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FAQs

Contents

About myPlates

Why are there two contact points for number plate orders?
In October 2010, the RMS announced that Plate Marketing Pty Ltd had been appointed to manage and operate the Special Number Plates business (known as 'myPlates' Personalised Number Plates). However, the RMS continues to operate the General Issue and Numeral Only number plates.

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Content and Levels of Personalisation

What is plate content?
Content refers to the number and letter combination on number plates, e.g. ABC 123.

What is deemed inappropriate or offensive content?
Plate content may be considered unsuitable if it contains inflammatory or defamatory references in any language which could be considered by a reasonable person to be inappropriate for public display. Examples would be drug or alcohol, sexual, racial or discriminatory references. If plates have been issued and are later considered to be inappropriate or offensive, the plates will be recalled.

What are the levels of personalisation?
There are three levels available: Standard (Restyle via the website), Personalised and Personalised Plus. For detailed information download the myPlates brochure.

What are standard number plates?
Standard number plates are managed by the RMS and include:

  • General Issue (yellow and black) plates
  • Heavy Vehicle plates
  • Heavy Trailer plates
  • Bike Rack (auxiliary) plates
  • Plates for heavy vehicles under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme
  • Plates for conditionally registered vehicles
  • Plates for consular vehicles
  • Plates for public passenger vehicles, including buses, taxis and hire cars
  • Plates for Australian Government agency vehicles that are required to be registered in New South Wales
  • Tow Truck Plates
  • Trade Plates

What are personalised number plates?
Personalised number plates refer to all plates other than standard number plates. Personalised plate products vary in style (colour and size) and content (letter/number combinations) and are managed by Plate Marketing Pty Ltd under the brand name 'myPlates'. They include:

  • Standard content number plates
  • Personalised content number plates
  • Personalised Plus content number plates

Numeral only plates
These plates can have up to six numbers (five numbers for motorcycles), but are only available at RMS auctions or through private sale – they can't be ordered through a motor registry, telephone or online. Numeral Only plates are managed by the RMS.

What is a "restyle"?
A "restyle" is when you keep the same letters and numbers as your current plate but change the style, even if it's standard. Restyling is easy, with one transaction and one payment. And if you don't pay an annual fee on your number plates now, you won't pay one if you restyle.

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How to Order Number Plates

How do I order personalised number plates?

  • Online, click here to order your plates.
  • Call the dedicated myPlates team on 131 758.
  • Visit any RMS motor registry.
  • At your dealership when purchasing a new car/motorcycle.

How do I get standard content plates?

  • At RMS registries or
  • Via your dealership when purchasing a new car/motorcycle.

How do I get a copy of the terms and conditions?
Terms and conditions are issued to every customer who orders or is issued with personalised number plates. If you have lost your copy, you can view a copy here or pick up another copy from an RMS Motor Registry.

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Fees & Pricing

Do all plates have an annual fee?
No. Standard content number plates and standard content personalised number plates in any style including myPlates' special styles like European, Premium or Colours, have a one-off order fee only. If you want to select (personalise) your content, then ongoing annual fees will apply. Annual content fees start from just $99.

I want to replace my current plates with a new style, but I don't want to change my letter/number combination. How do I do this and what fees will apply?
You can order a new style of plates (restyle), with your existing content (letter/number combination) online, by calling 131 758 or by visiting an RMS Motor Registry. You'll need to pay a one-off restyle order fee which will vary on the plate style chosen.

If I change my mind after I have placed my order, will my order fee be refunded?
myPlates will refund the full order fee for personalised number plates if you cancel your order on the same day the order fee was paid. myPlates will not refund any fees for personalised number plates including any order fees or any annual fee in any other circumstances.

When will I have to pay my first annual fee?
When you collect your plates from an RMS Motor Registry or when the plates are placed in storage you will be charged a pro-rata fee for the plates. From then on, the annual fee will be included on your RMS registration renewal notice for your vehicle.

