Register a trailer or caravan

The steps for registering a trailer or caravan are the same.

If you are subject to a Fines Victoria sanction or have a Fines Victoria sanction pending you may not be able to proceed with your appointment. Your appointment fees will be forfeited. For more information contact Fines Victoria on 1300 396 851.

On 1 July 2023, the transitional arrangements permitted under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 ended. 

Trailers/caravans that are manufactured or imported from 1 July 2023 will require an entry on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) , a trailer identification plate and, import approval where applicable.

Trailers/caravans manufactured or imported before 1 July 2023 must have a Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MSVA) identification plate and where applicable, an import approval.  

For more information, please see the Commonwealth’s Transitional Arrangements webpage. 

Who can register?

A trailer or caravan can be registered in the name of an individual or company.

You'll need a VicRoads customer number to register a caravan or trailer. This is a unique number issued by VicRoads to individuals or companies.

For individuals

Your VicRoads customer number is your:

  • learner permit or 
  • driver licence number

If you don’t have a licence but have a vehicle registered in your name, the customer number is recorded on your registration renewal notice.

If you don’t have a Victorian licence or VicRoads customer number, you must visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (External link) and provide full evidence of identity documents (External link). 

For companies

The VicRoads customer number of your company is:

  • on your company’s myVicRoads account or
  • on any registration renewal notice issued for vehicles registered in your company’s name

If your company doesn’t have a VicRoads customer number, you must visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre and provide full evidence of identity documents (External link) for your company.

What age can you register?

You must be at least 16 years old to register a light trailer or caravan or at least 18 years old to register a heavy trailer or caravan in your name. If you’re underage, someone else can register a vehicle in their name for you.

What if I’m towing my trailer interstate?

If you’re towing your trailer interstate, you should register it in Victoria before you go.

What if the registration has expired?

You cannot tow your trailer while its registration is expired. You can renew your registration for up to three months after your expiry date.

What is the Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM)?

Also called the Gross Trailer Mass, the ATM is the total weight (tare) plus the load capacity of the trailer or caravan. The requirements for registering a trailer or caravan will vary based on its type, it’s ATM or what it’s used for.

How do I find the ATM?

Sometimes the manufacturer’s plate is on your trailer or caravan and has the ATM. If you’re unsure, contact the manufacturer of your caravan or trailer or a signatory to VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) or check the vehicle on the Register of Approved Vehicles.

You can also look at a list of public weighbridges (External link) from the National Measurement Institute for more information.

What trailer size can be registered?

Maximum dimensions

Height:
  • 4.3 metres
  • 4.6 metres for livestock, car carriers and some low profile semi-trailers
Length:
  • 12.5 metres (including the drawbar), or
  • 14.6 metres for semi-trailers
Width
  • 2.5 metres including guards, awnings or permanent fixtures

If the trailer has one axle group or single axle near the middle of its load carrying surface and connects to the vehicle towing it by a drawbar, the maximum rear overhang is the lesser of:

  • the length of the load carrying area, or body, ahead of the rear overhang line and
  • 3.7 metres.

See Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 - Building Small Trailers (VSB1) (External link) (External link) for more information.

Light trailer measurements

Can my trailer be exempt from registration?

If you’ve got a light trailer (other than a trailer specifically built to carry a boat) it will be exempt from registration  in Victoria if it:

  • weighs less (tare mass) than 200kg unladen
  • isn’t wider than the towing vehicle 
  • is 3 metres or less in length, including the draw-bar
  • isn’t used for business.

You can still choose to register your trailer if it’s exempt from registration. If it’s exempt and not registered, it needs to show the same registration number as the towing vehicle or you can buy an exempt trailer plate.

How to apply for registration

For light trailers
I have a light trailer with an ATM up to 750kg

You'll need to:

  • make sure the  trailer VIN is recorded on the Register of Approved Vehicles. This applies to all trailers manufactured or imported from 1 July 2023.
  • make sure the trailer complies with VSBI
  • ensure the vehicle VIN is stamped on the trailer and a trailer identification plate is affixed.
  • use he Light Trailer Registration Form [PDF 644 Kb] to apply. 
  • book an appointment at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre
My trailer has an ATM over 750kg but less than 4.5 tonnes

You'll need to:

  • make sure the trailer VIN is recorded on the Register of Approved Vehicles. This applies to all trailers manufactured or imported from 1 July 2023.
  • make sure the trailer complies with VSBI
  • ensure the vehicle VIN is stamped on the trailer and a trailer identification plate is affixed
  • provide a completed and signed Vehicle Registration Form [PDF 209 Kb]. 
  • book an inspection of your trailer at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre
For heavy trailers
I have a trailer with an ATM over 4.5 tonne 

You’ll need to:

What if my trailer or caravan is imported?

You’ll need to:

  • make sure the trailer VIN is recorded on the Register of Approved Vehicles. This applies to all trailers manufactured or imported from 1 July 2023.
  • if import approval granted before 30 June 2023, have a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA).

Check registering an imported vehicle for more information.

What type of fees will I have to pay?

A card payment fee applies if you pay by VISA or Mastercard.

To check if your trailer is on the RAV visit infrastructure.gov.au

If you have a heavy trailer, you’ll need to get a Certificate of Roadworthiness and bring this to your appointment. You can get a certificate from a Roadworthy tester.

Before making an appointment with a VicRoads Customer Service Centre you’ll need: 

We’ll let you know if your trailer needs an inspection at the appointment.

How do I book?

You can:

*A card payment fee applies if you pay by VISA or Mastercard.

**All VicRoads Customer Service Centres accept cash except for:

What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?

The appointment can only be changed by the holder. 

If you change or cancel you might have to: 

A refund can be given if you give us more than 24 hours' notice of cancelling your appointment. 

You can change your appointment online (External link).

What if I’m running late?

VicRoads Customer Service Centres will try their best to accommodate late arrivals but there is no guarantee. If you’re running late, you may be required to transfer your appointment to another time and pay another fee.

You’ll need:

Evidence of your Victorian garage address

If your garage address isn’t the same as your evidence of identity, you’ll need: 

  • a document as proof that links you to the Victorian garage address such as a rates or utility bill.
  • an RMB (Road side mailbox) or RSD (Road side delivery) if the home or business can’t be identified by a street or road name.

Bring the items listed in step 4 as well as payment for registration (cash, VISA or Mastercard*, EFTPOS, cheque or money order).

Here’s what you pay for:

*A card payment fee applies if you pay by VISA or Mastercard.

**All VicRoads Customer Service Centres accept cash except for:

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