Information on agricultural and farm vehicle licence concessions, relevant advisory committees, how to license agricultural machinery, and steps to obtain agricultural and special tractor vehicle licences.
Agricultural and farm vehicle licence concessions
The WA agricultural industry has access to a range of vehicle licence concessions.
Seasonally licensed vehicles aren't eligible for farming or other concessions.
If a concession is claimed on a vehicle that isn’t entitled to that concession, the vehicle licence will be deemed invalid. Continued use of the vehicle on the road will contravene the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012.
Farm vehicle concession
A 100% exemption of vehicle licence charges payable is available for vehicles owned by a farmer and used only on the owner's farm.
Rate
- 100% exemption - vehicle licence fee and vehicle licence duty.
Eligibility
Vehicle must be used only on the owner’s farm to pass from one part of the farm to another, or travel between the farm and another location only for:
- firefighting or fire prevention operations including fire control exercises authorised by a bush fire control officer (Bush Fires Act 1954)
- carting water for stock or domestic use, if the farm is in an area declared drought-affected or water deficient under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
Other conditions may apply as outlined in the Application for farm vehicle concession (VL39) - PDF.
Ineligible
- Hobby farmers or individuals not running a farming business.
- Tractors, headers, agricultural machinery, and agricultural special purpose vehicles.
Conditions
- Vehicle is issued with special number plates embossed with the word ‘FARM’.
Notes
No restriction on the number of vehicles a farmer can license under this concession.
Applicants must be a farmer or grazier, operating a farming business (owning or leasing the land).
If the vehicle is used on a road contrary to the conditions outlined, the vehicle licence will be deemed invalid under section 7(4) of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012. Motor Injury Insurance won’t apply, and penalties may be incurred.
How to apply
Applicants must submit an:
In person at a Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) service centre or regional agent.
Agricultural Machines and Agricultural Special Purpose concession for vehicles
Farmers, graziers, and farming contractors can apply for an Agricultural Machinery or Agricultural Special Purpose Vehicle concession for eligible vehicles they own - such as farm tractors, tractor plant, or self-propelled headers - provided the vehicles are used exclusively for farming or grazing activities.
Concession
- 100% exemption - vehicle licence fee and vehicle licence duty.
Eligibility
Vehicle must be used:
- only on the owner’s farm to pass from one part of the farm to another; or travel between the farm and another location for farming activities
- for firefighting or fire prevention operations including fire control exercises authorised by a bush fire control officer (Bush Fires Act 1954)
- for carting water for stock or domestic use, if the farm is in an area declared drought-affected or water deficient under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
Other conditions may apply as outlined in the Application for Agricultural Machinery or Agricultural Special Purpose Vehicle Concession (Farm Tractor/Plant) (VL18) - PDF.
Ineligible
- Quad bikes or farm utility/truck type vehicles.
Conditions
- Vehicles fitted with tracks of any kind must be approved by DTMI Vehicle Safety Policy prior to licensing.
- Truck based agricultural vehicles must be inspected prior to licensing, a Certificate of Inspection must accompany the application.
Notes
- No restriction on the number of vehicles a farmer can license under this concession.
- Contractors providing services to farmers may apply. They must sign Application for agricultural machinery or agricultural special purpose vehicle concession (Farm tractor-plant) (Form VL18) - PDF to declare vehicle will be only used for farming activities.
How to apply
Applicants must submit an:
- Application to license a vehicle (Form VL17) - PDF
- Application for agricultural machinery or agricultural special purpose vehicle concession (Farm tractor-plant) (Form VL18) - PDF
In person at a DTMI service centre or regional agent.
Farm haulage concession
A 50% reduction in vehicle licence charges is available for certain farm haulage vehicles, owned by a farmer.
Concession
- 50% reduction - vehicle licence fee. Full vehicle licence duty is payable.
