Off-road vehicles that need to access public roads require a license.
In Western Australia (WA), you are required to license an off-road vehicle (including farm vehicles) if it needs to cross a road, street or highway whilst in use. Off-road vehicles are prohibited from crossing or travelling along public roads without a licence.
Heavy farm vehicles (over 4,500 kg) that are used for seasonal work, such as seeding or harvesting, can apply for a seasonal vehicle licence.
Licensing agricultural or farm vehicles
Due to the nature and distances involved in regional work in WA, agricultural and farm vehicles sometimes need to use public roads. This can range from simply crossing the road to another paddock, carting water, conducting fire prevention or control, travelling to the nearest place of repair or even travelling some distance to an outlying farm.
Generally, they don’t need to be assessed by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) and can be licenced via the form, Application for farm vehicle concession (Form VL39) - PDF.
Examples of agricultural and farm vehicles that can be conditionally licensed include:
- tractors/plants
- agricultural machinery (towed and self-propelled headers)
- agricultural special purpose vehicles (quad bikes).
A conditional (restricted use) vehicle licence will only be issued if all the following criteria are met:
- there is a legitimate need to access 1 or more public roads (even if it is only for the purpose of crossing)
- access can be performed safely.
Step 1: Get a roadworthiness inspection
Off-road vehicles will need to pass a roadworthiness inspection before a conditional (restricted use) vehicle licence can be issued.
Please go to Get a vehicle inspected for more information on new vehicle inspections.
Step 2: Complete an application
Once the vehicle has successfully passed the examination, you can complete an application to license a vehicle using the Application for farm vehicle concession (Form VL39).
Vehicle licence duty (stamp duty)
Vehicle licence duty is payable on the dutiable value of the vehicle, including the value of any trade-in, unless evidence is produced that the vehicle was previously licensed in your name.
To find out how much duty is payable, please use our vehicle licence duty (stamp duty) calculator. Where vehicle licence duty is applicable, it is payable at the time of licensing.
Some people and vehicle types may be eligible for an exemption on the payment of duty.
Please refer to Concessions for more information.
Step 3: Provide proof of identity
Only 1 person can be nominated as vehicle licence holder.
Proof of identity: Nominated owner - vehicle licence holder (Form VL186) is to be used where the vehicle is jointly owned to nominate licence holder. This form must accompany the new vehicle licence application form to verify the applicant's particulars.
For more information on proof of identity requirements, download the information sheet, Primary & Secondary Proof of Identity.
Step 4: Submit the application in person
Applications for a new vehicle licence must be submitted in person at a DTMI service centre or regional agent.
You'll need to provide:
- completed Application for farm vehicle concession (Form VL39)
- proof of vehicle ownership.
You’ll need to provide 1 form of primary and 1 form of secondary identification. Refer to our Proof of identity requirements or refer to our Primary & Secondary Proof of Identity fact sheet to see what documents you can use.
You may also need to present a weighbridge certificate if the tare/mass weight of the vehicle can’t be established from the manufacturer's specifications, previous licence documents or licensing records.
Once the vehicle is licensed a new set of number plates will be issued.
Licensing heavy farming vehicles
Heavy farm vehicles (over 4,500 kg) that are only used for seasonal work, such as seeding or harvesting, can apply for a seasonal vehicle licence.
For more information, download IB-122H: licensing of vehicles not designed for on-road use (Information Bulletin).
Quad bikes and utility vehicles on farms
DTMI has mandatory requirements for riders of conditionally licensed quad bikes used on WA public roads to wear approved motorcycle helmets.
The condition code 400 'Rider must wear an approved motorcycle helmet when operating vehicle on a road' is now added to quad bike licences.
For information on the use of quad bikes on farms, download our fact sheets.
The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and safety’s Worksafe website provides extensive information about the safe use of quad bikes on farms.
Licensing an off-road vehicle (other than for agricultural or farm use)
If you need to use your off-road vehicle on public roads for a valid reason, other than for agricultural or farming use, you’ll need to submit an application through DTMI's Vehicle Safety and Standards (VSS).
