Order, reserve or replace number plates
Here's how to order new, replacement or personalised number plates for your vehicle.
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New number plates
Number plates identify where a vehicle is registered and who the registered operator is.
New number plates are issued when you register your vehicle for the first time. Number plate fees depend on the type of vehicle and registration.
For heavy vehicles, check national heavy vehicle number plate fees.
Number plates remain the property of Transport for NSW. We have the authority to issue, decline to issue, renew or withdraw number plates.
If your registration has been cancelled for any reason, it is an offence to keep the number plates.
Reserving number plates
When selling a vehicle
If you're selling your vehicle and you want to keep your personal plates, you can reserve your plates and replace them with general number plates, or, you can exchange them with another vehicle registered in your name.
You need to:
- take your number plates and proof of your identity to a service centre
- pay the annual reserve fee, or, pay the exchange fee plus any yearly fees that apply.
When registration expires
If your registration has expired and it's been less than 3 months since the expiry date, you can reserve your number plates. You need to:
- take your number plates and proof of identity to a service centre
- pay the annual reserve fee, or, pay the exchange fee plus any yearly fees that apply.
Expired for more than 3 months
If it's been more than 3 months since the expiry date or if your registration is cancelled for any reason, it is an offence to keep the number plates.
You must hand in them in at a service centre.
You can apply for the same content as your old number plates, but there's no guarantee it will be available as your 'right to display' has expired.
Replacing lost, stolen or damaged number plates
You can replace number plates when they have been lost, stolen, damaged or if you just want something different.
To request replacement number plates, you need to hand the number plates in, in person at a service centre.
If your number plates have been stolen, report the theft to the police and request a Police Event Number before reporting the theft at a service centre.
If your number plates have been lost or damaged, report the loss and order replacement number plates in person at a service centre.
Exchanging number plates
Number plate exchanges are only allowed between two currently registered vehicles in the same name, between family members. Some other limited cases may be able to exchange. Contact us on 13 77 88 to see if you're eligible.
Personalised number plates
You can reserve or order personalised number plates online at myPlates. Personalised number plate content can be reserved until you're ready to use the number plates.
Reservations last 1 year and are paid for in advance with an annual fee. When you're ready for the number plates to be manufactured, the order fee is charged.
Order or renew personalised number plates online at myPlates
Buying a vehicle with personalised plates
If you buy a vehicle with personalised plates, you'll be charged a transfer fee and an annual fee unless you choose to replace them.
If you choose to replace them, you need to take these items with you to the service centre when you transfer the registration:
- completed Number Plates and/or Cancellation Form
- documents needed to transfer registration
- number plates
- proof of identity.
