Frequently asked questions

No. Great Plates is a resale marketplace for existing personalised plates that have already been issued. For a brand-new combination in New Zealand, go to KiwiPlates. In Australia, go to your state's plate agency.

Usually a private owner, who lists the plate for a flat fee. A few are sold by Great Plates itself and marked Sold by Great Plates. For an owner's listing, you contact the owner directly.

Yes. Plates are listed in NZD or AUD. Each Australian state has its own transfer rules, so check them before you agree a price.

In New Zealand, seeing a plate on a car doesn't prove ownership, because entitlement isn't checked when plates are fitted. Call LicenSys on 0800 REMAKE (736 253) to check who holds the entitlement before you pay.

For an owner's listing, you pay the owner directly, so agree the transfer steps first and use a payment method that protects you. For plates sold by Great Plates, your payment is held until the plate is in your name.

Yes. Contact the owner using the details on the listing. For plates sold by Great Plates, use the Make an offer button.

Try the plate finder for ideas, and check back: new plates are listed all the time. For a brand-new combination, go to KiwiPlates.

Use Sell my plate. Add your plate, how it looks and your price, and pay the NZ$29 listing fee. Your listing goes live straight away and stays up until it sells. Buyers contact you directly, and you mark it as sold with the private link we give you. Selling several? Add them all and pay once: each extra plate is NZ$19. Premium (+NZ$20) features a plate at the top of the site for 60 days.

Yes. The name, email and phone number you give are shown on your listing so buyers can contact you. A phone number is optional.

When you list, the site suggests what your plate reads as and offers keywords to tap. You can also type your own, so buyers searching for the word find your plate.

Not always. You're buying the registration, and sellers often keep the old plates, or they may never have been made. Once the plate is in your name, order new plates for your vehicle from LicenSys. If you just want to own the plate and put it on a vehicle later, that's fine too.

Meet at a bank branch or another busy public place, pay by bank transfer, and the seller signs the transfer form only once the money shows in their own banking app. Never accept a screenshot as proof. See our guide to trading safely.

Call LicenSys, the government plate manufacturer, on 0800 REMAKE (736 253). Do this before any money changes hands.

Yes, if it has five characters or fewer. Six-character plates suit cars and trucks only. Every NZ listing shows which vehicles the plate can go on.

The vehicle must be registered with at least 30 days left, and in the same name as the plate owner. Request manufacture from LicenSys online or on 0800 736 253. Delivery is typically 7 to 10 working days.

With NZTA's Transfer of entitlement form, which both the seller and buyer complete. Our full guide covers each step.

Complete an Application for replacement plate (form MR6A) and take the plates to an NZTA agent. NZTA's fee for fitting personalised plates you already hold is $6.30.

Order a remake. NZTA lists $34.96 per pair for standard personalised plates. Other styles are ordered from LicenSys on 0800 REMAKE, can take 7 to 10 days and vary in price. Never buy copied plates: only NZTA or its agents can issue plates.

Yes. KiwiPlates offers restyling from $199, keeping your characters and changing the look.

No. The MR13B is for a vehicle change of ownership. Plate rights transfer separately.

A plate stays with the state that issued it. Check that state's rules before you agree a price. Our state-by-state guide covers each one.

Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania say you own the combination. In NSW, the ACT and the NT you hold a right to display plates the government owns.

Standard WA personalised plates can only go on a vehicle registered to the original holder or an immediate family member. Some other optional plate types can be traded.