Registration NSW

Your rego in NSW

Registration in NSW works differently from other states and territories in Australia. While CTP insurance is mandatory throughout Australia, you must buy CTP separately before you can buy your rego in NSW. CTP is often called a green slip.

As well as a mandatory green slip, vehicles 5 years or older need a safety check (pink slip) each year. Vehicles being transferred from interstate or vehicles where registration has been cancelled must have a safety and identity check (blue slip) before they can be registered the first time.

You can register a car or other light vehicle in NSW for 6 or 12 months only. If you do not renew within 3 months after the expiry date, rego in NSW will be cancelled. Then you need to start a new registration for 12 months.

Pink slips and blue slips

Pink slip

A pink slip is a check of your vehicle’s roadworthiness. Your Service NSW registration renewal notice says whether or not your vehicle needs a vehicle safety check (pink slip). Most vehicles under 5 years old or less do not need a pink slip.

Many authorised mechanics can carry out safety checks. A pink slip takes about 30 minutes to complete and is valid for 6 months. Service NSW will receive an electronic copy of your pink slip.

Blue slip

A more in-depth vehicle check is called a safety and identity check or blue slip. You need a blue slip for your rego of vehicles if registration has expired for more than 3 months or when transferring vehicles from another state or territory.

Many authorised mechanics can carry out safety and identity checks. A blue slip takes longer to complete than a pink slip and is valid for 42 days. Service NSW will receive an electronic copy of your blue slip but you may need a hardcopy when you visit Service NSW for registration.

Period of registration

The period of your rego in NSW must match the period of CTP insurance. You can register a car or other light vehicle in NSW for 6 or 12 months only. However, you must register your light vehicle for 12 months in these cases:

• First registration of a vehicle
• If registration has lapsed by more than 21 days
• When transferring a vehicle from interstate.

You can get 6-month registration for most vehicles up to 4.5 gross vehicle mass (GVM) but only for renewals within 21 days of the due date.

Trailers or heavy trucks can be registered for 3, 6 or 12 months.

What do I need and when for rego in NSW?

	12 months	6 months	Pink slip	Blue slip
Rego renewals within 21 days after expiry	Choice	Choice	Yes, if vehicle over 5 years old	No
Rego not renewed within 21 days after expiry	Mandatory	No	Yes, if vehicle over 5 years old	No
Rego cancelled (not renewed within 3 months after expiry)	Mandatory	No	No	Yes
Rego transferred from interstate	Mandatory	No	No	Yes

Contacts

Service NSW

General enquiries: 13 22 13, 7am to 7pm, Mon-Fri

Visit: Service NSW

What do you want to do?

• Renew registration online at Service NSW
• Find a NSW CTP insurer.
• Register a vehicle transferring from another state.

1. Can you get 3 months rego in NSW?

No, you cannot get 3 months rego if you are registering a light vehicle under 4.5 GVM. However, you can get 3 months rego if you are registering a a heavy vehicle over 4.5 GVM or a trailer.

2. What is the cost of rego in NSW?

It costs $79 in rego fees and from $295 in vehicle tax in NSW, depending on the weight of the car, station wagon or truck.

3. Do you pay CTP before rego?

Yes, you have to pay CTP before you can register a vehicle in NSW. Compare prices using the greenslips.com.au Calculator and then contact your choice of insurer to pay. The insurer will send a copy of your green slip to Service NSW ready for registration.