Vehicle licence cancellations
Why are vehicle licences cancelled?
Vehicle licences may be cancelled for a number of reasons
| Reason for cancellation | Action taken |
|---|---|
| Outstanding work order/defect notice | Cancellation |
| Dishonoured payments | Cancellation |
| Failure to fit an immobiliser | Cancellation |
| Vehicle added to written-off vehicle register | Immediate cancellation |
| Voluntary cancellation of vehicle licence by owner | Immediate cancellation |
How and where to return number plates
If your vehicle licence has been cancelled, the number plates must be surrendered to a Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional Agent.
Number plates cannot be returned to Perth metropolitan Australia Post outlets.
Plates can also be posted back to Driver and Vehicle Services at the following address. Please include a note explaining why you are returning the plates.
| Street address | Postal address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Application for refund (Form C2) | Kb |
|---|---|
| Lost - stolen number plates (Form VL14) | Kb |
WA licensed vehicles transferred interstate
If you have a WA licensed vehicle and you no longer reside in WA, you must return the number plates to the WA Department of Transport within three months of the current expiry date. Number plates must be returned within the prescribed period to avoid penalty.
If you have transferred the WA licensed vehicle to another State/Territory and subsequently surrendered the number plates, you will be issued with a plate receipt. You are required to send a copy of this plate receipt to the WA Department of Transport by fax or post.
| Street address | Postal address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1300 669 995 Fax from outside Australia +61 8 6551 7021 |
Outstanding work order/defect notice
If you own a vehicle that has been issued with a work order, you must have the vehicle inspected or alternatively return the number plates and cancel the vehicle licence.
Should you fail to comply with the notice, you will be issued with an Infringement Notice and the vehicle licence will be cancelled. If you fail to pay the infringement, the matter will be referred to the Fines Enforcement Registry for action.
Voluntary cancellation of vehicle licence by owner
Vehicle owners can voluntarily cancel their vehicle licence by surrendering the number plates, or by completing a 'Lost - stolen number plates (Form VL14)'. If the vehicle is licensed in joint names, only the nominated responsible person needs to complete the 'Lost - stolen number plates (Form VL14)'.
Vehicle owners can then apply for a pro-rata refund of the licence fees for the balance of the remaining licence period.
| Lost - stolen number plates (Form VL14) | Kb |
|---|
Failure to fit an immobiliser
If you purchase a vehicle, you must ensure that it is fitted with an approved immobiliser before payment of the transfer. If an immobiliser is not fitted, you will receive a 'Requirement to Fit an Immobiliser' letter.
Failure to respond to this will result in the issue of a 'Notice of Intention to Cancel Vehicle Licence' letter and then, again if no action is taken, with a 'Notice of Cancellation of vehicle Licence'.
Vehicles added to the Written-Off Vehicles Register (WOVR)
Licences of vehicles recorded on the Written-Off Vehicles Register (WOVR) as a statutory or repairable write-off will be cancelled.
- Statutory write-off - the VIN number is cancelled and can never be licensed.
- Repairable (economic) write-off - the vehicle can be re-licensed subject to an identity and roadworthiness examination.
Owners can apply for a pro-rata refund of the licence fees for the balance of the remaining licence period. The date of the accident or the date the vehicle was stolen must be supplied.