Farmers often fight fires on their own or their neighbours' properties, risking their lives in the process.

They keep old utes and trucks with firefighting equipment bolted to them and are often the first people on the scene of a fire.

But a lot of those old vehicles are unregistered and without third-party insurance cover, so they put themselves at risk every time they take them on the road to help someone else.

The state government has launched a new scheme, effective from October 7, which will allow rural landholders to gain conditional registration for their makeshift fire trucks.

The reform will reduce the cost of registration, including inspection and the issuing of a licence plate.

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the initiative would help save lives.

"By introducing condit

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