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Number plate for Bike Rack??
I've a tow-bar mounted bike rack - that when loaded obscures my number plate.
I rang Transport WA today to try to order an auxiliary plate that I could mount on the rack to be told, very abruptly, they don't do them? Seesh and here's me trying to stay legal *heaven forbid*
WTF?! Is that right? Anyone got any other experiences of that are WA-specific. If I was in NSW I could go to myplates.com.au and order a bike-rack plate by name - seems perverse that I can't here.
27.5.15 PMBC President Update.
Well as you can see below I have my new auxiliary plate and I just wanted all of you who have followed the thread to get a preview for when you get one. (yes I have edited the plate numbers 
)
I will get this out on the next mail out and apologies to the original posters message, I have put the picture here as I could not attach it to a replied comment.
Regards
Chris Park
PMBC President
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Thanks for the update "notHAPPYjan".
Rule 120 (10) hasn't changed from 25AA (10) which is what I obtained Road Traffic Police clarification on a previously. It definitely appears that the regulation and the requirement to display the Auxiliary Number Plate contradict each other but I will be paying $24 per vehicle I use and know I am legal.
Just an "heads up". You need to be registered to login to the Department of Transport system to order your Auxiliary Number Plates. To register you need a code posted to your home address. I did step one last night and it indicated that it should arrive within five days in the mail. The plates reportedly will take approximately four weeks to be manufactured and delivered to your nominated licensing centre for pick up.
If you have a rear bike carrier that obscures your number plate then I think it would be worth consideration towards purchasing your Auxiliary Number Plate and save any risk of obtaining even the minimum fine of $100 as noted by "notHAPPYjan".
Done and ordered!
this is a great out come.
Registered for my logon... s l o w l y getting there!
Just received my code to enable me to register for the DotDirect account. Registered and have ordered the plate for one of my vehicles.
I should have realised that the other vehicle is in my wife's name so we have now requested a code to enable her to register for a DotDirect account so we can order an Auxiliary Number Plate for that vehicle.
The receipt email suggests the plate ordered should be ready for collection in approximately 10 days so that is quicker then the 4 weeks previously noted.
Hi All,
I have watched and contributed to this thread with great interest, I even had JohnH's supplied Road Traffic act stuff printed and in the glove box. After reading this thread when I moved the plate back to the car even though it was obviously more visable on the back on the Thule.
So I have ordered mine and will be picking them up next week
. I will make a point to communicate this change in the next PMBC News as I feel its important to get the word around.
Great work to all those who have followed through on this silly issue.
Regards
Chris
PMBC President
Good move to broadcast the availability and requirement for the Auxiliary Number Plates in the PMBC News. I think once people start seeing a few on the back of the bike racks they will start to ask some questions which will also spread the word.
Is it also possible to forward something from PMBC to the other WA Clubs so they can inform their members.
I met with my local member this morning and he is going to follow up with some questions in parliament in relation to the regulations and public awareness. Once I get my Auxiliary Number Plate and have it fitted we are going to do a public awareness in the newspaper for the Mandurah area as well.
Just got home and checked my email and have a response to a question I sent in relating to the regulations and as I think somebody previously pointed out there is another regulation that you can be penalised under for having an obscured vehicle number plate so if you don't want to risk a fine then get an Auxiliary Number Plate.
As per their response the basic fine under section 119 is $200 and anybody guilty of an infringement under 120 for deliberately obscuring their number plate gets a much higher penalty.
*** Start of response from the Department of Transport to my question ***
Thank you for your enquiry.
Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) can confirm, under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, there are two sections that refer to number plates, section 119 and section 120.
Under section 119 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, number plates must be kept in a conspicuous place, so that the characters on the plates are clearly visible and legible during the daytime and at night. Failure to adhere to section 119, can result in a fine of 4 PU ($200) for a first offence.
The section you are referring to under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, relates to section 120 (10).
A person does not commit an offence under subregulation (2), (3), (6) or (7) if the thing that is preventing the whole or part of a character on the plate from being read is —
(a) a tow ball fitted to the rear of the vehicle; or
(b) a bicycle rack fitted to the rear of the vehicle; or
(c) a bicycle carried on a bicycle rack fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
This section relates to the whole of regulation 120, under this regulation an obscuring device does not include a bicycle or bicycle rack fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
Carrying a bicycle or bicycle rack on the rear of a vehicle, if the number plate cannot be read, is still an offence number section 119 of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, but is not an offence under section 120, which carries a heftier fine.
