In Western Australia (WA), you are required to license an off-road vehicle (including farm vehicles) if it needs to cross a road, street or highway whilst in use. Off-road vehicles are prohibited from crossing or travelling along public roads without a licence.
Heavy farm vehicles (over 4,500 kg) that are used for seasonal work, such as seeding or harvesting, can apply for a seasonal vehicle licence.
You are required to register an off-road vehicle if your vehicle won’t access public roads and is restricted to designated areas.
Licensing an off-road vehicle (non-agricultural or farm vehicles)
An off-road vehicle can be licensed only if there is a legitimate need to access one or more public roads (even if it is only for the purpose of crossing).
If you need to use your off-road vehicle on public roads for a valid reason, you’ll need to submit an application through the Department of Transport (DoT) Vehicle Safety and Standards branch.
A conditional (restricted use) vehicle licence will only be issued to an off-road vehicle if all the following criteria are met:
- There is a legitimate need to access one or more public roads (even if it is only for the purpose of crossing).
- Access can be performed safely.
Please provide as much information in your application as possible, to allow us to assess your need.
Vehicle Safety and Standards
Department of Transport
34 Gillam Drive
Kelmscott WA 6111
Fax: (08) 9216 3899
Email: tps@transport.wa.gov.au
Step 1: Apply for approval
If you have a genuine reason to use your off-road vehicle on public roads where a compliant vehicle can’t be used, you’ll need to apply for approval first. To do this, send an application (in the form of a letter) to DoT’s Driver and Vehicle Services – Vehicle Safety and Standards section (VSS).
What you need to Include in your application
When you apply, make sure you include the following information:
- Your details – name, address, and contact info.
- Vehicle details – make, model, year, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), engine number, size, weight (tare and loaded), and any other important info.
- Where the vehicle will be used – include a detailed map showing the areas and public roads.
- Why a regular (compliant) vehicle can’t be used – explain the reason.
- Why you need to use the vehicle – give details about what it will be used for.
- You might also need to provide written approvals from local councils, landowners, or a Road Safety Audit from an approved provider, depending on where the vehicle will be used.
- When taking your vehicle to be licensed, you must give the Vehicle Examiner a letter of approval from the Vehicle Safety and Standards (VSS) team.
Step 2: Organise an inspection
If you’ve received written approval from Vehicle Safety and Standards, you can then organise for your off-road vehicle to be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS).
Off-road vehicles will need to pass a roadworthiness inspection before a conditional (restricted use) vehicle licence can be issued.
Visit Get my vehicle inspected for more information on new vehicle inspections
Step 3: Complete an application form
Once the vehicle has successfully passed an inspection, you can complete an application to license a vehicle using the Application to license a vehicle (Form VL17).
Vehicle licence duty
Vehicle licence duty is payable on the dutiable value of the vehicle, including the value of any trade-in, unless evidence is produced that the vehicle was previously licensed in your name.
To find out how much duty is payable, visit our vehicle licence duty calculator. Where vehicle licence duty is applicable, it is payable at the time of licensing. Some persons and vehicle types may be eligible for an exemption on the payment of duty.
Please refer to Concessions for more information.