What are special number plates?
You can choose from a range of number plate products varying in style (colour and size) and content (letter/number combinations). Special number plates refer to all the plates other than the standard yellow and white bordered plates. Special number plates also attract annual fees.
Do all plates have an annual fee?
No. Standard issue yellow or white bordered plates are available for a one-off order fee.
If you wish to customise any part of your plate, ie change the style or personalise the content, then annual fees will apply. Annual fees start from just $30 (for cars).
How do I order plates?
You can order plates online at myRTA.com, by phoning 131 758 or visiting a motor registry.
I bought a car from a motor dealer and it already had plates that incur annual fees. Is the motor dealer responsible for paying the annual fees?
No. The holder of the number plates/ registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for paying the annual fee.
If you don't wish to keep the annual fee plates, you can hand them in at a motor registry in exchange for standard yellow or white bordered plates.
Will a special number plate incur an annual fee if it’s in storage?
Yes. Annual fees are payable once the number plate has been issued.
When will I have to pay my first annual fee?
You will be charged a pro-rata fee for the plates, based on when your registration is due for renewal, when you collect them from a motor registry. From then on, the annual fee will then be included on your registration renewal notice.
If my plates have an annual fee and the fee increases, will the new fee apply me?
Yes. Annual fees may go up or down over time.
If the annual fee changes after I've paid my registration, will I receive a refund or be required to pay the difference?
No. You will be required to pay the annual fee the plates incurred at the time of registration, however it will be automatically adjusted to the current annual fee the next time you renew your registration.
I want to swap my current plates for a new style, but I don’t want to change my content. How do I do this and what fees will apply?
You can order a new style of plates, with your existing content, online at myRTA.com, by calling 131 758 or visiting a motor registry.
You will need to pay a $30 one-off order fee and a pro-rata annual fee until your next registration renewal is due.
I think the cost of special number plates is too high – who determines these prices?
A number of pricing studies involving members of the public were undertaken prior to the implementation of annual fees. Special number plates are a discretionary purchase and provide an important source of revenue to help fund road safety initiatives.
Where does the revenue from special number plates go?
Funds raised from special number plates are directed to help fund road safety initiatives.
If a vehicle is transferred with annual fee plates on it, does the new owner have to pay the annual fees or do they get a refund?
The new owner would be responsible for the annual fees. If they do not want to pay the annual fees they can return the special number plates and purchase standard yellow or white bordered plates for a one-off order fee. There are no refunds on annual fees.
Can I transfer my personalised plus number plates onto my company vehicle?
Yes. A transfer fee would apply.
Can I sell my plates or give them to a friend?
Only personalised plus number plates can be sold or transferred and transfer fees will apply. All other number plates are only transferable to immediate family members, de facto couples or between vehicles owned by the same company.
Can I order plates under my details but then give them to someone else if they have not yet been issued to a vehicle?
Yes. However, the person you are giving the plates to will need to obtain a letter from you relinquishing the right to display the plates.
I have a set of slimline plates, can I put the small plate on the rear of my vehicle?
No. The small plate was designed specifically for the front of a vehicle and must be only placed on the front. Fines apply for the incorrect use of number plates.
What is plate content?
Content refers to the number and letter combination on the number plates, eg ABC 123. There are three content options available: standard, personalised and personalised plus.
What is deemed inappropriate or offensive content?
Plate content may be considered unsuitable if it contains inflammatory or defamatory sexual, religious, racial or creed references. If plates have been issued and are later considered to be inappropriate or offensive, those plates can be withdrawn.
Will the RTA be introducing more styles?
The RTA plans to develop and introduce a range of special number plate options over time. Any suggestions can be emailed to numberplates@rta.nsw.gov.au
Can I buy plates as a gift?
Yes. However, you must order them in the name of the person they are intended for. When ordering the plates you can also request a gift certificate. A letter will be sent directly to the recipient advising them when the plates are ready for collection.
