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Transfer a vehicle licence
Find out what you need to do to transfer a vehicle licence in Western Australia.
Buy or sell a vehicle
When a Western Australian licensed vehicle (including a car, caravan, motorcycle or trailer) changes ownership, the Department of Transport (DoT) must be notified:
- within 7 days if you are the seller
- within 14 days if you are the buyer.
Failure to do so will result in penalties being applied.
Other types of transfers
Spouse or de facto partner
If you need to transfer a vehicle licence to a spouse or de facto partner, you can do this in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre.
For more information refer to Transfer a vehicle licence between married or de facto partners.
Family members
If you need to transfer a vehicle licence to a family member, including gifting a vehicle, you will need to follow the same process for selling and buying a vehicle.
You must notify us of the dutiable value of the vehicle as vehicle licence duty is still applied.
Deceased persons or estates
If you need to transfer a vehicle licence from a deceased estate, you can do this in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre.
For more information refer to Transfer a vehicle licence from a deceased estate.
Transfer a vehicle from interstate
If you are transferring your vehicle from interstate, it must be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station and issued with a certificate of inspection before it can be licensed in Western Australia.
For more information refer to License a vehicle in Western Australia.
Transfer a vessel
If you need to transfer a vessel (boat) licence, there are different steps for buyers and sellers.
For more information, refer to Transfer a vessel.
Restrictions on transfers
The vehicle must not have any encumbrances
Both the seller and buyer should make sure the vehicle licence is free of any encumbrances (such as an outstanding debt). You can check the vehicle’s licence status online.
The vehicle must be currently licensed
Only currently licensed vehicles can be transferred. If a vehicle licence has expired by more than 15 days then it will be deemed unlicensed. The new owner will need to have the vehicle inspected and apply for a new vehicle licence.
Court orders
If a court order has been placed on the vehicle then a transfer cannot take place until the court order is lifted and evidence presented at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre, DoT regional office or agent.
Other circumstances
Joint ownership
If your vehicle is to be jointly owned, only one owner can be nominated as the vehicle licence holder. For more information refer to Vehicle owner responsibilities.
Vehicle dealers
If you are engaged in the business of buying or selling vehicles, you need to have a dealer’s licence.
For more information refer to Consumer Protection’s What is a motor vehicle dealer.
Enduring power of attorney
Where the owner is unable to sell the vehicle themselves, by being physically or mentally incapable of attending to their personal financial matters, the holder of an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) over financial affairs can sell the vehicle. They will need to provide certified copies of the EPA with the Notification of change of ownership – Vehicle Licence Transfer (MR9) form.
You can download the MR9 form from the Sell and transfer a vehicle licence page.
Competing claims for ownership
Find out what you need to do if there is a dispute related to the ownership of a vehicle.