Buying a Car in Queensland and Driving It Back to Melbourne

LanceVance on 26/10/2023 - 12:33
Last edited 26/10/2023 - 13:05 by 1 other user

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a car in Queensland and driving it back to Melbourne as I enjoy a good road trip and can knock off a few visits along the way.

However, I'm not sure if this is possible or not so looking for some advice. As far as I can tell the only way to transfer a QLD registration to my name is if I have an address in that state, which I don't. Alternatively, I could ask the seller to keep the car in their name while I drive it back, but of course this involves a level of trust they may not be comfortable with.

Is there something that I'm missing? I've found the documentation on both VIC & QLD sites to be typically generic and doesn't go into detail about various possible scenarios. Appreciate any and all advice, thanks!

Automotive Car Transport

Comments

  • Protractor on 26/10/2023 - 12:50
    +4

    Well waddya know>
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/163019

    Stupid search function

    • LanceVance on 26/10/2023 - 13:00

      Thanks!
      It still seems that I need to have a QLD address. Agree the search function ain't great.

      • Protractor on 26/10/2023 - 13:11
        +2

        Ring the QLD dept responsible and explain your situation. Go from there.

        • Nugs on 26/10/2023 - 13:22
          +1

          Ring the VIC dept responsible and explain your situation. Go from there.
          Surely they can issue an unregistered vehicle permit
          .

      • HarryBolt68 on 26/10/2023 - 15:05

        You just need to get one of these while you're up there: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/buying/unregistered/uvp

        I've done this exact same thing before. We met at the VicRoads (whatever it's called up there), he cancelled the rego, I got a UVP, drove it home, got RWC and registered it here in Vic.

        • LanceVance on 26/10/2023 - 15:45

          Nice, did you get pulled over at all for driving a car with no plates? Were you able to organise comprehensive insurance for the drive home or only 3rd party?

          • HarryBolt68 on 26/10/2023 - 18:05
            +1

            @LanceVance: No issues. Toll roads are basically free too which is nice!

            I didn't bother with any extra insurance. I can't remember now but it's likely the seller offered to maintain his policy for an extra few days rather than cancelling immediately. That's the decent thing to do and he was a decent bloke.

            • RockyRaccoon on 26/10/2023 - 22:11
              +1

              @HarryBolt68: Very much doubt his insurance would have covered you, as he wasnt the owner of the car. The Insurance company would find that out.

              Ignorance is bliss, however you were lucky not to have needed to find that error out.

        • billadm on 30/10/2023 - 23:10

          I got a UVP, drove it home, got RWC and registered it here in Vic.

          As far as I understand the UVP was valid to be used in Queensland so did you drive the car with the same permit from Queensland to Victoria???

  • pegaxs on 26/10/2023 - 13:35
    +5

    Wow, if only this forum had a search This gets asked so often that it almost needs its own sticky.

    You can only transfer rego to your name in the state that you live in/your license is issued in. In addition to that, in either Qld or Vic you will require a RWC to transfer it into your name.

    You have something like 14 days to transfer the rego to your name, and so long as the seller has your license details in the event of copping a fine while you drive home, it shouldn’t be an issue.

    Alternatively, you can remove the plates and get the seller to discount the car to the tune of the rego refund and then get a UVP (unregistered vehicle permit) from either Qld or Vic and drive it home.

    • sumyungguy on 26/10/2023 - 19:03

      As a seller, I worry (perhaps unnecessarily) about the buyer having to make a CTP injury claim against the policy of a car in which I no longer hold a financial interest.

      • lgacb08 on 27/10/2023 - 13:50

        Ctp works differently to normal insurance mate, the claim history is never relevant in this case as you can wipe your hand once you're not holding the steering wheel because it's not you to make a claim.

        • sumyungguy on 27/10/2023 - 18:09

          Nothing to do with claims history. I’d be reluctant to sell my car to a stranger, let them return interstate on my rego and transfer later. I’d need to consult the CTP insurer to be clear on the implications for any injury claims.

          • Euphemistic on 27/10/2023 - 19:59
            +1

            @sumyungguy: Doesn’t matter about CTP. It’s attached to the rego, not you. While you get the policy transfer to your name with the rego, it’s already paid for the year and you don’t get to change to your insurer mid year.

  • RockyRaccoon on 26/10/2023 - 13:53
    +2

    Unless its rare or a Classic! then why bother.

    1. Its sight unseen.
    2. What if the seller hasnt disclosed something.
      • If its small, they know you cant negotiate any more as you have paid for your fare up and will have wasted that if you cancel.
      • If its large you again have wasted your dough as you will need to cancel.
    3. What if buyer gets a better offer before you arrive. Bingo dough done, or you have to match price.
    4. You can pay a deposit before looking, but then you may find its a vacant lot when you get there.

    As an old UCS (used car salesman) said. The further they live away, the less you need to negotiate. They already show they need the deal more than you.

  • sumyungguy on 26/10/2023 - 15:51
    +1

    Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/transfer/inter…

    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. To register the vehicle you will need to contact the transport authority in your state or territory to find out their registration requirements.

  • Sinnerator on 28/10/2023 - 10:32
    +1

    unregistered driving permit for every state the car travels in?
    so QLD + NSW + VIC

    • billadm on 30/10/2023 - 23:14

      Exactly, people just say this and that but they don't care about the technical details.
      What I know for example if I ask for a temporary permit from VicRoad, it allows me to drive in Victoria.

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