Understanding the costs of registering a vehicle in Tasmania is important for financial planning and avoiding penalties. Whether you’re a new resident or a long-time Tasmanian, staying informed about the latest vehicle registration requirements is essential.
When registering your vehicle in Tasmania, you’ll encounter several costs paid to Transport Tasmania, including:
- Registration Fee
- Fire Levy
- Road Safety Levy
- Insurance/MAIB Premium
- Plate Fee
- Motor Tax
- Luxury Car Tax
Tasmania is one of the few states that base registration costs on the number of cylinders in a vehicle. Let’s examine these costs in detail.
Registration Fee
The registration fee covers the administration costs for your registration documentation and may vary based on full or concession rates, vehicle type, weight, and usage (personal or commercial).
| Full | Concession |
|---|---|
| $81.88 | $42.72 |
It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change annually. The concession rate is available for eligible pensioners, seniors, and other specific groups. To qualify for a concession, you must provide proof of eligibility when registering your vehicle.
Fire Levy
The Fire Levy is charged on every new vehicle and is paid to the Tasmanian government to fund fire services and emergency response programs.
| Full | Concession |
|---|---|
| $21.00 | $14.00 |
This levy helps support the Tasmania Fire Service in protecting lives, property, and the environment from fires and other emergencies. The funds contribute to equipment, training, and operational costs of fire brigades across the state.
Road Safety Levy
The Road Safety Levy is a recurring fee charged annually, aimed at improving road safety measures and initiatives. The fee is indexed according to Government Fee Units and may increase annually.
| Full | Concession |
|---|---|
| $28.71 | $17.23 |
The revenue from this levy is allocated explicitly to various road safety programs, including:
- Upgrading high-risk rural roads and intersections
- Implementing new technologies for traffic management
- Funding road safety education campaigns
- Supporting research into road safety improvements
CTP Insurance/MAIB Premium
The Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) Insurance or Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) Premium is a compulsory fee covering insurance and compensation for injuries and damage sustained due to accidents. The premium varies based on full-cost or concession rates, vehicle type, and usage.
| Full | Concession |
|---|---|
| $309.00 | $251.00 |
This insurance is crucial as it provides coverage for:
- Medical expenses resulting from road accidents
- Loss of income due to injuries sustained in road accidents
- Long-term care and support for those seriously injured
- Rehabilitation services to help accident victims recover
It’s worth noting that MAIB coverage extends to all road users in Tasmania, including pedestrians and cyclists, not just vehicle occupants.
Plate Fee
The plate fee covers the cost of manufacturing and issuing number plates, including production and administrative charges.
| Plate Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per Vehicle Registration | $24.03 |
In Tasmania, you have several options for number plates:
- Standard plates, included in the registration fee
- Personalised plates, available for an additional fee
- Special interest plates, such as those supporting local sports teams or causes
If you’re interested in personalised or special interest plates, you’ll need to pay a fee in addition to the standard plate fee.
Motor Tax
Motor tax is collected by the State Government as revenue and is calculated based on the vehicle type and the number of cylinders.
| No. of Cylinders | Motor Tax (GVM less than 3t) | Motor Tax (GVM from 3t to 4.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 cylinders or less | $136.00 | - |
| 4 cylinders | $159.00 | $306.00 |
| 5 or 6 cylinders | $199.00 | $355.00 |
| 7 or 8 cylinders | $273.00 | $407.00 |
| More than 8 cylinders | $306.00 | $458.00 |
| A vehicle with a rotary engine or electric motor | $159.00 | $306.00 |
This tax structure encourages the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles with fewer cylinders. Electric cars are taxed at the same rate as 4-cylinder vehicles, which may be seen as an incentive for adopting cleaner transportation options.
It’s important to note that vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or more are subject to different registration and tax rates, which are not covered in this table.
Motor Vehicle Duty/Stamp Duty
Motor Vehicle Duty or Stamp Duty is a fee paid to the State Revenue Office when purchasing a new vehicle or transferring an old one. It is calculated based on the vehicle’s market value or purchase price, whichever is higher.
| Dutiable Value | Stamp Duty Rate |
|---|---|
| $0-$600 | $20 |
| $600-$35,000 | $3 per $100 or part thereof |
| $35,000 - $40,000 | $1,050 plus $11 per $100 or part thereof over $35,000 |
| Over $40,000 | $4 per $100 or part thereof |
To better understand how this works, let’s look at a few examples:
- For a car valued at $25,000: Duty = ($25,000 / 100) * $3 = $750
- For a car valued at $38,000: Duty = $1,050 + (($38,000 - $35,000) / 100) * $11 = $1,380
- For a car valued at $50,000: Duty = ($50,000 / 100) * $4 = $2,000
It’s worth noting that some exemptions and concessions are available for stamp duty, such as for inherited vehicles or vehicles transferred between spouses.
Luxury Car Tax
Luxury Car Tax is a federal tax imposed on vehicles with a value above the LCT threshold. As this tax is federal, it is paid to the Australian Taxation Office.
For your convenience, we have written a separate article on Luxury Car Tax to help you determine if your vehicle is subject to this tax and how to calculate it.
Conclusion
Understanding the various components of vehicle registration costs in Tasmania is crucial for proper financial planning. While these fees may seem complex, they each serve a specific purpose in maintaining road infrastructure, supporting emergency services, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage for all road users.
Remember that these fees are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the official Transport Tasmania website for the most up-to-date information when renewing your registration or registering a new vehicle.
By staying informed about these costs, you can better budget your vehicle expenses and ensure you’re always compliant with Tasmanian registration requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car registration cost in Tasmania?
Car registration costs in Tasmania vary depending on several factors, including the number of cylinders in your vehicle. Fees include a registration fee ($81.88 for full rate, $42.72 for concession), fire levy, road safety levy, MAIB premium, plate fee, and motor tax. The total cost can range from around $600 to over $1000 depending on your vehicle type and circumstances.
What fees are included in Tasmania car registration?
Tasmania car registration includes several fees: Registration Fee, Fire Levy, Road Safety Levy, Insurance/MAIB Premium, Plate Fee, and Motor Tax. Additionally, when purchasing a new vehicle or transferring ownership, you may need to pay Motor Vehicle Duty (Stamp Duty).
How is motor tax calculated in Tasmania?
Motor tax in Tasmania is calculated based on the number of cylinders in your vehicle. For vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) less than 3 tonnes, the tax ranges from $136 for 3 cylinders or less to $306 for more than 8 cylinders. Electric vehicles and those with rotary engines are taxed at the same rate as 4-cylinder vehicles ($159).
What is the MAIB premium in Tasmania?
The MAIB (Motor Accidents Insurance Board) premium is a compulsory insurance fee in Tasmania that covers injuries and damages from road accidents. As of 2024, the full rate is $309.00, while the concession rate is $251.00. This premium provides coverage for medical expenses, loss of income, and long-term care resulting from road accidents.
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