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According to Car Sales Base, in just a span of a decade, car sales in Papua New Guinea have increased by 66.49%. People are increasingly wealthy enough to own a car and further proof is the number of cars listed for sale at dealers and through online classified websites such as MarketMeri.

But anyone planning to buy a car must abide by certain legal obligations with the government. This includes having a car registered before being able to drive it. In this article, we explain the the requirement to register your car or motorbike, the process to obtain registration and the the costs involved.

What do I need in order to register my vehicle?

Quite simply, you only need:

1. Valid identification
2. Completed application (Download here)
3. The specifics of your vehicle (weight, make, model, seating capacity, etc.)
4. A safety sticker
5. Proof of insurance (obtained from the insurance company itself)
6. Money to pay the registration fees for your car / vehicle.

Where do I get a safety sticker?

Safety stickers can be obtained from any Authorised Inspection Station that is approved by the Road Transport Authority of Papua New Guinea. These inspection stations will check the vehicle’s road worthiness.

Note that inspections of the vehicle for roadworthiness should be every 6 months still at an authorised inspection station. It is also important to remember that you cannot take your car for a drive unless you have a valid safety sticker. The only time you are allowed to drive the vehicle without a valid safety sticker is if you can prove that you are only using the vehicle for a roadworthiness inspection.

For a list of authorised inspection stations, you can contact the Road Traffic Authority office through +675 325 0722 or +675 325 031. You can also visit their office at the MVIL Building in Kunai Street, Hoholo, Port Moresby, NCD.

How much does a roadworthiness inspection and safety sticker cost?

The inspection will cost the following (note these costs regulatedf under PNG law Schedule 11 of the Motor Traffic Regulation of 1967):

• - Motor cycle with or without side-car - K1.00
• - Motor car or motor lorry weighing not more than 2,000 kg - K6.00
• - Motor lorry weighing more than 2,000 kg and prime movers - K8.00
• - Trailers where braking system not required - K1.00
• - Trailers where braking system required - K2.00
• - Articulated vehicles or large trailer combinations - K10.00
• - Omnibuses and public motor vehicles seating capacity under 25 - K8.00
• - Omnibuses and public motor vehicles seating capacity 25 and over - K10.00
• - Issue of safety sticker - K1.00
• - Replacement certificate of roadworthiness, safety sticker or both - K2.00

Where do I get insurance from?

There are different insurance providers that protects the finances and peace of mind of motor vehicle owners.

There are two types of car and motorbike insurance, comprehensive insurance and third party insurance. Comprehensive insurancer will insure your car for accidental damange and any other persons car or property that is damanged as a result of your fault. In contrast, third party insurance will only insure any party or property (e.g. a car) that is damanged or innjured as a result of your fault. It is compulsory in Papua New Guinea for all car and motorbike owners to maintain third insurancr at a minimum.

Should you wish to keep costs low and only insure your car for third party accidents, the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited has been delegated with responsibiltiy for offering minimum third party insurance. A list of their contact details and branch locations is at the end of this guide.

Alternativdely, comprehensive insurance, whilst more expensive, is generalyl highly recommended in Papua New Guinea. This is because roads are poor and dangerous to drive on, with accidents occuring frequently. In addition, car jacking and hold-ups are unfortunately common, in particular in the urban areas of Port Moresy. You can obtain comprehensive insurance from a ranger of providers such as  Trans Pacific Assurance Limited. These insurers will offer a range of tailored insurance packages is which covers accidents, theft and similar damage. 

How much does it cost to register a car?

There are different fees for different classifications of vehicles, depending on the weight and engine size of each. They are as follows:

Registration for private vehicles / cars:

• - 1300cc downward - K140.00
• - 1301cc to 2000cc - K160.00
• - 2001cc to 4000cc - K280.00
• - 4001cc upward - K400.00

Registration for vehicles / cars that will be used commercially or for business:

• - 1 tonne downward - K160.00
• -1 to 2 tonnes - K250.00
• - 2 to 3 tonnes - K320.00
• - 3 to 6 tonnes - K420.00
• - 6 to 8 tonnes - K550.00
• - 8 to 10 tonnes - K650.00
• - Per extra tonne exceeding 10 tonnes - K60.00

Registration for mortorcycles:

• - Motorcycle - K100.00
• - Motorcycle with side vehicle - K150.00

Registration for tractors and machinery:

• - Tractor - 2500cc downwards - K120.00
• - Tractor - 2501cc to 6000cc - K180.00
• - Tractor - 6001cc upwards - K400.00
• - Motor Tractors with Pneumatic Tyres -
• - Tractor - 2500cc downwards - K250.00
• - Tractor - 2501cc to 6000cc - K300.00
• - Tractor - 6001cc upwards - K400.00
• - Earthmoving Vehicles -
• - Forklift - K300.00
• - Front End Loader - K400.00
• - Grader - K400.00
• - Dozer - K400.00
• - Roller - K400.00

Registration for Trailers:

• - Trailers - 2 metres downwards - K100.00
• - Trailers - 2 to 4 metres - K150.00
• - Trailers - 4 metres upwards - K300.00
• - Transfer of Ownership - K50.00
• - Substitute of Registration Certificate - K50.00
• - Release of Information - Provision - K30.00

Other associated costs:

• - Replacement of Registration Sticker - K50.00
• - Replacement of Registration Sticker - public motor vehicle - K60.00
• - Transfer of Registration Number Plate - K35.00
• - Plate for use on a motor vehicle - K300.00
• - Plate for use on a motor cycle - K150.00
• - Replacement - certificates for trade plates - K100.00

Where do I get my vehicle registered?

