Online Registration Set to Make Off-Road Vehicles Easier to Register in WA
Media Releases
The Motor Trade Association of Western Australia (MTA WA) welcomes the State Government’s launch of an online registration system for off-road vehicles (ORVs) launched today. This system is designed to make it easier for owners to register their vehicles and supporting the future development of off-road riding in Western Australia.
Until now, owners who wanted to register an ORV had to visit a licensing centre in person. As a result, relatively few vehicles were registered. This system has limited the ability of government and local authorities to accurately understand the number of ORVs in use and track where riders are accessing facilities. It has also hampered the police’s ability to investigate illegal activity, identify stolen vehicles, and return them to their owners.
Improved registration data will help government and local authorities better understand demand for off-road vehicle areas and make more informed decisions about where to invest in maintenance, upgrades, and the development of new facilities.
With representatives on the Minister’s Advisory Committee for Off-Road Vehicle Areas, MTA WA has strongly advocated for a simpler registration process and increased ORV registrations.
MTA WA supports Minister Beazley’s announcement to move registration online and introduce optional registration stickers. These stickers have been trialled through the committee and with motorcycle dealer members and have been shown to improve vehicle identification without creating concerns for riders.
While registration will remain voluntary, riders must register their vehicle if they wish to legally use a designated off-road vehicle area.
Importantly, registration fees will go directly into a dedicated fund that supports the maintenance, improvement, and development of off-road vehicle areas across Western Australia. Therefore, increased registration uptake will directly result in greater funding for these facilities.
MTA WA Chief Executive Officer Neil Le Febvre said the changes simplify the process for owners and will help deliver better outcomes for riders and communities.
“MTA WA has been actively calling for a simpler and more accessible registration process for off-road vehicles. Requiring owners to attend a licensing centre in person created a significant hurdle and contributed to very low registration rates.”
“We need better information about ORV usage to support smart planning and investment. Data helps inform key decision-makers to ensure funding is directed where it is needed most, ensuring the industry can continue to grow.”
Mr Le Febvre said the reforms will deliver long-term benefits for riders through improved facilities and infrastructure.
“Every registration contributes directly to the dedicated fund for off-road vehicle areas. The more vehicles that are registered, the more funding becomes available to maintain existing areas, improve facilities and develop new places to ride.”
MTA WA thanked the Department of Transport and Minister Beazley for their commitment to the issue and welcomed the announcement as a positive step forward.
Mr Le Febvre said MTA WA would continue to advocate for compulsory registration of off-road vehicles at the point of first sale to further build on this uptake of registration.
“Moving registration online is an important step forward, but we believe registration at the point of first sale remains the best way to ensure vehicle records accurately reflect the true usage across the state.”
Owners can register their ORV’s here: https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/vehicle/license-vehicle/license-register-off-road/register-off-road
Listen to Neil Le Febvre discuss the topic further on the radio here: https://youtu.be/pxc9TmJqumc