Vehicle identification numbers (VIN)

Owner/Builders can request a low volume Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for a new trailer. A separate form is required to obtain a surrogate VIN for a motor vehicle in Western Australia.

If you have built your trailer prior to the current calendar year or refurbished your trailer, you will need to present the trailer for an examination. A request for a low volume VIN will be sent on your behalf by the Department of Transport Vehicle Examiners.

If you have applied for and have been allocated a VIN and your trailer is not built in this current calendar Year, contact the Department of Transport by return email, as the VIN allocated references the actual year the trailer was built.

To apply for a low volume VIN for a new trailer, please complete the online form, or the Request for Low Volume VIN for a New Trailer or Crane (E70) form, below.

Surrogate VIN for caravans

All unlicensed caravans, manufactured on or after 1 January 1989, that require a surrogate VIN must be presented to DoT Vehicle Safety and Standards (VSS) for an inspection, to allow the CEO to confirm the identity of the vehicle, establish if the caravan is a statutory write-off, and, additionally, to satisfy the CEO that the vehicle is both compliant and roadworthy for the purposes of licensing, unless VSS advises otherwise.

DoT must not grant a vehicle licence for an unlicensed caravan, manufactured on or after 1 January 1989:

• unless the vehicle has a VIN and is compliant with r.274 of the Regulations; or
• if the VIN has been, or appears to have been altered, defaced, obliterated or removed; or
• is determined to be a statutory write-off.

Imported trailers

Low volume VINs issued by the Department of Transport cannot be used on import applications for trailers manufactured overseas. WA issued VINs which are used for the importation of trailers will be deleted.

If you are importing trailers, you will need to contact the Manufacturer in the country which the trailers are being constructed, and obtain VINs issued within the country of manufacture, and provide these VINs on your import application.

If you are intending on importing trailers into Australia, visit the Australian Government website, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications for more information.

Owner/Builders can request a low volume VIN for a new crane. A separate form is required to obtain a surrogate VIN for a motor vehicle in Western Australia.

If you have built your crane prior to the current calendar year or refurbished your crane, you will need to present the crane for an examination. A request for a low volume VIN will be sent on your behalf by the Department of Transport Vehicle Examiners.

If you have applied for and have been allocated a VIN and your crane was not built in this current calendar Year, contact the Department of Transport by return email, as the VIN allocated references the actual year the crane was built.

Low volume VINs issued by the Department of Transport cannot be used on import applications for cranes manufactured overseas. WA issued VINs which are used for the importation of cranes will be deleted.

To apply for a low volume VIN for a new crane, please complete E70 form, below.

Imported cranes

If you are importing cranes, you will need to contact the Manufacturer in the country which the cranes are being constructed, and obtain VINs issued within the country of manufacture, and provide these VINs on your import application.

If you are intending on importing cranes into Australia, visit the Australian Government website, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications for more information.

You cannot change or replace an existing Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), with a different VIN.

Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (WA), authorises the CEO to assign a VIN if a vehicle does not have one.

A surrogate VIN may be required where:

• the original VIN has been removed where the vehicle has been repaired,
• the vehicle has been stolen and recovered where the identifiers have been removed or ground off,
• the vehicle was built prior to 1 January 1989, or;
• the original VIN does not meet the required standard i.e. it is less than 17 characters.

In such cases a surrogate VIN will need to be created and issued for that vehicle so that it can be registered.

Unlicensed caravans, manufactured on or after 1 January 1989 that require a surrogate VIN must be presented to Kelmscott Driver and Vehicle Services for inspection. Surrogate VIN will be issued at the time of inspection.

Note: If the VIN details on your licence papers do not match the number on the actual vehicle, it could be an administrative error in recording the correct number. Please contact DoT using the email below to start the process of resolving the issue.