Cancelling your vehicle, trailer, caravan, motorised mobility device or boat registration
To cancel a Queensland registration, you need to:
- complete the registration cancellation form
and - surrender the numbers plates to us, unless you are not required to do so.
Who can cancel a registration
You are eligible to cancel a registration if:
- you are listed as a registered operator on the registration
- you are a representative of the organisation listed as the registered operator.
Not sure if you’re listed on the registration? You can log in to My registrations to check registrations in your name.
If the registered operator is deceased
The executor, administrator or next of kin must transfer the registration into the Estate of the deceased or to another person before cancelling the registration. This makes sure that any unused portion of registration is refunded to the correct person.
Completing the cancellation form
To cancel your vehicle, trailer, caravan, motorised mobility device (motorised wheelchair/mobility scooter) or boat registration, you need to complete and sign the cancellation of registration form (F3517).
If you are cancelling less than 5 registrations
You will need to complete one form for each registration.
If you are cancelling 5 or more registrations
You can complete the form once and include an attachment with details of the other registrations.
Completing your form
Please make sure that:
- all information has been filled out
- all declarations in Section 7 are completed
- the form has been signed by the registered operator
(or a representative of the organisation listed on the registration) - you have included your current mailing address on the form.
Find out how to submit your cancellation form once it's completed.
The cancellation form can be signed digitally
To sign the form digitally:
- download the file to your computer or mobile (you won’t have the option to sign the form if you open it in your web browser)
- open the file in Adobe Reader. You can use the free version of Adobe Reader —no purchase or software subscription is required
- fill in the form, sign it and save it once you’re finished.
Surrendering your number plates
You will need to hand in your number plates when you submit your cancellation of registration form. You will receive a receipt for any number plates you hand in.
If your vehicle is issued with 2 number plates, both plates must be handed in. For trailers, motorcycles and motorised mobility devices (motorised wheelchairs/mobility scooters) you will only hand in 1 number plate as only 1 plate is issued.
When you don't have to surrender number plates
Personalised or customised plates that you're keeping
In Queensland, you can keep your plates if you have personalised or customised plates.
If you want to cancel the personalised or customised plates attached to your vehicle, you must:
- complete the cancel personalised/customised plate application form (F5339) and submit it with the registration cancellation form
- surrender the personalised/customised number plates when you submit your cancellation forms.
If you have moved from interstate you will have to check with the relevant authority if you have personalised or customised plates.
Lost, stolen or destroyed plates
If one or both of your number plates have been lost, stolen or destroyed, you will need to declare this in Section 7 of the cancellation form.
Impounded vehicles and confiscated number plates
Different rules may apply if your vehicle has been impounded or your number plates have been confiscated by the Queensland Police Service.
If your number plates have been confiscated by the Queensland Police Service, your vehicle cannot be cancelled during the confiscation period.
Contact Queensland Police Service for more information.
Plates surrendered when registering a vehicle interstate
If you register your vehicle in another Australian state or territory, your Queensland plates will be taken by the interstate authority. Make sure to get a number plate surrender receipt – you’ll need to include this with your registration cancellation form.
Written-off vehicles
A vehicle’s registration may be cancelled when it is written off (the cost to repair is greater than the value of the vehicle) after:
- certain types of damage (such as collision, fire or water damage)
- parts stripping or dismantling.
These vehicles must be added to the written off vehicle register if the vehicle:
- is less than 16 years old
- is not conditionally registered
- has been declared a total economic loss.
Find out more about requirements for written off vehicles.
If an insurance company is involved
If an insurance company has assessed the vehicle, the insurance company will normally take care of notifying us about the write-off. The insurance company may also advise us of the registration cancellation once the write-off has been processed. Before you notify us of a written off vehicle, check with your insurer to see if they will do this for you as part of the claim.
If your vehicle has not been assessed by an insurer
You will need to notify us about the write-off when you lodge your registration cancellation request. Find out more about notifying of written-off vehicles.
Refunds for written-off vehicles
If you are dealing with an insurance company
Check with the insurance company before requesting a cancellation
The insurance company may take ownership of the registration as part of the claim.
This means that the registration will no longer be in your name and you may not be eligible to receive a refund for the unused portion of the registration.
If your vehicle has not been assessed by an insurer
If you would like your refund backdated to the day following the accident (or other incident) you can declare this in Section 7 on the cancellation of registration form, as long as the vehicle has not been used since the date of the accident (or other incident).
Refunds on current registrations
If you are cancelling a current Queensland registration, you may receive a refund for the unused portion of your registration and compulsory third party (CTP) insurer’s premium.
Refunds do not include the traffic improvement fee and other fees and surcharges, such as the registration renewal reinstatement fee and compulsory third party levies.
To be eligible for a refund, the registration must be current and registered in your name in Queensland at the time of the cancellation request.
A cancellation fee is charged to cover the cost of processing and refunding the registration and is deducted from the registration fee refund.
Registering your vehicle interstate
If you register a vehicle in another Australian state or territory, your Queensland registration will not be automatically cancelled. To get a refund for the unused registration and CTP insurer's premium, you will need to submit a cancellation form with the receipt you received when you surrendered the number plates to the interstate authority.
How to submit the cancellation form
You can submit your registration cancellation form and any supporting documents required:
- in-person
- by mail
- by email (only if you have already surrendered your plates, or are not required to surrender them).
The cancellation form can be printed, completed and signed or it can be downloaded, completed and signed digitally.
More information on signing forms digitally
Submitting your form in person
Bring your completed forms and number plates (unless you are not required to surrender them) to:
- a transport and motoring customer service centre
OR - a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides registration services.
Submitting your form by mail
Mail your signed, completed form and your number plates or number plate surrender receipt (unless you are not required to surrender them) to:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Registration cancellations
PO Box 372
LONGREACH QLD 4730
Submitting your form by email
Email your signed, completed form to regocancellations@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Checklist for submitting the cancellation form
To avoid delays in your cancellation being processed, please make sure that:
- all information has been filled out
- all declarations in Section 7 are completed
- the form has been signed by the registered operator
(or a representative of the organisation listed on the registration) - you have included your current mailing address on the form.
If you are mailing or emailing your cancellation form, make sure that:
- you have attached the number plate surrender receipt
(if you have already surrendered your number plates to us or interstate)
or - enclosed the number plates (if posting your cancellation form)
Note: You don’t need to return number plates to us if:
- you are keeping personalised or customised number plates
or - your number plates are lost, stolen, destroyed, already surrendered or your vehicle has been written off.