Cancel your registration

If you want to keep your number plates, there are different rules and fees depending on your plate type.

General issue plates

You’ll need to buy the rights to the plate by paying a fee (External link) to be able to use them again in the future. 

Custom plates

If you want to:

• put your custom plates on another vehicle that’s registered in your name, you’ll need to pay a plate assignment fee (External link). Refer to Transfer number plates (External link) for more information, or call 13 11 71 to pay the fee, cancel your existing vehicle registration and request a refund (if eligible).
• keep your plates and don’t want to put them on another vehicle, you’ll need to notify VicRoads by calling 13 11 71, and you can cancel your existing vehicle registration and request a refund (if required) at the same time.

To complete the cancellation online see the ‘How to’ instructions at the top of the page.

When you cancel online, if you don’t have your number plates you will be asked for information relevant to your situation. This includes:

Stolen plates

If your number plates have been stolen, you'll need to report it to your local police and provide us with a copy of the police report when you apply for cancellation.

Written-off vehicles

If your vehicle has been in an accident, your insurance company may claim this refund on your behalf and include it in your insurance payout. Follow up with your insurance company to confirm. If you have taken your vehicle to a wrecker yourself, provide the receipt from the wrecker when you submit your cancellation and refund application.

Lost plates

If you’ve lost your number plates, you’ll need to provide us with a signed statutory declaration PDF [555 Kb]. You will need to upload this when you cancel your registration online.

Interstate registration

If you’re registering your vehicle interstate, you should hand the plates to an interstate authority. They will give you a receipt. You'll need to submit the receipt to VicRoads along with your cancellation and refund request.

Interstate transfer

Visit the Interstate transfers (External link) page to find information on options for selling your vehicle interstate.

You can’t cancel your registration after you have already sold your vehicle, you must be in possession of the vehicle and number plates.

Unable to access plates

If you’re unable to access your number plates (e.g. your vehicle has been written-off by your insurer) to cancel your registration you’ll need to provide us with a signed statutory declaration PDF [555 Kb]. This can be uploaded when you cancel your registration online. This declaration must certify that as the registered operator of the vehicle, you take full responsibility for:

1. the future destruction of the plates when the car can be accessed, and 
2. ensuring there is no subsequent use of the plates, as the registration will be cancelled

Note: You cannot cancel your registration if you have already sold your vehicle with registration and plates attached.

The easiest way to cancel your registration and apply for a refund is online (see ‘How to’ instructions at the top of the page). However, if you prefer to do this in person, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Remove the number plates from your vehicle

• if you have custom plates, remove the number plates from your vehicle and take a recognisable photo of both number plates.
• if you have general issue plates, take a recognisable photo of both number plates after they have been removed, then cut them into pieces and dispose of them.
• if you do not have possession of the number plates, you’ll need to provide supporting documentation when you notify VicRoads of your cancellation.

Note: you will be responsible for ensuring there is no subsequent use of the plates - penalties apply.

Step 2: Gather supporting documentation (if required)

• complete a refund form [PDF 263 Kb] (if applicable)
• if you do not have possession of the number plates, you’ll need to gather supporting documentation (e.g., a police report for stolen plates, an insurance report, or a signed statutory declaration PDF [555 Kb] stating you have lost your number plates).

Step 3: Check that your address details are up to date, your refund (if eligible) will be sent to your postal address by cheque within 4 weeks

Step 4: Notify VicRoads of the cancellation and apply for a refund

• visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre and take your evidence of identity (External link), number plates, refund form [PDF 263 Kb] (if applicable), and  and supporting documentation with you when you visit; or
• you can complete a refund form [PDF 263 Kb] (if applicable), and send your refund form and supporting documentation to:

VicRoads
GPO Box 1644, Melbourne
VIC 3001

The registration will be cancelled from the date we receive your request or for a written-off vehicle, the date of the accident.

When can I apply for a cancellation and refund?

You might need to cancel your registration if:

• you want to sell an unregistered vehicle
• your vehicle has been damaged or stolen
• you've registered your vehicle interstate
• your vehicle is no longer safe to drive

When does the registration get cancelled?

The registration is cancelled from the date we receive your request or for a written-off vehicle, the date of the accident. Your vehicle registration is automatically cancelled if payment is not made within 3 months after the registration expiry date.

When and where will I get the refund?

We'll send you a refund cheque to the address that's on our records within four weeks. An address within Australia must be provided.

If you cancel your registration online via your myVicRoads account (External link) we'll transfer the refund to your nominated bank account within 10 working days after your application is processed.

How soon will the EFT refund be available in my bank account?

EFT refunds can take up to 10 working days. In most cases customers will receive their refunds well within this time frame.

The EFT is usually initiated by VicRoads within 48 hours of the request confirmation, but VicRoads has no control over how the different banks manage their end of the EFT transaction.

What happens if I don't see the EFT refund in my bank account?

In some circumstances when you cancel your registration online, VicRoads has to issue the refund as a cheque. This happens for some refund types, and also if the EFT payment fails and is returned to VicRoads.

If this happens we will email you to let you know. We'll send you a refund cheque to the address that's on our records within four weeks. An address within Australia must be provided.

What happens if I don't see the refund in my bank account and VicRoads has not yet contacted me within 10 working days?

Please call us on 1300 555 165 with your application number for further information.

What happens if I provide the wrong bank account details?

Please call us on 1300 555 165 with your application number for further information.

Can I go in person to a Customer Service Centre or call VicRoads to apply for an EFT refund?

If you choose to attend a Customer Service Centre or call the VicRoads Contact Centre to cancel your registration, any refund will be issued by cheque and posted to you in the mail.

Can VicRoads store my banking details on file for future transactions?

No, you are required to enter your banking information each time you request a cancellation and refund.

Can I choose the type of refund method?

If you apply for a registration cancellation and refund online through your myVicRoads account, you will be paid by EFT.

Cheques are not an option for online registration cancellation refunds, however there may be circumstances where VicRoads needs to issue a refund by cheque and this would be posted out to you in mail.

How are refunds calculated?

Registration refunds are calculated on a pro-rata basis, meaning you'll only get a refund for the unused period of your registration. An administration fee of $19.20 will be applied to your registration refund and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) component of the refund is subject to a 10% fee.

If your refund amount is less than the administration fee, you will not receive a refund.

What if my vehicle is written off?

If your vehicle has been in an accident, your insurance company may claim this refund on your behalf and include it in your insurance payout. Follow up with your
insurance company to confirm.

I've lost my number plates, what do I do?

Follow the steps in the online cancellation application (see ‘How to' instructions at the top of the page).

My number plates have been stolen, what do I do?

You'll need to report it to your local police and provide us with a copy of the police report. Go to Replace lost, damaged, destroyed or stolen plates for more.

What if I've registered my vehicle interstate?

If you're registering your vehicle interstate, you should hand the plates to an interstate authority. They will provide you with a receipt for you to submit to VicRoads along with your refund request if you have any unused period on your Victorian registration.

What if I'm selling or have already sold my vehicle to an interstate buyer?

Visit the Interstate transfers page to find information on options for selling your vehicle interstate. You can't cancel your registration after you have already sold your vehicle, you must be in possession of the vehicle and number plates.

Can I cancel a registration for someone else?

Yes, you can cancel a registration on behalf of someone else. Simply follow the steps above and also provide a completed Authority to act as an agent form [PDF 254 Kb] when you apply for registration cancellation and refund (if eligible).

What if the registered operator is an incorporated body?

You can send us a request in writing on the company letterhead, that's signed by an authorised person on behalf of the company (eg, company director).