noun
registered vehicle; regular motor vehicle
Legal/administrative term for a vehicle that requires registration under Japanese law, typically compact cars and larger, as opposed to light motor vehicles (軽自動車).
登録自動車は軽自動車より税金が高い。
Registered vehicles have higher taxes than light motor vehicles.
この駐車場は登録自動車専用です。
This parking lot is for registered vehicles only.
軽自動車 refers to light motor vehicles with smaller engine displacement and dimensions, which have different registration and tax rules compared to 登録自動車.
Compound of 登録 (registration) + 自動車 (motor vehicle).