Transferring registration when selling a vehicle

If you have special or personalised number plates, you need to decide what you'd like to do with them before you sell the vehicle. The number plates and fees automatically go with the vehicle, unless you organise to keep them.

If you want to sell the vehicle with the personalised number plates, the annual fees are payable by the new operator. They have the option to replace them if they do not want to pay these fees.

To keep the number plates, you need to take action before you sell the vehicle and either:

• reserve the plates at a service centre and have standard plates issued to the vehicle you are selling,
  or
• exchange the number plates for plates on another vehicle registered in your name.

See myPlates for more information.

You should provide the buyer with proof of their right to transfer the registration of the vehicle.

You can do this by lodging a notice of disposal. If you submit this online the lodgement receipt can be sent to the buyer.

You can also complete and sign the form on the back of the paper Certificate of Registration or give the buyer a receipt. See proof of registration entitlement for acceptable documents.

The process is the same if you want to transfer the registration to a family member.

If you have an eTag, contact the tag provider to take the vehicle off your account.

A vehicle's compulsory third party (CTP) insurance – sometimes referred to as a 'green slip' – automatically transfers to the new operator when the vehicle registration is transferred. You don't need to do anything with it.

This is really important. If you don't lodge a notice of disposal you will continue to be responsible for it, including any fines.

The notice of disposal also allows the buyer to transfer the registration online or in person.