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 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.

To order your replacement plates download and complete the application form below, and either post it, along with a cheque, to the Department of Transport, or 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.