Transferring car registration in South Australia as a buyer
According to the South Australian Government, if you buy a registered vehicle that will be garaged in South Australia, you must transfer the registration into your name within 14 days, or a late transfer fee of $108 may apply.
You can transfer car registration online through a mySAGOV account (if eligible), in person at a Service SA customer service centre, or by post.
Online
If you don’t yet have a mySAGOV account, you will first need to set one up. To do so, you will need your SA driver’s licence or learner’s permit ID. If you have neither, call Service SA on 13 10 84 or visit a customer service centre with evidence of your identity.
Once your account is set up, you will need the following to complete the transfer of vehicle registration online:
- The plate number of the car being transferred.
- The seller’s name, their SA driver’s licence, or client number.
- The seller's last name or organisation name.
To finalise the transfer, you will be asked to pay the transfer fee and stamp duty.
In person
To apply for a car rego transfer in person, provide the completed and signed application for transfer of registration (on the back of your registration details certificate) to a Service SA customer service centre along with payment for the transfer fee and stamp duty (if applicable).
By post
Mail the completed and signed application for transfer of registration, along with the correct fee, to:
Service SA
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001
Note: if you are mailing the fee, it must be provided by money order or a cheque marked ‘not negotiable’ and made payable to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
The seller’s Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance automatically transfers to the new owner when the registration is transferred. You will be able to choose your CTP insurer when it’s time to renew the vehicle’s registration.
Transferring car registration in South Australia as a seller
When you sell or gift a vehicle that is registered in South Australia, you must submit a notice of disposal (NOD) as soon as possible (within 14 days of selling or disposing of the vehicle).
You can submit a NOD online through a mySAGOV account (if eligible), in person at a Service SA customer service centre, or by post.
Online
Once you have set up an account, you will need to have the following to complete the NOD online:
- The buyer’s name, SA driver’s licence, or client number (this can be obtained by visiting a Service SA customer service centre).
- The date and time of the vehicle’s sale, and its selling price.
You must then complete and sign the back of the vehicle registration details certificate, returning it to the buyer. The SA Government also recommends providing the buyer with a receipt while keeping a copy as proof that the vehicle is sold and no longer under your ownership.
This receipt should include the buyer’s and seller’s:
- Name
- Address
- Signatures
- Details of the sale (e.g. date and price paid)
- Vehicle details such as the:
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Make and model.
In person
If you cannot submit a NOD online, you can submit a paper NOD to Service SA instead:
- A paper copy of the NOD is on the back of a vehicle’s registration certificate (this is sent to you with your paper or digital renewal notice).
- Both the seller and buyer must sign the NOD.
- If you don’t have your registration certificate, you can apply for a replacement or complete a notice of disposal application form.
By post
Send the completed NOD to:
Service SA
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001
Personalised plates
You can retain a personalised number plate when you sell or trade in your car, reallocating it to your new vehicle.
But if you plan to sell your registered car, you will need to replace the personalised plate with a general issue number plate.
To do this, visit a Service SA customer service centre and pay a $68 fee to add new general issue number plates and a $33 fee to transfer your custom plates to another vehicle (current at the time of writing).
How much does it cost to transfer car registration in South Australia?
In SA, transferring your car registration isn’t a fixed cost. It varies depending on your situation. You may be required to pay some or all of the following fees:
Registration transfer fee
- Paid within 14 days of purchasing the vehicle: $33
- Paid after 14 days of purchasing the vehicle: $141 (includes a late payment fee of $108).
You can pay this fee online through a mySAGOV account.
Alternatively, you can complete a paper transfer form and submit it:
- At a Service SA customer service centre, or;
- By post (if you are mailing the fee, it must be provided by money order or a cheque marked ‘not negotiable’ and made payable to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport).
Stamp duty
Stamp duty is payable when a buyer applies to transfer the registration of a used vehicle into their name.
Stamp duty is calculated on the value of the motor vehicle, which must be declared on the transfer application by the buyer.
The value is calculated on the higher of either the purchase price or the market value of the vehicle, including any improvements.
The buyer must ensure the value declared represents the true value of the vehicle.
Organisations such as the Motor Trade Association, Redbook and the RAA can assist you in determining a vehicle’s value.
