Interstate Vehicles FAQs

The Written-Off Vehicle (WOV) scheme is a national scheme that records vehicles assessed as a total loss. While information is shared nationally, each Australian state and territory maintains and administers its own Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) under its own legislation.

The national scheme helps to:

• reduce vehicle theft and rebirthing
• prevent stolen parts being used in repairs
• identify severely damaged vehicles
• provide a single search tool for vehicles from anywhere in Australia
• protect consumer confidence and road safety.

The WOV scheme applies to light vehicles and trailers with a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4.5 tonnes or less and that were less than 15 years old at the time the vehicle was assessed as a total loss.

Each state and territory is responsible for managing vehicles from their jurisdiction that become written-off, in accordance with the local regulatory requirements.

A vehicle can only be assessed as a total loss by a "prescribed person”.

A prescribed person is:

• an insurer
• a loss assessor
• a vehicle dealer
• an auction house
• an auto-parts dismantler.

A vehicle that has been assessed as a total loss, and which has sustained damage so severe it must never be re-registered and is only suitable for dismantling or scrap.

A vehicle that has been assessed as a total loss but may be repaired and returned to registration if it satisfies all applicable inspection and clearance requirements.

If a vehicle has been recorded as a repairable write-off in another state or territory, different rules apply.

Each jurisdiction maintains its own WOVR and administers its own legislation. While WOV information is shared nationally, Tasmania cannot amend, remove or clear a written-off vehicle record maintained by another jurisdiction.

For this reason, purchasers should carefully check the written-off status of an interstate vehicle before buying it.

No. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles can only administer the Tasmanian WOVR and does not have authority to amend or clear a written-off vehicle record maintained by another state or territory.

No.  Tasmanian legislation only provides for the clearance of a Tasmanian WOV label issued by the Tasmanian Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

The Registrar may receive and act upon a request from the relevant interstate registration authority under corresponding legislation. Such circumstances are uncommon.

Because the vehicle remains subject to the written-off vehicle requirements of the jurisdiction that recorded the write-off.

Only that jurisdiction can determine whether the written-off record should be cleared, be amended or remain in place.

You should contact the registration authority in the jurisdiction that recorded the vehicle as a repairable write-off.

That authority is responsible for administering its WOVR record and advising you of any inspection, repair or clearance requirements.

Not usually. Where a vehicle was recorded as a total loss in another jurisdiction, Tasmania does not receive copies of the notification submitted by the prescribed person. You need to contact the relevant interstate registration authority to obtain further information regarding the original assessment.

No. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles does not provide this information to prospective purchasers or registered operators as per Driver Licensing and Vehicle Registration Regulation 161(7).

Not necessarily. Any suspension, cancellation or WOVR restrictions applying in the jurisdiction that recorded the write-off must be resolved in accordance with that jurisdiction's requirements before registration can occur.

Before purchasing a repairable write-off, you should:

• Confirm which jurisdiction recorded the vehicle on the WOVR.
• Confirm whether the vehicle is a repairable write-off or statutory write-off.
• Contact the relevant registration authority and understand its clearance requirements.
• Confirm whether inspections must be completed in that jurisdiction, and what they may be.
• Consider transport and compliance costs before purchase.
• Obtain a VIN history check where available.

For information regarding a written-off vehicle recorded in Tasmania, contact:

Transport Safety Investigation Unit
Building Tasmania
GPO Box 1002
Hobart TAS 7001

Phone: 03 67771936
Email: transport.safety@building.tas.gov.au