What is a defect notice?
Vehicles found to be unroadworthy are issued with a defect notice (sometimes referred to as a yellow sticker or work order) and must be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS) or specified inspection location.
What to do if you receive a defect notice
You need to fix the defect and arrange for your vehicle to be inspected at an AIS within 14 days of the expiry date on the defect notice.
A defect notice can only be cleared after the vehicle has undergone a full inspection.
Not all vehicle inspection service providers offer the same inspection services. In some cases, you may need to contact the DTMI on 13 11 56 to confirm where and how your vehicle can be inspected or refer to WA Police issued instructions on the Defect Notice.
Getting a vehicle to an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS)
If the vehicle is licensed (registered), and the vehicle fault for which the defect notice was issued has been rectified, the vehicle may be driven to an AIS.
If the vehicle is unlicensed (unregistered), a temporary movement permit is required.
At the inspection
Your vehicle will be inspected for all defects, not just for the defects shown on the defect notice.
Depending on the extent and nature of any outstanding defects a new work order may be issued from the time the vehicle is presented for inspection.
Refer to Get a vehicle inspected to find out more.
It’s an offence under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012 to damage, remove, or destroy a defect notice whilst it is in force.
What to do if you are no longer the owner of the vehicle
If you have sold, or otherwise disposed of the vehicle, you must notify us of the new owner to ensure that vehicle licence renewals are directed to the new owner.
If you don't respond to the defect notice
If your vehicle hasn’t been fully inspected within 14 days of the expiry date of a defect notice, you’ll be issued with 1st and final notice. This requires you to have your vehicle inspected or surrender the licence plates.
Failure to comply may result in the seizure of your number plates (vehicle licence plates) and the issue of an infringement notice. A notice requiring you to return the number plates (vehicle licence plates) will be produced if a vehicle hasn’t been fully inspected within 28 days of the defect notice expiry date. Once this occurs, the vehicle licence (registration) may not be renewed until the vehicle has been inspected and the defect notice is cleared.
If your number plates (vehicle licence plates) are returned, you must obtain temporary movement permit to drive the vehicle to a place of inspection for inspection.
Expired defect notices
Use of a vehicle on or after the expiry date specified on the defect notice is an offence and is strictly prohibited unless:
- the defects specified in the defect notice have first been rectified; and
- the vehicle is being taken, for the purpose of being inspected, by the shortest most practical route from the place where the defects have been rectified, directly to the nearest AIS; or
- the vehicle is being driven by an authorised vehicle examiner for the purposes of road testing.
If a defect notice has expired and the defect hasn’t been rectified, the vehicle must be towed by a tow truck or a vehicle trailer to a repairer or to an AIS.
If the vehicle licence is also expired, the number plates must be surrendered to DTMI within 15 days to prevent an infringement being issued for failing to return the number plates.
Getting a vehicle to an AIS once a defect notice has expired
Provided that the vehicle is currently licensed (and therefore covered by Motor Injury Insurance (MII)), a vehicle with an expired defect notice may be driven to the nearest AIS from the place of repair without a temporary movement permit. It may not be used on the road for any other purpose.
What to do if you can't get your vehicle inspected within 14 days of expiry
If it’s not possible to arrange a vehicle inspection within 14 days of the defect notice expiry date, you should surrender the number plates (vehicle licence plates) at any of our DTMI service centre or regional agent. The inspection to re-license the vehicle is the same as the inspection to clear a defect notice.
Clearing or issuing a new defect notice in another Australian jurisdiction
A defect notice may be issued or cleared in any other Australian jurisdiction, regardless of where the vehicle is licensed, or the notice is issued. An arrangement between jurisdictions ensures that the issuing authority and the home jurisdiction are notified and vice versa.
Details of the defect notice and the vehicle are recorded by both the jurisdiction in which the vehicle is licensed (registered) and the jurisdiction in which the defect notice is issued.
To have an interstate defect notice cleared, or a new one issued, the vehicle should be presented at an authorised place of inspection in any Australian jurisdiction. Advice may be sought concerning any further action required.
Order to remedy defects (green sticker)
The Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 allows 'Authorised Officers' to enter the premises of a dealer and examine any second-hand vehicle.
Booking an inspection at an AIS
- You'll need to book and pay for the inspection fee directly with your chosen provider.
- AIS telephone numbers and hours of operation vary; please check with the individual provider.
- Refer to get a vehicle inspected to find out more.