Registering motor vehicles and motorbikes
Motor vehicles and motorbikes travelling on Queensland roads must be registered. This enables Queensland Transport to identify and manage registered operators, and support the safety and security of Queensland's road transport.Registration fees also provide essential funding for the development and maintenance of our road network.
Compulsory third party insurance, which is managed with registration, provides indemnity against personal injury claims in crashes. Registration also allows common safety standards to be enforced and provides an efficient system to prevent the re-registration of stolen vehicles. How to register a motor vehicle or motorbike
To register an unregistered vehicle or motorbike, you need to go to a Queensland Transport customer service centre.
Before you can move your vehicle 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 Queensland Transport customer service centre.
- Organise a compulsory third party insurance certificate for the vehicle through a licensed insurer.
- If your vehicle was registered interstate and registration has expired, remove the plates and complete the above.
- If your vehicle was registered interstate and registration is still current, complete the registration application form. You can nominate your compulsory third party insurer on your application. When registration fees are paid, this will include the compulsory third party premium.
Note: The registered operator of an interstate vehicle is responsible for contacting the relevant interstate authority for any refund and cancellation requirements.
- an approved inspection station to obtain a safety certificate
- an authorised gas installer to obtain a gas certificate (if your vehicle runs on gas or has gas fittings/systems).
Note: An exemption can be obtained from the Department of Mines and Energy if you are unable to obtain a gas certificate because no one is authorised to issue gas inspection certificates within a reasonable distance of your residence. Exemption forms can be obtained at Department of Mines and Energy website or contact +61 7 3237 1626a or by email to: gassafe@dme.qld.gov.au. A copy of the exemption issued by the Department of Mines and Energy must be provided to Queensland Transport with an application for registration.
Finally, you need to go to a customer service centre to apply for registration.
If you are unable to take the vehicle directly from the approved inspection station, or the gas installer, to a customer service centre, you will need an unregistered vehicle permit (for example, where a vehicle needs additional work to pass the safety certificate that is not able to be done at the approved inspection station).When you arrive at the customer service centre, you can make the process of registration quicker and easier if you have the following:
- A completed Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518)—also available from any customer service centre.
- A compulsory third party insurance certificate from a licensed insurer.
- A safety certificate.
- A gas certificate—if your vehicle runs on gas or is fitted with gas fittings/systems, you must provide a gas certificate that is not more than three months old and this must be from an authorised gas installer. If you are unable to obtain a gas certificate because no one is authorised to issue gas inspection certificates within a reasonable distance of your residence, you must provide a gas exemption certificate issued by the Department of Mines and Energy.
Note: New vehicles fitted with gas fittings/systems by the manufacturer do not require a gas certificate. - A weighbridge certificate or other acceptable evidence of the vehicle's tare (unladen) weight (if applicable).
- Evidence of the vehicle's origin—old registration papers in your name or a purchase receipt.
- Evidence of vehicle's garage address—current Queensland driver licence, property rates notice, gas, phone or electricity bill.
- Evidence of personal identification, such as a current Queensland driver licence. Refer to the Evidence of Identity Information Sheet.
- Evidence of organisation identification—certificate of incorporation, business registration and so on. To register a vehicle in a business's name, the proprietor must also bring their Queensland driver licence as identification.
Note: Organisation representatives must also bring proof that they are acting on behalf of the organisation and their own personal identification, such as their Queensland driver licence. - A means of paying the registration fee.
If you have not paid your registration fees, do not drive your vehicle or motorbike after its registration has expired. Your vehicle will be unregistered and you will be fined.
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Last updated 21 February 2008
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