Eligibility
Vehicle must be:
- a goods vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or used to haul a trailer or semi-trailer (vehicle combination) *
- used solely or principally for transporting products of, or requisites for, the owner's farming business on roads and road-related areas
- owned by a farmer and have an unloaded mass over 1,524 kg.
* Vehicle combination is a prime mover towing a semi-trailer or ridged vehicle towing a dog or pig trailer.
Ineligible
The following don’t qualify for this concession:
- converter dolly trailers, unless used with a dog trailer towed by a rigid vehicle
- agricultural machines or agricultural special purpose vehicles
- vehicles used for agistment or transporting horses
- vehicles used to transport goods/services for third parties for financial reward (e.g. transport businesses).
Conditions
- Applicants must provide a current Australian Business Number (ABN) to show they operate a farming business. A letter from the applicant's accountant may be requested to confirm the ABN provided is used exclusively for the farming business. If a letter from an accountant is unable to be provided, supporting documentation from the Australian Taxation Office or Australian Business Register may be submitted.
Notes
- Farmers may apply for a concession for up to 2 vehicle combinations per farming business (pending DTMI approval) if the business operates across non-adjoining farming locations (i.e. two farming locations per ABN provided and each location can have one vehicle combination).
How to apply
Applicants must submit an:
In person at a DTMI service centre or regional agent or via email concessions@transport.wa.gov.au.
Stock transporter's concession
A 50% reduction in vehicle licence charges is available for certain vehicles owned by a person who carries on the business of transporting stock.
Concession
- 50% reduction - vehicle licence fee.
Eligibility
A vehicle must:
- be owned by a person or organisation engaged in the business of transporting stock
- be used exclusively for transporting stock
- have a tare weight over 1,524 kg.
Ineligible
- Vehicles used to transport horses aren’t eligible for this concession.
Conditions
- Vehicle will be issued with stock plate(s).
- If the vehicle is used to carry loads other than stock, the owner must submit a completed Delete/reinstate stock transporter concession (Form E5) - PDF
Notes
- The concession can be reinstated when stock is being carried.
- Stock relates specifically to cattle, sheep, goats and swine.
How to apply
Applicants must submit:
In person at a DTMI service centre or regional agent or via email concessions@transport.wa.gov.au.
Farmer’s Motor Injury Insurance rebate - Class 2(F)
In addition to the aforementioned concessions, farmers may be entitled to a 50% rebate on the Motor Injury Insurance premium.
Concession
- 50% reduction - motor injury insurance.
Eligibility
Vehicle must:
- be owned by a farmer (primary producer) and used in the business of farming/grazing
- have a tare weight over 2500 kg or more
- be licensed as a motor wagon or prime mover (licence fee type 02 or 16)
- be used solely or mainly to transport products or supplies for the owner’s farming business for producing fruit, grain, flowers, vegetables, tobacco or farm/agricultural produce; or dairy farming, poultry and other bird farming, pig farming, bee keeping or oyster/fish culture; or a nursery; or rearing or grazing horses, cattle or sheep; or gathering leaves from which eucalyptus or other oil is distilled.
Conditions
- Application for Motor Injury Insurance Class 2(f) (Form E10) - PDF, must be completed and submitted at the same time a concession application is made.
Notes
- Only applies when submitted with the relevant concession application.
How to apply
To claim a reduction in Motor Injury Insurance, applicants must complete and submit:
- Application for Motor Injury Insurance Class 2(f) (Form E10) - PDF (along with relevant concession application)
In person at a DTMI service centre or regional agent or via email concessions@transport.wa.gov.au.
Agricultural Vehicles Advisory Committee (AVAC)
The AVAC brings together industry and government expertise to advise authorities on removing regulatory barriers to the safe and efficient transport of agricultural vehicles on public roads.
Its role is advisory, focusing on compliance and road safety issues related to agricultural vehicles. It doesn’t cover the transport of farm produce in goods vehicles, which falls under other transport forums.
