Registering motor vehicles and motorbikes
Motor vehicles and motorbikes travelling on Queensland roads must be registered. This enables the Department of Transport and Main Roads 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.
Select from the topics listed below to go directly to the information you need.
- Compulsory third party (CTP) insurance
- How do I register my motor vehicle or motorbike?
- Before moving your vehicle on the road
- How do I move my motor vehicle or motorbike?
- What will I need to take with me when I register my motor vehicle or motorbike?
- Fees
- What if my motor vehicles or motorbikes registration has expired?
Compulsory third party (CTP) insurance
Compulsory third party (CTP) insurance is collected with vehicle registration. It indemnifies vehicle owners and drivers who are legally liable for personal injury to any other party in the event of a motor vehicle accident. Registration also allows common safety standards to be enforced and provides an efficient system to prevent the re-registration of stolen vehicles.
Note: When registering a vehicle that will be used for more than one purpose, the CTP insurance class attracting the highest premium is applicable. If you use a vehicle for private use and you are also considering renting your vehicle, the department advises that you should contact your CTP insurer to discuss your CTP obligations.
How do I register my motor vehicle or motorbike?
To register a motor vehicle or motorbike, you need to go to a 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.
Before moving your vehicle on the road
Before you can move your vehicle 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 motor vehicle or motorbike that has previously been registered in Queensland, and registration has expired or been cancelled
- Registering a motor vehicle or motorbike that has previously been registered interstate, and registration has expired or been cancelled
- Registering a motor vehicle or motorbike that is currently registered interstate
Registering a motor vehicle or motorbike that has previously been registered in Queensland, and registration has expired or been cancelled
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 Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre
- organise a CTP insurance certificate, for the six or twelve month registration period of the vehicle, through a licensed insurer
- ensure the plate(s) and label have been removed from the vehicle. Standard Queensland plate(s) must be surrendered to the department or their agent.
Registering a motor vehicle or motorbike that has previously been registered interstate, and registration has expired or been cancelled
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 Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre
- organise a CTP insurance certificate, for the six or twelve month registration period, for the vehicle through a licensed insurer
- ensure the plate(s) and label have been removed from the vehicle. You may surrender your interstate number plate(s) 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(s) are not surrendered to the department, you will be required to surrender the plate(s) to the issuing interstate authority.
Registering a motor vehicle or motorbike 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 re-register your vehicle in Queensland, you may be fined.
To register your vehicle 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
- nominate your CTP insurer on your application form. When registration fees are paid, this will include the CTP insurance premium.
Note: To make the process of registration quicker and easier, you may wish to complete the Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518) prior to attending a customer service centre to register your vehicle.
Note: The registered operator of an interstate vehicle 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(s) 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(s) are not surrendered to the department, you will be required to surrender the plate(s) to the issuing interstate authority.
How do I move my motor vehicle or motorbike?
After you have completed the relevant guidelines that apply to your situation (see 'before moving your vehicle on the road' above), you can legally move your vehicle directly to:
- an approved inspection station to obtain a Queensland safety certificate
- an authorised gas installer to obtain a gas certificate (if your vehicle runs on gas or has gas fittings or systems).
Note: An exemption can be obtained from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation if you are unable to obtain a gas certificate because nobody is authorised to issue gas inspection certificates within a reasonable distance of your residence. Additional information and exemption forms can be obtained at the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation website or contact +61 7 3237 1626z or by email to gassafe@dme.qld.gov.au. A copy of the exemption issued by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation must be provided to the Department of Transport and Main Roads with an application for registration.
After obtaining a safety certificate and gas certificate (if applicable), you are permitted to go directly to a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre to apply for registration.
If you are unable to move your vehicle directly from the approved inspection station, or the gas installer, to a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, you will need an unregistered vehicle permit (for example, where a vehicle needs additional work to pass the safety certificate, but that work is not able to be done at the approved inspection station).
Note: The vehicle must be in a safe condition for an unregistered vehicle permit to be issued. If the vehicle is not deemed to be in a safe condition, the vehicle must be transported and not driven on the road.
Note: An unregistered vehicle permit is not required for a vehicle that is currently registered interstate.
What will I need to take with me when I register my motor vehicle or motorbike?
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) (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, Magistrate Court or your local police station)
- a compulsory third party insurance certificate, for the six or twelve month registration period, from a licensed insurer. The original copy of the certificate must be presented to the department when lodging your application. If your vehicle is currently registered interstate you can nominate a compulsory third party insurer on your application form
- an original copy of your current Queensland safety certificate
- a gas certificate that is less than three months old — if your vehicle runs on gas or is fitted with gas fittings or systems, you must provide a gas certificate from an authorised gas installer. If you are unable to obtain a gas certificate because there is no person who 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 Employment, Economic Development and Innovation)
Note: New vehicles fitted with gas fittings or systems by the manufacturer do not require a gas certificate. - a weighbridge certificate or other acceptable evidence of the vehicle's tare (unladen) weight (required only for vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes) — check with your local Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre for information on alternative
- evidence of the vehicle's origin — old registration papers or a official purchase receipt are acceptable
- evidence of the vehicle'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 vehicle in an individual's name — for example a current Queensland driver licence. Refer to the Evidence of Identity Information Sheet for more information
- evidence of organisation identification is required if you are registering a vehicle 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. To register a vehicle 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 organisation'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. - 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 motor vehicle or motorbike registration has expired?
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 may be fined.
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Last updated 31 January 2010
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