New Vehicle Licensing/Registration Rules .. 2010
This information can be viewed at
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/yourvehicle/20161.asp.
1. Why haven’t I been issued a registration sticker or disc?
Recent changes to the Road Traffic Act 1974 mean that, from 1 January 2010, owners of WA registered light vehicles will no longer be issued with nor need to display a registration sticker or disc.
2. What is a light vehicle?
Light vehicles have a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) less than or equal to 4.5 tonnes.
This generally includes:
cars;
motorcycles;
trailers;
boat trailers;
horse floats; and
caravans.
3. Why aren’t registration stickers and discs being issued?
This decision was made because;
WA Police now have the technology to immediately
check a vehicle’s registration status using the vehicle number plate details;
The use of technology renders the registration sticker obsolete;
There are environmental benefits in reduced production and wastage; and
Owners will no longer have to struggle to scrape the sticker off.
4. When did this change happen?
Registration stickers and discs are no longer required for light vehicles from 1 January 2010.
5. How will I know when my vehicle registration is due?
Transport will continue to send renewal notices to vehicle owners six weeks before the registration expires.
6. How will I know if my vehicle registration is valid and/or has been paid?
Transport recommends that you retain your current registration papers and receipt details following your payment.
7. How will WA Police know that my vehicle registration is valid?
The WA Police have a number of technological aides to
check registration status, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition devices and the new TADIS computer system available in police vehicles and in hand-held units for police on the beat. This system enables the instantaneous retrieval of the current registration information of the vehicle.
8. If I travel interstate, how will local police know my vehicle/trailer/caravan is registered?
All police in Australia are able to access information regarding a WA vehicle registration. However, this may not be available instantly in all instances to police in other states as it is in WA. Transport recommends drivers of WA registered vehicles carry the current registration papers in the vehicle when driving interstate. This will reduce any inconvenience caused to drivers of WA registered vehicles should police in other states wish to confirm the validity of their vehicle registration.
9. If I’m not getting a sticker or disc, do I even need to pay my registration?
Yes, you still need to pay your registration by the due date. The sticker or disc was only used as an indicator of a vehicle’s registration for law enforcement purposes. All vehicles used on WA roads must have valid registration. If you use a vehicle on the road without paying for the vehicle registration you may be committing an offence and you are not covered by a compulsory third party insurance policy.
10. Will my registration be cheaper now that I’m not getting a sticker or disc?
The vehicle registration fees are reviewed annually, including assessment of costs, service delivery and any adjustments for other factors such as CPI increases. The production of vehicle registration stickers and discs forms a small component of the registration fees charged to register your vehicle. While Government will save approximately $2 million over four years by not printing and posting registration stickers and discs, there are over 1.5 million light vehicles registered in WA and the saving per individual vehicle may not be noticeable by the owner.
11. What if I drive someone else’s car? How do I know the registration is valid?
You can ask the owner to see the current vehicle registration papers and receipt details. If the owner is unable to locate the current registration papers and receipt details, they can
check the expiry of the vehicle’s registration through an online vehicle registration expiry enquiry service.
12. What do I do if I want to sell my car?
You should always retain your vehicle renewal notice with payment receipt details. When selling a vehicle, you are required to provide these papers (referred to as the vehicle licence) to the new owner.
13. What do I do if I want to buy a car and I am unsure of the registration status of the vehicle?
You should ask to see the current registration papers for the vehicle and this should be provided to you when you purchase a vehicle. If unsure, the owner can
check the registration details of their vehicle using the online vehicle registration enquiry service.
14. What about trucks/heavy vehicles?
Heavy vehicles (i.e. all vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of more than 4.5 tonne) will still be required to display a heavy vehicle registration label. This is part of the national charging and enforcement regime.
The heavy vehicle registration label shows the vehicle configuration, make, body type, vehicle identification number, gross vehicle mass, gross combination mass, manufacturer’s gross combination mass and any conditions that apply. Light vehicle registration stickers and discs only showed the month and year of registration expiry.
15. Do I have to take my sticker off now or can I wait until my registration is due for renewal?
It’s your choice! You can remove the sticker on or after 1 January 2010 or you can wait until your registration is due for renewal.
16. My registration expires next year. Will I get a registration sticker or disc?
If you renewed your registration before 1 January 2010, you will still receive a sticker or disc. If you renew your light vehicle registration after 1 January 2010, you will not receive a sticker or disc.
17. I renewed my registration until March 2010 (or after). Can I have a sticker or disc?
Registration stickers and discs will no longer be issued from 1 January 2010.
18. Will Australia Post give me a sticker or disc?
No, Australia Post outlets will no longer issue registration stickers and discs from 1 January 2010.
19. I live in regional WA. Do I need a sticker or disc?
All owners of WA registered light vehicles will no longer need to display a registration sticker or disc from 1 January 2010. This is regardless of whether the vehicle is used in regional or metropolitan WA.
20. My windscreen was replaced and it had a sticker on it. Do I need a new sticker?
If your windscreen was replaced after 1 January 2010, you do not need to obtain a replacement sticker.
Maîneÿ . . .