Driving an Unregistered Car in WA: Penalties and the 15 Day Rule

In Western Australia, using a vehicle on a road without a current vehicle licence breaches section 4 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012, but a 15 day grace period after the licence expires can excuse driving the vehicle, not just leaving it parked.

The vehicle licence offence

Section 4 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012 makes it an offence for a responsible person, or a user, of a vehicle that requires a licence to use it on a road where no licence has been granted or the granted licence is not current. WA's Act, in its own section heading, calls this a vehicle licence, not registration, which is worth noting since most other Australian jurisdictions use the word registration.

The penalty is a fine of 10 penalty units, which is $500 because penalty units in WA road laws are fixed at $50 each (Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008 s7), and on top of that the court must order a further penalty equal to the charges that would have been payable for a 6 month vehicle licence grant for that vehicle. This fee-linked structure differs from the flat penalty unit fines other states in this research use for the equivalent offence.

The 15 day rule: why it excuses driving, not just parking

Section 4(3) exempts a person from the section 4(2) offence arising out of the use of a vehicle within a period set by regulation. Regulation 16 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 sets that period at 15 days after the licence expires.

The wording matters: WA's exemption is for the use of the vehicle, which includes driving it, for those 15 days. That is the opposite of the parked-only 15 day exemptions used in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, which excuse only a vehicle left standing after deregistration and do not permit driving it. A driver relying on a 15 day rule learned from another state's page would get WA's rule backwards.

A separate 15 day period governs renewal under regulation 30(5) to (6). Applying to renew a licence within 15 days of its expiry continues the licence with no coverage gap. A renewal applied for later than 15 days after expiry only takes effect from the date it is actually renewed, with no backdating to cover the gap.

Permits and third party insurance

Outside the 15 days, an unlicensed vehicle can lawfully be driven or towed only under a permit granted under section 13(1) of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012, or with number plates issued under section 13(2). A permit can authorise driving or towing to or from a place where vehicles are licensed or examined, to or from a place where the vehicle is to be or has been repaired, or for a purpose specified in the permit or prescribed by regulation. Using the vehicle under and in accordance with the permit is not an offence (section 4(4)). Contact the state's transport department about a permit.

Compulsory third party insurance and the penalty for driving uninsured are a separate legal topic from vehicle licensing covered on this page. See the Western Australia motor accident compensation guide for that scheme.

Checking licence status, trailers and registration labels

Confirm a vehicle's current licence status directly with Western Australia's transport department rather than relying on paperwork or an old label. The WA Government announced in May 2009 that registration stickers and discs would no longer be needed on cars, trailers and motorcycles from 1 January 2010.

Section 4's licence requirement extends to trailers as well as motor vehicles. A specific trailer's obligations and any exemption should be confirmed with Western Australia's transport department.

For the national picture across all states, see unregistered vehicles across Australia on the Australia driving laws hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for driving an unregistered vehicle in Western Australia?

A fine of 10 penalty units under section 4 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012, which is $500 at WA's fixed road-law penalty unit value of $50, plus a further court-ordered payment equal to the fee for a 6 month vehicle licence grant.

Does WA's 15 day grace period let me drive an unregistered vehicle?

Yes. Section 4(3), with regulation 16 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, excuses using, meaning driving, a vehicle for 15 days after its licence expires. This is the opposite of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, where the equivalent 15 day rule is parked-only.

What happens if I renew my WA vehicle licence within 15 days of it expiring?

Regulation 30(5) continues the licence with no coverage gap. Renewing later than 15 days after expiry only takes effect from the date it is actually renewed, with no backdating.

How much is a penalty unit worth in Western Australia?

In WA road laws, a penalty unit is fixed at $50 (Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008 s7), so the 10 penalty unit fine for an unlicensed vehicle is $500, before the court-ordered 6 month licence charge is added.

How can I legally move an unlicensed vehicle in WA?

Outside the 15 days after expiry, only under a permit granted under section 13(1) of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012, or with number plates issued under section 13(2), for example to or from a licensing or inspection place or a repairer. Using the vehicle in accordance with the permit is not an offence.

Does WA still use vehicle registration label stickers?

The WA Government announced in May 2009 that registration stickers would no longer be needed from 1 January 2010. Check a vehicle's licence status with the transport department instead.