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 required to show that you are entitled to become a registered operator of a vehicle, and is also used to determine whether Duty payment is required.

• The document must show the name of the last registered owner or the seller.
• It must be a paper copy — electronic versions on phones or devices aren’t accepted.

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 showing the estate or part thereof, has been left to the new proposed registered operator
• 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 duty exemption from State Revenue may also be required
• registration certificate issued in another country.

Where none of the above documentation can be provided:

• Registration Entitlement form (DOCX 34.6 KB) can be provided.

For interstate registered vehicles establishing registration in Tasmania:

• if the vehicle was registered in your name/s in another state or territory, you must provide the registration certificate from that authority. This will also be used to determine if Duty is payable in Tasmania
• if the vehicle was not registered in your name/s interstate, you will need to provide one of the other listed ‘proof of entitlement’ documents.

Do I need ‘proof of entitlement’ when re-establishing Tasmanian registration?

No, you do not need to provide ‘proof of entitlement’ if you are re-establishing registration that:

• is already in your name in Tasmania, and
• the registration type isn’t changing, and
• the registered operators aren’t changing.

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.