According to the Road Transport Authority website the RTA has delegate the responsinility of licensing and registration of private cars, morotbike and other vehicles to Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL). For registration and licensing for commercial vehicles, these are sitll handled by the RTA. 

According to the MVIL website, you can register your vehicle is this this PNG Car / Motorbike Registration Form. You can also visit one of their many branches which are reference below. Should you need to renew either your vehicle registration or yiour driver's license, the MVIL website, allows you to do this online. Simply register for your MVIL account here.  

I would like transfer my registration to another car or owner - what do I do?

All transfers of registraton must be processed by the MVIL as well. No additional requirements are needed other than the copy of the previous registration, an up-to-date safety sticker, and the acquirer’s identification details, and fees.

You can download a copy of the PNG Transfer of Car / Motorbike Registration Form from the MVIL website and deliver it to the location listed below.

Other than it being required by the law, why should I register my car?

Police checkpoints are regularly setup around Papua New Guinea and in particular in Port Moresby and other capitals for security reasons. This helps prevent car theft in the country. In order to avoid trouble with the police and for your own safety, it is therefore highly advisable to follow the rules. And since registering your cars, motor bikes, and other vehicles is so easy, there's really no excuse to not be able to produce proper documentation when you get stopped for a quick inspection.

For more information please visit the Papua New Guinea Road Traffic Authority website and the MVIL Website.

Location of Motor Vehichle Insurance Limited (MVIL) Branches for Car & Motorbike Registrations:

• MVIL NCD Customer Service

  P.O Box 1157
  Port Moresby
  National Capital District
  Phone: 302 4600
  Fax: 325 8548
  
  

•  
• MVIL LAE

  POST PNG BUILDING
  TOP TOWN,
  P O BOX 3205
  LAE 411
  MOROBE PROVINCE
  Phone: 472 3299
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL KOKOPO

  WESTPAC BUILDING, ROOM 1
  KOKOPO TOWN
  P O BOX 570
  KOKOPO
  ENBP
  Phone: 982 8166
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

• MVIL HAGEN

  PROVINCIAL GVMNT BUILDING
  HAGEN TOWN
  P O BOX 1605
  MT HAGEN
  WHP
  Phone: 542 2876
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL GOROKA

  PROVINCIAL GVMNT BUILDING, GOROKA TOWNGOROKA
  P O BOX 886
  GOROKA
  EASTERN HIGHLANDS PROV
  Phone: 532 1190
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL WEWAK

  FRANCIS SAKIAS BUILDING
  WEWAK TOWN
  P O BOX 1019
  WEWAK
  EAST SEPIK PROVINCE
  Phone: 456 1032
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL VANIMO

  PROVINCIAL GVMNT BUILDING
  VANIMO TOWN
  P O BOX 196
  VANIMO
  SANDAUN PROVINCE
  Phone: 457 1483
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL KIMBE

  NURR HAUS KIMBE TOWN
  KINBE TOWN
  P O BOX 876
  KIMBE
  WEST NEW BRITAIN
  Phone: 983 5076
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL MINZ

  PROVINCIAL GVT BUILDING
  MINZ DISTRICT JIWAKA
  P O BOX 1455
  MINZ
  JIWAKA PROVINCE
  Phone: 546 5530/5570
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL KAVIENG 

  C/- TRAFFIC REGISTRY
  NUSA PARADE
  KAVIENG
  P O Box 577
  KAVIENG
  NIP
  Phone: 984 2300
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL TABUBIL

  c/-TABUBIL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
  TABUBIL
  P O BOX 364
  TABUBIL
  WESTERN PROVINCE
  Phone: 649 9009
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL LIHIR

  NIP Provincial Administration
  Lihir Sub DISTRICT
  LONDOLOVIT - LIHIR
  P O BOX 222
  LONDOLOVIT-LIHIR
  NIP
  Phone: 986 4961
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL TARI

  Provincial Government Building
  TARI TOWN
  P O Box 137
  TARI
  HELA PROVINCE
  Phone: 540 8648
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL MANUS

  PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ADMINSTRATION COMPLEX

  Phone: 4703808 Fax: 4703809

  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL GORDONS

  CPTA BUILDING
  VARAHE ST, Gordons
  P O Box 1157
  PORT MORESBY
  National Capital District
  Phone: 3170024
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL KIUNGA

  Aweambip Building
  Provincial Traffic Registry Office
  P O BOX 300
  KIUNGA
  WESTERN PROVINCE
  Phone: 649 2415
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

• MVIL - Kundiawa

  P.O. Box 670
  Kundiawa
  Simbu
  Phone: 535 1344
  Fax: 535 1344
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL Mendi

  Agiru Centre- Ground FLOOR
  P.O. Box 574
  Mendi
  Southern Highlands
  Phone: 549 1810
  Fax: 549 1841
  Status: Active
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL POPONDETTA

  POPONDETTA TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICE
  P O BOX 284
  POPONDETTA
  ORO PROVINCE
  Phone: 629 7362/7295
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL BUKA

  BUKA TRAFFIC REGISTR GREEN HAUS BUKA TOWN
  P O BOX 52
  BUKA
  AROB
  Phone: 973 9561
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL ARAWA

  CHEBU ST
  ARAWA TOWN
  P O BOX 226
  ARAWA
  AROB
  Phone: 975 1028
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL WABAG

  IPATAS BUILDING, WABAG TOWN
  P O Box 94
  WABAG
  ENGA PROVINCE
  Phone: 547 1427
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg
  
  

•  
• MVIL KEREMA

  GREEN HAUS, 2ND FLOOR
  2ND BLOCK, SECT10, LOT10
  KEREMA TOWN
  GULF PROVINCE
  Phone:
  Email: contact@mvil.com.pg