How much does it cost to transfer car registration in NSW?
The cost of a car registration transfer in NSW isn’t fixed; it varies with your situation.
To transfer the registration of a car into your name, you may be required to pay some of the following fees in NSW (note that the fees quoted below are accurate at the time of writing):
Registration transfer fee
- If paid within 14 days of purchasing the vehicle: $42
- If paid after 14 days of purchasing the vehicle: $193.
Plates transfer fee (if you are buying a car)
- For standard plates: $32
- For personalised number plates: $120
- For custom number plates: $257
- For ‘Euro numeral’ custom plates: Varies with level of customisation.
If you’re buying a vehicle with standard, personalised, or custom number plates, and these plates are being transferred over to you, you may have to pay one of the fees above.
Plates reservation fee (if you are selling a car)
- Reservation fee (annual): $74 + any special plate fee.
If you are selling the car and want to keep your personalised plates, you will need to reserve these plates at a registry or Service NSW centre, and have new standard plates issued to the vehicle you are selling, which costs $58.
Stamp duty (if you are buying the car)
Stamp duty is based on the market value of the vehicle or the price you paid, whichever is greater.
- For a vehicle valued $45,000 or less: 3% duty
- For a vehicle valued above $45,000: $1,350 for the first $45,000 + 5% additional duty on the remaining value.
Here are two simple examples illustrating how these tax tiers work:
- If your vehicle is valued at $44,000, its stamp duty is $1,320
- If your vehicle is valued at $50,000
- First $45,000: $1,350 base
- Excess $5,000 taxed at 5%: $250
- Total stamp duty: $1,350 + $250 = $1,600.
There are some scenarios where you may be eligible for a stamp duty exemption when transferring the registration of a car.
CTP Insurance
There is no fee for CTP insurance, unlike renewing a car’s registration or registering a new car in NSW.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance (also called Green Slip insurance in NSW) will remain in place and automatically transfer to the new operator of the car when the registration is transferred.
When would I need to transfer a car rego in NSW?
Transferring car registration in NSW as a seller
If you’re selling the vehicle, you need to complete two tasks to complete the car rego transfer, according to Service NSW:
- Provide the new registered operator with a document that proves entitlement to register the vehicle.
- Lodge a Notice of Disposal (NOD), which notifies Service NSW that the vehicle is no longer in your possession. You can lodge a NOD for the vehicle online or at a registry or service centre. Without a NOD, the buyer could rack up fines or offences under your name after the sale.
Transferring car registration in NSW as a buyer
Once you’ve bought a car or received one for free, you’ll need to transfer it into your name within 14 days of ownership. If not, you will face a late transfer surcharge. You can transfer car registration online, if eligible, or in person at a Service NSW centre.
Changing your car registration when moving to NSW
If you have moved to NSW and plan to stay, you will need to register your vehicle in the state. Failing to register your vehicle could result in penalties.
Before you register your car:
- You are required to purchase CTP insurance (Green Slip) from a NSW insurance provider. Most CTP insurers will then send your insurance details to Service NSW electronically. You can shop around for CTP policies on the Green Slip Price Check portal.
- You must have your car inspected at an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS). If the vehicle passes the inspection its details will be sent to Service NSW digitally.
Once you have had your car inspected and have purchased CTP insurance, you will need to visit a registry or service centre in person to register your car in NSW.
When registration in NSW is complete, Service NSW will assign you a set of NSW plates. This information is then sent to the interstate authority, and you will be issued a receipt.
From there, you may be able to take that receipt to your interstate authority to receive a refund for your old registration. Contact your interstate authority for more information.
Changing your registration when leaving NSW
If you are leaving NSW to live interstate and taking your car with you, you will have to apply for registration in that state and then cancel your registration in NSW.
To cancel, you can head to a registry or Service NSW centre in person or post your application. You will need to include a completed cancellation of registration form, provide proof of identity, the vehicle’s NSW registration certificate, and the vehicle’s number plates.
While the NSW registration fee and number plate fees are non-refundable, you may be entitled to a CTP insurance refund from your provider. However, you will have to cancel your registration before asking your insurer for a refund.
You may be entitled to a refund of the unused portion of your motor vehicle tax when cancelling your registration.
To apply for a refund, you will need to complete and sign a ‘request for refund of NSW registration’ form and take it to a Service NSW centre to cancel your registration.
If you’re moving, remember to update your details with your car insurance provider, or consider your options for insuring your vehicle within your new state or territory.