What does a pro-rata fee mean?
A pro-rata fee means that you will only pay for the annual fee that is calculated between the time you ordered your new plates until your vehicle registration renewal date. The pro-rata fee is based on the annual fee at the time of collection and is payable when you collect your plates if you have chosen to pick them up from an RMS Motor Registry.

If my existing plates have an annual fee and the fee increases, will the new fee apply to me?
Yes. Annual fees may change over time. Your next registration renewal notice will include the new annual fee charges.

If the annual fee changes after I've paid my registration or placed my plates in storage, will I receive a refund or be required to pay the difference?
No refund or extra money will apply to the plate fees in the current period of registration or storage, for which you have already paid. You will be required to pay the higher or lower annual fee the next time your registration is due or you renew the storage period.

If I have paid an annual fee for an existing personalised plate and decide to purchase a new plate with different content, will I be charged a pro rata annual fee when I collect the new plate?
Yes. Annual fees are not transferrable between two plates with two different letter/number combinations. A new Personalised plate will attract its own annual fee.

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 operator of the vehicle is responsible for paying the annual fee at the time of registration renewal.

If you don't want to keep the annual fee plates, you can return them to an RMS Motor Registry in exchange for a standard content plate with no annual fees, and pay the applicable order fee for the new plates.

How are prices of personalised number plates determined?
Annual fees for personalised number plates were implemented after pricing studies which involved the general public, were undertaken. Personalised number plates are an optional purchase for NSW motorists.

If my annual fees have been waived, will my registration be affected?
As long as you continue to pay any applicable vehicle registration renewal fees, your registration will not be affected during the period your annual fees have been waived.

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Website Security

How do I know if my online transaction is secure?
The myPlates website transaction application is contained within a secure iframe using 128 bit encryption. This means that your data is transmitted securely. If you prefer, you can order over the phone by contacting the myPlates Customer Service team on 131 758 during business hours.

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Delivery of Your New Number Plates

How will I receive my new personalised number plates?
Your number plates will be delivered to the nominated registry in approximately 21 days from the date of purchase. You'll receive a letter advising when they're ready to collect and the necessary documentation you will need to provide. You will need to hand in your old plates in order to pick up your new plates. If you have not received a letter within 28 days of placing your order please call myPlates on 131 758. Please note Prestige plates take up to 6 weeks. When collecting your plates you will be charged a pro-rata fee for the plates. A pro-rata fee means that you will only pay for the annual fee that is calculated between the time you ordered your new plates until your vehicle registration renewal date. From then on, the annual fee will be included on your vehicle RMS registration renewal notice. If you do not pay the applicable fees within 28 days of the RMS's notice, the plates may either be destroyed or made available to another customer. If you then wish to reapply for the same content or style or an alternative, you will have to place a new order and pay applicable fees.

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Fitting Your New Personalised Number Plates

How do I attach my new personalised number plates to my vehicle?

  • Most personalised number plates come with pre-drilled holes so you can easily screw the plates onto your vehicle.
  • Euro number plates don't come with pre-drilled holes because there are no standard drill hole locations on European vehicles.
  • Prestige number plates are made out of acrylic and come with a mounting bracket that is only suitable for flat plate bumper recesses.

I have a set of slimline plates. Can I put the small plate on the rear of my vehicle?
No. The law requires the large plate be placed on the rear of the vehicle and the small plate placed on the front. You may be fined if you fit the smaller plate on the rear of the vehicle.

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Gifting

Can I buy number plates as a gift?
Yes. It's easy! Just tick the 'gift' button at the bottom of the screen when placing the order online and follow the prompts. Please note, you must order the number plates in the name of the person they are intended for and you should be sure that the person would not object to you providing their details to us. When you order the plates you can also receive a gift certificate which you'll be able to print or email once the transaction has been finalised. Please note that the gift recipient must collect the new number plates from the nominated Motor Registry unless they provide a letter authorising you to collect them on their behalf.

Can I buy a blank gift certificate to a dollar value?
Gift certificates cannot be issued with a dollar value, they can only be issued once plates are ordered against a named recipient. The gift certificate displays an image of the new number plates, the name of the recipient and a personal message from you.

