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KEY POINTS
- The cost of QLD car rego for light motor vehicles is charged according to the vehicle’s dutiable value and the number of cylinders it.
- Other factors such as registration and vehicle type, and registration period also affect the rego’s overall costs.
- There are a range of registration concessions available in Queensland, which could help you save if eligible.
How is the cost of your car registration calculated in Queensland?
According to the Queensland Government, the cost of car registration in Queensland for light motor vehicles is calculated and charged according to the number of cylinders a vehicle has. But the overall cost of your car registration will also be influenced by the following factors:
How much does car registration cost in Queensland?
QLD rego costs will differ based on the factors outlined above. For a list of approximate costs (at the time of writing) for registration of a light vehicle for private use in Queensland, see the tables below.
New Registration
Light passenger vehicle (for private use) | fuel type – petrol | CTP insurance included.
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| Cylinders | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration period | Dutiable value ($) | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 6 months | 10,000 | $702.55 | $836.70 | $978.15 |
| 6 months | 15,000 | $852.55 | $1,011.70 | $1,178.15 |
| 6 months | 20,000 | $1,002.55 | $1,186.70 | $1,378.15 |
| 12 months | 10,000 | $1,052.25 | $1,270.55 | $1,503.45 |
| 12 months | 15,000 | $1,202.25 | $1,445.55 | $1,703.45 |
| 12 months | 20,000 | $1,352.25 | $1,620.55 | $1,903.45 |
Source: Collected in April 2025 from the Department of Transport and Main Roads – Registration Quote Tool.
Registration renewal
Light passenger vehicle (for private use) | fuel type – petrol | CTP insurance included.
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| Cylinders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration period | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 6 months | $368.65 | $452.80 | $544.25 |
| 12 months | $718.35 | $866.65 | $1,069.55 |
Source: Collected in April 2025 from the Department of Transport and Main Roads – Registration Quote Tool.
Car registration fee inclusions
Vehicle registration fees are made up of three components:
- The vehicle registration fee.
- The traffic improvement fee.
- A CTP insurance premium (if you choose to have it included in your registration, though note it is a legal requirement to have CTP coverage before you can drive your car).
Other related fees
There are other fees for your car that you may be required to pay, depending on your circumstances. These may include:
- Vehicle registration transfer fees—if you are transferring a vehicle.
- Fee to issue or replace a standard number plate.
- Personalised number plate transfer fee.
- Customised plate fee.
- Customise and replace plate fee.
- Late payment renewal fee (for 3, 6, or 12 months).
For the current costs and charges, visit the Queensland Government’s Registration costs website.
How do you register a car in Queensland?
If you’re registering a vehicle (not renewing), and you bought it privately, or a motor dealer hasn’t organised this for you, you must visit a transport and motoring customer service centre.
If you live in a remote or rural area, you can alternatively visit a mobile customer service unit, Queensland and Government Agent Program (QGAP) office, Magistrates Court or police station, according to Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). But TMR recommends calling to confirm if registration services are provided prior to visiting these locations.
If you are attending a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides registration services, you’ll need to complete a vehicle registration application, and, if it is your first time doing business with TMR, a new customer application, both of which are available to download from the TMR website.
You will be asked to take your vehicle with you as it may need to be inspected prior to registration. A pre-registration inspection may be required for some light motor vehicles (vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or less), but all heavy motor vehicles must undertake this (vehicles with a GVM more than 4.5 tonnes). Pre-registration inspections for heavy vehicles can be carried out by an accredited person under the Heavy Vehicle Registration Assessment Scheme.
To drive an unregistered car to the relevant centre, you must ensure you have a CTP insurance certificate, remove any number plates, and only drive to the centre.
If you are looking to renew your registration, you can log into your TMR or QGov account and select the relevant registration.
How could you save on your registration fees in Queensland?
You may be able to save on your vehicle’s registration fees in Queensland by considering the following:
- Pay for a 12-month registration. There is a surcharge for the 1-month, 3-month and 6-month rego options, so in most cases, opting for the longer period will save you money over the year.
- See if you qualify for a registration concession. There are a range of concessions available in Queensland. Some may include those for seniors or pensioner concession card holders, charitable or community organisations, or vehicles used in a restricted area in Queensland.
- Make sure you renew your vehicle registration before it expires to avoid any late fees—renewal fees are also generally cheaper than paying for a new registration.
- Opting for standard rather than personalised plates. When purchasing a new registration you will have to pay for plate fees. Standard plate fees are cheaper than personalised custom plates.
And if you haven’t purchased your vehicle yet, you could consider doing the following:
- Purchasing a lower-cylinder vehicle, which are also generally cheaper and lower-valued. The lower the number of cylinders your car has, the cheaper the registration costs.
- Purchasing an electric vehicle—which can be either a battery electric vehicle or fuel cell electric (hydrogen) vehicle. Electric vehicles generally come with lower registration costs, states the Queensland Government.
Compare car insurance policies
If you’re comparing car insurance policies, the comparison table below displays some of the policies currently available on Canstar for a 30-39 year old male seeking comprehensive cover in NSW without cover for an extra driver under 25. Please note the table is sorted by Canstar Star Rating (highest to lowest) followed by provider name (alphabetical) and features links direct to the providers’ websites. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS and TMD. Use Canstar's car insurance comparison selector to view a wider range of policies. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals
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Additional reporting by Nick WhitingNick Whiting
