So, you’ve decided to sell your car—maybe it’s old, damaged, or you’re just ready for an upgrade. Whatever the reason, there’s one small detail that tends to confuse a lot of people during the selling process: what happens to the registration plates?
You might be thinking, “Do I just leave them on the car? Take them off? Do they belong to me or the car?” If you’re not sure, you’re definitely not alone. We’ve had heaps of customers ask us the same thing, especially when selling their vehicles to cash-for-cars services like ours. So, let’s break it down in a simple and straightforward way.
First Things First: Who Owns the Plates?
In most Australian states and territories, registration plates actually belong to the car owner, not the vehicle itself. That means you’re allowed to keep the plates when you sell the car, unless you’re selling a registered vehicle with the plates included—which is common if the buyer is taking over the rego.
However, if you’re selling an unregistered car, or if you’ve cancelled the registration before handing it over, you’re usually expected to remove the plates. If you leave them on, they could be misused, or worse, you could still be held liable if the car ends up in a traffic incident before it’s properly transferred or deregistered.
Selling a Registered Car? Here’s What to Do
Let’s say your car is still registered and you’re selling it to a private buyer or a dealership. In this case, you’ve got two main options:
- Sell the car with the plates and registration:
This is the easiest route for both parties. The buyer can drive the car away, and you just need to fill out the transfer of registration paperwork. Make sure the transfer is lodged properly, either online or in person, depending on your state’s requirements. Don’t just hand over the keys and assume it’s sorted. Always confirm the rego has been officially transferred out of your name. - Remove the plates and cancel the rego:
This is more common if the car is damaged, no longer roadworthy, or being sold for scrap. You’ll need to remove the plates and visit your local transport office (like VicRoads in Victoria) to cancel the registration. Often, you can even get a partial refund on your registration fee if there’s time left on it.
Selling an Unregistered Car? Read This
If your car is already unregistered, the process is pretty straightforward—you remove the plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. In fact, many cash-for-cars companies (like ours) will remind you to do this before pickup. Why? Because those plates are still linked to you.
We’ve seen cases where someone forgot to remove the plates from their scrap car, and weeks later, they received toll fines and traffic violations in the mail. Not fun. It’s a simple thing, but skipping this step can cost you a lot of unnecessary hassle.
What If You Want to Keep Your Plates?
Got personalised or custom plates? A lot of people want to hang onto those, especially if they’ve paid good money or they’ve got sentimental value (yes, even a cheeky “LUVME” plate can grow on you).
Good news—you can absolutely keep your plates. Just let the transport authority know you want to retain them. You might need to pay a small holding or reservation fee, but once that’s sorted, you can transfer them to your next car when you’re ready. Easy!
How Cash-for-Cars Companies Handle Plates
When you sell your vehicle to a cash-for-cars service, it’s usually assumed that the car is either damaged, unregistered, or not in use anymore. So in most cases:
- You’ll remove the plates before pickup
- We’ll remind you if you forget
- You’ll take the plates to your state transport office to cancel registration (if it’s still active)
Once the plates are off, we’ll handle the rest—towing the car, paperwork, and all. It’s quick, painless, and you don’t have to stress about paperwork piling up in your letterbox later.
A Real Example From One of Our Customers
Not long ago, we bought an old Toyota Corolla from a lovely customer in Dandenong. The car had been sitting in their driveway for two years, unregistered and unused. When we arrived for pickup, the customer hadn’t removed the plates, thinking we’d take care of it.
Luckily, our driver reminded them just in time. They took the plates off, dropped them at VicRoads the next day, and avoided being hit with registration renewal notices for a car they no longer owned. A simple reminder saved them a lot of future stress.
Before You Hand Over the Keys…
Here’s a quick checklist to help you manage your plates properly:
✅ Check if the car is still registered
✅ Decide whether you’re including the rego with the sale
✅ Remove the plates if you’re cancelling the registration
✅ Return the plates to your local transport authority
✅ Apply for a rego refund (if eligible)
✅ Keep a record of the transfer or cancellation
One More Thing Before You Go
Handling your rego plates correctly isn’t just a formality—it protects you from unexpected fines, misuse, and liability after the car is gone. Whether you’re selling to a private buyer, dealership, or a cash-for-cars service like us, taking those few extra minutes to sort out your plates is absolutely worth it.
If you’re unsure about the process in your state, give your local transport authority a quick call—or reach out to our team. We’re happy to walk you through it. After all, it’s what we do every day!
Got a car to sell and not sure where to start? Contact us today for a free quote and we’ll help you sort everything—from plates to payment.
If you are in Cheltenham, and looking for a cash for cars service, this is the best way to visit us.
Top One Cash For Cars
7 Grant St, Dandenong VIC 3175
(03) 4800 5671