What to do when you buy a vehicle
Find out what you need to do to transfer the registration of your new vehicle.
When you buy (or are given) a vehicle privately in Victoria, you need to let VicRoads know within 14 days of the sale.
In most cases, you can complete the vehicle transfer through your myVicRoads account online, once the seller has completed their part of the transfer.
If the seller doesn't have a myVicRoads account, you will need to complete a vehicle transfer form instead.
Log in to myVicRoads
If you have bought a new or secondhand vehicle from a dealer, the dealer will manage this process for you.
If your transfer includes an exemption or extra documentation you may have to complete the transfer at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
This includes transfers:
See more about transferring your registration at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
Steps to transfer a car into your name
Step 1: Before the sale – check the car is registered
Before you buy a vehicle, you should make sure it’s what you are expecting.
A registration check will confirm:
- the vehicle has a current registration (not suspended or cancelled)
- the vehicle’s VIN/chassis number, engine number, make, colour, body type and year of manufacture.
Check registration
You should also ask the seller for proof that the car is registered to them. The easiest way to do this is to ask them to show you the vehicle listed in their myVicRoads account.
If the vehicle is not registered, you can still buy it. See more about buying an unregistered vehicle.
A Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check will tell you if the vehicle:
- has been written off
- has been stolen
- has any money owing on it.
To request a PPSR check, visit the Personal Property Security Register website.
For complete peace of mind, invest in a VicRoads Vehicle Report. The report provides crucial information about a vehicle's history including damage, safety issues and money owing.
Step 2: Before the sale – make sure you have a myVicRoads account
It’s easiest to notify VicRoads that you have a new vehicle by getting the seller to begin the transfer online. You’ll then be able to complete your part of the transfer in your myVicRoads account.
Log in to myVicRoads
If you don’t have a myVicRoads account, you can easily sign up.
If you can’t do the transfer online, you should fill out the vehicle transfer form (PDF 230 kB) and visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
Step 3: At the sale – exchange information with the seller
When you collect the vehicle, you should ask the seller to begin the transfer process while you are there. They can do this by finding the vehicle in their myVicRoads account and completing the notice of disposal.
You will need to give the seller:
- your Victorian driver licence number or your VicRoads customer number
- your family name (or the Australian Company Number if the vehicle is being bought by a company or incorporated association).
The seller will need to give you a certificate of roadworthiness that is less than 30 days old (if required).
If the seller can't begin the transfer while you are there
If the seller can’t complete the notice of disposal in their myVicRoads account while you are there, you should ask them to fill out the vehicle transfer form (PDF 230 kB).
This will mean if the seller does not complete their part of the transfer, you will still be able to take the completed form to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to transfer the registration into your name.
You may not need to use this if they complete their part of the transfer online later.
Get a receipt
We recommend you fill in a receipt with the seller for your records that includes:
- your name, address and signature
- the seller’s name and address
- the vehicle’s details
- the date and time of the sale.
You can use the VicRoads receipt template.
Step 4: After the sale – complete the transfer online
Once the seller has completed their part of the transfer online, you will get an email within 24 hours to tell you that the vehicle has been transferred into your myVicRoads account.
You should see the vehicle in your account within 24 hours of them submitting the transfer.
You will be able to complete the transfer by:
- paying the motor vehicle duty (if applicable)
- paying the transfer fee.
Help with buying a car
Transfer fees
Roadworthy exemptions
Other kinds of transfers
Buy a car at auction
Buy a car from interstate
Transfer a car to your spouse