The first vehicle registration in NSW is always for 12 months. After that, you can choose a registration period each time you register your vehicle. Your registration period must match your green slip period. In some cases, you must register for 12 months but you can later switch to 6-month registration. Do you know when vehicle registration expires?
What is a registration period? ›
When you must register for 12 months ›
What are the benefits of 6 months registration? ›
When does your registration expire? ›
What is a registration period?
There are only two registration periods for light vehicles in NSW: 6 or 12 months. Interestingly, the choice between these periods has been part of the registration process for many years. If you own a heavy vehicle or trailer, you have the extra option of 3 months.
The period of your greenslip must match the registration period. This means you have to buy a greenslip for 6 or 12 months. If you own a heavy vehicle or trailer, you have the extra option of 3 months.
Many people ask if they can change their registration period before renewal time, to help with cash flow. Unfortunately, you can’t change the registration period until it’s time for renewal.
When you must register for 12 months
Did you know the concept of annual vehicle registration dates back over a century? There are three cases when you have to register your vehicle for 12 months:
- First registration of a vehicle in NSW
- If registration (6 or 12 months) has lapsed by more than 21 days
- When your vehicle needs a safety and identify check (blue slip) (transferred from interstate or with a cancelled registration).
The first registration is for 12 months initially. After that, you can choose the registration period.
- You lose the option of renewing for 6 months if the renewal is more than 21 days overdue
- If your registration is more than 3 months overdue, it is cancelled.
The table below explains when you need 12 or 6-month registration, a safety check (pink slip) or safety and identity check (blue slip).
| 12 months | 6 months | Pink slip | Blue slip | |
| Rego renewed within 21 days after expiry | Choice | Choice | Yes, if vehicle is over 5 years old | No |
| Rego not renewed within 21 days after expiry | Mandatory | No | Yes, if vehicle is over 5 years old | No |
| Rego cancelled (not renewed within 3 months after expiry) | Mandatory | No | No | Yes |
| Rego transferred from interstate | Mandatory | No | No | Yes |
What are the benefits of 6-month registration?
The main benefit of choosing 6-month registration is for your cash flow. In fact, some car owners prefer to align their registration periods with other annual expenses to better manage their budgets. Over one year, the cost of two 6-month greenslips is not much more than one 12-month greenslip.
- You lose the option of renewing for 6 months if the renewal is more than 21 days overdue
- Even if you choose 6 months registration, you need a safety check (pink slip) only once every 12 months.
greenslips.com.au provides the cheapest greenslip prices for 6 or 12 months.
When does vehicle registration expire?
Registration expires at midnight on the day before the renewal date printed on your Registration Renewal Notice.
For example, if you first registered your new Toyota Corolla on 30 September 2021, registration expires at midnight on 29 September 2022.
Find out what to do if you are not sure when your registration expires.
- If your registration is more than 3 months overdue, it will be cancelled
- If your registration is 21 days overdue, you must register for 12 months.
Compare greenslip prices well before registration expires so you have time to choose and make a payment.
Have you ever wondered how registration and licensing works in NSW? Do you know how to choose a registration period? Do you know how to transfer registration? These are all good questions you ask that greenslips.com.au will answer.
This is the second article in our 6-part series, How registration works in NSW. The first was How does vehicle registration work in NSW?
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