How to ensure your car registration never expires
It can happen to anyone. You’re driving a car (you might not even own it; it could be a company car or your parent’s car) and you don’t realise the registration is overdue. Not only is it illegal, the ramifications could be financially disastrous as your CTP Insurance (green slip) may no be longer valid if your car isn’t registered. This means if you’re involved in a crash, you could be held personally liable for compensation to anyone who was hurt.
The important point to remember is that the onus is on registered vehicle owners to ensure their contact details are up to date. If you’ve moved recently, you are required to notify Service NSW of any change of address within 14 days. This can be done online or by calling 13 77 88.
Renewal notices and reminders
Service NSW typically sends registered vehicle owners a paper renewal notice by post six weeks prior to the expiry date. However, delays, address changes, or opting for digital notifications may impact this process.
In March 2022, the NSW Government launched a fully digitised, paperless rego service offering digital renewal notifications and a Certificate of Registration within the Service NSW app. Although you can already renew your rego online, this additional option allows for a more efficient registration process through a single digital interface.
Through the new service, motorists can opt-in to get electronic reminder notices and access their digital Certificate of Registration through their MyServiceNSW account. Motorists who opt-in will receive reminder notifications six and two weeks before their registration expires and one day after via email, in their Service NSW account and by push notifications in the app.
By transitioning to this digital service, the NSW Government aims to streamline the registration process, save time for drivers, and reduce the 7.2 million paper renewals sent each year.
Unsure of your registration status?
If you are unsure of your registration status, you can obtain a free vehicle registration check online which includes information such as the registration expiry date and whether the registration is suspended or cancelled. All you need is the vehicle’s plate number. The free rego check is especially handy for those who drive a vehicle that they do not own or a company car for example.
As the driver of the vehicle you are still responsible to check the status of its registration. Don't take it for granted, make sure that the vehicle's registration is up to date.
Vehicles over 5-years-old need a pink slip inspection
For vehicles 5 years or older you’ll also need to pass a yearly eSafety (or pink slip) inspection before you can renew your vehicle’s registration. The 5-year exemption period is based on the month and year indicated on the vehicle's compliance plate. Check to make sure your local workshop or mechanic is accredited before booking.
Once the inspection is completed, and your vehicle passes the eSafety check, your mechanic will send the report to Transport for NSW electronically. For any failures, you'll be issued with a Repairs Needed report and have 14 days to have the work done. You can return to the same repairer within that time for a reinspection at no charge.
It pays to take steps to stay registered
Police now have automatic number plate recognition technology which makes it easy to detect when someone is driving an unregistered vehicle, with heavy fines of $818 for drivers caught.
Steps to stay registered:
- Opt-in to get electronic reminder notices and access your digital Certificate of Registration through MyServiceNSW. Create and account here: MyServiceNSW account
- Unless you opt out, of paper communications, Transport for NSW will send paper renewal notices six weeks before the rego is due so make sure your address is up to date. If you’re not sure, call 13 22 13.
- You can check the status of a registration any time for free on the Service NSW website.
- Vehicles 5 years or older will also require a pink slip inspection before you can renew its registration.
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