ATTENTION WA DRIVERS!!! Rego stickers phased out 2010

[POLARBEAR666]

Rip those ugly hunks of crap off your windscreen tomorrow morning.

FORE ONCE THE COPS ARE HELPING!

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/end-of-the-road-for-rego-stickers/story-e6frg6nf-1225814836943

"THE days of scraping car rego stickers off windows are over in Western Australia, which tomorrow becomes the first state to abolish them.

Cutting-edge technology being used by West Australian police has made the stickers redundant, saving millions of dollars.

Police superintendent Lance Martin said hand-held computers were now providing officers with instant advice on registration expiries -- as well as an extraordinary amount of other data -- simply by tapping in a request.

A car's owner, previous owners, registration status, even the engine number, were all available within seconds to officers on the beat.

"We can also do detailed searches on people, we can access the criminal records of every person in Australia, we can bring up their mugshots," he said.

"I can even have an officer carrying one of these hand-held devices in the middle of Broome (1660km from Perth) and pull up an electronic mapping system to track where that officer is in real time, accurate to about five metres. It's amazing."

[maca]

Wow that's great to hear

For once WA can be ahead of everyone else, instead of the contrary.


(DST joke.)

[balkanac]

so this means that i can take the stickers off my cars eventho the rego hasnt expired?

[Kiel_GTI]

i dont think so balkanac, i think it just means they wont be issuing stickers anymore. hence being phased out. that was my understanding anyways.

[FJ Steve]

so this means that i can take the stickers off my cars eventho the rego hasnt expired?

I think you can

[Coaster]

so this means that i can take the stickers off my cars eventho the rego hasnt expired?

That's my understanding also. The police no longer need the sticker to check your rego details. Yay, a clean windscreen!

[balkanac]

if they have hand held computers and can get all the details then i guess the stickers are coming off!!

[mikinoz]

So now you have no idea if the car you borrow off a mate is registered. Fantastic.

[gareth_oau]

thats a very valid challenge.

Driving an unregistered vehicle means your dont have 3rd party person insurance.

Injure somebody, and you could be up for a very expensive bath!!

I suppose it means more due dilligence is required, and if a mate lends you a car, then ask to see the rego papers first

[FJ Steve]

DPI says "check online".

Okay....gimme a wireless-anywhere connection 'tards.

[vinderliker]

Big Brother is watching YOU!

[Spook]

From the FAQ (the more relevant ones highlighted below):

5. How will I know when my vehicle registration is due?

Transport will continue to send renewal notices to vehicle owners six weeks before the registration expires.

8. If I travel interstate, how will local police know my vehicle/trailer/caravan is registered?

All police in Australia are able to access information regarding a WA vehicle registration. However, this may not be available instantly in all instances to police in other states as it is in WA. Transport recommends drivers of WA registered vehicles carry the current registration papers in the vehicle when driving interstate. This will reduce any inconvenience caused to drivers of WA registered vehicles should police in other states wish to confirm the validity of their vehicle registration.

And a couple of excellent questions:

9. If I’m not getting a sticker or disc, do I even need to pay my registration?

Yes, you still need to pay your registration by the due date. The sticker or disc was only used as an indicator of a vehicle’s registration for law enforcement purposes. All vehicles used on WA roads must have valid registration. If you use a vehicle on the road without paying for the vehicle registration you may be committing an offence and you are not covered by a compulsory third party insurance policy.


10. Will my registration be cheaper now that I’m not getting a sticker or disc?

The vehicle registration fees are reviewed annually, including assessment of costs, service delivery and any adjustments for other factors such as CPI increases. The production of vehicle registration stickers and discs forms a small component of the registration fees charged to register your vehicle. While Government will save approximately $2 million over four years by not printing and posting registration stickers and discs, there are over 1.5 million light vehicles registered in WA and the saving per individual vehicle may not be noticeable by the owner.

11. What if I drive someone else’s car? How do I know the registration is valid?

You can ask the owner to see the current vehicle registration papers and receipt details. If the owner is unable to locate the current registration papers and receipt details, they can check the expiry of the vehicle’s registration through an online vehicle registration expiry enquiry service.

12. What do I do if I want to sell my car?

You should always retain your vehicle renewal notice with payment receipt details. When selling a vehicle, you are required to provide these papers (referred to as the vehicle licence) to the new owner.

13. What do I do if I want to buy a car and I am unsure of the registration status of the vehicle?

You should ask to see the current registration papers for the vehicle and this should be provided to you when you purchase a vehicle. If unsure, the owner can check the registration details of their vehicle using the online vehicle registration enquiry service.

15. Do I have to take my sticker off now or can I wait until my registration is due for renewal?

It’s your choice! You can remove the sticker on or after 1 January 2010 or you can wait until your registration is due for renewal.

[MattyT]

I got pulled over on boxing day for a breath test and the cops didnt even ask about my rego. I assumed they ran my plate and knew what they wanted to know. Not bad!

[POLARBEAR666]

Yeah, cops already know everything before they walk up. Sometimes they even use my first name but this usually is good as they are going to let me off.

[MattyT]

I'd be really really put off if they did that. I'd give them the "you know too much" eyes