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Vehicle registration transfers between family members

Am I eligible for this exemption?

The transfer of a vehicle to a family member by way of gift is exempt from vehicle registration duty. A family member may be any of the following:

  1. spouse
  2. parent or grandparent
  3. spouse’s parent or grandparent
  4. child, stepchild or grandchild
  5. the spouse of anyone from (b) to (d).

The transfer must be wholly by way of gift. 

Note: The term 'spouse' includes a de facto spouse. This exemption does not extend to a transfer between siblings, parties related by marriage (excluding spouses), aunts or uncles.

How do I claim the exemption?

To claim this exemption, you must submit a completed vehicle registration transfer application to Queensland Transport with the following evidence. If transferring to a:

  • child—the child’s birth certificate
  • spouse—the marriage certificate
  • de facto spouse—a statutory declaration stating that the couple have lived and are living together for at least 2 years on a genuine domestic basis
  • stepchild—a birth certificate and marriage certificate, or a statutory declaration in the case of de facto relationships.

If you have already paid registration duty on the transfer of your vehicle to your spouse or de facto, you can apply for a reassessment. Lodge a Transfer of vehicle registration statutory declaration (PDF 35 K) with us, together with a written request for reassessment.

Top call centre questions

Do I pay duty on the transfer of a motor vehicle from a member of my family?

If a motor vehicle is gifted to a relative, you may not have to pay registration duty on the transfer. See section 390(2) of the Duties Act 2001 and vehicle transfers between family members for more information.

Do I pay duty again if I re-register an unregistered vehicle that was previously registered in my name?
No, duty is not imposed if you were the previous registered operator of the vehicle. See section 385 of the Duties Act 2001.
I'm transferring a vehicle owned by my business into my name—do I have to pay duty?

You don't have to pay duty if the transfer is made only to the name(s) of the business owner(s).

However, you will have to pay duty if the vehicle is registered in:

  • a business name owned by a company and the vehicle is transferred to the sole shareholder of the company (because the owner of the business is the company, not its sole shareholder)
  • the name of a trustee company and the vehicle is transferred to a beneficiary (because the vehicle is not registered in a business name).


See vehicles registered in a business name for more information.

If my vehicle was registered in another state, do I pay duty when I register it in Queensland?

No, if your vehicle is or was registered in another state in your name, you do not pay duty when you register it in Queensland. See section 386 of the Duties Act 2001.

My vehicle has been modified so a disabled person can drive or be a passenger—do I have to pay duty?

You may not have to pay duty on the cost of the modifications fitted for the disabled person. Complete a Modified vehicle—disabled person statutory declaration.

You will still pay registration duty on the value of the vehicle itself plus the cost of any optional extras (e.g. air conditioning).

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Last reviewed 15 December 2011

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