Getting a car from Tassie to Sydney

[Turbo Piston Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Turbo Piston]

Hi guys,

Saw a car that I am keen on buying but it is in Tassie. Has anyone done this before?

If so, what is the best way to bring it over?

Thanks!

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Car ferry :]

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

Fly down, pick it up, get the overnight ferry (bunk bed cabin - you'll get some sleep vs the slightly cheaper seats) and drive it back to Sydney in a day.

[Turbo Piston Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Turbo Piston]

How about registration? Would it be better to get it unregistered in TAS and then getting a pass to drive it to Sydney?

[Guest Close Guest]

In SA, getting a permit to drive an unregistered vehicle requires precise and specific timings and routes. Leave it in TAS rego if you can so you have the freedom to change to NSW rego when you are able.

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

Not sure - check with NSW RMS to see if there is any difference between transferring rego from another state and re-registering an unregistered car. It may be more difficult to re-register it if it isn't currently registered.

[52ri Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 52ri]

I happen to have been looking into getting a relative's car from Victoria to QLD. The transport QLD people told me that there is no provision in Australia for transfer of registration across states. As far as they are concerned, you would need a RWC/Safety cert *from your home state* and will need to pay the new registration fee etc. I suggested that I could drive the car up, still with Vic rego, get a safety cert here in QLD and register the car-they were fine with that. The Victorian registration would need to simply be claimed back by the original owner, in Victoria/through the Victorian system as though the car has ceased to exist in Victoria. Not exactly seamless, but there you are. I just rang the QLD Transport phone line at a nonpeak time. Might pay to check in with NSW. Our situation, should we get the car, is easier in that the family member would trust us to take the car and sort the rego later. Having looked into the cost of transporting it up, we might yet go for that option.Good luck!

[Guest Close Guest]

Once you take possession of the car, the rego needs to be transferred to the new owner. Otherwise the new owner will be incurring fines and the previous owner will have to foot the bill.

[Turbo Piston Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Turbo Piston]

Thanks for the advice guys. Don't think I will be going ahead as the price is way to high at the moment.

[Guest Close Guest]

You also have the option of putting it on the barge back to mainland.
They have cabins as well.
It's however way more rustic than the spirit of Tasmania.
Options of rego include permits or keep original rego a bit longer.
I've transported about 2 dozen cars back from or to TAS. Predominantly racecars which make it a bit more interesting with registration. however the boat sees heaps of different types of vehicles weekly.

[dazzman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dazzman]

I bought mine from Queensland 3 1/2 years ago (Prado's are cheaper than in SA) . Kept it in QLD rego untili went to Regency Park in SA (Transport SA) to transfer it over. In SA you have 3 months to change rego over to new owner other wise you pay a fine. Trucked it down for $400 with Prixcar which is part of the Toll Group. Much cheaper than me flying up and driving back.

[Guest Close Guest]

Not quite correct information above.

According to Qld legislation.

"Buying a Queensland registered vehicle from interstate

A vehicle must be garaged at a Queensland address to be registered in Queensland. If you live interstate and purchase a vehicle that is registered in Queensland, you cannot register it in your name in Queensland unless you have a Queensland garaging address.

If you can’t transfer the Queensland registration into your name, you may ask the seller to cancel the vehicle’s registration at a transport and motoring customer service centre. You can then apply for an unregistered vehicle permit to transport the vehicle to your home address."


In SA you need to change ownership within 14 days of purchasing a vehicle. Be it local or interstate.

Biggest problem with transport SA in regency when changing from interstate rego ( or a permit where you've driven back with no plates is my experience) is they state your permit doesn't exist once you drive out their door. However you have to go a few blocks over to get number plates....... 😐
They are quite vocal about you can be pulled over by police in this situation. And that it seems some police sit down the road when their quota isn't up to what they need for the month. 💀

Had this a few weeks ago with a BMW I brought back from VIC.