Register or transfer your vehicle
If you're a Northern Territory (NT) resident, you must register your vehicle with the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) office.
This includes:
- buying a new vehicle
- vehicles that have not been registered in the NT for more than 12 months (otherwise you can renew your vehicle registration)
- vehicles registered with another state or country (you must do this within three months of living in the NT).
This applies to cars, motorbikes, trailers and other vehicles.
You don't need to display registration stickers on light vehicles in the NT.
How to register
To register your vehicle for the first time, follow the steps below.
Step 1. Get an inspection and compliance check
You must check if you need to get a vehicle inspection. If it needs a repair, you may get a temporary licence on a case by case basis.
You may also need to get a vehicle compliance check at a government vehicle inspection facility.
Step 2. Fill in application and attach supporting documents
Fill in the R11 application to register a vehicle PDF (1.2 MB).
You must also attach the following supporting documents:
- evidence of identity and residency
- proof of vehicle ownership
- roadworthy inspection report (if required and not provided already to MVR).
Proof of vehicle ownership
You can use any of the following documents as proof of ownership:
- the most recent registration certificate, in the name of, and signed by the former owner
- a bill of sale from a recognised auction house or a licensed motor vehicle dealer
- a document that shows the vehicle has been passed on to you, this may include any of the following:
- copy of a will or probate advice
- written advice from a solicitor
- letter from a public trustee
- documents from a court of law allocating ownership of a vehicle
- a letter, receipt, or notice of disposal from the former owner, clearly identifying themselves, the vehicle, and the buyer - must include the:
- registration number
- vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number
- engine number
- date of sale
- purchase price of the vehicle.
- a statutory declaration if your vehicle is homemade and has not been previously registered
- a death certificate - in cases where a vehicle is registered in joint names and one of the parties dies.
Step 3. Submit application and pay fees
Submit application with supporting documents at an MVR office. Pay the fees for registration, number plates, and stamp duty by EFTPOS, MasterCard, Visa, BasicsCard or cash.
Stamp duty
You may be exempt from stamp duty - check the application for stamp duty exemption PDF (195.5 KB).
If you're not exempt, check how much you must pay using the MVR duty calculator.
Contact
If you have any questions, email mvr@nt.gov.au or call 1300 654 628 (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).
Last updated: 26 February 2021
Share this page: