Steps to buy and complete the vehicle transfer online
When you buy a registered vehicle in Victoria, you need to let us know within 14 days of the purchase. This includes cars, motorcycles, trucks, trailers and caravans.
The easiest way for sellers to transfer a vehicle is through myVicRoads. As a buyer, you will then be notified that the vehicle has been transferred into your name.
If not, log into myVicRoads, click the 'I've bought a new vehicle' button (look under 'Registered vehicles' or 'Vehicles & Registration') and enter the details, to remind the seller to start the transfer process. If you don't have an account, sign up here.
If you're buying a new or second-hand vehicle from a car dealership, they'll usually manage the transfer process for you.
If you have a myVicRoads account, we will notify you, by email or through your account, when the vehicle has been transferred to you.
Note that in some cases VicRoads or the dealer may need to complete your transfer manually, and it may take longer for the vehicle to appear in your myVicRoads account.
If you’re a company or organisation, you can't complete a transfer online through the myVicRoads business account. You'll need to visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to finalise the transfer. It can't be done online or over the phone.
VicRoads Customer Number
- If your company already has a VicRoads record (customer number), you'll need to bring evidence of identity, such as your licence or passport.
- If your company does not have a VicRoads record (customer number), see Transfer to or from a company or see Types of identity documents.
If you're buying a vehicle from another state, it cannot be transferred.
You will need to re-register it in Victoria.
How to buy and transfer a vehicle (video tutorial)
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Step 1: Before you buy
If you want any further information on the vehicle, such as whether it's been reported as stolen or written off, there are a few ways to learn more, including:
- getting a VicRoads Vehicle Report
- checking the vehicle's registration status.
During this time, you should ask the seller for proof that the vehicle is registered in their name. They can easily do this by showing you the vehicle listed in their myVicRoads account, or providing the Certificate of Registration.
If the vehicle is unregistered (sold without number plates), you can still buy it. Once you've bought the vehicle, you will need to register it before you can use it on public roads. If you need to drive the vehicle while it's unregistered (for example, driving it home after buying it) you'll need to get an unregistered vehicle permit.
When you're buying a vehicle, you can do a simple check on the rego number for free.
If you want a more comprehensive report, you can pay for a VicRoads Vehicle Report. This report gives you information about the vehicle’s history including:
- transfer, odometer* and roadworthy* history
- damage that led to the vehicle being written off
- safety issues (such as a recall)
- money owing.
This report also includes a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check.
* Only available if vehicle has been previously issued with an eRoadworthy Certificate.
The registration check is a registration verification service, designed to help customers confirm a vehicle's registration status and key registration details.
What our online rego check includes
Our check provides basic information about the vehicle, such as its type or engine number.
It will also include any classifications, disputes, statuses or sanctions that apply to the vehicle:
- learner approved motorcycle
- transfer dispute
- registration status
- registration expiry date
- sanctions applicable.
If you see a sanction on the vehicle you're checking, you can find out more information directly from the State Government or Victoria Police.
- For Sheriff's sanctions, call 1300 396 851
- For Hoon Sanctions, call (03) 8480 1600
What's not included
Our rego check doesn't cover all vehicles in Australia, only those registered in Victoria.
It doesn't include:
- information about vehicles not registered in Victoria
- information about vessel (boats or personal watercrafts) registration
- sanctions not applied in Victoria
- details of the sanctions on the vehicle.
How to do a vehicle registration check (video tutorial)
The VicRoads Vehicle Report includes a PPSR check. This check will tell you about a vehicle, such as the registration status and if it’s been reported as stolen or written off*. Visit the Personal Property Security Register website to request a PPSR check. Fees apply.
Learn more about buying a written-off vehicle at the Transport Victoria website.
*Trailers, caravans and heavy vehicles are not included in the Written-Off Vehicle Register in Victoria.
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Step 2: When you purchase your vehicle
To transfer online, the seller must start the transfer process
When you collect your vehicle, ask the seller to begin the transfer process. They can do this in their myVicRoads account, by clicking 'Vehicles & Registration' and (next to the vehicle being sold) clicking 'Transfer Vehicle'.
If the seller prefers to use a printed form, you should both fill out the Transfer vehicle form (PDF) together. The seller should give you a copy, or you can fill out two forms and keep one form each.
The seller can then take the form home and enter the details in their myVicRoads account to transfer the vehicle to you.
What you need to give to the seller
- your Victoria driver licence number or your VicRoads customer number (you can find this in your myVicRoads account)
- your family name (or the ACN if you're representing a company or organisation).
What the seller needs to give you
- the roadworthy certificate. It's valid for 30 days and you'll need this to transfer the vehicle (unless it has an exemption).
- their details to complete the transfer. It's a good idea for you both to fill out the paper Transfer vehicle form (PDF) during the sale, and keep as a record.
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Step 3: After you've bought the vehicle
After you've collected the vehicle, log into your myVicRoads account.
If the seller has started the transfer process at their end, you may have received a confirmation email or see your new vehicle in your account already. You then need to complete the transfer by paying the transfer fee and motor vehicle duty (if applicable).
If the vehicle is not listed in your account, you should let us know you have a new vehicle by clicking the 'I've bought a new vehicle' button. We'll then remind the seller to start the transfer, so that you can complete the process online.
Remember to keep all documents for your records.
If you or seller can't do the transfer online, don't worry. You can fill out the Vehicle transfer form (PDF) with the seller and bring it to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
If you have any exemptions or need to provide additional information, you'll need to finalise your vehicle transfer in person.
Bring the following documents to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre:
- the completed vehicle transfer form
- the roadworthy certificate, issued less than 30 days before the date of the sale (unless exempt)
- evidence of identity
- payment of motor vehicle duty and transfer fees (unless you have an exemption)
- any other documents that are needed based on the vehicle you are buying.
If you've bought a registered non-compliant vehicle that has conditional rego, you’ll need to visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
Make sure you bring:
- a completed Application for registration transfer form (PDF)
- evidence of your identity
- evidence of concession eligibility (if needed)
- evidence of operator eligibility
- the applicable transfer fee.
Then you'll be issued with a new Certificate of Approved Operations. This outlines the conditions of your vehicle's registration and must be always carried in the vehicle.
Learn more about registering a non-compliant vehicle.
If you don't get the transfer notification
If you haven't received a vehicle transfer confirmation email from us, you can let us know that you've bought a new vehicle.
Log into myVicRoads and click the 'I've bought a new vehicle' button. You'll find it under 'Registered vehicles' or 'Vehicles & Registration'.
We'll then remind the seller to start the transfer, so that you can complete the process online.
If you've done this, some time has passed and you still haven't received the transfer notification, you can bring your copy of the Vehicle Transfer Form into a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.