Last updated: October 2026
Short answer: unpaid fines do not stick to the car the way a loan does, but they can still stop you selling it. In Victoria, if fines go unpaid, Fines Victoria can direct the Department of Transport and Planning to suspend your registration and prevent the transfer of vehicles registered in your name. So the real question is not whether the car has fines, but whether your fines have reached the point where sanctions apply.
Fines, Tolls and Loans Are Not the Same
| Debt | Is it tied to the car? | Can it affect the sale? |
|---|---|---|
| Camera and police fines | No, they are owed by the person | Yes, if unpaid fines lead to sanctions that block transfers |
| Council parking fines | No, owed by the person | They can follow the same path if left unpaid |
| Toll invoices | No, owed by the account holder or registered operator | Unpaid tolls can escalate into fines |
| Car loan or finance | Yes, secured on the car | Yes. The lender must be paid out for the buyer to get clear title |
If your concern is a car loan rather than fines, see selling a car with finance owing instead.
What Sanctions Can Do
Transport Victoria says that if you do not pay your fines when they are due, Fines Victoria can direct the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning to:
- suspend your vehicle registration
- stop your registration being renewed
- prevent the transfer of any vehicle registered in your name
- stop vehicles being transferred or registered into your name
The department says it cannot remove a suspension or other direction until Fines Victoria tells it to, and that once the fines are paid, Fines Victoria directs it to end them.
How to Check Where You Stand
- Look at your letters. Notices of suspension are sent in writing with a start date.
- Check myVicRoads. Transport Victoria says you can check status by signing up for a myVicRoads account.
- Contact Fines Victoria on 1300 396 851, weekdays 8am to 6pm, to see what is owed and arrange payment.
Clearing the Way to Sell
If a sanction is in place, the practical order is:
- Find out the total owed and whether a payment arrangement is possible.
- Pay or arrange payment so Fines Victoria can direct the sanction to end.
- Confirm in myVicRoads that the transfer block has been lifted.
- Then book the sale and lodge the notice of disposal on the day.
Some people use part of the sale price to clear their fines. That can work, but only if the fines are dealt with in an order that lets the transfer go through. Talk to Fines Victoria first so there are no surprises on pickup day.
Why It Pays to Sort Fines Before You Advertise
If you find out about a transfer block after you have agreed a price, the buyer has to wait, and many will walk away. Private buyers in particular expect to drive off with the car transferred. Checking your status in myVicRoads before you advertise or book a buyer avoids an awkward pickup day and keeps your price intact.
It also helps you plan the money. If you know the fine total in advance, you can decide whether to pay it from savings, arrange instalments, or set aside part of the sale price, and you can tell the buyer exactly when the car will be ready.
Fines That Are Not Really Yours
If some of the fines were incurred by someone else driving your car, you may be able to nominate the driver. Fines Victoria lets you nominate when someone else was driving or when you sold the car before the offence date, and it says nomination is too late once a fine becomes a Notice of Final Demand. Details are on the Fines Victoria nomination page.
If You Are Struggling to Pay
Fines can snowball when money is tight. Fines Victoria offers payment arrangements, and free help is available from the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and from Victoria Legal Aid, which publishes guidance on dealing with fines. Getting advice early usually keeps more options open.
Tolls on a Car You Are Selling
Unpaid toll invoices can turn into fines if ignored, so it is worth settling them with the toll road operator before you sell. Also take your toll tag out of the car and remove the vehicle from your toll account, as covered in our checklist of what to remove before selling a car.
Once the transfer is clear, our cash for cars service across Melbourne and Victoria can buy the car and complete the paperwork with you on the day.
Quick Checklist Before Selling
- Any letters from Fines Victoria or the Department of Transport and Planning read and filed
- Registration and transfer status checked in myVicRoads
- Outstanding fines paid or a payment arrangement in place
- Toll invoices settled and the toll tag removed from the car
- Finance, if any, ready to be paid out at the sale
- Buyer’s details collected for the notice of disposal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my car if I have unpaid fines in Victoria?
Often yes, but if unpaid fines have led to sanctions, the transfer of vehicles registered in your name can be blocked until the fines are paid and the sanction ends.
Do fines stay with the car after I sell it?
No. Fines are owed by the person, not the car. But sanctions on you can stop the transfer from going through.
How do I know if my registration is suspended?
You are notified in writing, and Transport Victoria says you can check status through a myVicRoads account.
Can I use the money from the sale to pay the fines?
It is possible, but if a sanction blocks the transfer, the fines may need to be dealt with first. Speak to Fines Victoria before you book the sale.
Where can I get free help with fines?
The National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and Victoria Legal Aid both offer free information on dealing with fines.
Sources
- Transport Victoria: Suspensions and other directions for unpaid fines
- Fines Victoria: Nominate a driver
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About the author: Written by Steve, owner of Victorian Car Buyers, a licensed motor car trader (LMCT 12395) based in Delahey, Melbourne.