These are the stamp duty rates at the time of writing for a non-commercial car (not designed to carry goods) in South Australia:
Value | Non-commercial vehicle |
|---|---|
Does not exceed $1,000 | $1 for every $100 or part of $100 with a minimum of $5 payable in all cases |
Exceeds $1,000 but not $2,000 | $10 plus $2 for every $100 or part of $100 over $1,000 |
Exceeds $2,000 but not $3,000 | $30 plus $3 for every $100 or part of $100 over $2,000 |
Exceeds $3,000 | $60 plus $4 for every $100 or part of $100 over $3,000 |
Source: RevenueSA. Accurate as of September 2026
You can also use the calculator on the RevenueSA website to calculate the stamp duty payable for a non-commercial vehicle.
When you transfer a vehicle into your name, some circumstances may exempt you from paying motor vehicle stamp duty.
For example, you may be eligible for an exemption if you are:
- Transferring the rego from your spouse or domestic partner (current or former) into your name
- Transferring the rego from a deceased person into your name
- Inheriting the vehicle under the terms of a will.
To claim an exemption, you will need to provide the necessary documents (such as a statutory declaration form for spouses or domestic partners) to any Service SA customer service centre when submitting your application.
Changing your car registration when moving to South Australia
If you have moved permanently to South Australia from interstate, you are required to register your car within three months. If you don’t register your car within that time, financial penalties may apply.
If you have a current interstate registration certificate, you will need to present this to a Service SA customer service centre to register the vehicle in South Australia. You will also be required to present the following at your appointment:
1. Application for registration and compulsory third party insurance form
This form can be found online. You will need details of where your vehicle will be garaged in South Australia, along with details of the vehicle. When you present this form to the customer service centre, you will receive information on selecting a CTP insurer.
2. Evidence of identity
If you have not previously been issued a licence or registered a vehicle in South Australia, you will need to provide at least three evidence of identity documents to Service SA, such as:
- Current Australian passport
- A Medicare card
- Credit or debit card.
You will also be required to transfer to a South Australian licence within three months.
3. Payment of registration fees
You can use the SA Government’s registration fee calculator to work out what you are required to pay, including registration fees, stamp duty, CTP insurance premiums and plate fees.
If you don’t have an interstate registration certificate, you’ll need to get a vehicle identity inspection. At the time of writing, these inspections (called Tier 2) cost $77.
Vehicle identity inspections can be completed at three assessment stations in metropolitan Adelaide, Southern Adelaide, and Mount Gambier.
If you live rurally, your inspection may be carried out by the SA Police, provided you fulfil certain requirements, such as living more than 40 kilometres from the Adelaide GPO. Contact your local police station to make an appointment.
After the inspection is complete, you will receive a vehicle identity inspection report, which you will need to present when applying for registration. This report is valid for three calendar months.
Once you have registered your vehicle in South Australia, you can surrender your interstate number plates at a Service SA customer service centre along with the corresponding form. Once surrendered, Service SA will provide a receipt for those plates.
You can check the refund policy with the state or territory road authority where your vehicle was previously registered to see if you can get a refund for any unused part of your interstate registration. The plate receipt from Service SA may assist with this process.
Changing your registration when leaving South Australia
If you’re leaving South Australia to live interstate and taking your car with you, you will need to first apply for registration at your interstate authority.
Once you have registered your vehicle interstate, you can then cancel your SA registration. In most cases, you can cancel registration online if you have a mySAGOV account.
Alternatively, you can fill in the application to cancel registration form and present this, along with your new interstate registration certificate, to your closest Service SA customer service centre. If you lodge your cancellation at Service SA, you will be required to surrender your SA number plates.
Once you have applied to cancel your SA registration, the SA Government can provide a refund on the unused portion of your:
- Vehicle’s registration fee
- CTP insurance premium
- Lifetime support scheme levy.
A $22 administration fee will also be deducted from any refund due.
For further guidance on transferring your car’s registration or changing the registration when moving to South Australia or interstate, contact Service SA.
If you’re moving, also remember to update your details with your car insurance provider. If you’re looking to switch insurance providers or take out a new policy in your new state or territory, you may like to compare car insurance with Canstar. There may also be car insurance deals and offers available when taking out a new policy.
It’s important to read the policy documentation, such as the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), for any policy you are considering.
