Vehicle Registration

When you purchase a motor vehicle in Australia the appropriate authority in each State requires that you register the vehicle.

The appropriate authority will record the vehicle’s identifying details such as the make, model and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on its Vehicle Register.

Your details will be recorded as the person responsible for the vehicle which makes you the registered owner.

Buying a Car from a Dealer

The motor car trader will more than likely help you register the new or second hand vehicle you purchase.

Buying a Car Privately

If you purchase a second hand vehicle from a newspaper ad or the internet, you are required to transfer the vehicle into your name and pay the relevant transfer fees. The transfer fees are the buyer’s responsibilities.

Vehicle Registration Transfer Forms contain detailed information on what your obligations are when transferring a vehicle into your name. Generally both the buyer and seller are required to complete this form to transfer the registration successfully.

In certain States you will be required to produce a Certificate of Roadworthiness to the appropriate authority in order to register the vehicle in your name. A Certificate of Roadworthiness indicates that the vehicle is in a safe condition to drive.

The Roadworthy Certificate is obtained when the vehicle has undergone and passed a thorough inspection conducted by an authorized Licenced Vehicle Tester. If the vehicle does not pass the Roadworthy inspection, you may have to spend money to rectify its faults.

You can have the vehicle inspected prior to purchasing it by a friend, mechanic or  Licenced Vehicle Tester. This pre-inspection will give you a very good idea of the condition of the vehicle.           

The Most Important Thing to do before you Buy a Second hand Vehicle

Before buying a car privately you should check with the Securities Registry that the vehicle is not stolen, under finance and has not been written off in a car crash. For a small fee you can obtain a Certificate which provides you legal protection against repossession in Victoria this called a Vehicle Securities Register (VSR) certificate. Each State of Australia will have a similar register.

To obtain this certificate you will need to provide the following details from the vehicle, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the Chassis number, engine number, registration number and the State in which it was last registered. Make sure you obtain these details by getting them directly off the vehicle – do not rely on a document provided to you.   

 

 

How to Apply