Queensland Transport sends out a registration renewal notice about four weeks before your registration expires. You need to ensure you renew your registration on or before the due date or the vehicle cannot legally be driven.

If your registration has expired, it is illegal to drive your vehicle until you have paid your registration fee. The registration status of the vehicle will be deemed ‘expired’, meaning the vehicle is unregistered and 30 days after the registration expires the vehicle is considered to be uninsured. When your car registration expires, it’s essential to understand the consequences and take appropriate action to avoid penalties and inconveniences.

1. Driving Legally: Once your car registration expires, you are no longer legally allowed to drive the vehicle on public roads. You cannot use the vehicle for commuting, errands, or any other purpose until you renew the registration.
2. Fines and Penalties: Driving with expired registration can result in hefty fines and penalties if caught by law enforcement. These fines can vary depending on how long your registration has been expired and other factors. You can be fined for these offenses and penalty amounts for driving an unregistered vehicle vary between $313 and $417, depending on the engine size of your vehicle. A further penalty of $522 penalty is applicable if your vehicle is also uninsured.
3. Insurance Coverage: Most insurance policies require a valid registration for coverage. If your registration expires, your vehicle may not be covered in case of accidents or damages, leaving you financially vulnerable.
4. Towing and Impoundment: In some cases, if you’re caught driving with an expired registration, your vehicle may be towed and impounded until you renew the registration and pay associated fees.
5. Loss of Discounts: Some registration renewal discounts or concessions may be lost if you allow your registration to expire, leading to higher costs when you eventually renew it.
6. Roadworthy Certificate: Depending on how long your registration has expired, you may need to obtain a roadworthy certificate before renewing the registration, adding to the time and cost of the process.

Car Unregistered Frequently Asked Questions:

How long can you leave your car unregistered in Queensland?

You have three months from the date of your vehicle’s registration expiring to renew your registration without having to apply for new registration in Queensland. However, it is illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle from midnight of the day of the registration expiry, and 30 days after expiry, your vehicle will be considered uninsured.

Can you put Queensland rego on hold?

No, you cannot put Queensland car registration on hold. Under Queensland Government transport laws, all motor vehicles must be currently registered or have an unregistered vehicle permit to be driven on Australian roads. 

For a vehicle to be considered currently registered in Queensland, the registration must be paid by 11:59 pm on the date the registration expires. The person who holds the registration will receive a notice of car registration renewal at least four weeks out from the expiration date, so it’s important to keep your postal address up to date with Queensland Transport. 

Is there a grace period for car registration in Queensland?

There is no grace period for registration in Queensland. The Queensland Police Force says: “There is no grace period for registration once it expires at midnight on the expiry date. As the driver of a vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle you are driving is registered, even if it’s someone else’s vehicle. If you have any doubts, don’t drive it.”

You can check your registration online by clicking here and entering the registration number of the vehicle you’re going to drive.

To avoid these consequences, it’s crucial to stay proactive and renew your car registration before it expires. Queensland Transport and Main Roads provide convenient online services for registration renewal, making it easier to stay compliant with regulations.

Remember to keep track of your registration expiry date, set reminders, and take timely action to ensure you can continue driving legally and safely on Queensland roads.

Mr. Mechanic can come to you for any Vehicle repair, Service, Roadworthy certificate, and Inspection needs. Call us for a free quote!