Transfer fees & roadworthy exemptions
When you transfer a registered vehicle, you are required to pay a transfer fee, motor vehicle duty (MVD) and provide a roadworthy certificate (RWC) unless exempt.
When you transfer a vehicle into your name, you may be eligible for exemptions based on your transfer type and vehicle type. Refer to the table below to determine whether fees and RWC are required for your transfer and vehicle type.
Over 90% of private transfers require transfer fee and duty payment and RWC provision. If your transfer involves a dealer, the dealer will manage the transfer process for you.
Unless specifically stated as a variation, the below apply to all vehicle types, including cars, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers.
Caravans are classified as trailers. If the gross vehicle mass (GVM) of a trailer is below 4.5 tonnes it is a light trailer, if GVM is above 4.5 tonnes it is a heavy trailer.
| Transfer type |
Transfer fee payable |
MVD payable |
RWC required |
| Private to private (individual/company)1. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Private (individual/company) to dealer |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Dealer transfer to private (individual/company) 1. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Dealer to dealer |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Spouse/domestic partner (current or former) |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Family member 1. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Nominee (on behalf of minor) 1. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Nominee transfer to minor (on achieving eligible age) |
No |
No |
No |
| Change of nominee (on behalf of a minor) |
No |
No |
No |
| Deceased Estate to surviving spouse/domestic partner |
No |
No |
No |
| Deceased Estate to authorised representative of deceased estate |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Deceased Estate to person with a beneficial entitlement (not spouse) 2. |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Approved Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) pensioner (one vehicle only) 2. |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Incapacitated person's vehicle (solely for conveyance of one incapacitated person) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Private vehicle used to carry an incapacitated person and converted to carry at least one occupied wheelchair |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Transport for the disabled, handicapped or injured (not for private gain) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Organisation providing transport for disabled, handicapped or injured (St Johns Ambulance, or government/charitable corporation with entity name marked on side of vehicle) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Company in liquidation, administration or receivership 1. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Company restructure 3. |
No |
Yes 3. |
No |
| Change of trustee |
No |
No |
No |
| SES, CFA or municipality firefighting/emergency response vehicles |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Primary producer (solely in the business of the registered operator as a primary producer) 4. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Primary producer vehicle certified by the CFA as specifically equipped and exclusively used for combating fires 5. |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Repossession of the vehicle |
Repossession fee |
No |
No |
| Restoration of possession |
No |
No |
No |
| Vehicles registered to Consular officials 2. |
No |
No |
No |
1. Light trailers - MVD and RWC are not required.
2. Light trailers - RWC is not required
3. The following vehicle type variations apply:
- Light trailers - MVD is not payable
- All other vehicle types - MVD is not payable to VicRoads at the time of transfer, the applicable MVD will be collected by the State Revenue Office.
4. The following vehicle type variations apply:
- Heavy trailers, Special Purpose Vehicle Type O (oversize/overmass) or Special Purpose Vehicle Type P - MVD and transfer fee are not payable.
- Tractors - MVD, transfer fee and RWC are not required.
- Light trailers - MVD and RWC are not required.
- Cars - duty concessions are applicable on primary producer cars, refer to transfer fees for information.
5. Heavy trailers - MVD and transfer fee are required.
Other - tractors and special purpose vehicles
Special purpose vehicle Type P (includes tractors): MVD and RWC are not required for any transfer.
Specially constructed vehicles: RWC not required for specially constructed vehicles where the body type is not based on a truck cab and chassis.
Refer to Vehicles exempt from roadworthiness requirements for a list of specially constructed vehicles.