When you're selling your car in Australia, whether it’s a shiny daily driver or an old rust bucket, you’ve got a checklist to tick off: transfer paperwork, remove your belongings, and clean it up for inspection. But there’s one often-overlooked question that pops up just before the handover: “Do I need to remove the number plates?” Not sure what steps to take? You’re definitely not the only one.
Let’s break it down step by step so you know exactly what to do with those plates when parting ways with your vehicle.
What Happens to Number Plates When You Sell a Car?
In Australia, the rules around number plates vary based on where you live and how you’re selling the car. But often, there are two scenarios:
- You’re selling the car privately or to a dealership with registration still active.
- You’re selling it unregistered or through a car removal service like those in Hornsby.
Let’s explore both.
Scenario 1: Selling a Registered Car Privately or to a Dealer
If your vehicle is registered and you're selling it privately or to a dealer, you often leave the number plates on the vehicle. That’s because the plates stay with the car, and the new owner can use them as long as they transfer the registration into their name.
In NSW, this process involves completing a Notice of Disposal and handing over a signed registration transfer form. You can do this easily online through Service NSW. Once the registration is transferred, your responsibility as the previous owner ends.
Tip: If you’re concerned about toll charges or fines being issued to your name after the sale, make sure you lodge the notice of disposal immediately. This legally separates you from the vehicle.
Scenario 2: Selling to a Car Removal Company
Now, this is where it gets interesting. If you're selling your vehicle to a car removal service, especially for scrap or cash, things work a little differently.
Let’s say you're using a local service like car removal Hornsby. These services typically buy unregistered, damaged, or unwanted vehicles. And in such cases, you are expected to remove the number plates before pickup or drop-off.
Why? Because:
- Remember, number plates are registered to you, not the vehicle.
- The vehicle is likely going to be dismantled or scrapped.
- You can hand the plates back to Service NSW and apply for a refund on any remaining registration.
- It protects you from any future misuse of the plates.
So if you’re thinking of using a trusted car removal Hornsby service to offload that old clunker in your driveway, don’t forget to unscrew those plates before the tow truck arrives.
How to Remove Number Plates Correctly
Removing number plates is simple and only takes a few minutes. A standard screwdriver is all it takes.
- Unscrew the front and rear plates from the vehicle
- Store them safely, don’t leave them lying around.
- Return them to Service NSW, especially if you want a refund or plan to cancel registration.
Make sure you take along your ID and proof of ownership when handing the plates back. If the car is being written off or permanently disposed of, this step is particularly important to officially close the registration record.
Can You Keep the Plates?
Yes! In NSW, you can retain personalised or special plates. If you’ve got a custom plate (like “FAST-X” or “MUMSVAN”), you can keep it and transfer it to another vehicle. Just let Service NSW know, and they’ll help you secure the rights to the plate number.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Selling a car can be chaotic, and it’s easy to miss small but important steps. Below are a few pitfalls to steer clear of:
- Forgetting to lodge the Notice of Disposal. Without this, you're still legally tied to the vehicle.
- Leaving plates on a car sold for scrap. These can be misused if not returned properly.
- Not returning plates for unregistered cars. You might lose out on potential refunds or even risk identity misuse.
Why Car Removal Services Make Selling Easy
If you’re looking to skip the hassle of private listings, mechanical checks, and paperwork, car removal services are a fantastic option, especially in areas like Hornsby. These businesses offer:
- Fast and free towing
- Instant cash on pickup
- No need for rego or roadworthy certificates
- An easy way to sell unwanted, damaged, or non-running cars
By choosing a professional car removal Hornsby service, you avoid all the red tape and uncertainty of private sales. Just remove your plates, empty the glovebox, and you’re good to go.
Conclusion
So, should you remove your number plates when selling a car in Australia? The simple answer? It all comes down to the method of sale.
- Registered and sold privately or to a dealer? Plates stay.
- Unregistered or sold to a car removal service? Take them off and return them to Service NSW.
No matter which route you take, staying informed helps protect your finances and identity. And if you're planning to sell a junk, scrap, or accident-damaged car, remember that car removal in Hornsby can take the stress off your plate, literally and figuratively.
