Cancel registration & apply for a refund

As the registered operator of a vehicle, you can choose to cancel your registration by notifying VicRoads.

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 you cancel your registration, you may choose to apply for a refund for any unused portion of your registration (an administration fee of $19 will be deducted).

You can notify VicRoads:

Online (myVicRoads personal and business account holders only)

• If you have custom plates, remove the number plates from your vehicle and take a recognisable photo of both number plates
  Note: You will be responsible for ensuring there is no subsequent use of the plates and the destruction of the plates (if applicable)
• If you have standard number plates (External link) cut the number plates into two or more pieces, and take a photo of them
  Note: You will be responsible for ensuring there is no subsequent use of the plates and the destruction of the plates (if applicable)
• If you do not have possession of the number plates, you’ll need to gather supporting documentation (i.e. a police report for stolen plates or a signed statutory declaration [PDF 555 Kb] stating you have lost your number plates)
• Check that your address details are up to date, your refund (if required) will be sent to your postal address by cheque within 4 weeks

Visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre

• Remove your number plates from your vehicle, or

• If you do not have possession of the number plates, you’ll need to gather supporting documentation (i.e. a police report for stolen plates or a signed statutory declaration [PDF 555Kb] stating you have lost your number plates),

• Complete a refund form [PDF 263 Kb] (if required), and 
• Take your evidence of identity, number plates, refund form and supporting documentation with you when you visit.

Due to the current measures in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we request that you do not visit a Customer Service Centre unless your matter is urgent. Cancel your registration and apply for a refund online.

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

VicRoads recommends that you apply for a refund at the same time as you cancel your registration, however you can also apply for a refund at a later date.

Registration refunds are calculated on a pro-rata basis, meaning you’ll only get a refund for the unused time on your registration. An administration fee of $19 will be applied to your registration refund and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) component of the refund is also subject to a 10% fee. 

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

To apply for a refund on the unused portion of your registration:

• Your vehicle registration must be cancelled 
• Check that your address details are up to date, your refund will be sent to your postal address by cheque within 4 weeks.

You can request a refund after cancellation:

Visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre

• Complete a refund form [PDF 263 Kb] (if required)
• Take your evidence of identity and refund form with you when you visit.

Due to the current measures in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we request that you do not visit a Customer Service Centre unless your matter is urgent. Cancel your registration and apply for a refund online.

Mail

• Complete a refund form [PDF 263 Kb] (if required), and
• Send your refund form and supporting documentation to:

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.

If you’ve lost your number plates, you’ll need to provide us with a signed statutory declaration PDF [555 Kb]

If you’re unable to access your number plates, i.e. your vehicle is locked in your work garage due to coronavirus (COVID-19), to cancel your registration you’ll need to provide us with a signed statutory declaration PDF [555 Kb]. This declaration must certify that as the registered operator of the vehicle, you take full responsibility for:

(a) the future destruction of the plates when the car can be accessed, and 
(b) ensuring there is no subsequent use of the plates, as the registration will be cancelled. 

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

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.

Interstate registration

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 cancellation and refund request if you have any registered days left on your Victorian registration.

Interstate transfer

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.

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

General issue plates

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

Call 13 11 71 to pay the fee, cancel your existing vehicle registration and request a refund (if required).

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.  Refer to Transfer number plates for more information, or call 13 11 71to pay the fee, cancel your existing vehicle registration and request a refund (if required).

If you want to 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.

When does the registration get cancelled? 

The registration is cancelled from the date we receive your request or from the date of the accident (for a written off vehicle).

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.

How are refunds calculated?

Refunds are calculated on a pro-rata basis (an administration fee of $19 may apply). If your refund is less than the refund administration fee, you won’t need to pay anything to VicRoads. The pro-rata Transport Accident Commission (TAC) component of the refund is subject to a 10% fee.

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?

You’ll need to provide us with a signed statutory declaration PDF [555 Kb]

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 registered days left 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 required).

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 (i.e. company director).