Get a vehicle inspected

DoT has authorised private businesses - Authorised Inspection Stations (AIS) - to provide vehicle inspections in metropolitan and regional areas of Western Australia. Their hours of operation may vary and some providers may offer weekend bookings, so you may need to contact several providers to find a suitable booking.

IMPORTANT: Please check that your vehicle is suitable for inspection at the time of pre-booking. Prior to booking a light vehicle inspection please ensure the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of your vehicle is less than 4,500kg. The GVM of the vehicle is captured on the vehicle licence paper (i.e. registration paper) or the compliance plate on the vehicle. If the GVM is 4,500kg or greater the vehicle must be inspected at a heavy vehicle AIS.

Motorcycle owners should tell the AIS the engine capacity/LAMS category of their motorcycle to ensure that the AIS has the correct class of licence (RE/R) to ride and examine the motorcycle being presented.

Note:

• If your vehicle is unlicensed (unregistered) you will need a Temporary Movement Permit to drive the vehicle to the AIS.
• For inspections of written-off vehicles, refer to our list of authorised written-off vehicle AIS.
• AIS do not inspect personal import vehicles.
• Owners of stretch limousines should tell the AIS of the dimensions of their vehicle when making a booking to ensure they are equipped to conduct an inspection.
• Light vehicles (4,500 kg and under gross vehicle mass) may also include caravans, trailers and motorcycles.
• Heavy vehicles (over 4,500 kg gross vehicle mass) may also include caravans and trailers.
• Exclusions may apply, please contact your preferred outlet for full details.

When DoT needs a new AIS, an ad is placed under Govt Tenders in the Saturday West Australian newspaper and in the local newspaper for that area. An ad will also be placed on the Tenders WA website.

DoT maintains a skilled group of examiners at its appointment-only Kelmscott Vehicle Examination Centre (VEC). These examiners inspect high risk, highly modified, and oversized vehicles, as well as tow trucks being licensed for the first time. They also provide ongoing training to all AIS examiners. Only customers instructed directly by DoT can make an appointment for an inspection at Kelmscott.

Book at an Authorised Inspection Station

• Online payments are not available for Authorised Inspection Station (AIS). You need to book and pay for the inspection fee directly with your chosen provider.
• AIS telephone numbers and hours of operation vary. Check the list of metropolitan providers on this page.
• Pre-payment is not available at an AIS.
• You will need to contact your chosen AIS directly to make any changes to your vehicle inspection booking.

Repairable written-off vehicles

To license a repairable written-off vehicle, two inspections are required. The initial inspection must be undertaken by an Authorised WOVR Provider. For more information visit License a repairable written-off vehicle.

Hail damaged vehicles

For more information on hail damaged vehicles refer to the following web pages: Hail-damaged vehicles (purchased at auction)

Unlicensed vehicles

You must first get a temporary movement permit (see Step 3).

Tow trucks

All tow trucks being licensed in WA for the first time, must be inspected at the Kelmscott Vehicle Examination Centre (VEC).

Customers can contact 1300 776 065 to book the initial tow truck inspection. At the time of inspection, you must ensure that:

• the modification plate contains T1 and T2 modification codes; and
• supporting modification paperwork is presented.

Once licensed, subsequent tow truck inspections may be carried out at an AIS.

You can obtain a temporary movement permit in three ways:

• Light vehicle owners have the option of purchasing a temporary movement permit online provided they are the holder of a WA Driver’s licence.

Light and heavy vehicle owners can:

• Call 13 11 56, or;
• Visit one of our Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional agents to obtain a temporary movement permit.

Contacting us

When you contact us:

• Ensure you have your vehicle's engine number, chassis number and plate number (if still attached) ready and
• Ensure you have the details of travel for the permit; including your point of departure, intended streets and suburbs and your destination.

Notes

A light vehicle is one that is less than 4,500 kg gross vehicle mass/aggregate in weight. This includes vehicles such as motorcycles, motor cars, utes, vans, trailers, caravans, small trucks and buses.​

1. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to avoid delay.
2. Weighbridge certificate if the tare/mass weight of the vehicle cannot be established from the manufacturer's specifications, previous licence documents or licensing records.
3. You are required to give 24 hours (business/working days only) notice of a cancellation or to re-schedule an appointment.
4. If a vehicle fails an inspection, the faults identified must be fixed before the vehicle can be presented for re-inspection.
5. You can book a vehicle re-inspection by calling your preferred Authorised Inspection Station. A re-inspection fee is applicable.
6. When calling, please ensure that you advise that you are booking a re-inspection and provide the inspection reference number from your initial inspection receipt as this is required to make the re-inspection booking.

Note: A Department of Transport vehicle examination is solely for determining whether a vehicle complies with applicable vehicle standards and statutory requirements for vehicle licensing purposes. It is not intended to be relied on as an assessment of a vehicle’s condition or of any of its parts. It is also not intended to be relied on for any decisions involving the value of a vehicle. 

Review your vehicle license documents carefully

If you believe that any of your vehicle's details such as engine, VIN, colour, or weight details were recorded incorrectly at an AIS, DVS centre, regional DoT office or agent, you can call the Customer Contact Centre on 13 11 56 to have the matter investigated.

If the original paperwork  is showing the same details as your vehicle licence documents and you still believe your vehicle details are incorrect, you must provide documentary evidence of the vehicle’s details to have the vehicle record updated.

To find out how to license your vehicle, please visit License a vehicle in Western Australia. 

Note: If you change the colour of your vehicle or you replace the engine in your vehicle, you must complete and submit a Change of Vehicle Details (E36) form.

A modification permit is not required when changing the colour of your vehicle, or when changing the engine if the new engine is a like-for-like replacement.

Any increase made to a vehicle's Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) requires a vehicle inspection. If the vehicle has been modified to facilitate the increase, it must be weighed, and a weighbridge certificate must be provided to the vehicle examiner for the vehicles new tare weight to be recorded. Certification from an authorised modifier, second stage manufacturer or engineering and recognised signatory may be required for any modifications made to the vehicle.