Transfer a vehicle's registration

If you buy a second-hand car, motorbike, caravan or trailer that is registered in Queensland, you must transfer the registration into your name. You have 14 days to transfer the registration after getting the vehicle.

If you buy a vehicle from a motor dealer they usually transfer it for you.

Find out how to transfer an interstate vehicle registration.

How to transfer a Queensland registration

If you transfer ownership of a car to another person, you will need to ensure the registration is transferred.

If you are selling or disposing of your vehicle to another person, you will need to give this person:

• the current registration certificate in the seller’s name
• the original (blue) copy of a current Queensland safety certificate or the original Queensland certificate of inspection
• if the vehicle is fitted with gas fuel systems or other gas systems, the relevant certificate from an authorised gas installer
• the issue date for this certificate must not be more than 3 months old at the time of transferring the registration.

If you can’t get a gas inspection certificate because you live in a remote area where there are no authorised installers, you can get a gas exemption certificate (PDF, 21KB).

On the day you transfer the vehicle, you will also need to complete Part B of the vehicle registration transfer application form (F3520) (PDF, 158KB) and have the person buying or receiving the vehicle sign this form.

Make sure you keep this as proof of transfer until the registration is officially transferred out of your name. You can check if the vehicle has been transferred by phoning us on 13 23 80.

As the seller of the vehicle, if you believe that the buyer hasn’t applied to transfer the vehicle’s registration within 14 days of receiving the vehicle, you can submit Part B and a copy of the safety certificate to a Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services.

If you are buying or receiving a vehicle, you will need to submit your registration transfer request to a Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or if you live in a rural area, you can visit a QGAP office, a Magistrates Court or a local police station that provides vehicle registration services.

Bring these documents with you:

• The fully completed Part A of the vehicle registration transfer application form (F3520) (PDF, 158KB).
• The vehicle’s current registration certificate.
• An original copy of a current Queensland safety certificate (unless you are exempt from providing a safety certificate).
• Evidence of the address of where the vehicle is garaged—this could be your Queensland driver licence, property rates notice or a gas, phone or electricity bill.
• Your Queensland driver licence or other evidence of identity.
  • If the vehicle is to be registered in 2 names, both people must provide suitable evidence of identity.

If you don’t live in Queensland or don’t have a Queensland garaging address you can’t transfer a Queensland registered vehicle into your name. Find out how to transfer your registration if you’ve moved from interstate.

Fees

If you are transferring the registration into your name, you will have to pay the following fees:

• Registration transfer fee—$22.80
• If you are transferring the registration for a motorised wheelchair, you will not have to pay the transfer fee.
• Pay the vehicle registration duty—for second-hand vehicles. Duty is calculated on the dutiable value, which is the greater of:
• the total amount paid by the purchaser (including any deposit, trade-in allowance, dealer delivery fees, warranties and the price of all optional equipment)
• the market value of the vehicle.
• If you bought the car from someone who had concessional registration and you don’t have a concession, you will have to pay the difference between the concessional fee and the standard fee for the remaining period of registration.