Family vehicle registration freeze
Registration fees were frozen for 3 years from 1 July 2012 for more than 2.5 million family vehicles.
For further details on the Family Vehicle Registration Freeze initiative see the questions and answers provided below.
Why is the Government introducing a registration fee freeze?
The Family Registration Freeze initiative aims to assist families struggling with the costs of living.
When will the registration fee freeze commence?
The Family Registration Freeze runs from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2015.
The freeze applies to eligible vehicles due for renewal from 1 July 2012. It also covers eligible vehicles being registered, or interstate vehicles being transferred to Queensland from 1 July 2012.
What vehicles are eligible for the registration fee freeze initiative?
The freeze applies to vehicles used for private purposes not over 4.5t GVM such as:
- Passenger vehicles (e.g. sedans, wagons, convertibles)
- Light commercial vehicles (e.g. panel vans, utilities, dual cabs)
- Minibuses
- Motorised campervans/motorhomes.
What vehicles are not included in the registration fee freeze?
Vehicles not included in the freeze:
- Light motor vehicles (vehicles of not more than 4.5t GVM) that are not for 'private' use
- Heavy motor vehicles (vehicles more than 4.5t GVM)
- Trailers and caravans
- Motorcycles
- Mobile machinery.
What is meant by purpose of use 'private'?
Private use is defined as a vehicle, registered to an individual/s, which is used exclusively for personal and domestic activities.
What costs will be frozen?
Registration fees are made up of three components:
- the vehicle registration fee
- the traffic improvement fee (TIF)
- Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance.
Only the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance fees are not included in the freeze.
The Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme in Queensland is regulated by MAIC. The Department of Transport and Main Roads acts as a collection agent only for insurance premiums on behalf of licensed insurance companies.
Is the six month surcharge also frozen?
No. The 6 month surcharge is not included in the freeze and increased by CPI from 1 July.
I am entitled to the registration fee freeze. How much will I save on my registration?
Due to a 1.3% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for 2012-2013, the savings for the first year of the registration fee freeze initiative will be as follows:
12 month vehicle registration fees
| Vehicles up to and including 4t GVM | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee (Freeze) | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee
(with 1.3% CPI increase) | Saving |
|---|
| 1, 2 or 3 cylinder |
$269.05 |
$272.55 |
$3.50 |
| 4 cylinder |
$328.90 |
$333.20 |
$4.30 |
| 5 or 6 cylinder |
$492.30 |
$498.70 |
$6.40 |
| 7 or 8 cylinders |
$669.80 |
$678.50 |
$8.70 |
| 9 to 12 cylinders |
$777.10 |
$787.20 |
$10.10 |
| Vehicles 4.01 to 4.5t GVM | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee (Freeze) | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee
(with 1.3% CPI increase) | Saving |
|---|
| Motor vehicle |
$744.90 |
$754.60 |
$9.70 |
| Minibus |
$742.55 |
$752.20 |
$9.65 |
| Motorised caravan/motorhome |
$554.80 |
$562.00 |
$7.20 |
6 month vehicle registration fees
| Vehicles up to and including 4t GVM | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee(Freeze) – including surcharge | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee (with 1.3% CPI increase) – including surcharge | Saving |
|---|
| 1, 2 or 3 cylinder |
$143.25 |
$145.00 |
$1.75 |
| 4 cylinder |
$173.15 |
$175.35 |
$2.20 |
| 5 or 6 cylinder |
$254.85 |
$258.10 |
$3.25 |
| 7 or 8 cylinders |
$343.60 |
$348.00 |
$4.40 |
| 9 to 12 cylinders |
$397.25 |
$402.35 |
$5.10 |
| Vehicles 4.01 to 4.5t GVM | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee (Freeze) | Annual Registration and Traffic Improvement Fee
(with 1.3% CPI increase) | Saving |
|---|
| Motor vehicle |
$381.15 |
$386.05 |
$4.90 |
| Minibus |
$380.00 |
$384.85 |
$4.85 |
| Motorised caravan/motorhome |
$286.10 |
$289.75 |
$3.65 |
Note: Actual changes for future years will be calculated once the CPI is known.
Why weren't all vehicles included in the registration fee freeze?
Vehicles most commonly used by families have been included in the registration fee freeze. This includes passenger cars (e.g. sedans, wagons, convertibles); light commercial vehicles (e.g. panel vans, utilities, dual cabs); minibuses and motorised campervans/motorhomes with a purpose of use indicated as ‘private’.
Will the registration charges for non-eligible vehicles increase to cover the cost of the initiative?
