[9 April 2008]

To participate in Raid Australia 2008, you are required to have your A Series Citroën suitably licensed for use and in Kalgoorlie prior to 8 August 2008.

If you are importing a vehicle from overseas, you need to peruse the information on importing that can be found on the Imports page.

Melaleuca, Skull Springs

Licensing

In Australia, vehicle licensing is undertaken by the states separately.

In Western Australia vehicle licensing is managed by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure of the Government of Western Australia. The information published by this department on 5 March 2008 is as follows.

Temporary Imports ("Carnet" vehicles)

A vehicle can be temporarily imported by having a "Carnet de Passage en Douane" issued in its country of registration.

Vehicles imported under a "Carnet de Passage en Douane" can only be permitted to operate in Australia while the registration relevant to the vehicle in question is current in the country of origin.

The owner must obtain "third party" insurance cover for the time it is in Western Australia, by taking the vehicle to an examination centre. Following a satisfactory roadworthiness examination "third party" insurance will be issued upon payment of an appropriate fee.

Note: Headlights on left-hand drive vehicles must be modified to dip to the left.

Permanent Imports

Imported vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1989 may still be licensed provided they satisfy State requirements.

Vehicles must be presented for examination and meet the applicable requirements of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 and the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002.

Vehicle Examination

All vehicles must be presented in a roadworthy condition.

Vehicles other than "Carnet" vehicles must meet the applicable requirements of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 and the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002.

There have been some changes to the way that vehicles are examined for licensing over the last two months.  The latest information we have is as follows.

Engineer Inspection

First your vehicle will be required to pass an inspection by an engineer.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 January 1969 you are required to have Upper Torso Restraints for the front seat.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 January 1971 you are required to have:
- Collapsible Steering Column.  The solution to this is to apply for an exemption to this standard.
- Upper Torso Restraints for the rear seat.  The solution to this is to apply for an exemption to this standard.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 July 1971 you are required to have all the windscreens and windows bearing the Safety Glass mark.

If you vehicle was manufactured after 1 January 1972 you will have:
- to fit Head Rests.
- to fit a Reversing Light.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 January 1973 you are required to have a Padded Dash.  The solution to this is to apply for an exemption to this standard.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 July 1976 you will have to fit Child Restraints.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 January 1977 you are required to have:
- Service Brake Failure Lamps and Hand Brake Warning Lamps  The solution to this is to apply for an exemption to this standard.
- Side Impact Protection System  The solution to this is to apply for an exemption to this standard.

If your vehicle was manufactured after 1 June 1983 you will have to fit an Immobiliser.

Exemptions

Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1971 will not need to apply for an exemption to Australian Standards.

If you have to apply for an exemption you are at the mercy of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure which grants exemptions - the process can take time and will be dealt with on a one by one basis.  The Department of Planning and Infrastructure will decline any bulk application for exemption on the basis that a bulk application is for commercial purposes.  The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has set a precedent of accepting exemptions for single applications, however some applicants have had to wait months for this acceptance.

Licensing Examination

The final examination is to confirm general roadworthy condition.  This inspection is similar to a MOT inspection.  This is the final step to acquiring license and Third Party Personal Insurance.  All vehicles must be presented in a roadworthy condition.