How to transfer a vehicle, trailer, caravan or boat registration in person

Transfer a boat registration

Find out how to change or transfer a boat registration.

Transfer a motorised mobility device (motorised wheelchair/mobility scooter)

Find out how to transfer a motorised mobility device.

Transfer a vehicle, trailer or caravan registration in person

If you are selling or disposing of your vehicle (for example, a car, motorcycle, heavy vehicle, caravan or trailer) to another person, you will need to give them:

• the current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection:
• handwritten certificates—give them the original blue copy
• electronic certificates—give them a printed copy or write the certificate number on the transfer application form. If requested, you must show the buyer your electronic certificate so they can ensure it is valid
• a gas inspection certificate that is less than 3 months old at the time of transferring the registration (for vehicles fitted with gas fittings or systems).

If you cannot get a gas inspection certificate because there is no one authorised to issue gas inspection certificates within a reasonable distance of where you live, you can apply for a gas exemption certificate.

Caravans or motorhomes are not exempt from providing a gas certificate.

You can't transfer a vehicle if it's subject to enforcement action by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER).

On the day you sell the vehicle, you will also need to complete Part B of the vehicle registration transfer application (F3520) and have the buyer sign this part of the form.

Make sure you keep this as proof of transfer until the registration is transferred out of your name. You can check by phoning the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 23 80, or viewing your registrations online through your My Account portal.

If the registration is currently paid by direct debit make sure you remove the vehicle from your direct debit service to prevent a payment being deducted in error.

Remember to remove any toll tags from the vehicle you are selling and update your details with Linkt the toll payment provider.

If you believe the registration transfer has not been lodged by the buyer, you may be eligible to lodge this transfer online, or you can submit Part B in person and a copy of the safety certificate at a transport  and motoring 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.

Buying or receiving a vehicle—transferring the registration in person

If you buy or receive a vehicle, you will need to submit your registration transfer request to a transport and motoring 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 within 14 days of getting the vehicle.

Bring these documents with you:

• Part A of the vehicle registration transfer application (F3520).
• A completed new customer application (F3503) if you are a new customer and it is your first time doing business with us (for example, interstate or overseas driver licence holder).
• A current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (unless you do not need to get a safety certificate):
• handwritten certificates—bring the original blue copy
• electronic certificates—bring a printed copy or include the certificate number on the vehicle registration transfer application. If requested, the seller must show you the certificate so you can ensure it is valid.
• Your original licence or other evidence of identity—if the vehicle is to be registered in 2 names, both people must provide suitable evidence of identity.
• Evidence of the Queensland address of where the vehicle is garaged—this can be your driver licence, property rates notice or either a gas, phone or electricity bill.

Buyer completing a transfer lodged online by seller

If the seller has lodged an application online and you are transferring the registration at a transport and motoring customer service centre, you will not need to complete a vehicle registration transfer application (F3520).

However, if you visit a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides registration services, you will need to complete a vehicle registration transfer application (F3520).

Find out how to transfer your registration online.

Buying  or receiving a vehicle as an organisation

If you are registering a vehicle in the name of an organisation, you will need to bring organisation identification, such as a:

• certificate of incorporation issued by the Office of Fair Trading
• certificate of registration of a company or business issued by the Australian Securities Investments Commission.

You must also provide proof that you are acting on behalf of  the organisation, such as:

• wearing the organisation’s uniform
• a business card or business identification
• documentation from the organisation on official letterhead.

You must also bring your original driver licence or other proof of identity.

Fees

When you transfer the registration into your name, you will have to pay the following fees:

• Registration transfer fee—exemptions are available for:
  • swapping registered operators
  • transferring from a deceased person to their estate
  • transferring from joint registration to a surviving registered operator.
• Pay vehicle registration duty if applicable—duty is calculated on the dutiable value which is the greater of either the
  • market value of the vehicle
  or
  • the total sale price of the vehicle (including GST if applicable).
  
  

  You can use the duty calculator to find the duty payable on your vehicle.
  
  There is no vehicle registration duty payable on the transfer of registration of a trailer, caravan or motorised wheelchair. Some other exemptions from paying vehicle registration duty are available.

• If you bought the vehicle from someone who had concessional registration and you don’t have a concession, you may have to pay the difference between the concessional registration and standard registration for the remaining period of registration.

Transfer registration for a modified vehicle to suit a disabled person

When buying this type of vehicle, complete a modified vehicle statutory declaration to claim a concession on the vehicle modifications made to enable a disabled person to drive or be a passenger. Give this statutory declaration to the vehicle dealer when you buy the vehicle or a transport and motoring customer service centre when you lodge your vehicle registration transfer application.

Only a person with a disability, a relative or carer of a person with a disability can claim a concession when applying to transfer the registration of a modified vehicle.

If you have lost the use of one or both legs, you may be eligible for a vehicle registration duty exemption.

Selling heavy vehicles

If you’re selling a Queensland-registered heavy vehicle that’s part of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme maintenance module and the vehicle will not continue to be in the scheme, you will need to get a certificate of inspection before you can transfer it.

Visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website for information on adding or removing a vehicle from your fleet.