How to confuse authorities: be the first owner in Canberra to register a Tesla

Michael Thompson was Canberra's earliest adopter to the brand - and has the number plate to prove it. Picture by Peter Brewer

Just seven years ago, Michael Thompson was the only Tesla owner in Canberra and he had the ACT Motor Registry completely flummoxed.

Because what appeared to be a conventional car with four doors and a boot certainly wasn't.