Heavy vehicle registration costs
Find out the cost of registering heavy vehicles. If you have a converter dolly or spare trailer you could be eligible for a concession.
Heavy vehicle registration charges
Trucks
| Vehicle type (code) | 2 axle | 3 axle | 4 or more axles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck type 1 (RT0) | $653 | $1043 | $1,053 |
| Truck type 2 (RT0) | $1,068 | $1,248 | $1,268 |
| Short combination truck (RT1) | $1,098 | $1,284 | $2,230 |
| Medium combination truck (RT2) | $10,727 | $10,727 | $11,587 |
| Long combination truck (RT3) | $14,829 | $14,829 | $14,829 |
| Short combination prime mover (PM1) | $1,202 | $4,973 | $5,316 |
| Multi-combination prime mover (PM2) | $12,504 | $12,504 | $13,755 |
Buses
| Vehicle type (code) | 2 axle | 3 or more axles |
|---|---|---|
| Bus type 1 (BUS) | $547 | N/A |
| Bus type 2 (BUS) | $682 | $2,970 |
| Articulated bus (BUS) | N/A | $679 |
Special purpose vehicles
| Vehicle type (code) | 1 or more axles |
|---|---|
| Special purpose vehicle type P (SPP) | No charge |
| Special purpose vehicle type T (SPT) | $535 |
| Special purpose vehicle type O (SP2) | An amount in dollars calculated using the formula [$417 + ($417x number of axles over 2)] Example: 4 axles = $417+ ($417x 2) = $1,251 |
Trailers
Registration fees, inspection fees and stamp duty may also be payable. Fees may also be paid quarterly or half-yearly.
Trailers with 5 or more axles are subject to higher registration charges than outlined in the above table.
For further information on registration fees for particular heavy vehicles, call 13 22 13.
| Trailer type (code) | 1 axle | 2 axle | 3 axles | 4 or more axles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pig trailer (PTR) | $736 | $1,418 | $2,097 | $2,780 |
| Dog trailer (DTR) | $736 | $1,418 | $2,097 | $2,780 |
| Semi trailer B-double tail trailer B-triple tail trailer (STR) | $736 | $1,788 | $1,899 | $1,904 |
| B-double lead trailer B-triple lead trailer B-triple middle trailer (LTR) | $736 | $1,788 | $1,899 | $1,904 |
| Converter dolly or low loader dolly (YTR) | $55 | $56 | $54 | $56 |
Fees are paid quarterly or half yearly and there is a surcharge to process heavy vehicle registrations.
The surcharge is 10% of the NHVR regulatory charge and the NTC road user charge.
See Authorised Inspection Scheme Fees notice 18 (PDF 134.04KB) for a list of heavy vehicle inspection fees.
Nominated configurations
Registration charges for heavy vehicles and trailers are calculated according to the vehicle's type, GVM/GTM, the number of axles, and vehicle's nominated configuration.
You must nominate the highest configuration at which you intend to operate the vehicle. It is an offence to operate at a higher configuration than you've nominated.
See nominated configuration codes for descriptions.
Concessions, exemptions and rebates
Eligible freight operators can apply for a concession for converter dollies, spare trailers and stamp duty.
To apply, email the appropriate application form listed below to Refunds@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Converter dolly rebate
The converter dolly rebate applies to tri-axle and tandem axle converter dollies.
There are no restrictions on the number of dollies a person or company owns, the kinds of operations or the registration term, as long as the dolly fits one of these definitions:
- Tandem-axle converter dolly – a trailer with 2 axles and a fifth wheel coupling designed to convert a semi-trailer into a dog trailer.
- Tri-axle converter dolly – a trailer with 3 axles and a fifth wheel coupling designed to convert a semi-trailer into a dog trailer.
The rebate is:
- 50% of the registration cost for tandem-axle owners
- 100% of the registration cost for tri-axle owners.
To apply email us a completed Application - Converter dolly rebate to the email address on the form.
For faster processing of your application, please type ‘Dolly Trailer Rebate' into the subject line of the email.
If your application is successful a rebate cheque will be posted to you.
Spare trailer rebate
The spare trailer rebate applies to operators with 1 or 2 hauling units (prime movers and rigid trucks), and no more than 5 trailers. The annual registration term is only for trailers. Hauling units can be registered for any term.
This rebate does not apply to hauling units (prime movers and rigid trucks) or converter dollies.
The rebate is 50% of the registration charge for each spare trailer, in excess of the number of hauling units, up to a maximum of three or four spare trailers respectively.
Where there are eligible trailers which have differing registration charges, the rebate is equivalent to 50% of the amount of the lowest registration charge.
To apply email us a completed Spare trailer rebate form to the email address on the form.
For faster processing of your application, please type ‘Spare Trailer Rebate' into the subject line of the email.
Stamp duty exemption for heavy trailers
If you are registering a heavy trailer for the first time in NSW you don't need to pay stamp duty.
The exemption is for:
- establishing new heavy trailers
- establishing a heavy trailer from another jurisdiction, providing the vehicle is being registered in the same name
- surrendering FIRS registration of a heavy trailer to obtain NSW registration, providing the vehicle is being registered in the same name.
Heavy trailers are defined as:
- having a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes
- being built to be towed by a motor vehicle, but not including a motor vehicle that is being towed.
National heavy vehicle number plates
If you wish to change to national heavy vehicle number plates you must attend a service centre in person to hand in your current number plates. Find out the cost of national heavy vehicle number plates.
If you're moving away from NSW, national heavy vehicle number plates can remain on the vehicle when the same registered operator applies to register that vehicle in another jurisdiction.
If you apply for registration in a non-participating jurisdiction (Northern Territory or Western Australia), you need to surrender your national heavy vehicle number plates. You'll be issued with state-based number plates.
You're responsible for updating your toll-tag details with your provider if you change your number plates.
Request custom or personalised plates from myPlates.
How registration costs are calculated
Registration fees for heavy vehicles are calculated using the vehicle's type, the number of axles, Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and the vehicle's nominated configuration.
All charges are effective from 1 July 2021. Inspection fees and stamp duty may also apply.