Home > Uncategorized > NEVDIS #API Australia #NEVDIS – Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

NEVDIS #API Australia #NEVDIS – Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

August 29, 2025 Infinite Loop Development Ltd Leave a comment Go to comments

Quicklinks:
Australian API: https://www.carregistrationapi.com.au/
Nevdis info: https://austroads.gov.au/drivers-and-vehicles/nevdis

Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

Australia’s vast continent is divided into eight distinct states and territories, each maintaining its own vehicle registration system and database. The Australian Vehicle Registration API provides comprehensive access to vehicle information across all Australian jurisdictions, from the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne to the remote regions of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Overview of Australian Vehicle Registration System

Unlike centralized systems found in some countries, Australia operates a federated vehicle registration model where each state and territory maintains independent databases. This decentralized approach reflects Australia’s federal structure and means that vehicle lookups require both the registration number and the state of registration.

The Australian Vehicle Registration API supports all eight Australian jurisdictions:

New South Wales (NSW)
Victoria (VIC)
Queensland (QLD)
South Australia (SA)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Northern Territory (NT)
Western Australia (WA)
Tasmania (TAS)

API Implementation

Endpoint Usage

The Australian Vehicle API uses the /CheckAustralia endpoint and requires three parameters:

Registration Number – The vehicle’s registration plate number
State – Two or three letter state/territory abbreviation
Username – Your API authentication credentials

Basic Implementation Example

// JavaScript example for Australian vehicle lookup
async function lookupAustralianVehicle(registration, state, username) {
  const apiUrl = `https://www.regcheck.org.uk/api/reg.asmx/CheckAustralia?RegistrationNumber=${registration}&State=${state}&username=${username}`;
  
  try {
    const response = await fetch(apiUrl);
    const xmlText = await response.text();
    
    // Parse XML response
    const parser = new DOMParser();
    const xmlDoc = parser.parseFromString(xmlText, "text/xml");
    const jsonData = xmlDoc.getElementsByTagName("vehicleJson")[0].textContent;
    const vehicleInfo = JSON.parse(jsonData);
    
    return vehicleInfo;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Australian vehicle lookup failed:', error);
    return null;
  }
}

// Usage example
lookupAustralianVehicle("ABC123", "NSW", "your_username")
  .then(data => {
    if (data) {
      console.log(`Vehicle: ${data.Description}`);
      console.log(`State: ${data.State}`);
    }
  });

State-by-State Data Coverage

Each Australian state provides different levels of vehicle information based on their registration systems and data sharing policies.

New South Wales (NSW)

New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, provides comprehensive vehicle data including:

Available Data:

Vehicle description (make, model, body style)
Make and model details
Registration year
Vehicle color
Body style classification
NEVDIS code (National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System)
Engine size specifications
NVIC code (National Vehicle Identification Code)
Transmission type

Sample Response (NSW):

{
  "Description": "FORD Fairmont 4D Sedan",
  "RegistrationYear": "1994",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "FORD"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "FORD"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "Fairmont 4D Sedan"
  },
  "BodyStyle": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "4-Speed Auto"
  },
  "VechileIdentificationNumber": "FORFMT---7402E01994A",
  "Engine": "4.0 litre, 6 cyl, EF",
  "State": "NSW",
  "extended": {
    "nvic": "OP5",
    "driveType": "4D SEDAN",
    "family": "FAIRMONT",
    "model": "Fairmont 4D Sedan",
    "make": "FORD",
    "fuelType": "",
    "capacityValue": "4.0",
    "series": "EF",
    "engineDescription": "4.0 litre, 6 cyl, EF",
    "cylinders": "6",
    "year": "1994",
    "capacityUnit": "L",
    "transmissionType": "4-Speed Auto"
  }
}

NSW Motorcycle Support: NSW also supports motorcycle lookups with slightly different data structure:

{
  "Description": "YAMAHA XVS650 MOTORCYCLE V",
  "RegistrationYear": "2014",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "YAMAHA"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "YAMAHA"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "XVS650"
  },
  "VehicleType": "Motorcycle",
  "State": "NSW"
}

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria provides essential vehicle identification data with focus on ownership verification:

Available Data:

Vehicle description
Registration year
Make identification
Body style
Vehicle color
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Engine number
Registration expiry date
Stolen vehicle indicator
Goods carrying vehicle classification

Sample Response (VIC):

{
  "Description": "2012 WHITE HYUNDAI WAGON",
  "RegistrationYear": "2012",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "HYUNDAI"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "HYUNDAI"
  },
  "Colour": "WHITE",
  "VechileIdentificationNumber": "KMHJU81CSCU459552",
  "Engine": "G4KECU661333",
  "Stolen": "No",
  "GoodsCarryingVehicle": "No",
  "RegistrationSerialNumber": "7112510",
  "ComplianceDate": "02/2012",
  "Expiry": "20/02/2018",
  "State": "VIC"
}

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland focuses on basic vehicle identification with insurance information:

Available Data:

Vehicle description
Make and model
Registration year
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Insurance expiry date
Vehicle purpose classification

Sample Response (QLD):

{
  "Description": "2011 HYUNDAI ACCENT HATCHBACK",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "HYUNDAI"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "ACCENT HATCHBACK"
  },
  "RegistrationYear": "2011",
  "VechileIdentificationNumber": "KMHCT51DLCU021130",
  "InsuranceExpiry": "01/11/2019",
  "Purpose": "PRIVATE",
  "State": "QLD"
}

South Australia (SA)

South Australia provides comprehensive data including insurance company information:

Available Data:

Complete vehicle description
Make and model details
Body style classification
Vehicle color
Registration year
Registration expiry date
Insurance company details
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Sample Response (SA):

{
  "Description": "WHITE MITSUBISHI STATION WAGON",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MITSUBISHI"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "Pajero"
  },
  "RegistrationYear": "2015",
  "BodyStyle": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "STATION WAGON"
  },
  "Colour": "WHITE",
  "Expiry": "05/09/2022",
  "VechileIdentificationNumber": "JMFLYV98WGJ003504",
  "InsuranceCompany": "AAMI",
  "State": "SA"
}

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT system provides detailed vehicle and insurance information:

Available Data:

Vehicle description with year
Make and model identification
Registration year
Vehicle color
Registration expiry date
Engine number
Stolen vehicle indicator
Net weight specifications
Insurance company details

Sample Response (ACT):

{
  "Description": "Black MERCEDES 204 C CLASS (2010)",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MERCEDES"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MERCEDES"
  },
  "RegistrationYear": 2010,
  "Colour": "Black",
  "Expiry": "27/05/2017",
  "EngineNumber": "2420",
  "Stolen": "N",
  "NetWeight": "1436",
  "InsuranceCompany": "NRMA INSURANCE LIMITED",
  "State": "ACT"
}

Northern Territory (NT)

The Northern Territory provides registration status and inspection information:

Available Data:

Vehicle description
Make and model details
Registration year
Vehicle color
Registration plate details
Insurance class information
Inspection date requirements
Plate type classification
Registration status

Sample Response (NT):

{
  "Description": "BLACK TOYOTA PRADO 2012",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "TOYOTA"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "PRADO"
  },
  "RegistrationYear": 2012,
  "Colour": "BLACK",
  "RegistrationPlate": {
    "can_register": true,
    "plate": "CA71JS",
    "can_inspect": true,
    "insurance_class": "A",
    "insurance_class_desc": "Vehicle not exceeding 4.5 tonne GVM or bus used for private or business.",
    "date_inspection": 1516579200000,
    "plate_type": "C",
    "class_code": "",
    "can_remind": true,
    "status": "REGISTERED",
    "date_expired": 1490227200000
  },
  "State": "NT"
}

Western Australia (WA)

Western Australia provides detailed technical specifications:

Available Data:

Complete vehicle description
Make and model details
Registration year
Body style classification
Vehicle color
NEVDIS number
Engine specifications
NVIC code
Transmission type
Registration expiry date

Sample Response (WA):

{
  "Description": "MAZDA Mazda6 4D Sedan CLASSIC",
  "RegistrationYear": "2008",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MAZDA"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MAZDA"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "Mazda6 4D Sedan"
  },
  "BodyStyle": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "Classic 6-Speed Manual"
  },
  "VechileIdentificationNumber": "MAZ--6CLGH25HV92008B",
  "Engine": "2.5 litre, 4 cyl, GH",
  "extended": {
    "nvic": "HV908B",
    "driveType": "4D SEDAN",
    "family": "MAZDA6",
    "variant": "CLASSIC",
    "model": "Mazda6 4D Sedan",
    "make": "MAZDA",
    "capacityValue": "2.5",
    "series": "GH",
    "engineDescription": "2.5 litre, 4 cyl, GH",
    "bodyType": "Classic 6-Speed Manual",
    "cylinders": "4",
    "year": "2008",
    "capacityUnit": "L",
    "transmissionType": "Manual"
  },
  "Expiry": "16/12/2017",
  "State": "WA"
}

WA Motorcycle Support: Western Australia also supports motorcycle lookups:

{
  "Description": "YAMAHA XVS650 MOTORCYCLE V",
  "RegistrationYear": "2014",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "YAMAHA"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "YAMAHA"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "XVS650"
  },
  "VehicleType": "Motorcycle",
  "State": "WA"
}

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania provides comprehensive technical vehicle data:

Available Data:

