Transferring car registration in Victoria when you're buying or selling a car is a must.
If you're unsure how to do it, we've put together a simple step-by-step guide on how to transfer your car registration, rego fees, motor vehicle duty costs, VicRoads transfer fees and interstate car registration in Victoria.
Registration costs vary depending on the type of vehicle you own and where you live in Victoria. To give you an idea, below are the standard annual costs for car rego if you own a "light vehicle". A light vehicle would cover most sedans, station wagons, hatches or 4WDs.
| Location | Registration fee (yearly) |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan area (high risk zone) | $906.60 |
| Outer metropolitan (medium risk zone) | $848.40 |
| Rural (low risk zone) | $780.10 |
Different costs apply to goods-carrying vehicles, light trailers and caravans.
When you buy or get a car in Victoria, you have 14 days to transfer the registration into your name. You can do this with a transfer form via VicRoads' website, or in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
If you are buying a car privately, follow these steps for vehicle transfer registration:
This is so you can fill in the VicRoads transfer form. If you haven't already got this, you will need to submit identity documents (such as an Australian driver's licence and passport) to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
To be approved, you need to fill this in and get it signed by both you and the seller. You can find a VicRoads transfer form here.
The seller should provide you with the roadworthy certificate. Make sure it has been issued no more than 30 days before the date of sale.
In Victoria, you'll need to pay a motor vehicle duty fee when a vehicle is registered or transferred to your name. The amount you pay depends on the type of vehicle you're registering and its market value.
If you are simply buying your vehicle from a car dealership, it's largely the dealer's responsibility to complete the proper vehicle registration transfer steps. All you need to do is sign the vehicle transfer form and pay the transfer fee and motor vehicle duty that applies to your vehicle.
When you transfer registration in Victoria, the CTP car insurance will automatically transfer over to you. Keep in mind, though, that this only protects you from legal and medical costs arising from injuries and deaths caused by an accident you have in the car. For more protection, there are other car insurance options such as comprehensive car insurance and third party car insurance.
If you are selling your car privately, it's the buyer's responsibility to sort the vehicle registration, not the seller's. However, you will still need to fill in and provide the following documentation:
If you are selling to a car dealer, it is responsible for completing the registration transfer so that it's no longer in your name. Simply keep a copy of the vehicle transfer form to show that the transfer was initiated.
Important note: Hold on to your copy of the vehicle transfer form. That way, if the buyer doesn't submit the transfer, you have evidence that it did take place.
If you want to keep your custom plates when you sell your car, you'll need to get in touch with VicRoads and cancel the vehicle registration. However, if you want to sell the vehicle registered, you'll need to pay a fee in order for new number plates to be issued. Make sure to remove your custom plates and attach the new plates before you sell the car.
Below is a table of the costs of transferring the registration of a car into your name in Victoria.*
| Sold privately or by a dealer | Vehicle type | Transfer fee |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Motor vehicle | $44.90 |
| Dealer | Motor vehicle | $22.90 |
| Private | Motorcycle, trailer, recreation motorcycle | $7.20 |
| Dealer | Motorcycle, trailer, recreation motorcycle | $7.20 |
*Costs taken from VicRoads and correct as of July 2024.
VicRoads says that the motor vehicle duty you are required to pay is based on the type of vehicle and its current market value. The following rates are an estimation of what you are likely to pay.
| Vehicle price | Rate |
|---|---|
| Low emission (120gm/km) passenger vehicle | $8.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Passenger vehicles up to the market value of $76,951 | $8.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Passenger vehicles over $76,951 and up to $100,000 | $10.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Passenger vehicles over $100,001 | $14.00 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
VicRoads indicates that when you transfer a vehicle into your name, some people or circumstances may be exempt from paying the motor vehicle duty. For example, you might be exempt from the motor vehicle duty if you're transferring registration from your spouse or partner into your name. The same rules apply if your spouse or partner has passed away. If this is the case, be sure to indicate why you are exempt on the vehicle transfer form and provide evidence of your eligibility.
If you're planning on moving to Victoria and staying longer than 3 months, you need to change the vehicle's registration to a Victorian one. Here are the steps that you need to take to get your car legally registered:
You'll need an original Certificate of Roadworthiness (RWC). Make sure it's issued within 30 days of your registration appointment. You won't need an RWC if the vehicle registration has not expired by more than 3 months and is still registered in your name interstate and isn't changing.
Book a registration appointment with VicRoads. You will need:
When you attend your appointment, you may need to take the following with you:
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I have a pair of old number plates from a car that was disposed of some years ago.
What do I do with them please?
Hi John,
To ensure you follow the right steps, I’d suggest reading through the links here: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/number-plates. I hope something in there can help answer your question.
Hi, if I live in NSW and have a NSW Driver licence.
I am purchasing a Victorian Registered Motorhome which is going to be garaged in Victoria.
Can I do the transfer online or do I need a customer reference number to complete this process?
Hi Chris,
Thanks for reaching out. You’ll need a nine-digit VicRoads customer number as you hold an interstate license. You can read more about the exact process to follow on VicRoads’ website.
Best,
James