Transfer registration as a seller
Part of the Registration transfer topic
If you have sold a vehicle, trailer or boat, you can transfer the Queensland registration to the new registered operator.
On this page
In short
You can use this service to transfer the Queensland registration of a vehicle, trailer or boat out of your name as a seller (or disposer).
Transferring registration is 2 steps:
- The seller transfers the registration out of their name.
- The buyer (or acquirer) transfers the registration into their own name and pays any fees and duty that apply.
See How to transfer registration as a seller for the full process and other ways to transfer registration.
What you should know
Once a vehicle, trailer or boat is sold in Queensland, the buyer must transfer the registration into their name within 14 days. We recommend that you, as the seller, assist by transferring the registration out of your name. Once the transfer is complete, any traffic infringements and vehicle registration renewals will be addressed to the buyer.
Even if you intend to transfer your registration online, we recommend you complete Part B of the:
- Vehicle registration transfer application (F3520) form, for vehicles and trailers
- Queensland regulated ship registration transfer application (F3521) form, for boats.
Get the buyer to sign the form on the day of sale.
If you need to make a change to a registration for reasons related to domestic and family violence, help is available. Call 13 74 68.
Personalised or customised number plates
If your vehicle has personalised or customised number plates, and you’re:
- selling them with the vehicle (personalised plates only), you must complete Part A of the Personalised number plate transfer application (F2963) form and sign Part A and Part B. The buyer must also sign Part A and Part B.
- keeping them, you must complete and sign the Remove and/or attach personalised/customised number plate application (F2964) form. You must attach standard number plates before the registration transfer can be processed.
- cancelling them, you’ll need to complete and sign the Cancel personalised/customised number plate application (F5339) form. You must attach standard number plates before the registration transfer can be processed.
Who can use this service
You can transfer registration as a seller if:
- are the registered operator of the vehicle, trailer or boat
- have sold, gifted or disposed of a vehicle, trailer or boat
- are transferring to a person or an organisation with a Queensland customer reference number (CRN)
- have a current safety certificate or certificate of inspection (unless the vehicle is exempt)
- have a gas inspection certificate, if the vehicle is fitted with gas fittings or systems.
Do not use this service if:
- the buyer wants to relocate a vehicle, trailer or boat to another state or territory
Instead, cancel the registration and ask the buyer to obtain an unregistered vehicle permit. - you are the buyer transferring the registration into your name
Instead, transfer registration as a buyer - you want to transfer registration for a motorised mobility device
Instead, transfer a motorised mobility device registration - you want to swap the order of names on your registration
Instead, message us or call 13 74 68 - the vehicle is subject to enforcement action by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER)
Instead, pay a SPER debt before transferring the registration - the vehicle is under a Number Plate Confiscation Notice issued by the Queensland Police Service
Instead, check the details on your confiscation notice.
How to transfer registration as a seller
Choose how to transfer registration as a seller and follow the steps.
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle, trailer or boat for transfer
If you pay your registration by direct debit, remove the registration from direct debit before you start the transfer.
If you have a road toll tag, remove the tag and update your details with the toll company.
You need a current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (unless the vehicle is exempt). The certificate must be less than 3 months old at the time of transferring the registration. A safety certificate can only be used for a single transfer. You can’t reuse a safety certificate you were given from a previous transfer.
Step 2: Gather your information
You'll need your:
- first and last name
- date of birth
- Queensland residential address
- Queensland driver licence number or customer reference number (CRN).
You'll need the buyer's:
- first and last name (exactly as recorded with us)
- Queensland driver licence number or CRN
- email address (if they don't already have one recorded with us).
You’ll also need to provide the date of sale, and for:
- vehicles—the vehicle value (used to calculate vehicle registration duty) and odometer reading at the time of sale
- boats—the details of how and where the boat will be stored after it's transferred.
Step 3: Complete Part B of the vehicle registration transfer application form (recommended)
We recommend you complete Part B of the:
- Vehicle registration transfer application (F3520) form, for vehicles and trailers
- Queensland regulated ship registration transfer application (F3521) form, for boats.
Get the buyer to sign it digitally or physically on the day of sale.
