QLD Rego Going up July 1 2013 if paid by Credit Card

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MOTORISTS promised a freeze on private car registration fees by the Newman Government will face an increase from next July if they pay with a credit card.

State Budget papers show Transport and Main Roads will start passing on merchant fees charged by banks from July 1, in order to raise $10.5 million in revenue during the next three years.

The fees will also apply to other TMR transactions, including driver licences, traffic fines, driving exams and boat registration.

The charge means motorists will pay between $5.25 and $13.60 more for the registration of a four-cylinder vehicle, from $6.57 to $17 extra to register a six-cylinder car, and from $8 to $20.70 extra for an eight-cylinder car.

Merchant fees charged by banks on credit card transactions range from 0.81 per cent to 2.1 per cent.

A spokesman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the charge was about "cost recovery".



"The charge does not apply when paying by cash, cheque or debit card through Australia Post or a Customer Service Centre, or via BPAY," he said.

But Paul Turner, from peak motoring group RACQ, questioned why the Government was counting on the measure to raise $3.5 million a year if it was simply "covering charges".

"While we welcome the registration freeze (for private vehicles), the basic fact is Queensland motorists still pay more than any other state to drive a car," Mr Turner said.
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