An RTA spokesperson said a new pricing scheme would be in place from April 8.

“About half of our personalised plate customers will have their annual fees waived or reduced, with standard style and colour plates more accessible and affordable for new customers.

“This means existing customers will either pay the same or less under the new pricing scheme,” the spokesperson said.

There are three different sorts of personalised plates available:

• Standard: Allows you to choose the colour and style of your plate.
• Personalised with content: Allows you to choose your numbers and letters in the standard format.
• Personalised Plus with fully flexible content: Allows you to choose your letters and numbers in any combination.

“The RTA is waiving annual fees on all standard plates.  This means that any plate in the style and colour of your choice will now come in an easy one-off payment and be yours for life.

“Around 12 per cent of customers will have no annual fees when the new pricing comes into effect.

“With the new low fees, personalised content can be added for as little as $90 and fully flexible content for just $440 a year.

“With motorbikes becoming more popular, a standard colour and style of plate can be bought for a one-off fee of $110, with personalised content added for as little as $50.

“New plate sales help make our roads safer with revenue from the sale of number plates going towards road safety projects,” the spokesperson said.

The cost for some Personalised Plus plates will rise slightly in annual fees and a one-off payment.  The increase in one-off order fee payments for plates will help to cover the cost of higher manufacturing fees, especially for hand-made Personalised Plus plates.