- Laws to modernise the registration of off-road vehicles (ORVs) pass Western Australian Parliament
- Once established, ORV owners will be able to apply for and renew their registrations online
- Fees collected from registrations support ongoing investment in ORV areas across the State
- Increased penalties to deter illegal activity and antisocial behaviour at off-road sites
Off-road vehicle (ORV) owners will be able to register their vehicles online under new laws passed by the Western Australian Parliament today as part of the Cook Labor Government's continued support for ORV riding across the State.
The updated Control of Vehicles (Off-road Areas) Act 1978 will remove the outdated requirement for ORV owners to attend in person at a Department of Transport licensing centre to sign a statutory declaration that they are at least 18 years of age, are the owner of the vehicle, and will comply with relevant noise and safety requirements.
Once established, the registration system will allow owners to apply for and renew their registrations online.
It is a requirement that ORVs such as quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles and golf carts be registered before they can be used at gazetted ORV areas across the State.
The new laws will also allow for registration stickers as an alternative to ORV registration plates and include increased penalties of up to $5,000 aimed at deterring illegal activity and antisocial behaviour.
Offences include riding dangerously, using an unregistered ORV, and riding in a prohibited area which can damage the surrounding environment.
By removing current barriers to registration, these reforms will improve the funding available to support local governments to build, upgrade, and maintain ORV areas.
As stated by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The passing of this legislation is an important step in supporting our off-road vehicle community in WA who have been advocating for these changes, as well as local governments.
"Apart from making the registration of ORVs easier and more convenient, the new laws will promote safe and environmentally friendly use of gazetted ORV areas in WA in response to this growing recreational activity.
"Proceeds from registration fees will be re-invested into the creation of new ORV areas and the maintenance of existing sites.
"I would like to acknowledge the participation of the Off-Road Vehicles Advisory Committee and the Recreational Trailbike Riders' Association of WA in assisting the Government with the development of these new laws."
