
- The vehicle's permanently marked Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Access to the public RAV search page. No application form is needed to search.
Eligibility
Anyone can use the public RAV search to look up a vehicle by VIN. The register covers vehicles approved for provision to the Australian market under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018; it does not contain every vehicle that has ever been imported or supplied in Australia.
How to do it
- Find the VIN permanently marked on the vehicle. It is commonly visible at the base of the windscreen or on a door post or in a foot well.
- Open the Australian Government's RAV Public Search page and enter the VIN in its search field.
- Select Search. If a record appears, check that the VIN and displayed vehicle details match the vehicle you are examining.
- If no record appears, recheck the VIN and consider the reasons listed by the RAV search before drawing a conclusion about the vehicle's approval.
How to search the RAV
The Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) is the Australian Government's public database of vehicles approved for provision to the Australian market under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018. Its public search uses the vehicle's permanently marked VIN. Find that number on the vehicle, then enter it in the RAV Public Search and select Search.
When a record appears, compare its VIN and vehicle details with the vehicle itself. A RAV entry concerns approval for provision to the Australian market; state or territory registration remains subject to that jurisdiction's requirements.
Why might the VIN return no record?
First, check the number you entered. The RAV search says VINs have 17 alphanumeric characters and do not contain the letters I, O or Q. Check the number against the vehicle's permanent marking.
The RAV search also identifies these possible reasons for a missing record:
- Entry after inspection by an Authorised Vehicle Verifier under a concessional RAV entry approval may take up to 48 hours.
- The vehicle's approval predates 10 December 2019; vehicles were previously required to carry physical identification plates under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.
- The vehicle has a non-RAV entry import approval, so it is not added to the RAV.
- The vehicle has no approval.
A missing result therefore does not, by itself, establish which of these explanations applies. If you are dealing with an imported vehicle, identify its approval pathway and ask the supplier or approval holder for the relevant documentation. For a vehicle being brought to Australia for temporary use, see the separate guide to non-RAV import approval for temporary use. For a personal vehicle intended for RAV entry, see the guide to concessional RAV entry for a personal vehicle.
What does a RAV search establish?
A RAV result provides information about a vehicle's entry on the federal register. It is not a check for finance owing and does not replace state or territory registration checks. The department also warns that it does not accept liability for the timeliness or accuracy of public search results.
Frequently asked questions
Can I search the RAV using a registration number instead of a VIN?
The public RAV search asks for the vehicle's permanently marked VIN.
Does a missing RAV result mean the vehicle was imported illegally?
No. The RAV lists several possible reasons for a missing result, including an incorrect VIN, an older approval, a non-RAV import approval or an entry that has not yet appeared.
How long can a concessional RAV entry take to appear after inspection?
The RAV search says entry following inspection by an Authorised Vehicle Verifier may take up to 48 hours.
Does a RAV entry mean I can register the vehicle in any state or territory?
A RAV entry establishes its entry on the federal register. Registration remains subject to the requirements of the relevant state or territory.
Will a non-RAV vehicle import approval appear in the RAV search?
No. The RAV search identifies a non-RAV entry import approval as one reason a vehicle is not added to the register.
Official sources
Australian Government — RAV Public SearchAustralian Government — RAV Public Search missing-record guidanceDepartment of Infrastructure — Register of Approved VehiclesDepartment of Infrastructure — Vehicle portalsRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for Australia.
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