Registration, stamp duty and other on-road costs can add a meaningful amount to the price of a new truck, and many buyers assume these must be paid in cash at settlement. In practice, these costs can often be folded into the finance amount, subject to the lender, your circumstances and how the deal is structured. Here's what to know before you buy.
What On-Road Costs Actually Cover
On-road costs are the expenses that get a truck from the dealer yard onto the road legally, typically including registration, stamp duty, dealer delivery, roadworthy checks and sometimes CTP insurance. For a new or used truck purchase, these costs can add a meaningful amount on top of the vehicle price, and many buyers are surprised when they're not automatically included in the quoted purchase figure.
Yes, Finance Can Often Cover Them
In many cases, on-road costs can be rolled into the finance amount alongside the truck price, rather than paid upfront out of pocket. This depends on the lender, the loan structure and how the deal is put together, which is exactly where a broker earns its keep, structuring a facility that may capture these extras where the lender allows it, subject to approval.
How Much Can Be Financed
Overdrive Truck Finance arranges facilities from $20,000 to $10 million and beyond, with no-deposit and up to 100 percent finance options that may be available on eligible deals, which gives room to include on-road costs without straining working capital. Terms run from 1 to 7 years, so repayments can be spread to suit cash flow rather than forcing a lump sum outlay at settlement.
Other Costs Worth Factoring In
Beyond registration, buyers often need to budget for insurance, signage, GPS or telematics fitout, and any body or trailer modifications, and some of these can also be considered as part of a broader finance structure depending on the lender and asset type. Costs here vary widely depending on the truck, trailer, fitout and supplier, so it's worth getting quotes for your specific setup rather than relying on a rule of thumb. Getting all of this mapped out before you sign anything helps avoid a cash squeeze in the first few months of ownership.
Why Structuring Matters
How on-road costs are financed can affect your rate, your GST and tax treatment, and your total cost over the loan term, so it pays to compare options rather than accept the first offer. Rates may be available from 6.55% p.a. for well-qualified applicants, with higher-risk profiles potentially attracting rates up to around 15% p.a.; these figures are indicative only and subject to lender criteria, credit assessment, fees, terms and approval.
Low-Doc and Full-Doc Pathways
Whether you're a newer ABN holder using a low-doc or no-doc pathway up to $500,000, or an established operator seeking full-doc finance up to $10 million and beyond, the way on-road costs are bundled into the facility can differ, and we compare 80+ banks and non-bank lenders to find a structure that may fit your situation.
Get an Obligation-Free Quote
If you want to know whether registration and other on-road costs can be included in your next truck or trailer finance package, reach out to Overdrive Truck Finance for an obligation-free quote. Pre-approvals and approvals may be available quickly on eligible applications, subject to lender assessment, and an initial enquiry involves only a soft credit check with no impact on your credit score, so there's no reason not to ask.
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