NSW vehicle registration: Renew, register and transfer
Did you just receive your registration renewal notice?
Find out how to renew, register and transfer registration in NSW.
How do I renew my NSW registration?
To renew your registration in NSW, follow these 4 steps:
- Choose a registration period.
- Buy a green slip.
- Organise a pink slip if your vehicle is 5 or more years old.
- Pay registration fees.
1. Choose a registration period
You can renew registration of light vehicles for 6 months or 12 months. Owners of trailers and heavy vehicles can renew registration for 3 months or 6 months.
Essential to know
- The period of registration and green slip must match.
- If you register your vehicle for 6 months, you must buy a green slip for 6 months.
2. Buy a green slip
Use the greenslips.com.au Calculator to compare prices from all 6 insurers, using your vehicle and details. Buy directly from your insurer of choice. The insurer will send your green slip online to Service NSW ready for registration.
3. Organise a pink slip
Organise a pink slip at a local registered mechanic, if your vehicle is 5 years or older. If your vehicle is less than 5 years old, it does not need a pink slip. Your registration renewal notice states whether your vehicle needs a pink slip to be registered.
4. Pay registration fees
To pay registration fees, enter your plate or billing number from your registration renewal notice.
You can also visit a service centre or call 13 77 88 to renew registration.
A renewal notice is sent 4-6 weeks before the renewal due date. You can renew up to 3 months in advance if you request a renewal notice first.
Did you know greenslips.com.au can send you registration reminder stickers?
Essential to know
If you do not renew:
- by expiry date, your vehicle will be unregistered
- within 21 days after expiry date, you must register for 12 months
- within 3 months after expiry date, registration is cancelled.
How do I get a green slip for registration?
The best way to get a green slip is to use the greenslips.com.au Calculator. You can compare all 6 insurers in one place and receive the cheapest prices available for your vehicle and details.
Next, buy a green slip online or by phone from your chosen insurer. Some insurers use agents, such as the Post Office, and some use brokers. Going to an agent may be the only way to buy a green slip in person.
Once you have paid for a green slip, insurers immediately notify Service NSW so you can register your vehicle. This may take longer from rural or regional Post Offices or agents.
How do I register a vehicle if I moved from interstate to NSW?
If you have moved to NSW from interstate, you need to start a new registration.
When you register your vehicle for the first time in NSW, you need to satisfy these requirements:
- Apply to register your vehicle.
- Have your vehicle identified and checked for safety (blue slip).
- Buy a green slip (CTP insurance).
- Prove you are entitled to register the vehicle.
- Prove your identity and residential address.
- Pay all registration, tax and number plate fees.
Essential to know
The first time you register your vehicle in NSW, you have to:
- Go in person to Service NSW with your documents and fees.
- Buy a green slip for 12 months.
Checklist to register a vehicle in NSW
| What you need | How to get it |
|
Safety and identity check (blue slip) |
Hardcopy from safety check provider |
|
CTP insurance (green slip) |
Compare prices and buy |
|
Application for registration |
|
|
Proof of identity |
From Lists 1 and 2. For example, birth certificate, passport, credit card, utility bill |
|
Proof of entitlement to register |
One type of proof. For example, interstate certificate of registration or motor dealer sales contract |
|
Payment for all fees |
Registration, stamp duty, proof of any concession |
When you receive NSW number plates, you must put them on at the centre before you can drive away.
For more, see Transfer registration to NSW.
How do I transfer registration into my name after buying a used vehicle in NSW?
If you have just bought a used vehicle in NSW:
- Register the car in your name within 14 days or pay a late transfer fee.
- You can register online if the previous owner submits a Notice of Disposal within 14 days.
- You must register the car in person at Service NSW if the previous owner does not submit a Notice of Disposal within 14 days.
There are cases where you have to go in person to Service NSW. You need to take documents showing proof of identity, proof of entitlement and an application for transfer of registration.
Essential to know
When you buy a used car, you are also buying the green slip and registration already on it.This means you do not need to buy a green slip until registration next becomes due.
What happens if I drive an unregistered vehicle?
If you are caught driving or parking an unregistered vehicle, it is counted as two offences. The vehicle is both unregistered and uninsured.
Fines for driving unregistered
| Offence | Fine |
|
Drive or park an unregistered vehicle |
$818 |
|
Drive or park an uninsured vehicle |
$818 |
|
Total |
$1,636* |
A vehicle is unregistered if the registration has expired or been cancelled or suspended. In this case, you must start a new registration.
However, there are cases when you can temporarily drive an unregistered vehicle:
- To get the vehicle repaired after a failed safety check
- To have the vehicle insured
- For registration at Service NSW.
It is legal to drive an unregistered vehicle for a specific, necessary trip if you hold an unregistered vehicle permit (UVP). Find out how to apply for a UVP.
