- Laws of Fiji

Last Updated: 1 August 2020

[LAT 11,480] Transfer of registration14

(1) The registered owner of a vehicle the ownership of which has been changed must notify the Authority of the change within 7 days after the date of the change.

(2) The new owner of a vehicle must, within 7 days after acquiring the vehicle, apply to the Authority for a transfer of registration of the vehicle.

(3) The notice referred to in subregulation (1) must include—

(a)the authorisation of all parties that have a financial interest in the vehicle; and
(b)the registration certificate.

(4) An application under subregulation (2) must include the name of any party that has a financial interest in the vehicle.

(5) Subregulations (1), (2), (3) and (4) do not apply to a change of ownership consequent on a contract of hiring where the period of hiring does not exceed 6 months or if the registered owner continues to employ and pay the driver of the vehicle.

(6) If the registered owner dies, the personal representatives of the deceased in Fiji or, in the absence of any personal representative in Fiji, the person in possession of the motor vehicle, is deemed to be the registered owner and the personal representative or that other person must notify the Authority of the death of the registered owner within one month from the date of death.

(7) Subregulations (1), (2), (3) and (4) do not apply to any change of possession of a motor vehicle which occurs by reason of the vehicle being lawfully seized under a hire purchase agreement or bill of sale but the following provisions apply—

(a)the registered owner must within 7 days of the seizure inform the Authority in writing of the change of possession and deliver up the certificate of registration; and
(b)the repossessor must within 7 days of seizing the motor vehicle apply to the Authority to be registered as the owner.

(8) If the registered owner of a motor vehicle fails to comply with this regulation, the Authority on being satisfied that a change of ownership has taken place lawfully may cause the motor vehicle to be registered in the name of the new owner, but without prejudice to any prosecution for an offence under this regulation.

(9) The Authority may refuse to transfer the registration of a vehicle until any outstanding prescribed fees have been paid in full.

(10) The Authority must issue a registration certificate to the new registered owner if it is satisfied that the transfer has been processed in accordance with these Regulations.

(11) The Authority may refuse to transfer the registration of a vehicle if it is of the opinion that the transfer is designed to defeat the purposes of regulation 12.

(12) The Authority must not transfer a vehicle if its registration has been suspended or cancelled under regulation 16.