*** End of Response ***
Now that the Auxiliary Number plates are available I would expect an increased focus on bike carriers that obscure vehicle number plates and associated infringements. It would be wise to outlay $24.00 and get an Auxiliary Number Plate if your rear mounted bike carrier impedes your vehicle number plates in any way and save the risk of a 4 PU $200 fine for the first offence and 8 PU $400 fine for subsequent offences.
Links for Information
Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg...
Section 119
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg...
Section 120
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg...
I just tried to organise a auxiliary number plate for my company supplied vehicle, as I was unable to purchase one using the doT website due to the car being in my employers name.
After many phone calls, I have been advised that the new ruling will not apply to Company supplied vehicles. This is due to the fact that the only way to order a plate is by registering and logging on to doT as an individual license holder, and then ordering a plate for a vehicle in your name. something that can not be done for a company operating with a large fleet of vehicles.
Although this has saved me a whopping $24 and the need to purchase a plate.. I still have my doubts of what will occur, should I be pulled over about my bike rack..
time will tell.
Pete
Can you confirm whether or not your employer could request an Auxiliary Number Plate as the registered owner of the vehicle.
If not I can follow up with my local member as he has been really helpful in this matter.
Based on the information we have obtained to this point in time you would be open to the $200 fine for the first offence and $400 for subsequent offences.
I've also just sent off an email to the Department of Transport contact that sent me the previous response.
Hi Everyone,
Scroll up to the first post and check out the result
. For some reason could not post the photo in this comment.
Regards
Chris Park
PMBC President
it appears that they did request one on my behalf, or how to go about purchasing one. They were advised that it wasn't required for company supplied vehicles due to being exempt. as noted, it appeared to be due to only being able to purchase plates via Dot website.
I unfortunately don't know much more.
pete
The new plate looks good. Should start to see them appearing on the rear mounted bike racks from now on.
Hi Pete,
As mentioned you would still be open to the associated penalties if the number plate is impeded so keep that in mind.
I have written to the DoT about your situation and am waiting on a response as there would be a lot of people using company vehicles with rear bike racks.
I will continue to follow up until we have everything sorted.
love ya work John,
thanks a heap for following it up for me, as I am still not 100% confident that I am exempt.
See you Sunday
Pete
As an alternative, you can just use heavy duty velcro (Bunnings) to make relocating it easy.
My front licence plate has been stuck on like that for years and that includes racing around Barbagallo.
FYI don't use too much velcro otherwise you will bend it out of shape every time you try and yank it off, it is that strong.
The reason businesses are unable to purchase Auxiliary Number Plates is that they can not use the DoT Direct on line system. Reportedly the DoT is looking at making the on line system available for businesses around October but this is only tentative at this time.
I have sent a further question to the DoT asking about infringements in the interim given that operators of business vehicles are unable to comply with the vehicle regulations due to DoT being unable to provide them with Auxiliary Number Plates.
It is sort of what I expected...
Please be advised you will need to contact the WA Police in regards to the issuing of fines.
Please note under the Road Traffic (Vehicle) Regulations 2014 it is the responsibility of the driver of a vehicle to ensure that the rear number plate of the vehicle is visible and legible. Therefore if you are unable to be issued with Auxiliary Plate's it is your responsibility to make the vehicle plate visible.
Just found some information on the Auxiliary Number Plate introduction on the Bicycling Western Australia web site that is a good reference for people to follow.
https://www.bwa.org.au/bikes-and-riding/808/
It is surprising how many people still aren't aware of the new WA Auxiliary Plates or that they potentially can be fined for impeding their vehicle number plate. The plates cost $24 and can save you a $200 fine for the first offence and $400 for subsequent offences.
I have been advising members at the XC events when I see a vehicle with a rear bike carrier of their availability and assume the word is spreading but just want to prevent anybody getting a fine.
Some people I have informed of the plates have indicated that they will either move the rear vehicle number plate to the bike carrier or manufacture their own number plate. As previously highlighted both of these practices are covered in the regulations and can lead to an even higher fine.
Pay the $24 and get your WA Auxiliary Plate to save the risk of a hefty fine.