No. Both the vehicle registration fee and traffic improvement fee components for all other light vehicles not included in the freeze will not increase more than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
How long will the registration fee freeze last?
The registration fee freeze came into effect from 1 July 2012 and fees will not increase for 3 years.
Is there a limit to how many vehicles a person/family will be entitled to under the registration fee freeze?
No, as long as the vehicles meet the eligibility requirements, they qualify for the freeze.
I already have a pension/senior concession on my vehicle. Am I still entitled to the registration fee freeze?
Yes. You will still be entitled to the registration fee freeze if you have an eligible vehicle that is registered for private use.
I have a heavy vehicle. Will the registration fee freeze affect me?
No. The freeze only applies to vehicles under 4.5t GVM. The registration costs for vehicles with a GVM over 4.5t are set nationally by the National Transport Commission and generally take effect from 1 July each year.
Why aren't motorbikes included?
Motorbikes are not considered to be a family vehicle. However, the motorcycle registration fee charged is significantly lower than the registration fee for a car so motorcycle operators are already paying less than other vehicle operators.
I don't have a car. My family vehicle is a motorcycle and sidecar. Why can't my registration fees be frozen?
Motorbikes are not considered to be a family vehicle. However, the motorcycle registration fee charged is significantly lower than the registration fee for a car and therefore motorcycle operators are already paying less than other vehicle operators.
I am a single person. Am I entitled to the registration fee freeze?
Yes. You will be entitled to the registration fee freeze if you have an eligible vehicle that is registered for private use.
If I only have one vehicle and use it for my own/family business do I qualify for the registration fee freeze?
How you register your vehicle is a matter for you to consider. However, if you have indicated a purpose of use other than private, you will be charged a higher rate of registration.
My vehicle registration is currently recorded with a commercial purpose of use. How can I change my purpose of use to enable the registration fee freeze to be applied to my vehicle?
If your vehicle is for private use only, you may apply to change the purpose of use by completing a Change of Vehicle Particulars Notification (form F3524). This form may be lodged at your nearest Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or if you live in a rural area, a Queensland Government Agency Program office, Magistrates Court or Police Remitting Station.
My registration commenced after 1 July 2012 with a commercial purpose of use recorded. I've paid my registration renewal but I want to change to 'private' purpose of use so the registration fee freeze applies to my vehicle. Can I get a refund and if so, how?
Yes. A refund will apply from the date the change is made to your vehicle's purpose of use. You must complete a Change of Vehicle Particulars Notification (form F3524) and lodge this form at your nearest Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or if you live in a rural area, a Queensland Government Agency Program office, Magistrates Court or Police Remitting Station.
My vehicle was registered as private use and I paid the reduced registration renewal. As I now use my vehicle for commercial use, what do I need to do and will I have to pay additional fees?
You must notify the department within 14 days of any change to the purpose of use of the vehicle. This may affect the amount of the vehicle registration fee you pay and you may be required to pay a pro-rata amount. You need to complete a Change of Vehicle Particulars Notification (form F3524) and lodge this form at your nearest Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or if you live in a rural area, a Queensland Government Agency Program office, Magistrates Court or Police Remitting Station.
Can I change the purpose of use if I pay after the registration expiry date?
Yes. The purpose of use should be amended when the use of the vehicle changes. If the vehicle has been used solely for private purposes since the registration commencement date, a late payment will not affect whether the registration fee freeze is applied to your vehicle registration. Please note however that the registration renewal reinstatement fee will still apply.
Can I change the purpose of use now even though I have paid my registration renewal early?
Yes. The change will adjust the renewal fees that have been paid. You will need to complete a Change of Vehicle Particulars Notification (form F3524) and lodge this form at your nearest Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or if you live in a rural area, a Queensland Government Agency Program office, Magistrates Court or Police Remitting Station.
I lease a vehicle that is registered to the leasing company. Why can't I have private recorded as my purpose of use as I only use it privately?
A vehicle may be registered in the name of an individual or corporation, if the corporation is a legal entity. The department does not determine in which name a leased vehicle is registered, however as a leasing company is established for a commercial purpose, their vehicles are recorded with a commercial purpose of use.
The department does not require a leased vehicle to be registered in the name of a leasing company, however you may wish to check whether that is a requirement under your leasing agreement.
If I change my vehicle's purpose of use to private, how will this change affect my tax?
For information about tax-related issues, please contact the Australian Tax Office or tax a professional/agent.
My vehicle is registered in a company name. Am I eligible for the freeze?
No. If a vehicle is registered in a company name, it must be registered for commercial use, even if it is also used for private use. Therefore it would not qualify for the registration fee freeze.
