Registration Glossary/FAQs

• A registered operator is a person or body corporate we have recorded as being responsible for a motor vehicle or trailer (including caravans).
• A maximum of two individuals may be listed as joint operators of a light vehicle (please see below for more information). A heavy vehicle (over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass) can only be registered in one name
• To be a registered operator, individuals must be:
  • 16 years of age for light vehicles
  • 18 years of age for heavy vehicles
• To be a registered operator, body corporates must be  recognised by ASIC as:
  • A registered company with an ACN, or
  • An incorporated association with a certificate of incorporation

Note: being a registered operator does not prove ownership of the vehicle.

To become a registered operator you must provide full evidence of identity.

Once you become a registered operator you are responsible for:

• Payment of any vehicle fees and charges
• Payment of fines and sanctions
  • in certain circumstances the registered operator may not be charged if not driving the vehicle
• Ensuring the vehicle is roadworthy
• Notifying us of any changes any details of the vehicle

• For light vehicles a garage address is the place a vehicle is normally kept
• For heavy vehicles a garage address is the principal depot or base of operations for a vehicle
• Every Tasmanian registered vehicle must have a Tasmanian garage address
• Garage addresses are applied individually to vehicles, but
  • There is no limit to the number of vehicles listed at a single garage address
• Garage addresses can be different from a residential address
  • But they cannot be a postal address

• You will need to show proof of your garage address for most registration transactions including
  • Establishing registration
  • Renewing registration
  • Transferring registration

You can change a garage address by submitting a Nomination of Garage Address (MR169) (DOCX 48.8 KB) form at Service Tasmania.

• Joint registered operators can be listed for all light vehicles
• One of the joint operators must be listed as the nominated operator
• The nominated operator:
  • Needs to have an individual customer record
    • You will have one if you have a licence or a previous Tasmanian vehicle registration

Will be responsible for the vehicle registration (see responsibilities of registered operator above)

A vehicle can be registered in joint names when:

• You first register a vehicle, by:
  • Recording two operators on the “Application for registration (MR 205) (PDF 159.1 KB)” form
• If a vehicle is transferred to you, by:
  • Recording two operators on the “Application for Transfer of Vehicle Registration (MR 116) (PDF 2.8 MB)” form

A nominated operator can be selected from either registered operator on these forms.

You can change the nominated operator of a vehicle at any time free of charge by:

• Submitting a “Nominate or Change a Nominated Operator (MR13) (PDF 139.8 KB)” form at Service Tasmania
• Calling Service Tasmania  on 1300 135 513

If any of the joint registered operators is eligible for a concession they can receive concessional registration fees.

They do not have to be the nominated operator.

A vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4.5t or less.

A vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass greater than 4.5t.

Is the maximum mass a vehicle can be when fully loaded

It may be specified by:

• A vehicle’s manufacturer (e.g. compliance plate), or
• The Registrar of Motor Vehicles if:
  • the initial GVM cannot be found
  • the vehicle has been heavily modified and the original GVM is no longer suitable

Proof of entitlement is evidence that shows you are entitled to become a registered operator of a vehicle.

The documents you can provide for proof of entitlement are:.

• a signed bill of sale from a dealer
  that shows that full responsibility for the vehicle has changed to the new operator

• a signed receipt from a dealer
  that shows that full responsibility for the vehicle has changed to the new operator

• a signed receipt from the previous registered operator or seller
• copy of a will, or a letter from a solicitor, Public Trustee or executor of the estate showing the estate or part thereof, has been left to the new proposed registered operator.
• order from the Family Law Court that specifies the vehicle and the new operator.
• authority from the registered operator to the finance company

if the vehicle has been repossessed (A letter from State Revenue for an exemption of Stamp Duty may also be required)

• Registration certificate issued in another country.

The document/s presented must identify the last registered operator of the vehicle or the name of the seller of the vehicle.

For interstate registered vehicles establishing registration in Tasmania.

• Registration papers from another registration authority are required if the vehicle was registered in another jurisdiction in the operators name.. This documentation satisfies proof of entitlement and presumed proof that duty is not payable in Tasmania, so no further documentation is required.
• If the vehicle registered in another jurisdiction was not registered in the operator’s name, an item listed above is required.

Where none of the above documentation can be provided

• a completed Registration Entitlement form may be provided.

Motor vehicle dealers registering a vehicle under the type approval system do not need to provide proof of entitlement.

The definition of a motor vehicle is found in the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999.

The definition of a public street can be found in the Traffic Act 1925.

A vehicle without its own power built to perform agricultural tasks.

A vehicle with its own power built to perform agricultural tasks.

Includes tractors used only, or mostly, to perform agricultural tasks.