NSW Vehicle Registration 2024 | How to Register Car in NSW?
Recently flooding has damaged many vehicles including camper trailers and caravans in NSW. Many vehicles have been assessed and declared as written off because of a total economic loss. These vehicles will be added to the written-off vehicle registers. You will not be able to re-register them and use them on the road.
Some of the vehicles will not be considered as a total loss and will not be entered into the register. Such vehicles can be sold privately or can be sold at an auction. The NSW gov recommends inspecting every vehicle before its purchase and seeking advice before its purchase.
Renewing NSW Vehicle Registration
There are certain criteria you must meet in order to renew your vehicle’s registration online. You will be able to make some changes to details such as your registration terms and usage type while renewing. You must have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance for the same term that you want to change. The inspection requirements may be affected by the change in registration terms.
When you are renewing your non-standard vehicle – a conditional registration online:
You will not be able to change any details (operating conditions, CTP class or term)
CTP insurance will be included in the registration. You will not be required to a green slip separately
Any eligible concessions will be applied automatically, such as drought relief
Details of Vehicle Registration in New South Wales
Used Vehicle: Transfer within 14 days (current/expired <3 months). New Car: Register through dealer. Cancelled/Interstate: Re-register.
Conditional Registration
Non-transferable; apply for new registration in person.
Who Can Register
No driver licence needed (must have customer number.)
Eligibility
16+ for light vehicles 18+ for heavy vehicles.
Registration Costs
Use NSW calculator for costs (check for concessions.)
Eligibility of NSW Vehicle Registration
You will need to visit a service center and you cannot renew online if:
Your vehicle has been unregistered for more than three months and you need to re-register it
You haven’t received the new number plate that you ordered within the registration renewal period
Your vehicle required an inspection or is registered conditionally
Your vehicle requires changes to the operating conditions and is conditionally registered
A vehicle registered conditionally must be safe to use as mentioned in the Certificate of Approved Operations.
Pensioner Concession Card Holders
You are entitled to a free registration if you hold a NSW Pensioner Concession Card. You can have a free registration for one vehicle where you will be recorded as the registered operator. You will also be eligible for automatic registration renewal. It is not applicable for conditional registrations.
What You will Need?
You will be required to have the following:
The vehicle’s billing number (available on your digital or paper renewal notice and Certificate of Registration) or the plate number
A Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance policy is also known as the green slip, unless the vehicle is a caravan, or trailer, or has a conditional registration.
Insurers often send the CTP information to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) electronically
The CTP term that you purchase informs the period of registration in which you can renew. Please keep in mind that if you choose to renew your registration for six months, you will have to pay CTP insurance and renew the vehicle’s registration within 21 days after the registration expiry
If applicable, a safety inspection report which is commonly called a pink slip. Remember that the light vehicle’s inspection reports are only valid for six months after their issuance. They should be used to renew a registration within those six months.
Your payment
Your concession details
In most cases, light vehicles that are more than five years old require a safety inspection. Your vehicle will need an inspection if:
The registration renewal notice shows that an inspection is required and the period of registration is unchanged.
The expiry date for new registration will be more than a year after the last registration renewal date when an inspection was required, such as:
You already had a vehicle inspection and renewed your registration for six months, and now you want to renew for a twelve-month term
You purchased a vehicle that already had an inspection and was registered for six months, and now you want to register the vehicle for a 12-month term
How to Renew?
Make sure to check the eligibility requirements
Select the ‘Renew Online’ button
Follow the prompts in order to renew the vehicle registration
Keep a copy of the receipt for records
Notes:
If it is a conditional registration, a QBE CTP insurance tax invoice and confirmation letter will be mailed to the registered operator.
If you pay with BPAY, it will take 2 or 3 business days for the process to get started. The registration will not be renewed until TfNSW receives the full payment.
A new registration certificate will be mailed to the registered operator’s address within seven days if you change the term or usage.
NSW Vehicle Registration Costs
Registering a car in New South Wales (NSW) comes with various costs, and here’s a breakdown:
Registration Fee:
For new or expired registrations by over 3 months, there’s a fee of $70 annually.
Vehicle Type and Use:
Up to 975kg: $365 ($224 renewal)
976kg to 1,154kg: $415 ($261 renewal)
1,155kg to 1,504kg: $502 ($318 renewal)
1,505kg to 2,504kg: $756 ($486 renewal)
Business cars over 3,565kg have additional tax.
Transfer Fee:
Within 14 days of acquiring: $35
After 14 days: $161
Personalised plates: $100 extra
Custom plates: $214 extra
Standard plates: $48
Stamp Duty:
Up to $44,999: $3 for every $100
$45,000 or more: $1,350, plus $5 for every $100
CTP Insurance:
Compulsory and usually included with new vehicle registration.
Please note that these costs are based on information from NSW.gov.au as of July 4, 2022.
More Information
When renewing your registration:
For light vehicles up to 4.5 tons of Gross Vehicle Mass, a 6-month registration term is available. It also includes trailers and motorcycles.
For heavy vehicles over 4.5 tons of Gross Vehicle Mass, a 6-month or 3-month registration term is available.
The renewal notice is sent out 4-6 weeks before the due date of renewal.
You have the option to renew your registration online three months before it expires. You will need to have a renewal notice to do so unless you want to renew a conditional registration. A renewal notice can be generated for 3 months by visiting a service center or calling 137788.
The registration can be renewed after 3 months of the expiration date. The period of new registration will start on the day you make the payment. However, you will not get a full year of registration, and the expiration date will remain the same.
Your vehicle will be unregistered if you do not renew the registration by the expiration date. Driving an unregistered vehicle means that your vehicle is not covered by the CTP insurance. It is also illegal and carries heavy penalties.
During the process of renewal (independent of your renewal fee), you will be offered to offset your vehicle’s carbon emissions. You can do this by making a voluntary contribution to the Office of Energy and Climate Change.
FAQs
What is car registration in NSW?
You should register any vehicle, including caravans, trailers, and motorcycles, that you want to drive on public roads in New South Wales.