Can I buy a blank gift certificate?
Currently a gift certificate can only be issued once plates are ordered.
If I change my mind after I have placed my order, can I get a refund of my order fee?
To obtain a full refund you must cancel your order before the end of the same working day. If the plates were ordered online outside normal working hours, you will have until the end of the following working day. If you cancel after this time the order fee is not refundable.
Can I order personalised plates for my heavy vehicle?
Currently heavy vehicles have the choice of personalised yellow or black plates or personalised plus custom yellow plates. The RTA is considering new options for release in the future.
If my car registration expires and I am not going to renew it, but I want to keep my number plates, what can I do?
Before the registration expires, you can simply transfer these plates to another vehicle registered in your name or place the plates in storage at a motor registry.
You will also be required to pay any annual fees that apply to the plates.
I am moving interstate. What do I do with my number plates?
If you no longer need the plates, you must return them to a motor registry. If you wish to keep your plates, you will need to place them in storage at a motor registry before your registration expires.
You will also need to pay any annual fees that apply to the plates. The plates will remain in hold at that motor registry for as long as you need, provided the storage fees are paid. You can pay storage fees for up to five years in advance.
If you decide you want to pick them up from a different motor registry, call 131 758 to have the plates delivered to your preferred motor registry. A fee will apply.
My vehicle has been written off, what do I do to keep my plates?
You should place your plates in storage at a motor registry. The plates will remain in hold at that motor registry for as long as you need, provided the storage fees are paid. You can pay storage fees up to five years in advance.
If you decide you want to pick them up from a different motor registry, call 131 758 to have them delivered to your preferred motor registry. A fee will apply.
You will also need to pay any annual fees that apply to the plates while they are in storage.
How do I place my plates in storage?
To put your plates in storage, you simply need to take them to a motor registry before your registration expires and complete a Registration Plates (Number Plates) form. This form can also be downloaded from the RTA website, on the Publications, statistics and forms page.
The plates will remain in hold at that motor registry for as long as you need, provided the storage fees are paid. You can pay storage fees up to five years in advance.
If you decide you want to pick them up from a different motor registry, call 131 758 to have the plates delivered to your preferred motor registry. A fee will apply.
You will also need to pay any annual fees that apply to the plates while they are in storage.
Do I get a copy of the terms and conditions for special number plates?
Yes. Terms and conditions are issued to every customer who orders or is issued with special number plates. If you have lost your copy, you can download them from the RTA website or pick up another copy from a motor registry.
Do I need a bike rack plate? How do I get one?
If you attach a bike rack to the back of your vehicle and it obstructs the view of the number plate, you will need a bike rack plate. The plate will have the same content as the plates on your vehicle.
Bike rack plates are black-on-white and can be ordered by phoning 131 758 or at any motor registry.
Do I need a number plate for my trailer or caravan?
Yes - all vehicles require number plates. Caravans and trailers have their own number plates as they have a separate registration from your vehicle.
You can order a number plate for your caravan or trailer online at myRTA.com, by calling 131 758 or visiting a motor registry. You can order a standard yellow plate or choose from a range of special number plate options.
My number plates have been lost or stolen. What do I do?
You should immediately report the theft to the police and the RTA. If both plates are declared lost or stolen - customers can elect to take an alternate plate number instead of remaking their lost or stolen plates, the same style, but with a slightly different numeral content (eg NIC-150 instead of NIC-155). The letters must remain the same. An order fee applies.
If you require the same content as the lost or stolen set of plates, you must complete a customer declaration on the number plates form, stating you are aware the police may stop and question you about displaying stolen plates.
For the customer to be eligible for a remake, or alternate set of plates, the customer must make application within three months of the date the plates were declared lost or stolen, provided the plates were 'active' at the time of the declaration.
If only one plate from a set has been lost or stolen, the customer can remake their plates in the same style and with the same content. A remake fee applies.
Back to top