Free and easy transfer of a vehicle between family members

Subject:
Free and easy transfer of a vehicle between family members
Eligibility:
Residents of ACT
Sponsoring member:
Ms Jo Clay MLA
No. of Signatures:
9
Posting Date:
Closing Date:
31/3/2022
Tabled:
5/4/2022
Referred to Minister:
5/4/2022
Responded to:
Information about the Principal Petitioner is available through the sponsoring Member of the Legislative Assembly's office
TO: The Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly
Reason for this Petition

The following residents of the ACT draw to the attention of the Assembly: unfortunately, there is no easy way to transfer registration of a vehicle to another family member unless they pay stamp duty and go through some arduous paperwork.

A family member (such as a parent or guardian) in the ACT may fund or partially fund a vehicle for a family member (such as a son or daughter) and then put it in their name.

This can lead to a parent/guardian/family member getting a traffic offence fine in the mail box in their name, instead of the person driving. There are ways to change who gets a fine in this instance but it is an unnecessary inconvenience.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to: make it easy to change vehicle ownership between family members through Access Canberra.

Convenience and reduced cost of living is only one side of the benefits of vehicle transfer between family members. It can also allow more independence for someone who got the vehicle from a family member as a minor and as an adult wants to have vehicle ownership transferred to the vehicle as they drive. It is a symbolic and practical step for that person to become independent.

Having some else have legal ownership of the car also makes it more likely that this can be used to control someone, financially or otherwise.

Vehicle transfer between family members is available in Victoria and the ACT should follow suit.