Caravans and light trailers
Select from the topics listed below to go directly to the information you need.- How do I register my caravan or light trailer?
- Before moving your caravan or light trailer on the road
- How do I move my caravan or light trailer?
- What will I need to take with me when I register my caravan or light trailer?
- Fees
- What if my caravan or light trailer’s registration has expired?
- When is a fire extinguisher required?
- Information about building small trailers
How do I register my caravan or light trailer?
To register a caravan or light trailer, you will need to visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre. Not all customer service centres provide caravan or light trailer registration services, so phone the department on 13 23 80b to locate your nearest customer service centre that deals with caravans or light trailer. If you live in a rural area, you will need to visit a Queensland Government Agency Program office, a Magistrate Court or your local police station.
Before moving your caravan or light trailer on the road
Before you can move your caravan or light trailer from its place of purchase or from where it is currently garaged, you must follow the relevant guidelines that apply to your situation. Select one of the situations below to find out the guidelines that apply to you:
- Registering a caravan or light trailer that has previously been registered in Queensland, and registration has expired or been cancelled
- Registering a caravan or light trailer that has previously been registered interstate, and registration has expired or been cancelled
- Registering a caravan or light trailer that is currently registered interstate
Registering a caravan or light trailer that has previously been registered in Queensland, and registration has expired or been cancelled
Before you can move your caravan or light trailer from its place of purchase or from where it is currently garaged, you must:
- complete a Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518). This form is also available at your local Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre
- ensure that any plate or label has been removed from the caravan or light trailer.
Registering a caravan or light trailer that has previously been registered interstate, and registration has expired or been cancelled
Before you can move your caravan or light trailer from its place of purchase or from where it is currently garaged, you must:
- complete a Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518). This form is also available at your local Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre
- ensure that any plate or label has been removed from the caravan or light trailer. You may surrender your interstate number plate to the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland, or to a department agent (you will be issued a receipt). If the interstate plate is not surrendered to the department, you will be required to surrender the plate to the issuing interstate authority.
Registering a caravan or light trailer that is currently registered interstate
Note: If you and your vehicle move to Queensland, the vehicle must be registered in Queensland within 14 days of your move and establishment of your new garage address. If you fail to register your caravan or light trailer in Queensland, you may be fined.
To register your caravan or light trailer you will be required to:
- complete a Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518). This form is also available at your local Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre.
Note: To make the process of registration quicker and easer, you may wish to complete the Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518) prior to attending a customer service centre to register your caravan or light trailer.
Note: The registered operator of an interstate caravan or light trailer is responsible for contacting the relevant interstate authority for any refund and cancellation requirements as the requirements may vary from state to state. You may surrender your interstate number plate to the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland, or to a department agent (you will be issued a receipt). If the interstate plate is not surrendered to the department, you will be required to surrender the plate to the issuing interstate authority.
How do I move my caravan or light trailer?
After you have completed the above relevant guidelines that apply to your situation (see 'before moving your caravan or light trailer on the road' above), you can legally tow your caravan or light trailer directly to:
- an approved inspection station — to obtain a Queensland safety certificate (required only for a caravan or light trailer in excess of 750 kilograms (kg) aggregate trailer mass)
- an authorised gas installer — to obtain a gas certificate if your caravan has gas appliances or fittings
- a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre — to apply for registration.
If you are unable to move your caravan or light trailer directly from the approved inspection station, or the gas installer, or from where it is currently garaged, to a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, you will need an unregistered vehicle permit (for example, where a caravan or light trailer needs additional work to pass the safety certificate or to be register, but that work is not able to be done at the approved inspection station or where it is currently garaged).
What will I need to take with me when I register my caravan or light trailer?
When you arrive at the Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, you can make the process of registration quicker and easier if you have the following required documentation with you:
- a completed Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518). This form is also available from any Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a Queensland Government Agency Program office, a Magistrate Court or your local police station
- a completed Self Assessment of Single Axle Trailers form (F3970) (required only for trailers with single axles, no brakes, and an aggregate trailer mass of 750 kg or less)
- an original copy of the current Queensland safety certificate (required only for trailers in excess of 750 kg aggregate trailer mass)
- a gas systems compliance certificate that is less than three months old — for caravans/mobile homes with gas appliances, a gas systems compliance certificate or equivalent interstate certificate (if applicable) is required when a new vehicle is sold, a used registered vehicle is sold (transfer of ownership) including commercial vehicles and vehicles for hire (applies to vehicles requiring certificate of inspection every 12 months). If your caravan is imported and fitted with gas appliances, fittings or systems, you must provide a gas systems compliance certificate from an authorised gas installer certifying that the gas appliances, fittings or systems comply with Australian standards. This certificate must be less than three months old.
- a weighbridge certificate or other acceptable evidence of the caravan or light trailer's tare (unladen) weight (required only if the caravan or light trailer has an aggregate trailer mass over 1.02 tonne) — check with your local Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre for information on alternative acceptable evidence
- evidence of the caravan or light trailer's origin — old registration papers or an official purchase receipt are acceptable
- evidence of caravan or light trailer's garage address — current Queensland driver licence, property rates notice, gas, phone or electricity bill are acceptable
- evidence of personal identification is required when registering a caravan or light trailer in an individual's name — for example, a current Queensland driver licence. Refer to the Evidence of Identity Information Sheet
- evidence of organisational identification is required if you are registering a caravan or light trailer in an organisation's name — for example, certificate of incorporation (issued by the Office of Fair Trading), business registration (issued by the Office of Fair Trading), certificate of registration of a company (issued by ASIC — Australian Securities and Investments Commission) and so on. When registering the caravan or trailer in a business name, the proprietor of the business must also bring their Queensland driver licence as identification. If the proprietor is an organisation evidence of identity of the organisation is required.
Note: Organisation representatives must also bring proof that they are acting on behalf of the organisation. Evidence of Representation includes one of the following — a person is in their organisiation's uniform, a business card or business identification, the person is a regular representative for the organisation at the customer service centre, documentation from the organisation on official letterhead, as well as the representative's personal identification, such as their Queensland driver licence - have a means of paying the registration fee.
Fees
Registration fees provide essential funding for the development and maintenance of Queensland's road network.
What if my caravan or light trailer's registration has expired?
Do not tow your caravan or light trailer after midnight on the registration's expiry date if you have not paid your registration fees. Your caravan or light trailer will be unregistered and you may be fined.
When is a fire extinguisher required?
A caravan or light trailer designed primarily for human occupation whilst stationary must be fitted with a fire extinguisher.
Note: Fire authorities strongly recommend that caravans or trailers equipped with cooking facilities,or living or sleeping accommodation be fitted with approved fire blankets and smoke detectors for the protection of occupants.
Information about building small trailers
For information on building small trailers refer to the VSB1-Building Small Trailers Bulletin which is located on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website.
bOperates Monday to Friday 8am-5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays. Local call charge in Australia. Higher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. For international callers phone +61 7 3834 2011 this service operates Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays.
zLocal call — Higher rates may apply outside local area or from mobile phones.
Last updated 05 November 2009
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