Roscoec

I am travelling back to England for a few months and so will not be using my car and intend to keep it in storage. The vehicle registration expires at the end of this month, August, do I have to renew it or is there an SORN system here in Australia. I live in Buderim, in Queensland, QLD? Can I just let the registration expire and then when I come back in a few months - possibly in excess of 6 months, renew it without any penalty or paying back monies? Hope someone can help, Clive

Kiwipaul

I'm afraid not if you let it expire you will get hit with a late payment fee and when you renew it will be backdated to the date the renewal was due anyway. The only way around this is to deregister your vehicle hand in the rego plates and then go through the hassle of registering when you return (which would require a safety certificate from a licensed garage and as the car is un registered you've the hassle of getting it to the garage somehow)

Queensland Government reaps millions from late car registration, insurance penalty fees

astera

So the rego is expiring in less than a week and it's not possible to renew before the OP leaves? That's can't be right - surely there are TONS of people in similar situations (going on cruises, etc.).

fish.01

I don't think the OP was saying they couldn't renew it (you can pay it online), rather whether they could purposely let it lapse to avoid paying for the period they are away.

Roscoec

Thank you Kiwipaul for such a prompt response.

I did manage to speak to someone at the Department of Transport and it is not as simple as that; IF I am away for OVER three (3) months, then I simply let the rego lapse and when I return, I am allowed to drive directly to a garage to get a safety certificate and can re-register. Cost of safety cert at approx $74.75 plus cost of 3rd party insurance prior to having rego.

IF I returned within 3 months, then I would be faced with paying all the back rego and with a fine of $56.

I have asked for e-mail confirmation and will update the thread if/when I receive it.

What's an 'OP' people, please?

Pollyana

Original poster - in this case you, as you started the thread

The Bloke

As a motorist in Qld for nearly 37 years who has never heard of this advice, this may sound a silly question but what if, on the off chance that you are stopped on your way to the garage, driving an unregistered vehicle by the Police (fine and demerit points because you are technically committing a traffic offence), or heaven forbid are involved in an fatal/non-fatal traffic accident (fine, demerit points and/or legal litigation), it will cost you far more than what you save.

If this is legit, I get a mate with a towbar, a car trailer, and tow your car to a DTMR approved and accredited inspection workshop......less hassle.

Interesting to hear the update.....

Alfresco

or Old Person as in my case.