Crashes, insurance and registration in Tasmania

By the end of this topic you can

• You can follow the legal steps at a crash scene.
• You can list the details you must share and who you must share them with.
• You can say when a crash must be reported to police.
• You can explain what MAIB compulsory third party insurance covers.
• You can describe the checks to make before buying a used car.

What you need to know and understand

• If you are in a crash causing property damage, injury or death, you must stop, stay at the scene unless you need medical help, and help anyone injured.
• You must give your name and address, the owner's name and address if different, and the registration number to others involved within 24 hours.
• You must also give these details to police within 24 hours if anyone is injured or killed, if you could not give details to another driver at the scene, or if a vehicle had to be towed.
• In Tasmania, compulsory third party insurance is provided by the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) and is paid as part of registration.
• MAIB pays medical and income benefits on a no-fault basis to people injured in motor accidents.
• Learners can drive any registered, roadworthy car, manual or automatic.

At the scene of a crash

1. Stop immediately and stay at the scene, unless you need medical help.
2. Switch off the ignition of any crashed vehicles to reduce fire risk.
3. Turn on hazard lights and use warning triangles if you have them.
4. Help anyone who is injured and call emergency services if needed.
5. Swap the required details with other drivers, injured people and owners of damaged property.
6. Report to police within 24 hours if the crash meets the reporting rules.

Insurance: what is compulsory and what is not

MAIB cover comes with your registration and protects people who are injured. It can pay reasonable medical and hospital costs, rehabilitation, long-term care for the seriously injured and some income support, whoever caused the crash.

MAIB does not pay to repair cars or property. For that you need separate vehicle insurance, such as third party property or comprehensive cover. Transport Tasmania suggests making sure a learner's car is insured in case of a crash while learning.

Registering and buying a car

Our guide to learning to drive in Tasmania covers choosing a suitable car for practice.

• To be a registered operator you must be over 16 and have a Tasmanian garage address.
• Use the online Rego Check to confirm registration status and that the car is not stolen or written off.
• Search the Personal Property Securities Register so you do not buy a car with money owing on it.
• If the car has been unregistered for three months or more, it needs an inspection at an Approved Inspection Station before it can be registered.
• Transfer registration online or at Service Tasmania. A transfer fee and duty usually apply.

Common mistakes

• Driving off after a minor bump without leaving details. You must provide them within 24 hours.
• Assuming registration insurance covers repairs. MAIB covers injuries, not vehicle damage.
• Buying a used car without checking it on Rego Check and the PPSR.
• Forgetting to tell police when a car had to be towed from the scene.

Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in Tasmania

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Getting Your Full Licence in Tasmania and the Safer Driver Reward
• Learning to Drive in Tasmania
• Tasmania Hazard Perception Test