In Western Australia (WA) vehicles must display clearly legible plates on gazetted roads. In most cases, lost or stolen plates can’t be remade and need to be replaced with new versions. In some instances, damaged plates can be remade.
Replace lost, damaged or stolen state, district or seasonal plates
A vehicle must clearly display both legible plates when driven on WA roads.
- Lost or stolen state district or seasonal licence plates can’t be remade and must be replaced with new plates.
- Only damaged state, district or seasonal licence plates may be remade.
If you find a plate, it should be returned to a DTMI service centre or regional agent, or by handing it in to your nearest WA Police station.
Number plates can’t be returned at an Australia Post Office outlet.
If one (1) or both of your licence plates have been lost or stolen, you must complete a Lost - stolen number plates notification (Form VL14) detailing the circumstances surrounding the loss or theft.
Any remaining plates should be presented to a DTMI service centre or regional agent. Upon payment, new plates will be issued to the vehicle. Fees apply.
Only the vehicle licence holder may complete the Lost/stolen number plates notification (Form VL14).
Note:
- There is a fee involved.
- You can’t repaint damaged faded or scratched number plates. The plates must be returned, and replacement plates purchased from a DTMI service centre or regional agent.
- Plates and stickers made to resemble official number plates are not permitted.
Remake of lost, destroyed, damaged or stolen optional plates
If your optional or personalised plates have been damaged, lost or stolen, you can have them remade.
When applying to have the plates remade, you may choose to change the plate size, vehicle type or colour combination if available within the corresponding plate range.
Note: For Corporate, Fundraising, Sporting and Local Authority plates, the current design will be used and may not be identical to the original design.
Please refer to the schedule of fees for costs.
Can your plates be remade?
The following table outlines which types of number plates can be remade if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
| Plate type | Lost | Stolen | Damaged |
|---|---|---|---|
|
District licence plate |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
State licence plate |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Seasonal licence plate |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Optional plates |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Personalised |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Remake plate process
Step 1: Application and payment
Applications may be submitted by post or in person if ordering a remake.
Remake fees are provided in our fee tables.
You can complete the application at a DTMI service centre or regional agent. EFTPOS, Visa or Mastercard payments are accepted at a DTMI service centre or regional agent.
Complete the application form and post it with cheque or money order payment to:
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
Plates Section
GPO Box R1290
Perth WA 6844
Please make cheques payable to Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure.
Fees
State plate fees
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ordinary number plate issue fee (first issue only) | $32.00 |
| Reissue a retained ordinary number plate | $19.40 |
| Remake an ordinary number plate | $52.10 |
Remake all other plate fees
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Remake Acrylic Optional Plates | $285.00 |
| Remake converted District Optional plates | $140.70 |
| Remake Aluminium Optional plates | $140.70 |
| Remake Personalised plates (black on blue - old style) | $80.50 |
| Remake Retro series plates | $140.70 |
Plate retention and re-issue fee
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Personalised and special licence plates series re-issue fee | $19.40 |
Step 2: Collection of your new plates
If your number plates are being remade it takes about 3 - 4 weeks to have them remade.
You’ll receive written notification advising you that your plates are ready for collection from the DTMI service centre or regional agent nominated on your application form.
You must take the following with you when you collect your plates:
- your damaged set of plates. Please note that lost or stolen state, district or seasonal plates can’t be reissued (even if they have been remade)
- primary proof of identification.
Optional plate applications
- If you're collecting or exchanging optional plates, the Right to Display and Trade must be in the vehicle owner's name. If it's not, the certificate holder must complete a Nomination of Right to Display form.
- Euro plates are supplied without pre-drilled holes. If you have them fitted by a third party (e.g. garage or car dealer), a fee may apply. DTMI isn’t responsible for any damage caused during the fitting process.
Collection of your new plates by a third party
Someone other than you may exchange and collect the number plates on your behalf, subject to the following conditions:
- the person collecting/exchanging the plates must have proper primary identification
- they present the damaged set plates
- the vehicle must be currently licensed or within the renewal period (i.e. 3 months prior to or following the expiry date).
Damaged or destroyed plates from declared emergency
If your licence plates have been damaged or destroyed due to a natural hazard that has been officially declared an emergency situation or state of emergency, you may be eligible for a free replacement.
A hazard is defined, but is not limited to, a cyclone, earthquake, flood, storm, tsunami or other natural event as defined under the Emergency Management Act 2005.
An emergency situation means a declaration made under section 50 of the Emergency Management Act 2005.
A state of emergency means a declaration made under section 56 of the Emergency Management Act 2005.
There is no time limit on the fee exemptions; however, these requests must be related to a hazard declared as an emergency situation or state of emergency.
To obtain a free replacement of your number plates you or your representative will need to visit your nearest DTMI service centre or regional agent and:
- complete the Declared Emergency Situation Damaged Documents/Plates Declaration (Form E47A) which includes a statutory declaration stating that the number plates were damaged or destroyed because of the natural disaster
- provide identification as outlined on the Declared Emergency Situation Damaged Documents/Plates Declaration (Form E47A)
- complete the Application for Plate Remake/Transfer (Form E45).
Fitting plates to your vehicle
Screws aren't supplied with plates issued by DTMI.
Standard plates are made of aluminium and have the following dimensions:
- Motor vehicle plate 372 mm x 134 mm.
- Motorcycle plate 254 mm x 100 mm.
- Auxiliary plate 253 mm x 99 mm.
Optional plates are made from either aluminium or acrylic. Plate size depends on the style you choose.
You can find size details on the PlatesWA website or in the Optional plates/remake application form.
You’ll need to take off the old plates and put the new ones on yourself, or you can ask a car dealership or garage to do it for you.
Why number plates matter
WA number plates are used to identify licensed vehicles. If you’re responsible for a vehicle, it’s your responsibility that the plates are properly attached and clearly visible, following the rules in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014. You’ll need to buy 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. Refer to Auxiliary plates.
If the existing vehicle number plates have been lost, stolen or damaged then standard replacement processes apply.