How do I register my vehicle type?
The registration process in NSW is the same for all vehicle types. However:
- The available period of registration varies with vehicle type.
- Not all vehicle types need a green slip.
- Vehicle tax increases with vehicle weight.
- Owners of classic or historic vehicles may apply for conditional registration.
Vehicle registration periods and green slip requirements
| Registration period | Green slip | |
|
Motorcycle |
6 or 12 months |
Must buy |
|
Trailer |
3 or 6 months |
For towing vehicle only |
|
Caravan |
6 or 12 months |
For towing vehicle only |
|
Heavy vehicle |
3 or 6 months |
Must buy |
|
Classic or historic vehicle |
6 or 12 months |
Conditional registration includes green slip |
Cost is indicative only. You can calculate registration cost using the plate number and VIN/chassis from your registration renewal notice.
How do I cancel registration?
If your car is written off or you move interstate, you must cancel registration.
You need to go in person to Service NSW to cancel registration as it cannot be done online. Take these documents:
- Number Plates and/or Cancellation of Registration form
- Proof of identity from Lists 1 and 2
- Certificate of registration
- The insurer letter, if the vehicle was written off.
Essential to know
- There is no refund of registration fees.
- You can get a refund of motor vehicle tax and a refund of your green slip less admin fees.
Can I cancel registration and the green slip if I sell my vehicle?
No, you cannot cancel registration or the green slip when you sell a vehicle. When you sell your vehicle, the registration and green slip goes with it. The new owner has bought a registered vehicle. When the next registration is due to be paid, Service NSW will contact the new owner.
Service NSW will notify the green slip insurer of the change in owner details. The green slip insurer will issue a renewal notice to the new owner.
Is there a way to check if a vehicle is registered?
Yes. You can check if a vehicle is registered by using Check a vehicle registration.
Put in the number plate for:
- Greenslip insurer
- Greenslip expiry date
- Registration expiry date
- Registration status (current, suspended or cancelled)
- Registration restrictions (renewal or transfer)
- Registration concessions
- Odometer reading.
You can use this service for other vehicles. For example, a vehicle involved in a road accident with you or a used vehicle you would like to buy. However, this service does not provide the name or address of the registered owner.
How much does vehicle registration cost in NSW?
The cost of vehicle registration depends on vehicle type, weight, any concessions available and the type of registration.
- Vehicle type: motor car, ute/light goods vehicle, heavy vehicle, caravan, trailer
- Weight: the heavier the vehicle, the higher the motor vehicle tax
- Registration: new, renewal, transfer, conditional
- Concessions: pensioner, primary producer, natural disaster.
Cost of registration for different vehicle types
| Vehicle type | Cost |
|
Motorcycle |
$79 + $83 tax |
|
Trailer |
$79 + variable tax |
|
Caravan |
$79 + variable tax |
|
Heavy vehicle |
$79 + variable tax |
|
$26 + $53 number plates |
Cost is indicative only. You can calculate registration cost with the plate number and VIN/chassis from your registration renewal notice.
FAQs
Can I register my vehicle for less than 12 months?
Yes, you can register your vehicle for 6 months except in 3 cases:
- The first registration in NSW, for example, a vehicle brought from interstate.
- Registering a vehicle with cancelled registration
- It is 21 days or more after the registration due date.
In these cases, you have no choice but to register the vehicle for 12 months.
When do I need a pink slip or a blue slip?
The occasions when you need a pink slip or a blue slip are different.
- A pink slip is an annual safety check required for vehicles 5 or more years old before they can be registered. If your vehicle is less than 5 years old, it does not need a pink slip. Your registration renewal notice states if a pink slip is required.
- A blue slip is an in-depth identity and safety check required only once for a vehicle to be registered for the first time in NSW. It applies to vehicles with cancelled registration or vehicles brought from interstate.
Can I legally drive my unregistered car to the mechanic for a pink slip or to Service NSW for registration?
Yes. You can legally drive by the shortest route to the mechanic or Service NSW for the sole purpose of registering your vehicle.
How can I get discounts on registration?
You can get discounts on registration if you hold a NSW Pensioner Concession Card. You are entitled to free registration for one vehicle and may be eligible for automatic registration renewal (not for conditional registration).
Other discounts/concessions can apply for Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders, primary producers and people affected by natural disasters.
Can I put rego 'on hold' to save money while I’m overseas?
No, you cannot put your NSW registration ‘on hold’ while overseas. You can cancel registration of your vehicle and start a new registration when you return. If you want to keep the same number plates, apply to store them for when you come back.
Can I still renew or sell my car if I've lost my registration papers?
Yes, you can still renew registration online without your registration papers. Enter your plate number rather than your billing number when you renew registration. If you want to sell your car, you can order a replacement registration notice online.