Renting or buying a car
Updated 22 July 2026
Fees, phone numbers and eligibility change. Always confirm details on the official website before you rely on them.
Overview
This covers buying a car in Victoria, transferring it into your name, registering it (including bringing an interstate car when you move), and insuring it. When you buy privately you deal directly with the seller: you check the car and its history, the seller provides a roadworthy certificate, and you lodge the transfer with VicRoads and pay a transfer fee plus motor vehicle duty. Your registration includes a compulsory Transport Accident Commission (TAC) charge that covers injury, but you should also arrange separate car insurance for damage, and if you borrow to buy, compare car loans carefully.
Step by step
Step 1: Set your budget and check the car before buying: do a free VicRoads registration check, consider a paid VicRoads Vehicle Report (which includes a PPSR check for money owing, or stolen/written-off status), and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection (RACV recommends a Vehicle Inspection Report in addition to the roadworthy certificate). Always take a test drive.
Step 2: Get the roadworthy certificate from the seller: in Victoria the seller must provide a roadworthy certificate (RWC) to transfer a registered vehicle unless an exemption applies. VicRoads says it must be issued less than 30 days before the sale.
Step 3: Complete the transfer within 14 days of purchase: the seller starts the transfer in their myVicRoads account (give them your Victorian driver licence number or VicRoads customer number and your family name), then you finish it online and pay. If needed, you can lodge the paper Application for transfer of registration at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
Step 4: Pay the transfer fee and motor vehicle duty: for a private car the transfer fee is AUD47.50, plus motor vehicle duty based on the car's market value. If you buy from a dealer, the dealer manages the transfer for you.
Step 5: If you moved to Victoria with an interstate-registered car, register it in Victoria in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre: book an appointment, hand in your interstate number plates, bring the vehicle registration form and evidence of identity (including your Victorian garage address), and pay registration and TAC charges. You do not pay motor vehicle duty, and no roadworthy certificate is needed if the interstate registration is current (from NSW, Qld, SA, WA or NT it may be up to 3 months expired) and the vehicle stays in the same name.
Step 6: Keep your registration current: registration is due every 12 months (3-month or 6-month options are available for a small extra service fee), and the fee includes the TAC charge, which is compulsory cover for injury.
Step 7: Arrange car insurance for damage: the TAC charge only covers injury, so compare separate third-party property or comprehensive policies. Moneysmart explains the types and how to compare, and the Insurance Council of Australia's 'find an insurer' service can help you build a shortlist.
Step 8: If you need finance, compare car loans before you shop: ask for the comparison rate (interest plus fees), check whether the loan is secured or unsecured, watch for balloon payments and all fees, and be confident you can afford the repayments even if your situation changes.
Eligibility & requirements
- To transfer a registered vehicle you need: the seller to start the transfer (or a signed Application for transfer of registration form), a roadworthy certificate (unless exempt), evidence of identity, and payment of the transfer fee and motor vehicle duty.
- You must notify VicRoads of the purchase within 14 days.
- To register an interstate vehicle in Victoria in the same name you must: hold a current interstate registration, be the owner listed on it, have the vehicle garaged in Victoria, and the vehicle must not be modified. This must be done in person, not online.
- For an interstate registration you must hand in your interstate number plates and provide evidence of identity including your Victorian garage address.
Costs
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Registration transfer fee - private car (motor vehicle) | AUD47.50 |
| Registration transfer fee - private motorcycle or trailer | AUD7.60 |
| Registration transfer fee - car sold by a dealer | AUD24.20 |
| Motor vehicle duty - used/transferred passenger car valued up to AUD80,567 | AUD8.40 per AUD200 of market value (higher rates apply to luxury cars) |
| Annual registration including TAC charge - passenger car, metropolitan (high risk zone) | AUD958.80 |
| Annual registration including TAC charge - passenger car, outer metropolitan (medium risk zone) | AUD897.10 |
| Annual registration including TAC charge - passenger car, rural (low risk zone) | AUD824.60 |
| Annual registration - light trailer or caravan | AUD70.54 |
| Short-term (3 or 6 month) registration service fee | AUD2.70 per registration period |
| Number plate fee (payable on first registration) | See the official page linked below for the current amount. |
Key links
- Buying a vehicle (VicRoads) (opens the official website)
- Transfer fees and exemptions (opens the official website)
- Motor vehicle duty fees (opens the official website)
- Vehicle registration fees (opens the official website)
- Register a vehicle from another state (opens the official website)
- Get a roadworthy certificate (VicRoads) (opens the official website)
- RACV - what to know before buying a used car (opens the official website)
- Moneysmart - car loans (opens the official website)
- Moneysmart - car insurance (opens the official website)
Contacts
- If a VicRoads registration check shows a Sheriff's sanction on a vehicle, call 1300 396 851 (this number was read on the VicRoads Buying a vehicle page).
- If a VicRoads registration check shows a Sheriff's sanction on a vehicle, call 1300 396 851 (this number was read on the VicRoads Buying a vehicle page).
- If a registration check shows a Hoon sanction, call (03) 8480 1600 (this number was read on the VicRoads Buying a vehicle page).
- If a registration check shows a Hoon sanction, call (03) 8480 1600 (this number was read on the VicRoads Buying a vehicle page).
- For registration transfers, appointments and general enquiries, find your nearest VicRoads Customer Service Centre at https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/service-centres. A general contact-centre phone number was not shown on the pages we read.
- For registration transfers, appointments and general enquiries, find your nearest VicRoads Customer Service Centre at https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/service-centres. A general contact-centre phone number was not shown on the pages we read.
- To compare insurers, use the Insurance Council of Australia 'find an insurer' service at https://insurancecouncil.com.au/find-an-insurer/ (referenced by Moneysmart).
- To compare insurers, use the Insurance Council of Australia 'find an insurer' service at https://insurancecouncil.com.au/find-an-insurer/ (referenced by Moneysmart).