Department of Transport (Western Australia)

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The Department of Transport (Western Australia) is a state government agency responsible for licensing, vehicle registration, transport policy, and related services across Western Australia.

Perth, Western Australia, Australia
transport.wa.gov.au
Owned by Government of Western Australia

About Department of Transport (Western Australia)

The Department of Transport (Western Australia) is a state government agency responsible for driver and vehicle licensing, marine safety and vessel registration, and broader transport planning across Western Australia. Through its Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division, it manages driver’s licences, learner’s permits, vehicle and trailer registrations, number plates, licensing inspections, and related fees. The Department also oversees some maritime services such as recreational boat registrations and moorings, and provides a range of online services through DoTDirect on its official website at transport.wa.gov.au.

A charge from the Department of Transport (WA) will typically relate to licensing or registration activities. Common reasons include renewing a driver’s licence, renewing vehicle or trailer registration (“rego”), paying transfer fees or duty when buying/selling a vehicle, ordering or replacing number plates, or paying for a theory, hazard perception, or practical driving test. Other possible charges include recreational boat or personal watercraft (PWC) registration renewals, marine licence fees, or late payment penalties. Payments made online via DoTDirect, over the counter at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre, or at an authorised agent can all appear on your bank or card statement under descriptions such as “Dept of Transport WA,” “WA Transport,” or similar wording. Occasionally, a small temporary card authorisation may appear when you pay online to verify your card details; this should drop off automatically.

If you’re unsure about a Department of Transport charge, first check your recent renewal notices, vehicle and boat registrations, or licensing correspondence for matching amounts and dates. Log into your DoTDirect account at transport.wa.gov.au to review payment history and issued receipts, or refer to emailed payment confirmations if you paid online. For further clarification, you can contact the Department of Transport on 13 11 56 (within Australia), use the online enquiry forms on their website, or visit a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or authorised agent with your licence or vehicle details. Have your registration plate number, driver’s licence number, or invoice/notice number handy, as this will help staff quickly locate the transaction and explain or correct any billing issues, including possible duplicate payments or refunds for cancelled licences where eligible.

Bank Statement Variations

3 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Department of Transport (Western Australia).

  1. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR BUTLER AU
  2. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR PERTH AU
  3. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR PERTH AUS

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive a charge from the Department of Transport (WA) when I haven’t visited a licensing centre recently?

Many Department of Transport payments are processed online or automatically when a licence or registration renews. You may have paid a renewal via DoTDirect, set up a scheduled payment, or authorised someone else (such as a family member or dealer) to complete a transaction on your behalf. Check your recent driver’s licence, vehicle, trailer, or boat renewal notices and your DoTDirect account payment history to see if the amount matches the charge on your statement.

What types of fees does the Department of Transport (WA) commonly charge, and why do the amounts vary?

Common charges include driver’s licence renewals (typically every 1, 3, or 5 years), vehicle and trailer registrations (usually 6 or 12 months), boat and PWC registrations, transfer fees and vehicle licence duty when buying or selling a vehicle, and fees for driving and theory tests. The exact amount depends on factors such as vehicle type and weight, licence period selected, concession status, and whether any late fees or additional services (like special plates) apply. You can use the fee calculators and current fee schedules on transport.wa.gov.au to see how your charge was calculated.

Why do I see a small or duplicate Department of Transport (WA) amount as a pending or reversed charge?

When you pay online or by card, your bank may first place a temporary authorisation hold to verify that your card is valid and has sufficient funds. In most cases, only the final confirmed payment is captured by the Department of Transport, and any additional authorisation amounts are automatically released by your bank within a few business days. If a pending charge remains for more than a week or appears to have been taken twice, contact your bank first, then the Department of Transport with your payment date and reference to investigate.

How can I check what this Department of Transport (WA) charge is for and get a copy of the receipt?

Log into your DoTDirect account at transport.wa.gov.au/dotdirect and navigate to your transaction or payment history to see recent online payments and download receipts. For payments made in person or over the phone, refer to any emailed receipts or paper invoices you were given. If you cannot locate documentation, contact the Department of Transport on 13 11 56 or visit a Driver and Vehicle Services centre with your driver’s licence number, vehicle plate number, or boat registration number so staff can look up the transaction and issue a receipt copy where available.

Can I cancel or pause my vehicle or boat registration and get a refund from the Department of Transport (WA)?

You can cancel a vehicle or boat registration (often called surrendering the licence) by returning the number plates or meeting the required conditions, and in some cases you may be eligible for a pro rata refund of the unused portion of the licence fee, less any applicable administration fees. Refunds are generally not provided for time already elapsed or for certain statutory fees and duties. To find out if you qualify and how to apply, check the ‘Cancelling your vehicle licence’ or relevant marine licence pages on transport.wa.gov.au or speak to a Driver and Vehicle Services centre.

How do I fix an incorrect or unexpected Department of Transport (WA) charge, such as being billed twice?

Start by comparing the charge on your statement with any renewal notices, invoices, or receipts to confirm it is not two separate legitimate transactions (for example, a vehicle registration renewal plus a plate fee). If you still believe you have been overcharged or charged in error, gather your bank statement details, any payment references, and your licence or registration numbers, then contact the Department of Transport on 13 11 56 or via their online enquiry forms. They can review the transaction and, where an error is confirmed, advise on adjustments or refunds in line with government policies.

How can I contact the Department of Transport (WA) about a charge on my bank statement?

You can call the Department of Transport’s Driver and Vehicle Services line on 13 11 56 (within Australia) during business hours for help with licensing and registration payments. Alternatively, visit transport.wa.gov.au to use DoTDirect for self-service queries or submit an online enquiry, or attend a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or authorised agent in person. When you contact them, have your driver’s licence, vehicle plate or boat registration number, and the date and amount of the charge ready so they can quickly locate the transaction.

Does the Department of Transport (WA) offer automatic or recurring payments for renewals, and how will those appear on my statement?

Through DoTDirect you can manage many renewals and may choose options like renewing online each period, receiving email reminders, or saving a preferred payment method, but the Department does not typically run open-ended “subscriptions” like a private company. Each renewal is processed as a discrete transaction for a set licence period (for example, 6 or 12 months), and each charge will appear on your statement as a separate Department of Transport payment with its own date and amount. Check your DoTDirect account to see upcoming or recently processed renewals that correspond to these charges.

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