Licensing an interstate or overseas vehicle

Bringing an overseas vehicle to Western Australia

If you bring a vehicle from overseas you must take out Western Australian vehicle licence immediately. You will be required to present your vehicle at a examination centre along with your current registration papers and plates from the place of issue. You will require a temporary permit to drive the vehicle.

Bringing an interstate vehicle to Western Australia

Interstate vehicles that meet specific criteria do not require inspection before being licensed in Western Australia.

What vehicles qualify?

• Motor cars
  
  
• Goods/commercial vehicles
  
  
• Trailers, including trailer plant
  
  
• Caravans
  
  
• Motorcycles, including mopeds

What specific criteria must they meet?

The vehicle must be:

• A light vehicle (Tare weight/Aggregate weight less than 4500kg.)
  
  
• Currently licensed in your name in any Australian jurisdiction
  
  
• Licensed in your name for at least 12 months.
  
  
• Fitted with a Government approved immobiliser
  To be licensed in Western Australia, motor vehicles must have either a factory fitted or Government approved immobiliser. This does not apply to :
  • Vehicles that are 25 years or older 
  • Vehicles that have a Tare weight over 3000 kg 
  • Motorcycles
    
    
• Unmodified or issued with a modification permit
  For more information on modifications, see our Vehicle safety section.
  
  
• Not subject to annual inspections
  The following vehicles must be examined prior to the issue of a Western Australian vehicle licence:
  • Taxis;
  • Hire Vehicles;
  • Omnibuses;
  • Driving School vehicles;
  • Vehicles with 13 seats or more, including the driver;
  • School buses; and
  • Vehicles used primarily to carry children to and from school (8 seats or more).

How do I license my vehicle if it does not require an inspection?

If your vehicle meets all eligibility and documentation requirements, it doesn't need to be inspected.
 
To license the vehicle in this case, you will need to attend a Licensing Centre or Regional Agent with the required documentation. 

What documentation do I need?

The following documentation is required to support your application. If you cannot provide all of the below, your vehicle must be examined.

• Evidence of Tare weight for all vehicles except motorcycles.
  Tare weight is sometimes referred to as ‘Mass’.
  
  The Department will accept any of the following:
  • Vehicle licence papers.
  • Original owner's hand book (or similar); or
  • Weighbridge certificate.
    
    
• Evidence of Aggregate weight for all load carrying vehicles (towed and commercial/goods vehicles).
  Aggregate weight is sometimes referred to as GVM, GTM or ATM.
  
  The Department will accept either:
  • Vehicle licence papers; or
  • Original owner's hand book (or similar).
    
    
• Evidence the vehicle has been licensed in your name for at least 12 months, and is currently licensed in your name. 
  The Department will accept any of the following issued in your name, dated more than 12 months ago:
  
  
  • Vehicle licence or renewal document; as well as the current vehicle licence.
  • An offer to purchase, bill of sale or receipt;
  • An inspection receipt from a licensing authority or approved inspection station; or
  • An original owner’s hand book or similar, issued with a factory new vehicle.

You will also need:

• A completed Application to Licence Interstate Vehicle' (MR 20).
  You can download this from the Forms section.
  
  
• Proof of identity and residency.
  See the Proof of Identity section for more information.
  
  
• Your vehicle number plates.
  
  
• The appropriate fees to licence your vehicle for 6 or 12 months.
  You can find these in the Fees and Charges section.
  

For more information, please contact us.

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