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How To Transfer Your Car Registration in South Australia
How To Transfer Your Car Registration in South Australia
Written by
Kervin Mathew
Edited by
Andrew Kemp
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettCompare car insurance policies the easy way
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What’s a vehicle registration?
Long story short
A rego is like your car’s official permission slip to drive in SA
It proves that your car is safe, can be identified, and includes compulsory third party (CTP) cover.
You’ll need to transfer the rego whenever ownership changes
Buying, selling, gifting, or moving to SA means updating the rego – that is, transferring it within 14 days or re registering an interstate vehicle within 90 days or risk paying a late fee.
Interstate transfers need extra checks and evidence of identity
If you’re moving to SA or buying an interstate car, you may need identity inspections and proof of residency.
CTP transfers with the rego, but other car insurance policies don’t
Sellers should contact their insurer to update or cancel their policy, and buyers need to arrange third party or comprehensive car insurance if they want added protection.
What’s a vehicle registration?
A vehicle registration, or rego, proves that you’re the registered operator of a vehicle and cleared to drive on public roads. A rego also helps identify a vehicle from the rest of the pack, and is needed when you want to:
- buy or sell a vehicle
- renew its registration
- buy car insurance in South Australia.
In South Australia, Service SA handles all things related to car regos including transfer of vehicle registrations, rego renewals, number plates, and more.
When would I need to transfer a car rego in SA?
When you buy a car
If you’re buying a South Australian-registered vehicle, you can transfer registration to your name online using your mySAGOV account. To get the transfer going, you’ll need the:
- car’s number plate details
- seller’s South Australian driver’s licence details or mySAGOV client number
- seller’s last name or organisation name.
If an online transfer doesn’t work for you, you can fill out a paper form and submit it to Service SA either by post or in person at a Service SA customer service centre.
Whether you’re dealing with a new or used car, you have 14 days to ensure that the car’s registration is transferred to your name or risk paying a late transfer fee.
When you sell a car
Transferring registration between current or former spouses or domestic partners or between family members is also pretty much the same as the process connected to private If you’re selling your SA-registered car to an in-state buyer, you’ll need to transfer registration to its new owner by submitting something called a notice of disposal (NOD). You can find a paper copy of the NOD form on the back of your car’s registration certificate, which you would’ve received with your car’s rego renewal notice.
You can submit the NOD using your mySAGOV account online, by post, or in person. Before you submit a NOD, you’ll need a few details including:
- the date and time you sold the vehicle
- how much you sold the car for
- the buyer’s SA driver’s licence or client number
- the buyer’s first name and last name or organisation name.
After you’ve submitted the NOD, it’s up to the buyer to complete the transfer process, and they have 14 days from date of purchase to do so. Until then, the car is still in your name.– but it can only be done at a VicRoads customer service centre. You might need additional documents that verify your relationship status. You’ll also be exempt from paying motor vehicle duty fees.
When you transfer car registration to a family member
Transferring your car’s rego to a family member is pretty much the same as if you were selling a car to a buyer.
That said, there may be a few extra steps and documents involved if you transfer a car’s rego between current or former married or de facto partners or as part of settling a deceased estate.
In these situations, you may be eligible for a stamp duty exemption, but you’ll still have to pay a transfer fee.
When you transfer registrations interstate
An interstate registration is when you:
- move to South Australia with your car and intend driving in the state for more than 90 days
- purchase a vehicle that’s registered outside South Australia.
If you want to change your car’s rego to South Australia, you must ensure that the previous registration is cancelled. You can drop off any interstate number plates at a Service SA centre.
You’ll also need to prove your identity and have your interstate-registered car’s details checked and confirmed before you can get it registered in SA.
You’ll need three proof of identity documents that collectively show your full name and date of birth, proof of signature, and current residential address in South Australia. These can include your original:
- driver’s licence or learner’s permit
- Australian passport
- overseas passport with accompanying travel documents (visa grant, ImmiCard)
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Medicare card or Centrelink Health Care Card
- student identity document
- birth or marriage certificates and divorce or adoption papers (to prove a change of name).
Don’t forget – your car needs to be properly identified as well! If you’re moving to SA, you can use your car’s interstate registration certificate as its proof of identity. If you’re transferring the rego of an interstate vehicle to your name, you’ll need to get an identity inspection (Tier 2) certificate.
Helpful tip
If you’ve just transferred a car’s rego to your name, CTP insurance comes with it. But it can still be worth having extra cover in case you’re hit with an eye-watering repair bill from an untimely prang on Marion Road or flash flooding in the Adelaide Hills. In those situations, comprehensive car insurance offers the highest level of protection, covering damage to your car and others’ property.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
How do I transfer car registrations in South Australia?
Transferring a car rego involves the seller submitting a notice of disposal (NOD) to let Service SA know that they no longer own the car. Then the buyer (if they’re from SA) has 14 days from the time they bought the car to transfer the rego to their name.
Bear in mind that while a car registration is tied to ownership, it just proves that you’re a vehicle’s registered owner not its legal owner. So, buying or selling a car is one of those instances where it’s a good idea to keep proof of purchase or a bill of sale, such as a receipt or tax invoice.