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Transferring Ownership

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 vehicle owner is responsible for the annual fee. If they do not want to pay the annual fee they can return the number plates and request RMS standard number plates or myPlates standard content number plates for a one-off order fee. There are no refunds on annual fees that have already been paid.

Can I transfer my personalised number plates?

  • Personalised Plus number plates or Numeral-Only number plates can be transferred to anyone.
  • Personalised number plates are transferable only to family members, de facto couples, between vehicles owned by the same company or between companies and employees. You will need to provide proof of your relationship.
  • If another individual who does not meet this eligibility criteria wants your Personalised number plates, you must surrender the plates and present the RMS with a letter relinquishing the right to display. The content is then immediately released and can be ordered as a new plate by another individual.

How do I transfer my personalised number plates?
To transfer your plates, simply take them to an RMS Motor Registry and complete an Exchange Transfer Number Plates form. This form can also be downloaded from the RMS website on the Publications, statistics and forms page. Transfer and storage fees will apply.

Can I order plates under my details but then transfer them to someone else if they have not yet been issued to a vehicle? Yes. If the person who placed the order advises that the plate was intended as a gift and wasn't placed in storage or on a vehicle then no fee applies. If you ordered the plate and now wish to transfer it to someone else (Personalised Plus and Numeral Only plates or plates transferred between family members), an exchange or plate transfer fee applies.

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Registration Expiry and Storage

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 an RMS Motor Registry. Storage fees apply and you will also be required to pay any annual content fees that apply to the plates for the storage period.

How do I place my plates in storage?
To put your plates in storage, simply take them to an RMS Motor Registry before your registration expires and complete a Number Plates form. This form can also be downloaded from the RMS website on the Publications, statistics and forms page. The plates will remain on hold at that Motor Registry for as long as you need, provided the annual $52 storage fees (+ Applicable Annual Fees) are paid. You can pay storage fees up to five years in advance.

Do personalised number plates incur an annual fee if it's in storage?
Yes. If annual fees apply to your plates, they must be paid whether the plates are in storage or on a registered vehicle.

Do I get a refund from my number plates prior to my registration expiry date if I decide to cancel?
No. As the holder of the number plates/registered operator of the vehicle, you will not be eligible for a refund on the remaining proportion of the annual fee.

Can I keep personalised number plates in my possession if I don't have a registered vehicle?
No, it is an offence to retain number plates for longer than:

  • 14 days after losing your Rights (see the circumstances below), or
  • within the time specified for return when your plates are recalled by the RMS.

When do I lose the rights to my personalised number plates?
You will lose your Rights if:

  • The RMS recalls your number plates.
  • The registration of the vehicle to which your number plates have been allocated is cancelled due to expiry of registration.
  • You transfer your Rights in accordance with the Special Number Plates Terms and Conditions
  • Three months after the registration of the vehicle to which your number plates have been allocated is cancelled for reasons other than expiry of registration.
  • Three months after you surrender your number plates to the RMS (or equivalent vehicle registration authority in another Australian state or territory) if registration was current at the time of the surrender.
  • Three months after you register the vehicle for which your number plates have been allocated in another state or territory, if registration was current at the time of the new registration; or
  • Where your number plates are kept in storage with the RMS, three months after you fail to renew the storage and pay associated fees.

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Moving Interstate

I am moving interstate. What should I do with my number plates?
If you no longer have a vehicle registered in NSW, then you must return your plates to an RMS Motor Registry. If you want to keep your plates, you will need to place them in storage at an RMS Motor Registry before you register the vehicle in another state or territory, or before your registration expires, whichever comes first.

If you store your plates you need to pay the annual fee that apply to the plates. The plates will remain in storage at the nominated RMS Motor Registry for as long as you need, provided the storage and any annual fees are paid. You can pay storage fees up to five years in advance.

If you decide you want to have the plates attached to a vehicle registration again, you may pick them up from any RMS Motor Registry. Call myPlates on 131 758 to have the plates delivered to your preferred Motor Registry. A $24 move fee will apply.

