Off-road vehicles

The department is responsible for administering the Control of Vehicles (Off-road Areas) Act 1978 (the Act).

Warning: Where fire bans exist in some parts of the state, some off-road vehicle areas may be closed. Users should check with local authorities or the DFES website before travelling to all off-road vehicle areas.

Low Angle View Of Man Riding Dirt Bike During Sunset

Call for nominations

Positions are available on the Advisory Committee for a term of up to 3 years, beginning in the second half of 2022.

Nominations are sought for the following three positions:

  • 2 to be selected from persons who have appropriate experience in the operation of off-road vehicles
  • 1 to be selected from persons who have appropriate experience in the operation of four wheel drive vehicles.

The Advisory Committee is appointed under section 21 of the Control of Vehicles (Off-road areas) Act 1978 and is responsible for providing advice and recommendations to the Minister for Local Government in relation to the use of land by off‑road vehicles, including the declaration of prohibited and permitted areas.

Committee members are required to attend meetings as necessary and be active and willing to participate in evaluating proposals and providing advice to the Minister, within his local government portfolio.

Applicants should address the skills and experience they possess in relation to the regulation or use of off-road vehicles, which would contribute to the effective governance of an Advisory Committee in relation to off-road vehicles.

To nominate, please forward a CV to: orv@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

If you require any further information about the above, please contact Mr Troy Hancock, Senior Legislation Officer on 61 8 6552 1624 or via the email address provided.

Applications are to be received by 4pm Thursday 30 June 2022.

Off-road vehicle map

This map is designed to show permitted and prohibited off-road vehicle areas in Western Australia and their licencing and usage requirements. These areas are governed by the Control of Vehicles (Off-road Vehicles) Act 1978.

Off-road vehicle guides

Off-road vehicles legislation

The Act:

  • prohibits the use of off-road vehicles in certain places
  • makes provisions for the use of off-road vehicles other than on a road
  • provides for areas where the use of off-road vehicles is permitted
  • provides requirements for the registration of off-road vehicles.

The Act and associated regulations apply throughout Western Australia. These are available from the State Law Publisher.

Permitted areas

Permitted areas are established under the provisions of the Act and are the areas where registered off-road vehicles, as well as licensed on‑road vehicles, are allowed to be operated. Private land can only be declared as a permitted area with the written authorisation of the owner. Restrictions may be placed on the type of off-road vehicle that can use a specific permitted area. For example, area may be restricted to motorcycles of a certain size and noise output.

The current publicly available permitted areas and the respective land manager include:

Prohibited areas

All vehicles, including licensed on-road vehicles, may be forbidden from prohibited areas, whether or not the land is private, if the Minister for Local Government is of the opinion that public interest requires it to be done. This can only be exercised over private land without the consent of the owner and occupier for the following reasons:

  • need to protect livestock or preserve wildlife
  • environmentally sensitive nature of the land
  • proximity of the land to residential development
  • provisions of any town planning scheme.

A person who is the owner or occupier of land declared a prohibited area or worker for such a person has the right to use a vehicle on that land. Prohibited areas may be declared so that they apply to limited classes of vehicles. The full list of prohibited areas is available from the department.

Advisory committee

An advisory committee is appointed under the Act and is responsible for providing advice and recommendations to the Minister for Local Government in relation to the use of land by off-road vehicles, including the declaration of prohibited and permitted areas.

Local laws

Local governments can enact local laws and are responsible for enforcing the Act. Local laws enacted by a local government apply only to the area administered by that local government and are not statewide laws. Information about local laws relating to permitted/prohibited areas for off-road vehicles can be obtained from the relevant local government.

Page reviewed 17 June 2022