Selling an Unregistered Car in Queensland — Process & Plates

When selling an unregistered car in Queensland, follow these steps to ensure clean legal compliance:

1. Remove Number Plates: Remove front and rear plates before the tow truck collects the vehicle.
2. Surrender Plates to TMR: Take the plates to a QLD Transport customer service center alongside Form F3517 (Cancellation of Registration).
3. Claim Unused Registration & CTP Refund: TMR will process a refund for any remaining unused registration and CTP insurance balance.
4. Provide Proof of Ownership: Present your driver's licence and registration paperwork to the buyer as proof of ownership.

Because unregistered cars cannot legally touch public Queensland roads, transporting the vehicle requires proper equipment:

• Tilt-Tray Towing: The vehicle is loaded entirely onto a flatbed tow truck. This is the safest and standard method for direct car buyers.
• Unregistered Vehicle Permit: If attempting to drive an unregistered vehicle yourself, you must purchase a short-term permit from TMR and arrange CTP cover prior to driving.