Learn about how to register your car, how to transfer your car rego, what you need to do those things and the associated costs.
How to register a car in NSW
Whether it's for a new or second-hand car, you must register your vehicle with the government before you can drive it. You can do so at a Service NSW centre.
If you need to register a car in NSW, here are some things to know:
You will need to have the vehicle's plate number or its billing number
You must get a Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance policy
Most light vehicles over 5 years old require an eSafety (or, 'pink slip') check
Typically, you can pay for either a 6- or 12-month period of registration.
If you need to renew your rego, Service NSW will send you a renewal notice with the key details
In most cases, you can renew your rego online.
The main costs, and other key registration details, are outlined below.
Transferring car registration in NSW if you're buying
When you get a new car, you need to register it under your name within 14 days, otherwise you'll receive a late transfer fee. There are two ways to transfer the car into your name:
Online
If the previous owner has submitted a Notice of Disposal, then you should be able to register the car in your name online.
NSW Service Centre
If the previous owner doesn't submit the Notice of Disposal within 14 days, you can register the vehicle at a service centre and avoid the late transfer fee.
When you register the vehicle, the vehicle's Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance will automatically transfer over to you. So, you shouldn't have to do anything else until the vehicle's registration is due for renewal.
Keep in mind, CTP won't cover you for damage to your vehicle or damage to other people's vehicles or property. For these things, you'll want comprehensive insurance or third party cover.
Transferring NSW car registration if you're selling
When you sell or give your car away, it's the new owner's responsibility to register the vehicle in their name. However, you will need to let Transport for NSW know as soon as you are no longer the owner. You can do this by lodging a Notice of Disposal, which can be done in the following ways:
Lodge a Notice of Disposal by filling in the form and posting it to: Roads and Maritime Services, PO Box 21, Parkes, NSW 2870.
You also need to provide proof that the new owner is entitled to register the car. Proof of registration entitlement can include:
A Certificate of Registration, a renewal notice or other registration (NSW, interstate or overseas)
A motor dealer warranty form
Proof of purchase. This can be a letter, bill of sale, receipt, or tax invoice.
The cost of car registration in NSW
The cost of car registration in NSW will differ depending on a number of factors. The charges you will encounter are outlined below:
1. Registration fee
If you are registering a new or used vehicle, or your registration has expired by more than 3 months, you'll need to pay the new registration fee. You will also need to pay a renewal registration fee annually. This is $75 at the time of writing.
2. Vehicle type and purpose of use
Tare weight
Business use
Private use
Up to 975kg
$411
$255
976kg to 1,154kg
$467
$295
1,155kg to 1,504kg
$564
$359
1,505kg to 2,504kg
$847
$546
Note - an additional vehicle tax applies to business cars over 3,565kg. Figures are correct as of 1 April 2024.
3. NSW transfer fee
The table below outlines the type of costs you will incur when transferring the registration of a car into your name in New South Wales.*
Transfer fee type
Transfer fee
If paid within 14 days of getting the vehicle
$37
If paid after 14 days of getting the vehicle
$172
Personalised number plates
$107
Custom number plates
$229
Standard plates
$30
Costs taken from NSW.gov.au and correct as of 1 April 2024.
4. NSW stamp duty
You'll also need to pay stamp duty when you register your vehicle. The amount of stamp duty you will pay depends on the value of your car, so the more expensive your car is, the more stamp duty you will pay. The costs are outlined below:
Vehicle value
Duty Payable
Up to $44,999
$3 for every $100
$45,000 or more*
$1,350, plus $5 for every $100
Costs taken from NSW Gov on 1 April 2024
5. CTP insurance
CTP insurance is compulsory throughout Australia. If you're registering a new vehicle, it should already have CTP insurance (green slip) included and will automatically transfer to you, the new owner, when you register the vehicle.
However, you will need to pay for CTP insurance when the vehicle's registration is due for renewal. In NSW, there are 6 CTP insurance providers to choose from: Youi, AAMI, GIO, Allianz, NRMA and QBE.
Interstate car registration for NSW
If you've moved to NSW and plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to register your car in the state. Here are the steps to follow:
Purchase CTP insurance from a NSW insurance provider. Unlike many other states, you have the freedom to shop around for CTP insurance in NSW.
Once you've purchased CTP insurance and received your safety inspection, you'll need to visit a service centre in NSW to register your car. You will need the following:
Yes. In New South Wales, you must have CTP insurance in place before you register your vehicle.
The process of transferring rego to a family member is the same as a non-family member. You'll need to provide the family member with proof of their right to transfer the registration of the vehicle. The easiest way to do this is by lodging a Notice of Disposal online.
If you're buying a car, you must register it under your name within 14 days. If you're selling, then it's the new owner's responsibility to register the vehicle in their name.
For standard plates, there's no fee. But it will cost you to transfer custom number plates or personalised plates. For example, the transfer of a personalised number plate costs $100 for a car or motorcycle in NSW. Custom plates cost $214.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Once the documents have been submitted , how long does it take for the new license plate to come. ( Considering the car is unregistered and cant be driven )
Generally, direct delivery number plates are dispatched within 7 to 21 days. If you opted to have it delivered to your chosen service centre, it can take about 21 days from the purchase date.
It’s unclear if this would also apply to unregistered and undrivable cars. To confirm this, we suggest that you check with Service NSW directly.
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Once the documents have been submitted , how long does it take for the new license plate to come. ( Considering the car is unregistered and cant be driven )
Hi Archie,
Generally, direct delivery number plates are dispatched within 7 to 21 days. If you opted to have it delivered to your chosen service centre, it can take about 21 days from the purchase date.
It’s unclear if this would also apply to unregistered and undrivable cars. To confirm this, we suggest that you check with Service NSW directly.
Best,
James