Yellow stickers (defect notices)
If a 'yellow sticker' (defect notice) is attached to your vehicle it cannot be driven on the road for general use after the expiry date shown.
Provided the vehicle is registered it may be driven to any metropolitan examination centre to be examined. If the vehicle becomes unregistered a temporary movement permit is required.
An extension to the defect notice may be arranged in person by presenting your vehicle at a examination centre or Approved Inspection Station for a full examination of the vehicle concerned.
An examination fee entitles you to one full examination only.
These fees are transferable between examination centres but not between approved inspection stations.
If it is not possible to arrange for the vehicle to be examined within 14 days of the expiry date of the defect notice, you should surrender the licence plates at any licensing centre. The examination to re-register the vehicle is exactly the same as the examination to clear a defect notice.
Remember, a temporary movement permit must be obtained before an unregistered vehicle is driven to an Examination Centre.
If you have sold, or otherwise disposed of the vehicle, you should advise licensing services urgently (ph:13 11 56). This will allow infringements and renewals to be directed to the correct owner.
Interstate defect notices
A defect notice may be extended or cleared in any state or territory of Australia, regardless of where the vehicle is registered or the notice issued. A reciprocal arrangement between the States and Territories ensures that any action in respect of a defect notice is notified by the issuing authority to the home state or territory and vice versa. Details of the defect notice and the vehicle are recorded by both the state/territory in which the vehicle is registered and the state/territory in which the defect notice is issued.
To have an interstate defect notice extended or cleared the vehicle should be presented at an examination centre in any state or territory. Advice may be sought concerning any further action required.
If you do not respond to the defect notice
A first and final notice will be issued to the owner of a vehicle that has not been fully examined within 14 days of the expiry date of a defect notice. This Notice requires the owner to either have the vehicle examined or surrender the Licence plates. Failure to comply will result in the seizure of your licence plates and the issue of an infringement notice. A plate seizure order will be produced if a vehicle has not been fully examined within 28 days of the expiry of the defect notice.
Once this occurs the vehicle registration may not be renewed until the a full examination has occurred and the defect notice either extended or cleared.
Once the plates have been seized the vehicle is unregistered and a temporary movement permit is required to present the vehicle for examination.
An extension to the defect notice may be arranged following a full examination of the vehicle at any examination centre or Approved Inspection Station. An examination fee entitles you to one full examination only. These fees are transferable between metropolitan examination centres but not between approved inspection stations.
If you have sold, or otherwise disposed of the vehicle, you should advise licensing services urgently. This will allow infringements and renewals to be directed to the correct owner. If you do not respond a plate seizure order will be issued.
