The NSW Government Is Offering Half-Price Car Rego for Those Spending Big on Tolls

As it turns out, there's now an upside to forking out heaps of money on road tolls — it could help you earn money back on your car registration.

Yes, you could be paid money to drive through the Harbour Tunnel thanks to the NSW Government's Toll Relief program. After introducing the scheme earlier this year, the government has announced that it will expand its offer next year — and even more drivers will be eligible to receive a heavy (or even full) discount on their rego.

If you're handing over $15 or more for tolls each week — which is about four trips through the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, five through Lane Cove Tunnel or three on the Eastern Distributor — $780 over the financial year, from July 1, 2019, you'll be able to claim a 50 percent discount when you next register your car. It's expected almost 300,000 of the state's drivers will benefit from the new eligibility criteria.

If you're handing over $25 or more for tolls each week, or $1300 over the financial year, you'll now save up to $715 when renewing your vehicle registration. Which, for some, will result in free rego.

As an added bonus, the government will be backdating the toll spend from July 1, 2018, which means you can still reap the benefits of all that money you spent during the past year.

While the half-priced rego for those who spend $15 a week on tolls won't be introduced until July 1, 2019, the government is already giving discounted rego to those who spend $25 a week — so, if you're a regular toll road user, don't forget to check if you're eligible next time you renew.

To access the reduced rego, and find out how much you're eligible for, next time you're doing your rego renewal just add in your licence plate number and toll account. The rego discounts depend on the size of your car — which coincides with rego fees costing more, the heavier the car — with a full list of savings and sizes listed on the NSW Government website.

To find out more about the Toll Relief program and see if you're eligible, head to service.nsw.gov.au.