Written Off Vehicle Scheme reforms

A vehicle is considered to be a repairable written off vehicle (WOV) if it is assessed as a total loss but not a statutory write-off.

Total loss is when the cost to salvage and repair the vehicle would be more than the fair market value of the vehicle at the time it was damaged.

A written-off vehicle falls into one of the following categories:

• statutory write-off
• repairable write-off.

Note: statutory written off vehicles are suitable for wrecking only and cannot be re-registered.

These changes strengthen the scheme by reducing the number of stolen vehicles that could possibly be registered with false identification obtained from wrecked vehicles and ensuring any repairs comply with the applicable vehicle safety standards.

Changes to the scheme bring the Territory into line with other Australian jurisdictions.

Only vehicles that were registered in the NT at the time of the written off vehicle event will be eligible to access the NT’s WOV scheme.

The re-registration of an eligible WOV will be subject to the assessment of acceptable repairs and the WOV successfully completing a tiered inspection process.

A written‑off vehicle can only be repaired after the owner applies to the department and receives an approved Authority to Repair (ATR). Repairs must not begin until the ATR conditions are accepted.

Once approved, the vehicle can be repaired in line with the specified requirements, documented in a repair logbook and later inspected before it can be re‑registered.

Repairs to a written‑off vehicle can be carried out by a qualified person, however the vehicle owner is responsible for arranging and overseeing all repairs. All work must be completed in accordance with the conditions of the Authority to Repair (ATR) and follow manufacturer instructions or accepted industry standards.

The owner is also responsible for ensuring all required documentation, certifications and a complete repair logbook are obtained and provided to the department for assessment before the vehicle can proceed to inspection and potential re‑registration.

The Australian Government Personal Property Securities Register website allows users to do a search against property such as vehicles.

For vehicles, the search outlines information such as security interest, written-off vehicle status and stolen vehicle notification.

For more information visit the Personal Property Securities Register website.

These changes will improve road safety by ensuring vehicles are repaired to industry standards by qualified professionals and improve documentation and record keeping in relation to repaired vehicles.

From 1 July new fees will apply to the application, assessment and inspection of written off vehicles.

• Application fee –  $125.00 (GST exempt).
• Assessment fee –  $375.00 (GST exempt).
• Inspection fee:
  • for light vehicles (≤ 4.5T GVM) –  $64.00 (GST exempt)
  • for heavy vehicles (> 4.5T GVM) –  $146.00 (GST exempt).

For more information:

• V74 Information Bulletin: V74 – Applying to Repair and Re-register a Written-Off Vehicle (WOV) PDF (233.8 KB)
• VS74 Application Form: VS74 – Application Form – Apply for a Preliminary Assessment of Suitability for Registration of a Written-Off Vehicle (WOV) PDF (852.6 KB)
• NT written off vehicle register