Car registration stickers may be a thing of the past in the Sunshine State, but can you put Queensland car rego on hold?
You may be considering putting your car registration on hold if you’re travelling and don’t need your car, thinking of selling the vehicle or you’re having financial troubles. However, driving an unregistered vehicle is not only a safety risk (like not servicing your car), but it can also come with some hefty fines too.
You’ll find the answers to your most frequently asked car registration in Queensland questions, with information found directly from the Queensland Police, Transport Department and government websites.
All information was deemed relevant at the time of publication, but this doesn’t mean it hasn’t changed. If unsure of your vehicle registration status, please consult Queensland Transport. You can also check your QLD car rego status online.
Can you put Queensland rego on hold?
No, you cannot put Queensland car registration on hold. Under Queensland Government transport laws, all motor vehicles must be currently registered or have an unregistered vehicle permit to be driven on Australian roads.
For a vehicle to be considered currently registered in Queensland, the registration must be paid by 11:59pm on the date the registration expires. The person who holds the registration will receive a notice of car registration renewal at least four weeks out from the expiration date, so it’s important to keep your postal address up to date with Queensland Transport.
Examples of vehicles that must be registered in Queensland:
- Cars, utes and motorcycles.
- Caravans and light trailers.
- Heavy vehicles with a weight over 4.5t gross vehicle mass.
- Special interest vehicles, including vintage cars and hot rods.
- Motorised wheelchairs.
Can you drive an unregistered car to get it registered in QLD?
You will need an unregistered vehicle permit, a CTP insurance certificate and to remove any number plate/s from the vehicle to drive an unregistered car to be registered. With a CTP insurance certificate, you can drive to get a safety certificate or certificate of inspection and then to a transport and motoring customer service centre, such as Queensland Transport.
However, if the unregistered vehicle is currently registered in a state or territory other than Queensland and the number plate/s are still attached, you have 14 days to register your vehicle in Queensland and may be fined if you don’t. This is considered enough time to book and receive a safety certificate or certificate or inspection and register the vehicle.
How to get a CTP insurance certificate in QLD:
CTP insurance can be purchased in QLD through the Department of Transport and Main Roads or through AAI Limited (trading as Suncorp), Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited, RACQ Insurance Limited or Nominal Defendant.
How to apply for an unregistered vehicle permit in QLD:
An unregistered vehicle permit in QLD can be applied and paid for online or at a Transport and Main Roads customer service centre. The cost of an unregistered vehicle permit in QLD is $34.90 per day, plus CTP insurance.
How long can you leave your car unregistered in Queensland?
You have three months from the date of your vehicle’s registration expiring to renew your registration without having to apply for new registration in Queensland. However, it is illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle from midnight of the day of the registration expiry, and 30-days after expiry, your vehicle will be considered uninsured.
How to Pay Car Registration in QLD
You can pay for car rego in Queensland online, by BPAY, phone, internet banking, mail and some buy-now-pay-later services. The Queensland Government also has a one-month registration option available, in addition to the existing 3, 6 and 12-month registration terms. One-month registration in Queensland can be enroled for through direct debit.
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