Cancel your rego

You can voluntarily cancel a vehicle registration at any time, as long as you're the registered operator.

NSW residents

You'll need to go to a registry and provide:

  • The Certificate of Registration for the vehicle (if available).
  • A completed and signed Number Plates form. The form must be signed by both registered operators if the registration is in joint names (one person may authorise the other to attend on their behalf).
  • The number plate(s), or a 'surrendered number plate' receipt from the interstate authority.
  • Number plates which have been lost, stolen or destroyed, must be reported to the Police and you must obtain a Police event Number.
  • If you would like to retain the number plate, you can place the plates into hold at a registry. When plates are reserved, RMS keeps those plates at a registry until you would like to display them on a registered vehicle. Fees apply.
  • If the vehicle was written-off, an original letter from the insurer showing the date of incident.
  • If the vehicle was stolen, a Police Event Number. You'll be given this number when you report the incident to the NSW Police Assistance Line or your local Police.

Fees and refunds

You will have to pay a cancellation fee, and you may be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the motor vehicle tax.

Interstate residents

This information applies to:

  • Former NSW residents who move interstate, register the vehicle in the new State and wish to claim a refund on the remaining NSW registration.
  • Interstate acquirers of a NSW-registered vehicle who wish to claim a refund on the remaining NSW registration.
    • The NSW registration must be transferred into your name for a fee before you are eligible to claim a refund.
    • Both the transfer and refund can be processed by mail and at the same time.

Note: You do not need to go to a registry. You may send your request for transfer and refund of NSW registration by mail to:

Manual Refunds
Roads and Maritime Services Customer Administration
Locked Bag 14
Dubbo  NSW  2830

You'll also need to provide the following:

  • A completed and signed Request for refund of NSW registration form. The form must be signed by both registered operators if the registration is in joint names.
  • The NSW plate number or a 'surrendered number plate' receipt from the interstate authority.
  • A copy of the current interstate Certificate of Registration in your name (the Certificate must show the payment of stamp duty to the new State if the NSW registration was in a different name).
  • Proof of your identity. Copies of documents are acceptable for mailed requests.
  • For interstate acquirers, a copy of your Proof of Registration Entitlement which shows the date of acquisition and the vehicle's market value (eg signed transfer details on the back of the NSW Certificate of Registration, or a receipt from the seller).

Fees and refunds

You will have to pay a cancellation fee and you may be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the motor vehicle tax. You may also have to pay a transfer fee.