A conditional (restricted use) vehicle licence will only be issued to an off-road vehicle if all the following criteria are met:
- there is a legitimate need to access one or more public roads (even if it is only for the purpose of crossing).
- access can be performed safely.
Step 1: Apply for approval
If you have a genuine reason to use your off-road vehicle on public roads where a compliant vehicle can’t be used, you’ll need to apply for approval first which will be assessed on a case-by-case. To do this, send an application (in the form of a letter) to DTMI's Vehicle Safety and Standards (VSS) team.
What you need to include in your application
When you apply, make sure you include the following information.
- Your details – name, address, and contact info.
- Vehicle details – make, model, year, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), engine number, size, weight (tare and loaded), and any other important info.
- Where the vehicle will be used – include a detailed map showing the areas and public roads.
- Why a regular (compliant) vehicle can’t be used – explain the reason.
- Why you need to use the vehicle – give details about what it will be used for.
- You might also need to provide written approvals from local councils, landowners, or a Road Safety Audit from an approved provider, depending on where the vehicle will be used.
- When taking your vehicle to be licensed, you must give the Vehicle Examiner a letter of approval from the Vehicle Safety and Standards (VSS) team.
Please provide as much information in your application as possible, to allow us to assess your need.
Send applications via post to:
Vehicle Safety and Standards
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
34 Gillam Drive
Kelmscott WA 6111
Fax: (08) 9216 3899
Email: tps@transport.wa.gov.au
Step 2: Organise an inspection
If you’ve received written approval from VSS, you can then organise for your off-road vehicle to be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS).
Off-road vehicles will need to pass a roadworthiness inspection before a conditional (restricted use) vehicle licence can be issued.
Visit Get a vehicle inspected for more information on new vehicle inspections
Step 3: Complete an application form
Once the vehicle has successfully passed an inspection, you can complete an application to license a vehicle using the Application to license a vehicle (Form VL17).
Vehicle licence duty (stamp duty)
Vehicle licence duty is payable on the dutiable value of the vehicle, including the value of any trade-in, unless evidence is produced that the vehicle was previously licensed in your name.
To find out how much duty is payable, visit our vehicle licence duty (stamp duty) calculator. Where vehicle licence duty is applicable, it is payable at the time of licensing.
Some people and vehicle types may be eligible for an exemption on the payment of duty.
Please refer to Concessions for more information.
Step 4: Provide proof of identity
You’ll need to provide 1 form of primary and 1 form of secondary identification. Refer to our Proof of identity requirements or refer to our Primary & Secondary Proof of Identity fact sheet to see what documents you can use.
First time licensing a vehicle in WA and don’t have a WA driver’s licence?
If you’ve never had a vehicle licensed in your name in WA and don't have a WA driver’s license, you’ll also need to fill out a Proof of Identity Nominated Owner/Vehicle Licence Holder form (Form VL186).
Registering a vehicle under a company name?
If you’re registering the vehicle under a company name, you’ll need to provide 1 of the following:
- your Australian Company Number (ACN)
- a Certificate of Registration (issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
- other evidence of legal entity status.
Are you licensing a jointly owned vehicle?
If the vehicle is jointly owned, all owners must complete and sign the Proof of Identity Nominated Owner/Vehicle Licence Holder form (Form VL186). Only 1 person can be listed as the license holder.
Refer to the Vehicle owner responsibilities for more information.
Step 5: Submit the application in person
Applications for an off-road vehicle licence must be submitted in person at a DTMI service centre or regional agent.
You'll need to provide:
- a valid Certificate of Inspection
- 1 form of primary and 1 form of secondary identification
- completed Application to license a vehicle (Form VL17)
- completed Proof of identity: Nominated owner - vehicle licence holder (Form VL186), if required approval from VSS
- proof of vehicle ownership.
Weighbridge certificates
If the tare/mass weight of the trailer can't be verified through the manufacturer's specifications, previous licence documents, or licensing records, a weighbridge certificate is also required. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources lists public weighbridges that can issue certificates.
Once the vehicle is licensed a new set of number plates will be issued.
Need help?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us.