Transfer your registration
Here are the simple steps you need to take if you buy, sell or dispose of a vehicle and want to transfer the registration.
Buying a vehicle
Once you've bought or have been given a vehicle, you must transfer it into your name within 14 days of it being in your possession or management. If you don't, a late transfer surcharge may apply.
If you're transferring registration into an organisation's name, you must do this in person at a service centre.
In person
To transfer vehicle registration in person at a service centre you'll need to provide:
- completed Application for Transfer form
- proof of identity
- proof of your entitlement to register the vehicle
- payment for transfer fee, stamp duty (unless you're exempt) and motor vehicle tax (you only pay motor vehicle tax if you bought the vehicle from someone who received a tax concession, like a pensioner, and you're not entitled to that concession)
Special number plates
If the vehicle has special number plates and you would like to keep them, you'll also need to pay an ongoing annual fee. See myPlates website for more details.
If you don't want to keep the special plates, you'll need to hand them in at a service centre and pay a one-off fee for a new set of general plates.
Registering in the name of an organisation
If you're registering the vehicle in the name of an organisation, you need to complete the Representative's Authority section on the Application for Registration form.
Deceased estates
Find out the strict requirements around transferring a vehicle registration in deceased estates.
Sending someone else to transfer registration
If you send someone else to transfer the registration to your name, you'll also need to complete the Representative's Authority section on the Application for Registration. Your representative must provide their own proof of identity.
If you're not already recorded in our systems, you cannot send a representative - you must attend in person.
Selling a vehicle
When you sell or want to transfer ownership of a vehicle, you should give the new owner a document that proves their entitlement to register the vehicle. See proof of registration entitlement for acceptable documents. The process is the same if you want to transfer registration to a family member.
Notice of Disposal
When you sell a vehicle or it's no longer in your possession, it's also your responsibility to notify us by lodging a Notice of Disposal. There is no charge for this.
You can only lodge a Notice of Disposal online if the new operator is a NSW resident with a NSW driver licence.
Lodge a Notice of Disposal online
In person
You can lodge at any service centre by completing the Notice of Disposal on the back of the vehicle's Certificate of Registration or you can print out and fill in the Notice of Disposal form.
By post
You can complete the Notice of Disposal on the back of the vehicle's Certificate of Registration or print out and fill in the Notice of Disposal form, and post it to: Roads and Maritime Services PO Box 21 Parkes NSW 2870
What happens if you don't lodge a Notice of Disposal
If you forget to tell us you no longer have the vehicle, you could be held responsible for parking and other driving offences until the new registered operator transfers the registration into their name. Lodging a Notice of Disposal helps you avoid unnecessary fines.
If you receive an enforcement notice for a vehicle you no longer have, you will be able to advise the issuing agency that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle by submitting a Statutory Declaration.
Selling a vehicle with special number plates
If you're selling a vehicle with special number plates that have annual fees, you should let the new operator know, as the plates and fees go with the vehicle.
Keeping the number plates
If you want to keep the number plates, you'll need to take action before you sell the vehicle. To keep the plates, you can either:
- exchange the number plates for plates on another vehicle registered in your name
- reserve the plates at a service centre and have standard plates issued to the vehicle you are selling
For more information see the myPlates website.
CTP insurance transfers to the new owner
A vehicle's Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance (green slip) automatically transfers to the new operator when vehicle registration is transferred.
If you are the new registered operator, you don't need to do anything with the CTP insurance, until the vehicle's registration is due for renewal.