Step 4: Give the buyer a current safety certificate
You must give the buyer a current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (unless the vehicle is exempt).
For:
- electronic certificates—give them a digital or printed copy, or write the certificate number on the transfer application form. If the buyer asks, you must show them the electronic certificate so they can ensure it’s valid.
- handwritten certificates—give them the original blue copy. You’ll need to visit a transport service centre to have your safety certificate recorded before you can transfer the registration online.
Step 5: Log in and confirm your identity
Log in with your Transport and Main Roads (TMR) customer details or your Queensland Digital Identity (QDI).
Step 6: Complete the transfer details
Choose the registration to transfer.
You’ll need to enter:
- the buyer’s licence number or CRN, name and email address
- the date of sale and details of the vehicle, trailer or boat.
Complete the transfer.
Step 7: Keep a record of the transfer details
After you transfer your registration online, we’ll send you a confirmation email if you have your email address recorded with us.
You can also view, print or send a copy of the confirmation to another email address.
Step 8: Buyer is notified of the transfer
We’ll email the buyer once you complete your transfer. We’ll ask them to complete the transfer registration as a buyer service.
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle, trailer or boat for transfer
If you pay your registration by direct debit, remove the registration from direct debit before you start the transfer.
If you have a road toll tag, remove the tag and update your details with the toll company.
You need a current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (unless the vehicle is exempt). The certificate must be less than 3 months old at the time of transferring the registration. A safety certificate can only be used for a single transfer. You can’t reuse a safety certificate you were given from a previous transfer.
Step 2: Gather your information
You'll need your:
- first and last name
- date of birth
- Queensland residential address
- Queensland driver licence number or customer reference number (CRN).
You'll need the buyer's:
- first and last name (exactly as recorded with us)
- Queensland driver licence number or CRN
- email address (if they don’t already have one recorded with us).
You'll also need to provide the date of sale, and for:
- vehicles—vehicle value (used to calculate vehicle registration duty) and odometer reading at the time of sale
- boats—the details of how and where the boat will be stored after it's transferred.
Step 3: Complete the vehicle registration transfer application form
Both you and the buyer must complete and sign the:
- Vehicle registration transfer application (F3520) form, for vehicles and trailers
- Queensland regulated ship registration transfer application (F3521) form, for boats.
You must complete Part B of the form and sign Part A and Part B.
The forms can be printed, completed and signed or downloaded, completed and signed digitally. See Signing forms digitally. If you’ve signed the form digitally, you can then email the form to the buyer.
Step 4: Give the buyer a current safety certificate
You must give the buyer a current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (unless the vehicle is exempt).
For:
- electronic certificates—give them a digital or printed copy, or write the certificate number on the transfer application form. If the buyer asks, you must show them the electronic certificate so they can ensure it’s valid.
- handwritten certificates—give them the original blue copy. You’ll need to visit a transport service centre to have your safety certificate recorded before you can transfer the registration online.
Step 5: Give the buyer a gas inspection certificate (if required)
For vehicles fitted with gas fittings or systems, you must give the buyer a gas inspection certificate.
The certificate must be less than 3 months old at the time of transferring the registration.
If you can't get a gas inspection certificate because there is no one authorised to issue a certificate within a reasonable distance of where you live, you can apply for a gas exemption certificate.
Caravans and motorhomes are not exempt from providing a gas certificate.
Step 6: Complete a form for personalised number plates (if required)
If you are selling personalised plates with the vehicle, complete and keep Part A of the Personalised Number Plate/s Transfer Application (F2963) form and sign Part A and Part B. The buyer must also sign Part A and Part B.
Step 7: Keep Part B of the registration transfer form
Keep Part B of the form for a record of your transfer.
If the buyer does not complete their part of the transfer within 14 days, you should lodge Part B of the form yourself in person or transfer the registration online.
You can log in and check My registrations to confirm if the registration is no longer in your name, or you can message us or call 13 74 68.
How long it takes
Transferring your registration is immediate after the transfer has been lodged online or in person.
How much it costs
There is no cost to use this service.
The seller (you) does not pay any fees to transfer a registration out of their name. The transfer fee and vehicle registration duty are paid by the buyer.