How to transfer a Queensland registered vehicle, trailer, caravan or boat online
You can use our online services to transfer vehicle, trailer, caravan and boat registrations.
Not all registrations are eligible to be transferred online.
Transferring registration online is a 2-step process:
Step 1: The seller transfers the registration out of their name.
Step 2: The buyer finalises the transfer and pays any fees and duty that apply.
The seller must complete their part first before the buyer can finish the transfer.
Note: You can't transfer a Queensland registration to another state or territory or vice-versa. Find out how to apply for a new registration in Queensland.
Find out about our online services, including information on when a registration can’t be transferred online:
Transferring registration online as a seller
If you sell or dispose of your vehicle (for example, a car, motorhome, motorcycle, heavy vehicle), trailer (including caravans) or boat to another person, you may be eligible to transfer the registration out of your name with our online service. There are no fees payable when you use the online service as a seller—the transfer fee and vehicle registration duty are paid by the buyer.
After you sell your vehicle, trailer or boat, you must transfer the registration within 14 days.
Note: You can’t transfer a registration online if it has personalised or customised number plates attached.
If you pay your registration by direct debit, make sure to remove the registration before you start the transfer.
Safety certificates and certificates of inspection
To transfer a vehicle you need to have a current safety certificate recorded or a certificate of inspection.
To transfer a trailer:
- you need a current safety certificate for trailers between 750kg and 4.5 tonne aggregate trailer mass (ATM)
- you need a current certificate of inspection for trailers over 4.5 tonne ATM.
Safety certificates can only be used once—you need a new certificate for each transfer.
- Electronic safety certificates are automatically recorded with us.
- If you receive a handwritten certificate, you'll need to go to a transport and motoring service centre to have it recorded before you can transfer the registration online.
Transfer a registration out of your name.
Service eligibility—transferring registration as a seller
You can use this service to transfer a registration to 1 person who has a Queensland driver licence or customer reference number.
Some registrations can only be transferred in person.
You can't use this service if the registration:
- has personalised plates or customised number plates attached
- is currently registered in the name of an organisation with an Australian Company Number (ACN)
- is being transferred to more than 1 person or to an organisation.
You can't use this service for a vehicle that:
- is a motorised mobility device (motorised wheelchair/mobility scooter)
- is a bus or minibus
- is currently under a Number Plate Confiscation Notice issued by the Queensland Police Service.
You can't use this service for a vehicle or trailer that:
- you are claiming a safety certificate exemption for
- is registered with a purpose of use other than private or commercial
- is fitted with a gas fuel system or other gas system
- is a special interest vehicle or trailer
- is mobile machinery
- is conditionally registered
- is subject to enforcement action by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) – the registration can’t be transferred until the enforcement action ends.
You can't use this service for a boat that:
- is 15m or more in length
- is subject to enforcement action by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) – the registration can’t be transferred until the enforcement action ends.
What you'll need to transfer online as a seller
To transfer your registration online you will need to provide your details and the buyer's details, such as their driver licence number, name and email address.
If you are transferring a vehicle, you will need to provide the date of sale, dutiable value and odometer reading at the time of sale.
If you are transferring a trailer, you will need to provide the date of sale.
If you are transferring a boat, you will need to provide the date of sale and details of how and where the boat will be stored after it's transferred.
After you transfer your registration online, we’ll send you a confirmation email if you have your address recorded with us. You can also view, print or send a copy of the confirmation to another email address.
Transferring registration online as a buyer
If you have purchased or acquired a vehicle (for example, a car, motorhome, motorcycle, heavy vehicle), trailer (including caravans) or boat from another person, you may be eligible to complete the transfer of registration online.
The registration must be transferred within 14 days of the sale.
Transfer fees will apply. If you're transferring a vehicle you will also need to pay vehicle registration duty unless you are claiming an exemption.
Note: Only family gift duty exemptions can be declared online.
The seller must complete their part of the transfer process before you can use the online service.
Finalise the transfer and pay any fees and duty that apply.
Service eligibility—transferring registration as a buyer
You can use this service if:
- the seller has lodged an application to transfer the registration online or in person—we will send you an email if the registration transfer has been lodged online
- the registration will be in the name of 1 person only
- you have a Queensland driver licence or customer reference number and you have previously provided evidence of your Queensland address.
Some registrations can only be transferred in person.
You can't use this service if the registration:
- has personalised plates or customised number plates attached
- is being transferred to more than 1 person or to an organisation
- is eligible for a concession that you want to claim
- is eligible for a vehicle registration duty exemption other than a family gift that you want to claim
- is eligible for a transfer fee exemption that you want to claim.
You can't use this service for a vehicle that is:
- a motorised mobility device (motorised wheelchair/mobility scooter)
- a bus or minibus
- under a Number Plate Confiscation Notice issued by the Queensland Police Service – the vehicle can't be transferred during the confiscation period.
You can't use this service for a vehicle or trailer that is:
- to be registered with a purpose of use other than private or commercial
- fitted with a gas fuel system or other gas system
- a special interest vehicle or trailer
- mobile machinery
- conditionally registered.
You can't use this service for a boat that is:
- 15m or more in length.
What you'll need to transfer online as a buyer
To transfer your registration online you need to provide your Queensland driver licence number or customer reference number and Queensland address.
If you are transferring a vehicle, you will need to provide the:
- purpose of use
- odometer reading (at the time of sale)
- vehicle value (used to calculate vehicle registration duty).
If you are transferring a trailer, you will need to provide the purpose of use.
If you are transferring a boat, you will need to provide information about where and how the boat will be stored.
Transfer fees apply. If you're transferring a vehicle, you will also need to pay vehicle registration duty, unless it was a family gift and you're claiming an exemption.
If the registration has expired, you will need to pay the renewal.
Completing the transfer in person
If the seller has lodged an application to transfer the registration online, you don't have to complete the transaction online if you can't or don’t want to.
You can visit a transport and motoring service centre to complete the transaction, whether the seller has lodged an application online or in person. 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.
Find out the requirements to transfer your registration in person.