In Western Australia, what most people call “rego” is officially a vehicle licence, managed by the Department of Transport (DoT). Before you buy a used car in WA, a quick rego check tells you whether the licence is current and when it expires — and a separate national check tells you whether there’s money owing on the car. This guide covers both, so you don’t get caught out.
How to do a free rego check in WA
The Department of Transport (DoT) offers a free online vehicle licence check. You only need the vehicle’s WA plate number, and the result is instant:
- Go to the WA Government’s Check your vehicle licence (rego) expiry date page and open the online check.
- Enter the plate number exactly as it appears on the vehicle.
- Read the result: whether the vehicle licence (registration) is current, its expiry date, and basic vehicle details on record.
The same check works for cars, motorcycles, trailers, caravans, trucks and other licensed vehicles. If you’d rather speak to someone, DoT can be contacted on 13 11 56. Car Buyers Assist is not affiliated with the Department of Transport and doesn’t run registration checks — the official check is free on the WA Government website.
It’s free, instant, and doesn’t need the seller’s permission — you only need the plate number. It’s the fastest first check on any WA car you’re considering.
What the result means: registration status and expiry
- Current: the vehicle is licensed until the expiry date shown. In WA, the vehicle licence fee also includes compulsory third party (CTP) personal injury cover, so current rego means that cover is in place too.
- Expired or not current: the vehicle shouldn’t be driven on WA roads until it’s relicensed. DoT notes it’s the owner’s responsibility to decide whether a vehicle should be driven, so treat an expired result as a reason to ask the seller questions before going further.
- Expiry date coming up: if you’re buying, factor the renewal cost into your budget, and make sure the registration is transferred into your name promptly after purchase.
Also check that the plate, make and model in the result match the car and the ad. A mismatch is a red flag worth resolving before you pay.
What a free WA rego check does not show
A free licence check confirms the car is registered — but it won’t tell you the things that cost buyers the most: whether there’s money owing (a loan or encumbrance) on the vehicle; whether it’s been written off or reported stolen; or whether the odometer reading is consistent with records. For those, you need a PPSR check. In WA you’ll still hear the PPSR search called a “REVS check” — REVS was the old state-based register that the national Personal Property Securities Register replaced in 2012. Our PPSR check guide explains how to run one.
Free rego check vs PPSR check
| Free WA rego/licence check | PPSR check | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Dept of Transport (WA) | Australian Government (national) |
| Cost | Free | About $2 |
| Shows | Licence status, expiry, vehicle details | Money owing, write-off, stolen, national records |
| Covers other states | No — WA only | Yes — national |
| Needs | Plate number | VIN (or plate in most cases) |
The two checks do different jobs. The free check confirms the rego; the PPSR check protects you from inheriting someone else’s debt. If you buy a car with money owing on it, the financier can repossess it — even after you’ve paid the seller. On a used-car purchase, the ~$2 PPSR check is the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy.
The safe order to check a used car in WA
- Free DoT plate search — confirm the licence is current and details match the ad.
- PPSR check — confirm no money owing, not written off, not stolen (get the VIN from the seller).
- Physical / mechanical inspection — see our used-car inspection guide, our guide to vehicle inspections in WA and what to check when buying a used car.
- Confirm the seller’s identity matches the registration papers before you pay.
Buying interstate or unsure which check to run?
Registration is state-based, so if the car is registered elsewhere, start with that state’s check: rego check NSW, rego check QLD or rego check VIC. Or start from our national rego check guide. For the full picture on encumbrance, write-offs and history, see our car history check hub and is a free car history check real? Buying across state lines? Our interstate buyer checklist explains what a rego check does not cover.
Let Car Buyers Assist help
A rego check is one step in buying well. If you’d like help with the rest, our car buying service can help you find a suitable vehicle and work through the checks, and if you’re financing the purchase, we can help you compare car finance options. Find My Best Options to talk to us about your purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Is a WA rego check free?
Yes. The Department of Transport’s online plate search is free and shows whether a vehicle’s licence (registration) is current, its expiry date and basic vehicle details — you only need the plate number.
What’s the difference between a rego check and a PPSR check in WA?
The free WA check confirms the licence/registration status. A PPSR check (about $2) is a national search that reveals money owing, write-off history and whether the car is recorded as stolen — things the free check can’t show.
Why is registration called a vehicle licence in WA?
Western Australia uses the term vehicle licence for what other states call registration. A licensed vehicle is what most people mean by having current rego.
Do I need the seller’s permission to check a WA plate?
No. The free DoT plate search only needs the registration number, which is visible on the car. For a PPSR check you’ll typically need the VIN.
What should I do if a WA car has money owing on it?
Don’t pay until it’s cleared, or arrange for the debt to be paid out directly to the financier at settlement. If money is owing when you buy, the financier can repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller.
Written by the team at Car Buyers Assist.
This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Always confirm details with the relevant WA authority (Department of Transport) and the PPSR before purchasing a vehicle.