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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Land Transport Act 1998

Motor vehicle registration and licensing - Registration plates

257: Issue of plates and certificates of registration

You could also call this:

“Getting number plates and proof that your vehicle is registered”

When you apply to register your motor vehicle, the Registrar will check if your application is correct. If it is, they will do a few things:

For ordinary plates, they will choose numbers, letters, or marks to go on your plates. They will then give you these plates for your vehicle.

For personalised plates, they will give you the special numbers, letters, or marks you chose for your plates.

The Registrar will also give you a certificate that shows your vehicle is registered.

Sometimes, if you get new ordinary plates, your vehicle might get a new number or mark.

You need to show the ordinary plates on your vehicle unless you have personalised plates or trade plates that you’re allowed to use instead.

If the Registrar asks, you might need to give back any old plates you have for that vehicle.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3705398.

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256: Discretion to refund fees, or

"The Registrar can choose to give you a refund for unused vehicle registration or trade plates"

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258: Supplementary plates, or

"Extra plates for registered vehicles: how to get and use them"

Part 17 Motor vehicle registration and licensing
Registration plates

257Issue of plates and certificates of registration

  1. The Registrar must, if satisfied that an application for registration of a motor vehicle made in accordance with regulations made under this Part is in order,—

  2. in the case of ordinary plates,—
    1. assign numbers, letters, a distinguishing mark, or a combination of any of these for the ordinary plates that are to be affixed to the motor vehicle; and
      1. issue to the applicant an ordinary plate or plates for the motor vehicle; and
      2. in the case of personalised plates, issue the unique numbers, letters, distinguishing marks, or combination of any of these assigned for use on the plates that are to be affixed to the motor vehicle; and
        1. issue a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle.

          1. A new number or distinguishing mark may be assigned to the motor vehicle if new ordinary plates are issued for it.

          2. Ordinary plates issued under this section must be displayed on the motor vehicle unless personalised plates or trade plates are displayed in accordance with this Part or regulations made under this Part.

          3. A person to whom registration plates are issued under this section must, at the discretion of the Registrar, surrender any existing registration plates for that motor vehicle to the Registrar.

          Compare
          Notes
          • Section 257: inserted, on , by section 32(9) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2009 (2009 No 17).