When you buy an unregistered SA vehicle — such as a car, trailer, caravan or motorbike — you must transfer and register the vehicle in your name before you can use it on the road.
If you purchased the vehicle before it expired, you can transfer the registration without registering it.
If the vehicle's already in your name but has expired, renew the registration instead.
How to apply
- Step 1
What you'll need
You'll need:
- to hold an SA driver’s licence or have previously registered a vehicle in your name in SA
- to be transferring and registering a vehicle that was previously registered in SA.
- there's a different process if the vehicle is from interstate.
If it's a heavy vehicle or trailer which is 3 years or older from the date of manufacture, a change of ownership inspection will also be required.
- Step 2
Complete the form
Download and print the form, or get one from a Service SA centre.
Application for registration and compulsory third party insurance (74.6 KB PDF)
On the form, you must provide:
- the current (or previous if no longer attached) plate number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- engine number (if applicable).
If these details aren't provided, an identity inspection will be required before you can register the vehicle.
- Step 3
Submit the form and pay the fees
You will need to pay:
- vehicle registration fees — use the fees calculator
- stamp duty — use the stamp duty calculator — stamp duty does not apply for trailers or caravans with a GTM of 4.5 tonnes or less, see other stamp duty exemptions
- $34 for a standard set of number plates (if the vehicle doesn't have number plates).
You can submit the form:
In person
Submit the form to a Service SA centre and pay the fees.
A third party may submit the form on your behalf but must produce evidence of Power of Attorney or a SACAT Administration Order.
By post
Post the form with the correct fee (cheque or money order) to:
Service SA
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001
