If you acquire, or become the operator of, an ACT registered vehicle, you must apply to transfer the vehicle's registration within 14 days. A transfer fee is payable and a late transfer penalty fee will be charged for applications made after the 14 days.

When transferring vehicle registration in the ACT, duty is collected by the Road Transport Authority on behalf of the ACT Revenue Office. See Duty for more information on how duty is calculated.

At the time of paying the registration fee the Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTPI) component is also collected. A new CTPI provider cannot be selected upon transfer of registration. A new CTPI provider can be selected upon the next renewal of registration.

Vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes and more than six years old need to be inspected at the vehicle inspection station, Dickson, or by an authorised examiner in the ACT to ensure they are roadworthy before the registration transfer can be completed.

A fee is charged for the inspection. The inspection report is valid for one month from the date of inspection.

Registration transfers can be arranged at any ACT Government Shopfront. You will need to provide:

• the passed vehicle inspection report, if required;
• if purchased privately, the registration certificate signed by the former registered operator/s, or your purchase receipt for the vehicle; 
• if purchased from a motor vehicle dealer, the Dealers Notice (Section 20) from any ACT licensed Motor Vehicle Dealer or the equivalent notice from an interstate motor vehicle dealer or the registration certificate signed by the licensed motor vehicle dealer; 
• Proof of Identity and Residency
or a current ACT photographic driver licence; and
• proof that the vehicle is normally kept or 'garaged' in the ACT.

If you cannot register the vehicle personally, you can nominate an agent to act on your behalf. Click on agent authority form to print this form, this form is also available from any ACT Government Shopfront.