Replace lost/stolen or damaged number plates

A vehicle must clearly display both legible plates when driven on gazetted roads.

• Lost or stolen state district or seasonal licence plates cannot be remade.
• Lost or stolen state, district or seasonal licence plates will be replaced with new ordinary plates.
• Only damaged state, district or seasonal licence plates may be remade.

If you find a plate, it should be returned to a DVS centre, regional DoT office or agent, or by handing it in to your nearest Police station.

Note: Number plates cannot be returned at an Australia Post Office site.

Where one or both of your ordinary licence plates have been lost or stolen, you must complete a 'Lost - stolen number plates notification (VL14)' form detailing the circumstances surrounding the loss or theft.

Any remaining plates should be presented to a Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional agent.

If your plates were confiscated by a police officer, they will tell you where the plates will be taken. If you have not been advised, you will need to contact the Western Australia Police Force.

If your plates were seized by the Sheriff due to outstanding debts, they will be held at the Central Law Courts, 501 Hay St Perth, until the debt has been paid.

If the number plates are not collected within 28 days of paying the debt, the Sheriff will return the number plates to the DVS centre in West Perth where you will have a further 90 days to have the plates reissued.

Note:

• Only the vehicle licence holder may complete the 'Lost - stolen number plates notification (Form VL14)'.
• There is a fee involved.

If your number plates have been damaged or destroyed as a direct result of a hazard that has been declared an emergency situation or state of emergency, you may be eligible for a free replacement of the number plates.

A hazard means, 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 a DVS centre, DoT regional office or agent.

• Complete the Declared Emergency Situation Damaged Documents/Plates Declaration (E47A) form 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 (E47A) form.
• Complete the Application for Plate Remake/Transfer Form E45.

If your optional or personalised plates have been damaged, lost or stolen, you can have them remade.

Please refer to the schedule of fees below for costs involved.

If your number plates have been damaged or destroyed as a direct result of a hazard that has been declared an emergency situation or state of emergency, you may be eligible for a free remake of the number plates.

A hazard means, 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 remake of your number plates you or your representative will need to visit a DVS centre, DoT regional office or agent.

• Complete the Declared Emergency Situation Damaged Documents/Plates Declaration (E47A) form 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 (E47A) form.
• Complete the optional plates/remake application form.

To order your replacement plates download and complete the application form below, and take it to your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional Agent.

Screws are not supplied with plates issued by DoT.

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 of aluminium or acrylic and the sizes of the various plate series can be found by visiting PlatesWA, or on the first page of the Optional Plates Application Form.

If optional plates are ordered and the application approved, the plates will not be released until they can be affixed to a licensed vehicle.

You will need to organise the removal of the old plates and attach the new plates or arrange for them to be fitted by a car dealership or garage.

WA number plates are issued to identify licensed vehicles. If you are responsible for a vehicle, you must ensure that any plate or plates issued are kept rigidly fixed to the vehicle and displayed in line with the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (WA). WA number plates must not be used for decorative purposes or kept for sentimental reasons. If the plates are no longer in use, they must be returned to the DoT. Failure to do so, may lead to a penalty.

You will 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. Refer to Replace lost/stolen or damaged number plates.