Australian motorists were stunned to see a car with an unusual license plate driving through the country.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was recently spotted on the highway with a yellow license plate on the back and a matching white one on the front.
One motorist was so impressed by the license plates that he took a photo and posted it on Reddit to find out what it meant.
“What’s with this sign?” They wrote.
They were soon schooled in a ‘little known’ law that allows foreign drivers to use their own car – complete with license plates – in Australia.
The law allows foreigners to bring their vehicles into the country for tourism purposes, as long as they have a vehicle Carnet De Passages en Customs (CPD).
Australian motorists were stunned to see a car with an unusual license plate driving through the country
CPD carnets can be applied to motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, four-wheel drive vehicles, caravans and trailers and according to the Australian Automotive Association, Australians can do the same abroad.
According to the website, the Carnet de Passages en Douane, or CPD Carnet, are the international customs documents that cover the temporary importation of motor vehicles.
“The carnet (pronounced car-nay) is valid for twelve months and allows visitors to temporarily import their private vehicles for touring purposes only,” it reads.
The vehicle photographed is from Hong Kong and owned by an avid traveler. He has traveled by car to 29 countries, including China and Europe and the Middle East.
The post on Reddit proved popular.
‘It is legal to temporarily import a car into Australia and drive it on license plate from its original destination – think driving. It is not cost effective,” said one.
“It would be nice if you like attracting attention and getting stopped repeatedly by confused police,” said another.
‘It’s a sign from Hong Kong, I saw this guy on Facebook. He drives around the world in this car. Dream life,” another added.