Transfer the registration of a vehicle in person

Find out what you need to do when you buy a vehicle that can’t be transferred online. 

When you buy (or are given) a vehicle privately in Victoria, you need to let VicRoads know within 14 days of the sale. Most vehicles can be easily transferred online through your myVicRoads account.

However, if your transfer includes an exemption or requires you to provide extra documentation, you will need to fill out the vehicle transfer form (PDF 301kB) and visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.

This includes transfers:

• to or from a trust 
• from a company or an incorporated body 
• to your current or former spouse or domestic partner 
• from someone who has died 
• to or from a minor and/or their nominees.

Steps to transfer a vehicle in person

• Step 1: Before the sale – check the vehicle is registered in Victoria
• Step 2: Before the sale – print off the transfer form
• Step 3: At the sale – exchange information with the seller
• Step 4: After the sale – complete the transfer at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre

Step 1: Before the sale – check the vehicle is registered in Victoria

Before you buy a vehicle, you should make sure it’s what you are expecting.

A registration check will confirm:

• the vehicle has a current registration (not suspended or cancelled)
• the vehicle’s VIN/chassis number, engine number, make, colour, body type and year of manufacture.

Check registration

If the vehicle is not registered, you can still buy it. See more about buying an unregistered vehicle.

You should also ask the seller for proof that the car is registered to them. The easiest way to do this is to ask them to show you the vehicle listed in their myVicRoads account.

A Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check will tell you if the vehicle:

• has been written off
• has been stolen
• has any money owing on it.

To request a PPSR check, visit the Personal Property Security Register website (External link).

Step 2: Before the sale – print off the transfer form

To transfer ownership of the car, you’ll need to make sure that you and the seller fill in the vehicle transfer form (PDF 301kB).

You should download and print the transfer form to take with you when you go to collect the vehicle.

Step 3: At the sale – exchange information with the seller

Complete the transfer form

Complete the ‘buyer details’ section of the form. You will need to include your Victorian driver licence number or your VicRoads customer number.

If you are buying the car on behalf of a company or of someone else, you will need to fill in the ‘representative’ section of the form.

The seller will need to fill out the ‘seller details’ section of the form.

Both the buyer and the seller will then need to sign the form.

Certificate of Roadworthiness

The seller will need to give you a certificate of roadworthiness that is less than 30 days old (if required).

Step 4: After the sale – complete the transfer at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre

You can complete the transfer at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.

You will need to bring:

• the completed vehicle transfer form
• the certificate of roadworthiness that was issued no more than 30 days before the date of sale (if required)
• evidence of identity     
• payment of motor vehicle duty and transfer fees     
• any other documents that are needed based on the vehicle you are buying.

Once you have completed the transfer, you will see the vehicle in your myVicRoads account within 24 hours.