In most cases, registration transfers for SA-registered vehicles can be done online using your mySAGOV account.
How to transfer a car rego to someone else
- Log in to your mySAGOV account on the Service SA website.
- Start the process to submit an NOD.
- Enter the details of the sale (date, time, and selling price), the buyer’s details.
- Complete and submit the NOD online – you don’t need to pay a fee to submit an NOD.
If the buyer is from outside South Australia or you can’t complete your NOD online, you must submit the completed paper NOD form on the back of your car’s registration certificate and then, submit it a Service SA centre in person or send it to Service SA by post.
How to transfer a car registration to your name
- Log in to your mySAGOV account.
- Start the vehicle registration transfer process and follow the prompts.
- Enter the necessary details such as the plate number and seller’s details.
- Pay the transfer fee, stamp duty, and other fees that may apply.
- Provide any other information as required and complete the transfer.
You can also transfer a car rego to your name in person or by post. You’ll need to complete the paper transfer form on the back of the car’s registration certificate, which is usually with the seller. Then, take the completed form into a Service SA centre or mail it to Service SA along with a cheque or money order for the correct fee.
While Service SA allows online rego transfers, there may be instances that might involve more documentation and a bit of time spent navigating the non-virtual world. You won’t be able to transfer a car rego online if:
- the car is unregistered, conditionally registered, or registered outside South Australia
- the rego is transferring between current or former family members (partners or deceased estates)
- you’re eligible for and want to apply a registration concession to the vehicle
- the car has special plates or requires new number plates
- the rego transfer requires a change of ownership inspection, say, in case of heavy vehicle.
How much does it cost to transfer car registration in SA?
After you buy a car, you’ll usually need to transfer the vehicle’s rego to your name (or in some cases, to the registered operator).
As of January 2026, the costs of transferring the rego for a light motor vehicle like a car typically include a:
- Transfer fee: $31 (there’s an additional $105 if you transfer more than 14 days after buying the vehicle)
- Stamp duty: This is calculated based on the purchase price or market value (whichever is higher) and whether the car is a commercial or non-commercial vehicle.
- Vehicle inspection fee (if your car needs one): up to $370 for the first inspection + up to $132 for follow-up inspections.
In some instances, such as transferring registration for interstate vehicles or repaired write-offs, you might also need to pay:
- Vehicle registration fee: ranges from $50 to $1,185 depending on the vehicle type, location (metropolitan or country), and registration period (one month to 12 months).
- New number plate fee: $34 to $65 for standard plates, depending on whether the car is used, last registered in SA, and without number plates.
- Identity inspection (Tier 2) certificate fee: $73
What happens to my car insurance when I transfer a car rego?
When a vehicle rego changes hands, the CTP insurance goes along with it. So, as a buyer or seller, you might not need to do much. If you’re moving interstate and cancel your previous rego, your compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance is automatically cancelled, except if you were moving from NSW.
In the case of third-party or comprehensive car insurance, it’s a good idea to contact your insurer to update or cancel your policy. Depending on your cover and provider, you may be entitled to a refund of any unused premium (minus any applicable fees) or you may simply stop future instalments.
Frequently asked questions
I just bought a car in SA. How long do I have to transfer the car rego?
After taking ownership of a vehicle, the buyer has 14 days to transfer the car’s registration to their name risk paying a late payment fee.
Can I keep my custom plates if I transfer my car rego?
Yes, you can hold on to your special plates if you want to – they’re special, after all! You’ll just need to visit a Service SA customer service centre and swap them out for new plates before you sell your vehicle and transfer your rego.
Do I need to register a new vehicle in SA?
Yes. If you’ve just bought a new car in SA, you must ensure that the car is registered in your name within 14 days of buying the vehicle. That said, some dealers may register it for you.
How do I transfer rego for an unregistered car?
If you’re buying or have recently bought an unregistered car, you can’t really transfer the rego. Instead, you’ll need to re-register the vehicle in your name before you take it out on the road. If you need to drive an unregistered car to a Service SA centre or to get it inspected, remember to get an unregistered vehicle permit.
Can I change my rego from NSW to SA?
Yes, you can transfer a car’s registration from any state or territory to South Australia. You’ll need to visit a Service SA centre with the necessary documents, such as proof of:
- your identity (such as birth certificate, passport, or Medicare card)
- your residency in South Australia (such as tax notice, contract of sale or lease arrangement, or utilities bill)
- your vehicle’s identity (interstate registration or identity inspection (Tier 2) certificate).
When you transfer your rego to SA, you’ll also need to surrender your interstate number plates at a Service SA centre.
What’s an easy way to pick car insurance after a rego transfer?
Dealing with a car rego transfer can be rigorous. Thankfully, getting car insurance doesn’t have to be. You can simply enter your details into the iSelect’s car insurance comparison tool and get a quick snapshot of policies from a range of well-known car insurance brands to get you started. And when you land on a policy that you like, we can help get you signed up in a matter of minutes!
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