Is a rego check free?

Each state's own registration check is free, and confirms the registration status and expiry. A search for money owing, stolen and written-off status is a PPSR search: $2.00 on the government's site with the VIN, or $5.95 here by rego.

Does a free rego check show money owing?

No. Finance is recorded on the national PPSR, which state transport authorities do not search.

Can I check a car registered in another state?

Yes. Search with the plate and the state it is registered in. The PPSR search is national, whichever state you are buying in.

What do I need for a rego check?

The registration number and the state, or the VIN. The VIN is on the compliance plate, the driver's door frame or the lower corner of the windscreen.

Which states does this cover?

All of them: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory.

Rego Check by State

Every state has a free rego check, and each tells you whether a registration is current. None of them looks for money owing. Here is what each state's check covers, and the one search that covers the rest.

What a free rego check tells you

The free check each state's transport authority runs confirms that a registration is current, when it expires and which vehicle it belongs to. Use it while you browse ads: it catches a plate that does not match the car, or a registration that has lapsed.

What none of them check

A free state check is not designed to find the three things that cost buyers most:

Money owing. Finance is recorded on the national PPSR, which state transport authorities do not search.
Write-offs from other states. A state's check shows its own registration, and may not show a write-off recorded before the car crossed the border.
Stolen status across Australia. A state check may show that a plate is cancelled, but does not query national stolen records.

New South Wales (NSW)

Registration is handled by Transport for NSW (TfNSW, formerly the RTA/RMS). Service NSW's free rego check shows whether a registration is current, its expiry and the CTP insurer. Light vehicles over five years old need a pink slip inspection to renew.

Victoria (VIC)

Registration is handled by the Department of Transport and Planning (VicRoads). VicRoads offers a free registration check. A private transfer in Victoria needs a Certificate of Roadworthiness, valid for 30 days.

Queensland (QLD)

Registration is handled by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). TMR offers a free rego check. In Queensland the seller needs a safety certificate before advertising the car.

Western Australia (WA)

Registration is handled by the Department of Transport (DoT, licensing services). WA calls registration a vehicle licence. Buyer and seller both sign Form MR9 to transfer it.

South Australia (SA)

Registration is handled by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT, Service SA). It offers a free online registration check.

Tasmania (TAS)

Registration is handled by the Department of State Growth (Transport Tasmania). It offers a free online registration check.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Registration is handled by Access Canberra. It offers a free online registration check.

Northern Territory (NT)

Registration is handled by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL, Motor Vehicle Registry). It offers a free online registration check.

One search for every state

The PPSR is national. Searched by rego here, it looks for money owing anywhere in Australia and returns written-off and stolen status recorded in any state, with the official certificate, for $5.95.

What you get for $5.95

Vehicle identity
Money owing check
Written-off status, with the damage detail
Stolen check
Registration details
Official PPSR certificate (PDF)
Plain-English verdict

Common questions

Is a rego check free?: Each state's own registration check is free, and confirms the registration status and expiry. A search for money owing, stolen and written-off status is a PPSR search: $2.00 on the government's site with the VIN, or $5.95 here by rego.
Does a free rego check show money owing?: No. Finance is recorded on the national PPSR, which state transport authorities do not search.
Can I check a car registered in another state?: Yes. Search with the plate and the state it is registered in. The PPSR search is national, whichever state you are buying in.
What do I need for a rego check?: The registration number and the state, or the VIN. The VIN is on the compliance plate, the driver's door frame or the lower corner of the windscreen.
Which states does this cover?: All of them: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory.

The longer story: Free state rego check vs a full car history report: what each shows