Choose your state or territory
Use the state or territory where the vehicle is registered — that's where its registration record lives.
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Victoria VIC
Check on VicRoads — official VIC portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in Victoria → -
New South Wales NSW
Check on Service NSW — official NSW portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in NSW → -
Queensland QLD
Check on qld.gov.au — official QLD portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in Queensland → -
Western Australia WA
Check on wa.gov.au — official WA portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in WA → -
South Australia SA
Check on EzyReg — official SA portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in SA → -
Tasmania TAS
Check on transport.tas.gov.au — official TAS portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in Tasmania → -
Australian Capital Territory ACT
Check on rego.act.gov.au — official ACT portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in the ACT → -
Northern Territory NT
Check on nt.gov.au — official NT portal (opens the official government site) How to check rego in the NT →
What a rego check reveals
A free registration check covers the essentials. For the deeper history — finance, write-offs, stolen status — the official $2 PPSR search fills the gaps.
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Registration status & expiry
Is the vehicle currently registered, and when does the rego expire? Driving unregistered can mean heavy fines — this is the first thing to confirm.
Free on every state's official portal above. -
Vehicle details
Basic descriptors such as make, model, body type and year of manufacture — check that the physical vehicle matches the record.
Free on every state's official portal above. -
Restrictions & sanctions
Suspensions, cancellations, concessions or classifications on the registration that could affect a sale or transfer.
Shown by most state portals; see each state's guide. -
Odometer readings
Some states (e.g. NSW) show recent recorded odometer readings — a quick way to spot possible odometer tampering before you buy.
Free where offered; history via PPSR. -
Stolen & written-off status
Whether the vehicle has been reported stolen or declared a write-off — information a free rego check alone won't give you.
Official $2 PPSR vehicle search → -
Finance owing
The critical one: if money is still owing on the vehicle, the lender can repossess it from you after purchase.
Official $2 PPSR vehicle search →
Why check before you buy
Buy with confidence
A rego check confirms the vehicle is currently registered, matches its plates, and shows no suspensions or restrictions — basic peace of mind that the seller is who they claim to be, before money changes hands.
Don't inherit someone else's debt
If finance is still owing on a vehicle when you buy it, that debt can follow the car — and the lender can repossess it from you. A $2 PPSR search at ppsr.gov.au is the official way to check.
Spot hidden damage history
Sellers don't always mention accidents, flood damage or write-offs. The PPSR search also flags stolen and written-off status — the things a free rego check can't see.
How it works
- Pick your state — use the state or territory where the vehicle is registered, not where you live.
- Open the official portal — click the button above for your state. You'll land on the government's own check page.
- Enter the plate number — most states only need the registration (plate) number. Some also accept a VIN.
- Read the result — you'll see whether the registration is current, its expiry date, and basic vehicle details.
Buying a used car? A free rego check is only the first step. It won't tell you about finance owing, write-offs, or stolen status. Before you buy, run the official $2 PPSR vehicle search at ppsr.gov.au — it's the Australian Government's Personal Property Securities Register and the single most important check for used-car buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rego check free?
Yes. Every state and territory provides a free official registration check through its own government portal — the buttons above all lead to free services. You should never need to pay a third-party website just to check whether a vehicle's rego is current.
What details will a rego check show me?
At minimum: whether the registration is current, and its expiry date. Most states also show basic vehicle descriptors (such as make, model, or year) and may flag suspensions, cancellations, or restrictions. Exactly what's shown varies by state — see each state's guide page for details.
Will a rego check show me the owner's name?
No. Under Australian privacy law, no public service discloses the registered owner's identity — not even the official government portals. Any website that claims it can reveal "whose name the car is in" is not legitimate. If you're buying privately, ask the seller to show you the vehicle listed in their own government account or app.
What is a PPSR check, and why does it cost $2?
The PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) is the Australian Government register that records finance owing against vehicles, plus write-off and stolen notifications. A vehicle search costs $2 at ppsr.gov.au. Unlike a free rego check, it can reveal whether a lender could repossess the car from you after purchase — which is why it's essential before buying any used vehicle.
Which state's portal should I use?
Always use the portal of the state or territory where the vehicle is registered — that's where its registration record lives. A Victorian plate is checked on VicRoads; a Queensland plate on the QLD portal, and so on. If the seller has interstate plates, check with that state's authority.