Release of information

You can apply for the release of information or documents collected by the department relevant to your vehicle or ship registration.

Types of requests for information include:

• vehicle or ship details (such as make, model, VIN/Chassis number, engine number, year of manufacture, colour and number of seats)
• registration details (such as status of registration, expiry date, cancellation date, Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance details, registered operator, registration number, address of first registered operator)
• requests for original and copies of registration documents.

The following information may be released on request (for vehicles only):

• registration fees
• outstanding fees
• transfer date (may only be provided to the disposer or acquirer of the vehicle)
• axle configuration
• vehicle registration duty paid
• vehicle's dutiable value (may only be provided to the registered operator who was involved in the transaction to register or transfer the vehicle).

Written-off or stolen vehicle information can only be obtained on the Personal Properties Securities Register (PPSR) website. There is a fee payable for this service.

How do I apply for this information?

You can access some information online, including:

• registration details
• status of a vehicle's registration
• high-powered vehicle status
• replace a registration certificate.

Restricted information about your registration may also be provided verbally by calling 13 23 80. You will need to answer a series of questions to establish your identity before any information will be given to you.

If you wish to apply for a written release of your information, you can submit the completed Release of Information Request for Vehicle/Queensland Regulated Ship Registration Records (F3522) at a transport and motoring customer service centre or an authorised Queensland Government Agent Program office—a fee will apply.

Vehicles involved in an accident or incident

If you wish to apply for a written release of information about a vehicle when you have been involved in an accident or incident, you will need to:

• complete a Release of Information Request for Vehicle/Queensland Regulated Ship Registration Records (F3522)
• provide one of the following:
  • an official request (on letterhead) from an insurance entity or solicitor/lawyer, detailing information about the incident—including incident date/time, location, registration number/s, make/description of the vehicle/ship and personal injury (if applicable)
  • a statutory declaration witnessed by a JP or Commissioner of Declarations describing the accident or incident (must include vehicle details—registration number and make/description of vehicle/ship) and a Queensland Police traffic incident report (available through CITEC Confirm)
  • a completed, signed and witnessed Notice of Accident Claim form (available through the Motor Accident Insurance Commission) and a Queensland Police traffic incident report (available through CITEC Confirm).

You will then need to lodge these documents at a transport and motoring customer service centre or an authorised Queensland Government Agent Program office—a fee will apply.

Private car park operators: release of vehicle registration information

From Tuesday 20 February 2023 you are not able to access an extract of vehicle registration details to issue parking invoices or demand notices for:

• unpaid parking fees
  or
• a breach of contractual conditions at a private car park.

This excludes statutory parking enforcement, such as by local governments.

Vehicles registered to a deceased person

If you (as the executor or administrator) wish to apply for a written release of information about a vehicle that is registered to a deceased person, you will need to:

• complete a Release of Information Request for Vehicle/Queensland Regulated Ship Registration Records (F3522)
• provide one of the following:
  • an official request (on letterhead) advising that the solicitor/Public Trustee is the administrator/executor of the deceased estate or is acting on behalf of the administrator/executor
  • a grant of probate or letters of administration showing that you are the executor of the estate
  • an original or certified copy of the death certificate and the deceased person's last valid Will showing that you are the executor of the estate.

You will then need to lodge these documents at a transport and motoring customer service centre or an authorised Queensland Government Agent Program office—a fee will apply.

How do I apply if I am currently interstate, overseas or in a remote area?

If you are requesting the written release of your own information from interstate, overseas or a remote area of Queensland you may lodge your release of information request by:

• completing the Release of Information Request for Vehicle/Queensland Regulated Ship Registration Records (F3522)
• providing certified copies† of the evidence of identity requirements detailed on the application form
• providing a cheque or money order (in Australian Dollars) for the current fee—alternatively, the fee may be paid directly into your account linked to your driver licence number, at a driver licensing issuing centre.

Please note: If you choose to have someone pay the fee directly into your account, the fee must be paid prior to posting the completed application.

You will then need to post these documents to:

Department of Transport and Main Roads
Customer Service Support
GPO Box 2451
BRISBANE QLD 4001

† Your evidence of identity documents must be certified by an approved witness and contain the words 'I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original'. An approved witness (or local equivalent) includes a:

• doctor
• police officer
• consular or ambassadorial officer
• lawyer or judge
• Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner for Declarations
• Notary Public.

The witness must sign and print their full name, position title/designation and contact details (including office stamp).

All documents are to be witnessed in English or have an English translation.

Can someone else get my personal information for me?

You can authorise another person to obtain your information.

The authorised person must lodge the completed Release of Information Request for Vehicle/Queensland Regulated Ship Registration Records (F3522) at a transport and motoring customer service centre or an authorised Queensland Government Agent Program office—a fee will apply.

Please note: You will be contacted by the department to confirm you have given your consent. If you cannot be contacted during business hours, your application will be refused.

Who has the legal authority to apply for release of my information?

Your written consent is not required if the application for release of information is requested by:

• a person who has been appointed as your power of attorney (a power of attorney is the legal power to make decisions on someone else's behalf)
• a police officer applying for a release of vehicle/vessel registration information if they are performing a function associated with their role as a police officer
• a court, by court subpoena
• an interstate or federal authority which grants or issues vehicle/vessel registration under state or Commonwealth law
• a person representing an authorised government department or agency (the person applying must advise of the legislative provision/s entitling the release of information)
• an authorised statutory entity (such as a hospital)
• a bankruptcy agent (such as an insolvency entity, trustee, receiver or solicitor)
• a solicitor/lawyer where the information is required for litigation in relation to an incident involving your vehicle.