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If you're buying or selling a car in Victoria, either privately or from a dealership, you need to know how to transfer the car's registration. To make the process as simple as possible, Finder has put together a guide on VicRoads car registration. Here you'll find a simple step-by-step guide on how to transfer your car registration as well as motor vehicle duty costs, VicRoads transfer fees and interstate car registration in Victoria.
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 VicRoads transfer form from the website, or in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
If you are buying a car privately, follow the steps below for vehicle transfer registration:
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 comprehensive car insurance and protection, compare providers on Finder's comparison page.
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, they are responsible for completing the transfer registration 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 onto 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 | $40.70 |
Dealer | Motor vehicle | $20.70 |
Private | Motorcycle, trailer, recreation motorcycle | $6.50 |
Dealer | Motorcycle, trailer, recreation motorcycle | $6.50 |
*Costs taken from VicRoads on 29 January 2020
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 |
---|---|
Passenger vehicles up to the market value of $67,525 | $8.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
Passenger vehicles over $67,525 and up to $100,000 | $10.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
Passenger vehicles over $100,000 | $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 three 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 three 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:
Picture: GettyImages
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