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Replacement Number Plates

What is a "replace"?
A "replace" is a like-for-like replacement (identical style and content) of your existing plate. Replacement plates can only be ordered if your plates are worn or damaged.

What can I do if my number plates are damaged?
You can replace your damaged plates online at myPlates.com.au or call our Customer Service team on 131 758. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest RMS Motor Registry. You will need to hand in both the front and rear motor vehicle number plates into the RMS in order to make the replacement – even if only one plate has been damaged. Replacement fees are as below.

Replace Plates

Cars & Light
Trucks

Heavy
Vehicles

Motorcycles

Trailers

NUMERAL ONLY
(vitreous Enamel or Aluminium)

$300

$300

$300

NA

PRESTIGE

$600

NA

NA

NA

PREMIUM

$275

NA

$140

$140

EURO

$400

NA

NA

NA

COLOUR ON WHITE

$160

NA

$80

$80

COLOURED

$220

NA

$110

$110

THEMED (eg. NRL)

$250

NA

NA

NA

BRIGHT LIGHTS

$275

NA

NA

NA

Custom Yellow

$220

$75

$110

$110

Ebony Black

$220

$100

$110

$110

Slim White Bordered

$99

NA

$59

$59

Original Yellow

$40

$40

$40

$40

OTHER

  

Sydney Harbour Bridge

  

- Standard Issue

$100

NA

NA

NA

- Limited Edition

$300

NA

NA

NA

ARU Supporter

$100

NA

NA

NA

Speedblitz Blues

$100

NA

NA

NA

Centenary of Federation

$100

NA

NA

NA

My vehicle has been written off. Can I keep my plates?
If your plates are not damaged, you should place them in storage at an RMS Motor Registry. The plates will remain on 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 are registering a vehicle and decide you want to pick them up from a different Motor Registry, call myPlates on 131 758 to have the plates delivered to your preferred Motor Registry. A $24 move fee will apply. You will also need to pay any annual content fees that apply to the plates while they are in storage.

If your plates are damaged, see notes in the previous question.

If your plates are destroyed, you must report this to an RMS Motor Registry. You'll be issued with a new set of plates. Plates reported destroyed are treated in the same manner as lost or stolen plates (see below).

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Lost or Stolen Number Plates

What can I do if my number plates have been lost or stolen?
Lost and stolen plates are treated the same because 'lost' plates could actually have been stolen. You should immediately report a lost or stolen plate as a theft to the NSW Police Assistance Line (131 444) and ask for an Event Number. You will then need to attend an RMS Motor Registry and complete the Number Plates (1038) form, Section 5.

The law does not permit lost or stolen number plates to be replaced with the same content straight away. Lost and stolen plates are permanently recorded on police records and the use of number plates with content previously reported as lost or stolen can trigger false police alerts. Your local RMS Motor Registry will issue you with General Issue plates for a $40 fee. If you would like to have new personalised plates, you can select new content from the available range.

Under certain circumstances the RMS, together with the Police, may consider the reissue of your character content, and the restoration of your previous fee structure, of your lost or stolen plates. A minimum of 6 months must have passed from the plates being reported as lost or stolen before this review. In the meantime no one else can be issued with those plates. You can address this request for reissue together with any supporting documentation to:

The General Manager, Driver & Vehicle Policy
Locked Bag 928
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059

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Bike Rack

Do I need a bike rack (or auxiliary) plate? And if so, how do I get one?
If you attach a bike rack or mobility device 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 white with black characters and can be ordered by phoning myPlates on 131 758, online or at an RMS Motor Registry.

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Trailer & Caravan

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.

A personalised number plate for your caravan or trailer can be ordered by calling 131 758, online or an RMS Motor Registry. You can order a standard number plate for your caravan or trailer by contacting the RMS on 132 213 or at any RMS Motor Registry.

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Heavy Vehicle

Can I order personalised number plates for my heavy vehicle?
Yes, you can order personalised number plates for your heavy vehicle, however the choice of styles is not as broad. Click here to order now.

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Check Availability

See if your desired plate is available.