You’ll need to purchase and affix an auxiliary plate if a bike rack or mobility device is attached to your vehicle and obstructs the view of your rear number plate.
What are auxiliary plates?
In Western Australia (WA), an auxiliary plate is a secondary number plate issued by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI). It displays the same registration characters as your vehicle’s original plate and is specifically designed to be mounted on bicycle racks, wheelchair carriers, or other mobility devices when they obstruct the visibility of the rear number plate.
Upon payment of the required fee, DTMI will issue an auxiliary plate to assist vehicle owners in meeting their legal obligation to maintain plate visibility and support on-road law enforcement. These plates are intended solely for use when a rear-mounted accessory blocks the original plate and must be securely fitted in a clearly visible position.
Auxiliary plates are made of aluminium and have the following dimensions.
- Motor vehicle plate 253 mm x 99 mm.
Fees
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary licence plates | $32.00 |
General terms and conditions
When you apply for an auxiliary plate, you’re agreeing to the following terms and conditions:
- an auxiliary plate can’t be used on a taxi, small charter vehicle, omnibus or off-road vehicle
- payment in full is required on submission of the application
- an auxiliary plate remains the property of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DTMI
- the CEO reserves the right to refuse any application
- an auxiliary plate can’t be sold; however, it may be passed on to the new vehicle owner upon selling the vehicle or included in the transfer of optional number plates
- number plates no longer required must be returned to a DTMI service centre or regional agent on behalf of the CEO
- an auxiliary plate will only be produced on an aluminium plate with a white background and blue characters. Plate size and colour options, such as with optional plates, are not available
- the dimensions of the plate are 253 mm x 99 mm
- an auxiliary plate must be stored in a safe and secure location when not in use
- an auxiliary plate doesn’t replace the need for a vehicle to have the issued rear or front number plate fitted to the vehicle
- if an auxiliary plate isn’t collected from DTMI within 3 months after the date of a collection email issued to you, the plate will be destroyed. You’ll be required to pay for, and submit, a new application to request the manufacture of another auxiliary plate
- in addition to these terms and conditions, the regulatory requirements governing the plates on your vehicle must also be adhered to.
Step 1: Apply and pay for your auxiliary plate online
Auxiliary plates are only available via an online account on DoTDirect.
Secure payments can be made via debit or credit card. For further payment information visit Payment options.
You'll be asked to nominate a DTMI service centre or regional agent from which to collect your auxiliary plate.
Step 2: Collection of your auxiliary plate
You'll receive an email notification advising you that your plate is ready for collection from the DTMI service centre or regional agent you nominated when applying.
You must take the following with you to the DTMI service centre or regional agent when you collect your plate:
If the plate is not collected within 3 months of the date of the collection email, the plate will be destroyed, and you'll have to apply and pay for a new auxiliary plate.
Collection of your new plate by a third party
The vehicle owner may nominate another person to collect auxiliary plates, subject to the following conditions:
- the person collecting the plate must have proper primary identification, and evidence of your consent
- the vehicle must be currently licensed or within the renewal period (i.e. 3 months prior to or following the expiry date).
Fitting auxiliary plates to your vehicle
Screws are not supplied with plates issued by DTMI.
When a bicycle rack, wheelchair carrier or other device is fitted to the towbar of the vehicle and it or the load obscures the visibility of the rear number plate, an auxiliary plate should be securely affixed in an upright position parallel to the vehicle axles, no higher than the vehicle roof line so that it is clearly visible to the rear. Auxiliary plates are manufactured with mounting holes and slots pre-drilled to assist with options to affix the plate to the carrier or load.
Frequently asked questions – Auxiliary plates
You can download the following FAQS in PDF format.
It is the responsibility of the driver of a vehicle to ensure that the rear number plate issued for the vehicle is visible and legible. To assist the driver in this regard an auxiliary plate can be purchased. An auxiliary plate has the same characters as the number plate on the vehicle and is to be fitted to a bicycle or wheelchair carrier when one is attached to the rear of a vehicle.
You must have a DoTDirect account to apply for an auxiliary plate. From your DoTDirect account you may purchase an auxiliary plate for vehicles licensed in your name (some exclusions apply).
Don’t have a DoTDirect account? Register online for free.
See our auxiliary licence plates fees for costs.
Once you’ve applied and paid for an auxiliary plate, it may take up to 4 weeks for your plate to be ready for collection. We’ll send you an email when your plate is ready to be collected.
When you apply you’ll need to nominate a DTMI service centre or regional agent for the collection of your auxiliary plate. The vehicle must be currently licensed at the time of collection.
You must bring acceptable proof of identification with you when you collect your plate.
If another person is collecting the plate on your behalf, they must have acceptable identification and evidence of your consent. If the plate is not collected within 3 months of the date of the collection email, the plate will be destroyed, and you’ll have to apply for a new auxiliary plate.
Most vehicles are eligible to display an auxiliary plate where the primary number plate affixed to the vehicle is obscured. An auxiliary plate can’t be used for a taxi, small charter vehicle, omnibus or an off-road vehicle.
When a bicycle rack, wheelchair carrier or other device is fitted to the towbar of the vehicle and it or the load obscures the visibility of the rear number plate, an auxiliary plate should be securely affixed in an upright position parallel to the vehicle axles, no higher than the vehicle roof line so that it is clearly visible to the rear. Auxiliary plates are manufactured with mounting holes and slots pre-drilled to assist with options to affix the plate to the carrier or load.
We suggest you keep your auxiliary plate in a safe and secure location when not in use.
If an auxiliary plate is lost, stolen or damaged but the existing vehicle number plates are intact, you can apply and pay for a new auxiliary plate through your DoTDirect account. If the existing vehicle number plates have been lost, stolen or damaged then standard replacement processes apply. Refer to Replace lost/stolen or damaged number plates.
You must pass on an auxiliary plate to the new vehicle owner if the vehicle number plates are being transferred with the vehicle. If the new owner doesn’t want the auxiliary plate, you must return this to DTMI. The auxiliary plate remains the property of DTMI.
The seller should pass the auxiliary plate on to you if the vehicle plates are being transferred with the vehicle. If you don’t require an auxiliary plate, please return this to you nearest DTMI service centre or regional agent.
No, an auxiliary plate remains the property of DTMI. An auxiliary plate can’t be sold, it’s to be passed onto the new vehicle owner upon selling the vehicle or included in the transfer of optional number plates.
Visit the Sell or Transfer plates further information.
If you no longer require the auxiliary plate, please return it to DTMI service centre or regional agent for destruction.