Transfer of vehicle ownership
You need to transfer the ownership of a vehicle when you are either buying or selling a vehicle. Below you can find out the steps you need to take and the documents you need to provide. You also need to satisfy certain proof of identity and ownership requirements to ensure the transfer is completed successfully.
Buying a vehicle
When a person becomes the owner of a licensed vehicle, that person is required to apply for the transfer of the Licence within 14 days, and then, upon receiving an invoice from Licensing Services, pay the stamp duty and transfer fee within 28 days.
On 1 July 1999, it became compulsory to have an approved immobiliser fitted to most vehicles prior to the transfer being effected. Failure to fit an approved immobiliser may result in the cancellation of the vehicle Licence. Information about approved immobilisers can be found in our immobilisers section.
Once the approved immobiliser has been installed and Licensing Services notified, the new owner will be issued with an invoice which will allow stamp duty and transfer fees to paid.
The issue of the invoice will allow a variety of payment methods including
- over the phone using your credit card - 1300 655 322
- at any Australia Post outlet
- by mail
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
Licensing Services
PO Box R1290
GPO Perth 6844 and;
- at any Licensing Centre
Cheques or money orders should be made payable to 'Department for Planning and Infrastructure'.
Failure to pay the invoice within 28 days will result in the issue of a $100 infringement.
If the seller can't be located...
If the buyer:
- cannot contact or locate the seller (and the seller has not already advised DPI of the sale of the vehicle) and
- does not have a copy of the transfer form (MR9 or MR9B) signed by both themselves and the seller; or
- does not have proof of purchase as described above.
A MR50 - Statutory declaration of vehicle ownership and the accompanying questionnaire will need to be completed to provide information to enable the ownership of the vehicle to be investigated. The vehicle licence will not be transferred until the investigation process is complete and the ownership of the vehicle has been confirmed.
Please contact us for more information.
Selling a vehicle
When transferring a licensed vehicle to another person, the registered owner (the seller) must complete a Vehicle Transfer - Notification of Change of Ownership form (with the new owner) and forward the seller's copy (green copy) to Licensing Services within seven (7) days, failure to do so may result in the issue of a $100 infringement.
The registered owner should provide the new owner with the buyer's copy (pink copy) along with the current vehicle licence.
The Vehicle Licence Transfer - Notification of Change of Ownership forms are available online, from any Licensing Centre or a request for the posting of a form may be made by:
fax - (08) 9427 8191
phone - 13 11 56 or
by e-mail
back to top
Proof of identity and ownership
Documentary proof of your identity (original documents only) is required when buying, selling or transferring ownership of a vehicle.
From 1 January 2006, vehicle licences can only be issued to:
- persons over 16 years of age
- a legal entity (e.g an actual person, an incorporated body)
For more information on the changes to who vehicle licences can be issued to, please refer to the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2000 section.
A vehicle licence will not be issued or transferred without:
- Proof of Identity or
- Proof of Vehicle Ownership.
This applies to the following situations;
- Unlicensed vehicles being re-licensed
- Vehicles being licensed in WA from another licensing jurisdiction
- Transferring a vehicle licence (ownership being changed)
- Proof of ownership
The following would be accepted as proof of ownership of the vehicle:
- A vehicle licence transfer form (MR9 or MR9B) completed in full and signed by both the seller and the buyer.
- Receipt showing purchase price, date of sale, vehicle details, sellers name and signature and information regarding the fitment of an immobiliser.
- Contract of sale / purchase showing purchase price, date of sale, vehicle details, sellers name and signature and information regarding the fitment of an immobiliser.
- Letter from Executor or Administrator (where licence holder is deceased) showing purchase price, date of sale, vehicle details, sellers name and signature and information regarding the fitment of an immobiliser.
- Vehicle ownership and transfer forms
back to top