AVAC members
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Agriculture and Food.
- Department of Transport.
- Farm Machinery and Industry Association of WA (FMIA).
- Main Roads WA.
- Motor Trade Association of Western Australia (MTAWA).
- Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia (PGA).
- Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc) (WAFarmers).
- Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).
- Western Australia Police Force.
- Western Power.
AVAC has developed a guide for towing agricultural implements and a series of fact sheets to assist farmers with the movement of towed agricultural equipment.
License an agricultural machine or farm vehicle
Some non-standard motor vehicles don’t need to be inspected before being issued a vehicle licence. These exemptions apply to vehicles that meet one of the following criteria:
Industrial use vehicles
- Designed primarily for industrial use (public or private sector).
- Operated by a person riding in or on the vehicle.
- Not intended mainly for transporting passengers, goods, or towing a semi-trailer on roads.
Specialised machinery vehicles
- Either is, or has permanently attached, equipment such as an excavator, road roller, grader, bulldozer, mechanical shovel, plough, rotary hoe, or similar machinery.
- Operated by a person riding in or on the vehicle.
- Not suitable for carrying any load other than accessories essential for its operation.
Although these vehicles are exempt from the standard inspection process, DTMI officers may still need to examine them to verify their specifications before issuing a WA vehicle licence. This examination is subject to a fee.
Tracked agricultural machines
Conditionally licensed rubber agricultural machines may operate on public roads under the following conditions.
- The machine must travel on continuous tracks that are either made of rubber or have rubber tips.
- It must only be driven or towed, when necessary, such as when moving between work sites.
- The tracks must comply with vehicle standards.
- No part of the machine, other than the rubber tracks, is allowed to contact the road surface.
Any rubber tracked agricultural machine that is oversize or over mass must operate in accordance with Main Roads WA's Agricultural Machine Operating Conditions - PDF.
Agricultural vehicle driver's licence
A driver’s licence isn’t needed to operate a tractor or agricultural vehicle on private property. However, to drive the vehicle on a public road, the driver must hold the appropriate licence. If the vehicle is oversize or over-mass, a permit from Main Roads WA may also be required.
- For vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4,500 kg or less, a C class (car) licence is required.
- For vehicles with a GVM over 4,500 kg, a heavy vehicle licence appropriate to the vehicle’s size and type is required.
Some towed agricultural implements are considered trailers and don’t need to be licensed. However, if these implements are towed on public roads (outside private property), the driver must hold the appropriate licence class.
Special tractor vehicle classes
Drivers who hold a C class (car) licence and need to operate tractors that fall within heavy vehicle classes, may apply for a conditional authorisation.
To apply for conditional authorisation for a vehicle class above Heavy Rigid (HR), the applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Apply for a conditional authorisation
To apply, the applicant must provide a letter of competency from their employer, or from an agricultural college staff member who holds the equivalent unconditional authorisation to drive that class of vehicle.
The employer or agricultural college staff member must be able to verify the applicant’s ability to drive a tractor.
The letter must be signed by both parties and must include:
- full name and occupation of the writer of the letter
- driver's licence number and licence classes held by the writer of the letter
- applicant's full name, driver's licence number and classes currently held
- number plate, make, model and tare weight of the tractor the applicant will be driving
- statement that the writer of the letter has trained and tested the applicant in tractor driving and found them to be competent
- number and type of agricultural implements the applicant would be towing when driving the tractor
- statement that the applicant is familiar with and understands the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014.
How to apply
To apply for a conditional authorisation, applicants need to attend DTMI service centre or regional agent and:
- submit a completed Towed Agricultural Implements declaration (Form E1) - PDF
- submit a letter of competency
- submit a completed Driver's licence application (Form DLA1) - PDF
- show the required proof of identity documents
- pass the eyesight test
- pay the application fee (call 13 11 56 for details).
The application will be assessed, and successful applicants will receive written confirmation of the conditional authorisation.