In Australia, you have to register your vehicle before you can drive it on the roads. In NSW, you must buy CTP insurance (green slip) separately, before you can register your vehicle. You may also need to organise a safety check (pink slip) or safety and identity check (blue slip). Learn how to register a vehicle and what registration will cost in NSW.
1. What is CTP insurance (green slip)? ›
2. What is a safety check (pink slip)? ›
3. What is a safety and identity check (blue slip)? ›
4. How does Service NSW know I bought a green slip? ›
5. What is my vehicle shape code? ›
6. What does it cost to register a vehicle in NSW? ›
1. What is CTP insurance (green slip)?
CTP insurance (green slip) is an insurance policy that pays compensation to people who are killed or injured in a road accident involving your vehicle. You have to buy CTP insurance separately before you can register a vehicle.
Each licensed CTP insurer provides the same cover for their green slip, whether it’s the cheapest or the most expensive. If you are injured in a road accident:
- You are entitled to benefits and, if you have serious injuries, to claim for damages
- Benefits include payments for loss of income, medical costs and rehabilitation costs
- Some benefits are payable whether or not it was your fault.
Compare the cheapest prices from every CTP insurer.
2. What is a safety check (pink slip)?
A safety check (pink slip) is an annual check of your vehicle’s roadworthiness. Only vehicles over 5 years old need a pink slip. Your Registration Notice tells you if your vehicle needs one.
If your vehicle is over 5 years old:
- It needs a safety check every 12 months (or every second 6-month registration).
- Go to a safety check provider for a safety check.
- A safety check takes about 30 minutes and is valid for 6 months.
If your car fails the safety check:
- The mechanic issues a Repairs Needed report.
- Your final safety check is free if you return to the same mechanic within 14 days.
- After 14 days, you have to pay for another safety check.
Safety check providers usually send safety checks straight to Service NSW. This means you can quickly register a vehicle.
Renew registration online at Service NSW, by calling 13 77 88, by post or in person at Service NSW.
3. What is a safety and identity check (blue slip)?
A more in-depth safety check is called a safety and identity check (blue slip). You need a blue slip if:
- Your NSW registration has expired for more than 3 months
- Registration has been cancelled, or
- You transfer a vehicle from another state or territory to NSW.
Safety check providers carry out safety and identity checks (blue slips). A blue slip takes longer than a pink slip and is valid for only 42 days. This means you have 42 days to register your vehicle.
Safety check providers also send blue slips to Service NSW but you may need a hardcopy when you visit a centre for the first registration.
4. How does Service NSW know I bought a green slip?
When you buy a green slip the insurer tells Service NSW immediately. If you bought your green slip from an agent or broker, it may take longer. You don’t usually need a paper copy of your green slip for registration.
However, you need to visit Service NSW in person when:
- The vehicle was transferred from interstate or imported
- Registration has expired by more than 3 months, or
- The previous registration was cancelled.
5. What is my vehicle shape code?
The vehicle shape code identifies your vehicle and appears on your Registration Notice.
Registration fees and green slip prices are based on your vehicle shape code.
There are 3 vehicle types: motor car, ute/light goods vehicle and motorcycle. Each type has one or more shape codes.
| Motor car | Ute/light goods vehicle | Motorcycle | |
| Includes |
Passenger vehicles, sedans, station wagons and some 4WDs
|
Utes, table tops, panel vans, some SUVs and light goods vehicles
|
All motorcycles, including those with sidecars. |
| Excludes | Light goods vehicles, utes or table tops. | Passenger vehicles, sedans, station wagons and some 4WDs. | |
| Shape codes |
CON – convertible (any vehicle without a roof) COU – coupe (2 doors, 2 seats and a roof) FCV – forward control vehicle (like a wagon) HRS – hearse PVF – panel van 4WD (must have 4WD) SBS – small bus (9 seats exactly including the driver) SED – sedan (includes hatchbacks) SNO – snow vehicle TWC – 3 wheel cars and cycles WAG – station wagon (must have sedan equivalent). |
PVN – panel van PVS – panel van seats and windows (no 4WD) PVW – panel van and windows (has side window) TTF – table top and fittings (cab chassis with tray fitted) UTE – utility (one piece utility body or detachable well back body) VAN – van (separate box body not connected to cabin). |
CYC – all motorcycles |
When you use the greenslips.com.au Calculator, you need to classify your vehicle as a motor car or light goods vehicle. To be sure, refer to the vehicle shape code in the lower half of your Registration Notice.
6. What does it cost to register a vehicle in NSW?
You can quickly calculate the registration fee for your vehicle:
- Put in your plate number or VIN number
- Choose one type of registration only: private, business, pensioner or war widow, primary producer, TPI ex-service person.
The first registration is for 12 months initially. After that, you can choose from a 6 or 12 month registration period.
- You cannot renew for 6 months if renewal is more than 21 days overdue.
- Registration is cancelled if renewal is more than 3 months overdue.
Renew registration online at Service NSW, by calling 13 77 88, by post or in person at Service NSW.
Remember the cost to register a vehicle does not include a green slip, pink slip or blue slip.
Compare all CTP green slip insurers to find the cost of your green slip.
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