Register your trailer or caravan
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Trailers and caravans used on Queensland roads must be registered.
New registration
You need to apply for new registration in Queensland when:
- buying a new trailer or caravan that has never been registered
- buying a used unregistered trailer or caravan
- you have moved from another state or territory
- your registration expired more than 3 months ago.
Before registering your trailer or caravan
Most trailers and caravans do not need compulsory third party (CTP) insurance if they are being towed by a Queensland registered vehicle. Check with the CTP insurer of your towing vehicle to see if cover is provided to the trailer or caravan being towed. Visit the Motor Accident Insurance Commission website for more information.
To register a trailer or caravan in Queensland, refer to the registration checklist and take these items with you when registering your trailer or caravan.
You cannot submit a new registration application via Transport and Main Roads online services.
Pre-registration inspection
You may need to take your trailer or caravan with you for a pre-registration inspection before it can be registered.
The type of pre-registration inspection required will depend on your trailer or caravan design and whether it has been registered in Australia previously. Inspection types include:
- Department of Transport and Main Roads identity check inspection–this inspection is required at first registration of an imported trailer or a trailer with a Department of Transport and Main Roads Low Volume Vehicle Identification Number and may only be carried out at some transport and motoring customer service centres or if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provide these services—please call to confirm before visiting.
- self-assessment compliance inspection for single axle trailers with an aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of 750kg or less only–this inspection ensures that trailers or caravans comply with vehicle standards and may be carried out by the operator, a motor dealer or trailer manufacturer.
- compliance inspection for trailers with more than one axle or that have an ATM of more than 750kg–this inspection ensures trailers or caravans comply with Australian Design Rules and may be carried out at some transport and motoring customer service centres or if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provide these services—please call to confirm before visiting.
This inspection can also be conducted by an accredited person under the Heavy Vehicle Registration Assessment Scheme (HVRAS). HVRAS accredited persons cannot perform inspections for imported trailers that have never been registered in Australia before. This inspection must be done by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Towing your trailer or caravan to be registered
If your trailer or caravan is currently registered in another state or territory and the number plate is attached, you have 14 days to register it in Queensland and may be fined if you don't. This will allow you time to get a safety certificate or certificate of inspection and then register your trailer or caravan at a transport and motoring customer service centre. If you live in a rural area you can visit a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services—please call to confirm before visiting.
For information on cancellation requirements and refunds on interstate registration you will need to contact the road agency from that jurisdiction.
If your trailer or caravan is unregistered and you need to tow it on the road to register it, check with the CTP insurer of your towing vehicle to see if cover is provided to the trailer or caravan being towed. Any number plate on the trailer or caravan must be removed—you may be fined if you don’t. You can then legally tow your trailer or caravan on the road to get a safety certificate or certificate of inspection and then register it at a transport and motoring customer service centre. If you live in a rural area you can visit a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle registration services—please call to confirm before visiting.
It is acceptable for you to drive the trailer or caravan back to its garaging address if it is not possible to register the vehicle on that day due to insufficient time or to get other registration requirements that were not able to be obtained.
Both Queensland and interstate number plates can be returned 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—please call to confirm before visiting.
Registration checklist
You no longer have to complete a vehicle registration application form when visiting a transport and motoring customer service centre for trailers or caravans less than or equal to 4.5t ATM.
If you are attending a QGAP office, Magistrates court or local police station that provides registration services, you will still need to complete a vehicle registration application (F3518) and, if it’s your first time doing business you will also need a new customer application (F3503).
To register your trailer or caravan in Queensland, you need to:
- provide an original copy of the current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection—if you are registering a trailer or caravan with an ATM of more than 750kg (unless the trailer or caravan is brand new)
- handwritten certificates—bring the original blue (safety certificate) or pink (certificate of inspection) copy
- electronic certificates—bring a printed copy or write the certificate number on the vehicle registration application
- provide evidence of the vehicle's garage address—such as your current Queensland driver licence, rates notice, gas, electricity or phone bills, or a bank statement issued within the last 6 months. Must be a Queensland address
- provide evidence of your identity—such as your current driver licence
- pay the registration fees. Note there is no vehicle registration duty payable when registering a trailer or caravan. Find out more about charging codes for heavy trailers.
You may also need:
- an unregistered vehicle permit to move the trailer or caravan if safety work needs to be done before registration
- a completed self assessment of single axle trailers (F3970)—if you are registering a single axle trailer with an ATM of 750kg or less
- the applicable pre-registration trailer inspection sheet if your trailer has an aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of over 750kg and your trailer has had a pre-registration inspection completed by an HVRAS accredited person
- a gas inspection certificate that is less than 3 months old if your trailer or caravan is fitted with gas fittings or systems
- The Department of Natural Resources and Mines will grant exemptions to people who are unable to obtain gas certificates if there is no one authorised to issue gas inspection certificates within a reasonable distance of the person's residence.
- New trailers or caravans that have manufacturer-installed gas fittings or systems do not need a gas inspection certificate.
- a modification plate and certificate if your trailer or caravan has been modified from the manufacturer’s original specifications.