What is NEVDIS and how does it work?

National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS)

In a Country full of long roads as it is Australia, stolen cars and spare parts are very common and principally, very difficult to deal with. That’s why NEVDIS initiative proposes a data base where a vehicle and all its parts are registered with one owner and its license in a way it can be easily confirmed by police or even owners by matching the actual driver with the NEVDIS registered data.

Ideally, NEVDIS creates an information network with the collaboration of road agencies, car salesmen and police and distributes it to the whole country by allowing road authorities to communicate across borders.

Once all data has been established for the specific vehicle and the specific owner, the registration is formally completed and it can be validated at any point of the country. NEVDIS allows the possibility of reporting stolen vehicle and stolen spare parts and also written-off parts which comes very helpful to avoid theft and fraud. The information on this system isn’t stored by police, but only shared with the original providers.

So, in simple words, NEVDIS is an organized, detailed characterization of a vehicle and its parts plus the same detailed characterization of its owner’s looks and license. It’s an easy way to find back your stolen car or parts and also a way for the police to find some troublemakers.

Also, you can ask for NEVDIS information at the moment of buying a car to make sure you’re not purchasing stolen vehicles. It is as simple as typing a VIN or chassis number and getting back all the information you need to verify you’re buying a completely clear vehicle.

As avoiding theft and fraud is principal NEVDIS purpose, the signal is very clear in that matter and the words you’re looking for, in case of checking for stolen vehicle is “Not recorded as stolen” which means it’s clear.

In case of finding any detail, a plate number, any part “engine”, “radiator” indicated, then you know that a part of the vehicle was reported as stolen. Same occurs with the “written off” section; it marks “not recorded as written off” if clear, if not, it specifics what was “written off”.

In case of “written off” parts or vehicles, the description will include a code which refers to the kind of damage the vehicle or parts have suffered. NEVDIS counts with an interpretation list so the identification of the damage extension is as easily verified.

The entire vehicle can be reported as:

• Statutory write-off: if it’s declared total loss, or has really several damages on structure that is declared not-safe for the road.
• Repairable write-off: when the damage is too expensive to repair for the owner possibilities. But in this case, any reparation must be submitted for a safe-check and be re-registered in case of pass.

Any correction may be made with any road agency or with the car seller.

Principal:

• Vehicle description.
• Vehicle registration (number plate) information.
• Stolen information and written off status.

Additional:

• Vehicle type
• Make/model
• Body type
• Color
• Engine numbers
• Registration plate number
• State or territory where vehicle registered
• Registration expiry date
• Year of manufacture
• Year/month of compliance
• Written off vehicle notification
• Stolen vehicle notification

Even though normally a vehicle serial number is unique, it might be some exceptions on different types of motor vehicles so if there’s more than one result on serial number then we recommend checking on the chassis number which is originally printed or stamped on chassis or any other permanent part on the vehicle being the best way to uniquely identify the vehicle at least in most of cases.

If the serial in the permanent part is erased, you’re probably in the presence of a stolen car/part and it is recommendable to not get in that vehicle business and even report it.

• It is important to state that only the information previously detailed will be included in the search results and NEVDIS cannot display any further information related to previous registration or details neither of the vehicle nor the owner. In case of needing any further data it is recommendable to speak with the seller or road agencies.
• You may always double check the serial you’re entering so you won’t have any mistaken information. If you’re quite sure the serial is correct but the information doesn’t match with the car in front of you, then you should definitely ask the seller or contact the police.
• If a vehicle hasn’t been recently (or ever) registered, NEVDIS will display no data and the message ‘No NEVDIS data is returned for the serial number you entered’
• Other situations where no NEVDIS data will be displayed:
  • Defense force vehicles.
  • Club registrations.
  • Non-road-registered recreational vehicles (dirt and trail bikes, quads, all-terrain vehicles etc).
  • An incorrect serial number.
  • A serial number that has nothing recorded in NEVDIS to be returned.
• The results displayed on NEVDIS search refer only to the vehicle insurance, situation, and registrations against serial number and it has nothing to do with “road safe” registration.
• NEVDIS information, if helpful when buying a car, depicts not every single detail on a vehicle state, so if you’re in doubt, contact a road agency or insurance agency to have the vehicle checked by a professional before you close the deal.