Car registration check
Free Rego Check
Check a car's registration in any Australian state or territory. Pick the state, enter the number plate, and we'll take you straight to its official check.
The best way to check a car's rego is with the state's own check: it's free, and it searches the state's registration records directly. They can be hard to find, so we've collected them all here.
Rego Checks in Each State
Each state and territory runs its own registration check, free, and each shows something different, but all confirm whether the car is registered.
| State | Official check | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Service NSW, by nSW number plate. | Registration expiry, whether it's suspended or cancelled, the CTP insurer, and the last three recorded odometer readings. |
| Victoria | VicRoads, by number plate, VIN or chassis number. | The VIN and engine number, make, colour, body type, year of manufacture, and registration status and expiry. |
| Queensland | Transport and Main Roads, by number plate, or VIN for cars built since 1989. | Registration status and expiry, make, model, body shape and purpose of use. Not the owner. |
| Western Australia | Transport WA, by number plate. | Whether the vehicle licence (rego) is current, and when it expires. |
| South Australia | Service SA, by number plate. | Registration expiry, make, body type, colour, the CTP insurer and the last four characters of the VIN, to match against the car. |
| Tasmania | Transport Tasmania, by number plate. | The vehicle's details and registration expiry. |
| Australian Capital Territory | Access Canberra, by number plate. | Registration status. |
| Northern Territory | NT Government, by number plate. | Registration status and expiry, and the inspection date. |
None of them shows money owing on the car, and only NSW's paid vehicle history report shows write-offs. For those, run a PPSR check, part of a full used car check before you buy.
Questions Answered
How do I do a free rego check?
Pick the state or territory the car is registered in above, enter its number plate, and select Check rego. Your state's own free registration check opens in a new tab, with the plate copied so you can paste it in.
What does a rego check show?
Whether the car is registered and, in most states, when its registration expires. Several also show the make and body type, and some show more: NSW shows the last three recorded odometer readings, and NSW and SA show the CTP insurer. See the table above for each state.
Can I check a car's rego by VIN?
In Victoria, and in Queensland for cars built since 1989. The other states' checks only take the number plate. To see what a car is from its VIN, use our free VIN check.
Does a rego check show if a car has money owing or is stolen?
No. For money owing, and whether it's been reported stolen or written off, run a PPSR check on ppsr.gov.au with the car's VIN.
Can I find out who owns a car from its rego?
No. The states' free rego checks don't show the owner's name or address. To check you're buying from the owner, ask to see the registration papers and the seller's licence, and check the names and address match.
What should I check after a rego check?
Run a PPSR check, check its recalls on the Vehicle Recalls site, then inspect the car in person. Shufti's free General inspection guide for its make and model takes you through the checks at the car, on your phone. See the full used car check for what each check shows.
Why does the check open on the state's own site?
Registration records are held by each state, and only its own check can search them. Most states don't let their check be shown inside another site, so we take you to it.
Found a Car You Like? Inspect It Free
Pick its make and model in Shufti for a free General inspection guide that takes you through the checks at the car, on your phone. When you're serious about it, upgrade to a Tailored check: checks built for that exact car from its listing, repair costs, an offer and a coach to get it, with PPSR and recalls included. $24.99 a check.
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