Written-off vehicle reforms in NSW
From 1 August 2011, all unregistered written-off vehicles that are eligible for registration need a Certificate of Compliance from a NSW Fair Trading Licensed Repairer. The vehicle must also meet Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) inspection requirements before it can be registered in NSW.
See 'Information for Vehicle Owners' for more information.
Written-off vehicle laws aim to ensure vehicle safety and protect consumers. The laws also seek to reduce the risk of vehicle theft and car re-birthing in NSW.
A vehicle is 're-birthed' when parts from a stolen vehicle are used illegally to repair and re-register a written-off vehicle. Re-birthed vehicles are often poorly repaired and can be a safety risk.
For further information about the new reforms, see Written-off Vehicle reforms - FAQs.
What is a written-off vehicle?
A written-off vehicle is a vehicle that has been damaged to the extent that an insurer, self-insurer or auto-dismantler declares the vehicle to be a total loss under the formula prescribed in the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1997.
What are the written-off vehicle laws?
The written-off vehicle laws aim to ensure vehicle safety and protect consumers. The laws also seek to reduce the risk of vehicle theft and car re-birthing in NSW.
A vehicle is 're-birthed' when parts from a stolen vehicle are used illegally to repair and re-register a written-off vehicle. Re-birthed vehicles are often poorly repaired and can be a safety risk.
Once a vehicle has been assessed as a write-off, an insurer, self-insurer or auto-dismantler must notify the Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) of the vehicle. The vehicles registration will, by law, be cancelled fourteen days later.
All NSW light vehicles written-off from 31 January 2011 are classified as 'statutory write-offs' on the WOVR and these vehicles can only be used for scrap or for parts. Limited exemptions apply for eligible persons and eligible vehicles to apply to the Roads and Maritime Services for an Authorisation to Repair this class of written-off vehicle.
The laws apply to all NSW light vehicles including trailers, caravans and motorcycles.
Written-off vehicles that have permission to be repaired must satisfy Roads and Maritime Services inspection requirements before they can be re-registered.
For further information about the reforms, see Written-off Vehicle reforms – frequently asked questions.
Every written-off vehicle that is eligible for re-registration needs a Certificate of Compliance from a NSW Fair Trading licensed repairer before it can be re-registered. Vehicles that were written-off on or after 31 January 2011 also need an Authorisation to Repair from Roads and Maritime Services. Vehicles must also meet Roads and Maritime Services inspection requirements.
See Information for vehicle owners for more information.
Legislation
For more information, see the NSW Legislation website to search and view the new reforms in full.
More information
Use the following links for more details:
- Information for insurers
- Information for vehicle owners
- Information for licensed repairers
- Information for self-insurers
Vehicle History Check
Most of us have lots of questions when we’re looking to buy a used vehicle.
What has it been through in its previous life?Has it been crashed and written-off?Has it been a NSW police car or taxi?Has it had one owner or ten in NSW?
Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority)’s Vehicle History Check will provide you with a wide range of information about a used vehicle. Find out more...