Complete vehicle description
Make and model details
Registration year
Body style specifications
Vehicle color
NEVDIS number
Engine specifications with displacement
NVIC code
Transmission details
Registration expiry date

Sample Response (TAS):

{
  "Description": "MAZDA Cx-5 4D Wagon MAXX (4x2)",
  "RegistrationYear": "2012",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MAZDA"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MAZDA"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "Cx-5 4D Wagon"
  },
  "BodyStyle": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "Maxx (4X2) 6-Speed Manual"
  },
  "VechileIdentificationNumber": "MAZCX5M2--20NHI2012B",
  "Engine": "2.0 litre, 4 cyl",
  "extended": {
    "nvic": "NHI12B",
    "driveType": "4D WAGON",
    "family": "CX-5",
    "variant": "MAXX (4x2)",
    "model": "Cx-5 4D Wagon",
    "make": "MAZDA",
    "capacityValue": "2.0",
    "engineDescription": "2.0 litre, 4 cyl",
    "bodyType": "Maxx (4X2) 6-Speed Manual",
    "cylinders": "4",
    "year": "2012",
    "capacityUnit": "L",
    "transmissionType": "Manual"
  },
  "State": "TAS"
}

State Code Validation

function validateAustralianState(state) {
  const validStates = ['NSW', 'VIC', 'QLD', 'SA', 'ACT', 'NT', 'WA', 'TAS'];
  
  if (!state) {
    return { valid: false, error: "State code is required" };
  }
  
  const upperState = state.toUpperCase();
  if (!validStates.includes(upperState)) {
    return { 
      valid: false, 
      error: `Invalid state code. Must be one of: ${validStates.join(', ')}` 
    };
  }
  
  return { valid: true, state: upperState };
}

// Usage example
const stateValidation = validateAustralianState("nsw");
if (stateValidation.valid) {
  // Proceed with API call using stateValidation.state
} else {
  console.error(stateValidation.error);
}

Complete Implementation Example

import requests
import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
import json

class AustralianVehicleAPI:
    def __init__(self, username):
        self.username = username
        self.base_url = "https://www.regcheck.org.uk/api/reg.asmx/CheckAustralia"
        self.valid_states = ['NSW', 'VIC', 'QLD', 'SA', 'ACT', 'NT', 'WA', 'TAS']
    
    def validate_inputs(self, registration, state):
        """Validate registration and state inputs"""
        errors = []
        
        if not registration or len(registration.strip()) < 2:
            errors.append("Registration number is required (minimum 2 characters)")
        
        if not state:
            errors.append("State code is required")
        elif state.upper() not in self.valid_states:
            errors.append(f"Invalid state. Must be one of: {', '.join(self.valid_states)}")
        
        return errors
    
    def lookup(self, registration, state):
        """Lookup Australian vehicle with comprehensive error handling"""
        # Validate inputs
        errors = self.validate_inputs(registration, state)
        if errors:
            return {"error": "; ".join(errors)}
        
        try:
            params = {
                'RegistrationNumber': registration.strip(),
                'State': state.upper(),
                'username': self.username
            }
            
            response = requests.get(self.base_url, params=params, timeout=15)
            response.raise_for_status()
            
            # Parse XML response
            root = ET.fromstring(response.content)
            json_element = root.find('.//vehicleJson')
            
            if json_element is None or not json_element.text:
                return {"error": "No vehicle data found for this registration"}
            
            vehicle_data = json.loads(json_element.text)
            
            # Add lookup metadata
            vehicle_data['lookup_info'] = {
                'registration': registration.strip(),
                'state': state.upper(),
                'timestamp': response.headers.get('Date')
            }
            
            return vehicle_data
            
        except requests.Timeout:
            return {"error": "Request timed out - please try again"}
        except requests.RequestException as e:
            return {"error": f"Network error: {str(e)}"}
        except ET.ParseError:
            return {"error": "Invalid response format from API"}
        except json.JSONDecodeError:
            return {"error": "Could not parse vehicle data"}
        except Exception as e:
            return {"error": f"Unexpected error: {str(e)}"}
    
    def lookup_multiple_states(self, registration, states=None):
        """Try lookup across multiple states if state is unknown"""
        if states is None:
            states = self.valid_states
        
        results = {}
        for state in states:
            result = self.lookup(registration, state)
            if "error" not in result:
                return result  # Return first successful match
            results[state] = result
        
        return {"error": "Vehicle not found in any specified states", "attempts": results}

# Usage examples
api = AustralianVehicleAPI("your_username")

# Single state lookup
result = api.lookup("ABC123", "NSW")
if "error" not in result:
    print(f"Found: {result.get('Description')}")
    print(f"State: {result.get('State')}")
    if 'extended' in result:
        ext = result['extended']
        print(f"Engine: {ext.get('engineDescription')}")
        print(f"Transmission: {ext.get('transmissionType')}")
else:
    print(f"Error: {result['error']}")

