Selling Your Car in QLD? Don’t Forget These 5 Admin Essentials

Before you start listing your car or chatting with buyers, make sure you round up these important documents and items:

• Registration Certificate: It proves you own the car and is needed for transfer.
• Proof of Identity: Your driver’s licence works perfectly.
• Service History: Your logbook and past service stamps help show the car's been well looked after.
• Owner’s Manual & Spare Keys: These aren’t essential, but can sweeten your sale and sometimes mean a bit more money in your pocket.



If any of these important documents have gone missing, you should chase up replacements as soon as possible. If you want to know more about what paperwork buyers expect to see, read this guide on the paperwork needed to sell a car.

2. Organise the Insurance

It’s easy to forget about car insurance when you’re handling the rest of the paperwork. But it’s just as important. Cancel or transfer your cover as soon as the car’s no longer yours, otherwise you might get stuck paying for someone else’s mishaps.

You should also remind the buyer to organise cover before they drive away to ensure they’re properly protected. 

It’s a good time for you to compare coverage and see if you can get a better deal on your next car. Not sure what options are out there? Try getting a car insurance quote with NRMA Insurance to explore personalised cover that gives you peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel.

3. Have Your Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) Ready

Queensland law says you can’t transfer registration (which you’ll have to do when selling a registered car) unless there’s a current Safety Certificate. Most people call this a Roadworthy Certificate, or RWC. You’ll need to get an RWC from an approved inspection station before you put your car up for sale.

The RWC inspection covers:

• Tyres and brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Seats and seatbelts
• Lights and windscreen

An RWC usually costs $80-100, and it’s valid for 2 months or 2,000km (whichever comes first) for private sellers. If you’re using a dealer, sometimes they’ll include the cost of the RWC in their fee.



If you’re curious about the specifics of what goes into RWC checks, read this complete guide to what’s covered in a Queensland RWC.

4. Fill Out the Transfer Paperwork Correctly

Transferring ownership isn’t just a handshake and waving goodbye. In QLD, the registration papers need to be signed by both you and the buyer (even if you sell to licensed buyers or a dealership).

Here’s what to do:

• Locate the green section (or online code if you use the digital method) on your registration papers.
• Fill in your details and the buyer’s.
• Both parties sign.
• Hand a copy to your buyer and keep one for yourself.
  

From here, the buyer has 14 days to lodge the transfer. If they don’t, you might incur fines if the new owner racks up tolls or parking tickets. You can play it safe by going online and notifying Queensland Transport that you’ve sold the vehicle.

5. Don’t Forget the Personalised Plates!

Got snazzy custom plates? You’ll need to decide whether you’re selling them with your car or keeping them for your next set of wheels.

If you want to keep your plates:

• Remove them before selling.
• Return them to a Transport and Main Roads office or arrange to transfer them to your new car.

Remember, if your car’s listed on websites or social media, blur or cover your plate in ads for privacy reasons.

What Happens If You Miss Any of These Admin Steps?

Skipping paperwork might seem harmless, but it can spell headaches:

• Legal liability if the buyer racks up fines before transfer.
• Delays with payment or finalising the sale.
• The risk of having to redo the sale if something’s incorrect.

Smooth, no-fuss sales always come down to prep work. Feeling stuck or unsure? Services like Sell Any Car Fast in Brisbane can help guide you through each step, especially if you’re after a streamlined experience.

Bonus: A Few Helpful Selling Tips

Selling privately? Always meet in a safe, public place, preferably during daylight hours, and let someone know about your plans. Check every nook and cranny and remove all personal belongings. And finally, give the car a proper clean inside and out. First impressions count!

Fast-Track Your Car Sale

There’s a bit of back and forth involved in selling your car, but with these five admin essentials sorted, you’ll soon be at the finish line. Round up all your documents, get your RWC, transfer the registration properly, and square away your insurance. That’s the fast-track way to hand over your keys without stress.

If you want more info about selling, have a look at these related guides:

• An overview of the process of selling a car in QLD can help you plan the journey from listing to handover.
• This paperwork checklist covers every document you’ll need in bite-sized detail.