# Multi-state search when state is unknown
result = api.lookup_multiple_states("XYZ789", ["NSW", "VIC", "QLD"])
if "error" not in result:
    print(f"Vehicle found in {result.get('State')}: {result.get('Description')}")

Use Cases by Industry

Insurance Industry

Premium Calculations – Vehicle specifications for risk assessment
Claims Processing – Verify vehicle details during claim investigations
Policy Management – Automatic vehicle data population
Fraud Detection – Cross-reference vehicle information across states

Automotive Industry

Dealership Operations – Verify trade-in vehicle specifications
Parts and Service – Identify correct parts using VIN and specifications
Vehicle History – Track registration history across states
Inventory Management – Automated vehicle data for listings

Fleet Management

Asset Tracking – Maintain comprehensive vehicle records
Compliance Monitoring – Ensure registration currency across fleets
Insurance Management – Track insurance expiry dates
Maintenance Scheduling – Engine specifications for service planning

Law Enforcement

Vehicle Identification – Quick lookups during traffic stops
Investigation Support – Cross-state vehicle tracking
Stolen Vehicle Detection – Access to stolen vehicle indicators
Registration Verification – Confirm registration validity

Data Variations and Considerations

Coverage Differences

Each Australian state provides different data depth based on their systems:

Most Comprehensive: NSW, WA, TAS (detailed technical specifications)
Insurance Focus: SA, ACT, QLD (insurance company information)
Basic Identification: VIC, NT (essential vehicle details)

Motorcycle Support

Currently available in NSW and WA with plans for expansion to other states.

Historical Data

Data availability varies by state, with some providing records from the 1990s while others focus on more recent registrations.

Getting Started

Account Setup

Register at regcheck.org.uk for API access
Verify email address to receive test credits
Test with sample registrations from different states
Purchase credits for production usage

Testing Recommendations

Test across multiple states to understand data variations:

NSW: Comprehensive technical data
VIC: Basic identification with VIN
QLD: Insurance-focused information
SA: Color and insurance details

Conclusion

The Australian Vehicle Registration API provides comprehensive access to vehicle data across all eight Australian states and territories. Each jurisdiction offers different data depths, from basic identification to detailed technical specifications including engine details, transmission types, and extended vehicle information.

Understanding state-specific data variations is crucial for effective implementation. NSW, WA, and TAS provide the most comprehensive technical data, while other states focus on identification and insurance information. The API’s support for motorcycle lookups in select states adds versatility for diverse Australian vehicle types.

The federated nature of Australian vehicle registration creates unique opportunities and challenges. Developers can leverage state-specific data strengths while implementing fallback mechanisms for comprehensive vehicle identification across the continent.

Start exploring Australian vehicle data today by registering for your API account and testing across different states to understand the rich variety of information available from Australia’s diverse vehicle registration systems.

Quicklinks:
Australian API: https://www.carregistrationapi.com.au/
Nevdis info: https://austroads.gov.au/drivers-and-vehicles/nevdis

Categories: Uncategorized

Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback

No comments yet.

No trackbacks yet.

Network Programming in .NET

NEVDIS #API Australia #NEVDIS – Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

Overview of Australian Vehicle Registration System

API Implementation

Endpoint Usage

Basic Implementation Example

State-by-State Data Coverage

New South Wales (NSW)

Victoria (VIC)

Queensland (QLD)

South Australia (SA)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Northern Territory (NT)

Western Australia (WA)

Tasmania (TAS)

State Code Validation

Complete Implementation Example

Use Cases by Industry

Insurance Industry

Automotive Industry

Fleet Management

Law Enforcement

Data Variations and Considerations

Coverage Differences

Motorcycle Support

Historical Data

Getting Started

Account Setup

Testing Recommendations

Conclusion

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Follow me on Twitter

Archives

Like us on Facebook

Network Programming in .NET

NEVDIS #API Australia #NEVDIS – Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

Australian Vehicle Registration API: Complete State-by-State Guide to Vehicle Data Lookup

Overview of Australian Vehicle Registration System

API Implementation

Endpoint Usage

Basic Implementation Example

State-by-State Data Coverage

New South Wales (NSW)

Victoria (VIC)

Queensland (QLD)

South Australia (SA)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Northern Territory (NT)

Western Australia (WA)

Tasmania (TAS)

State Code Validation

Complete Implementation Example

Use Cases by Industry

Insurance Industry

Automotive Industry

Fleet Management

Law Enforcement

Data Variations and Considerations

Coverage Differences

Motorcycle Support

Historical Data

Getting Started

Account Setup

Testing Recommendations

Conclusion

Share this:

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Follow me on Twitter

Archives

Like us on Facebook