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Things to know before you buy

Why get a custom plate?

A car is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your lifetime, so why not add a personal touch?

Whether you’re a car lover, business owner, proud parent, quirky character, or just a big fan of a little style, there’s a custom plate for you. 

Classic, colourful, wide, slim, deluxe, even euro – the choice is yours. Whatever the reason, we’re here to help you create a plate you’ll love.

How does Custom Plates work?

A custom plate is unique addition to your vehicle.

Step 1: Create your plate

Using the combination checker on our website, check the availability of your desired combination. The combination is the letters and numbers that go on your plate.

Once you’ve selected an available combination, you can then choose the style of plate that you would like. 

Step 2: Confirm and pay 

You’ll need to have your licence handy and confirm your details. Then you can complete your payment online. When you purchase plates online, you will receive a pair of plates.

Step 3: Wait for them to arrive

Most plates take about two weeks to be delivered. Australia Post will send you a confirmation when they are on their way. 

Step 4: Call us to assign them to your car 

Once your plates have arrived, you’ll need to call us so we can make sure you’re registered and assign them to your vehicle.

If the plates are for someone else, you’ll need to fill out a Transfer of Rights form or if you hold an overseas licence, you’ll need to visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

Step 5: Take off your old plates and attach the new ones 

Return your old plates to your nearest Customer Service Centre.

If you ever want to put the plate onto another car, you’ll just need to call us again and pay a reassignment fee. The vehicle will need to be registered in your name to do this.

Are these legal?

Custom Plates are non-standard plates issued validly by VicRoads on behalf of the State under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic).  Driving with other non-standard plates is an offence under the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021. This includes the illegal re-manufacturing of existing number plates issued by VicRoads in a different format, style or material. (Exempt trailers can display home-made plates).

What is restyling?

Our Restyle option lets you change your existing number plate to a different style. Choose from a large range of colours and themes to find one that suits you, your car or motorbike.

What is a replacement plate?

If your plate is damaged, lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can order a replacement of your existing plate in the same style and combination. Just call us or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

Can I pre-order my plates?

You can order your plates at any time, and you don’t need to put them on your vehicle straight away. Some people purchase several sets of plates without ever attaching them to a car. When you’re ready to assign them to your vehicle, just give us a call.
 
If you’ve bought a new car, you can also ask the dealer to organise for your car and new plates to be delivered together.

Can I purchase plates as a gift?

Yes, however, you’ll need to fill out a Transfer of Rights form.

What’s the cost and are they mine for life?

Our plates vary in price depending on the style. Once you pay for your plate, it’s yours for life unless you decide to transfer or sell it. 

Can I put plates on any vehicle?

With the exception of a few types of commercial vehicles (e.g. taxis, hire cars, and tow trucks), and those registered under the Club Permit Scheme, any vehicle or motorcycle registered in Victoria can display custom plates.

Custom Plates cannot go on trailers or caravans.

Combinations and Availability

I can’t get the plate combo I want

Each of our custom plate styles have certain attributes that set it apart from others in the range. So, your desired combination may limit your choice of plate styles – or vice versa. You can find out the combination options under the specifications section of our Browse Style pages.
 
If the combo you’re after is already taken, consider using a 1 instead of an I, or a 5 instead of an S. If that doesn’t work, try a 3 in plate of an E, or even a 4 as an A. This is the time to test your creativity!

Can my plate combo be recalled or rejected?

VicRoads can recall plates if they decide that they're offensive, are disrespectful to the law, are inappropriate for display or they've been sold by mistake. If this happens to you, a full refund will be issued, or you can exchange your plates to the same value. 

Please note: the card payment fee is not refundable.

Here’s a few reasons why your plate might be rejected.

  • Inappropriate language, racial, religious, sexual, physical or mental health references
  • Poor road safety message
  • Reference to violence or terrorist organisations
  • Prohibited by "The Defence (Prohibited Words and Letters) Amendment Regulations 2000 and The War Precautions ACT Repeal ACT 1920"
  • Gives a misleading impression that a vehicle is owned or operated by a department or agency of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory
  • Reference to towing or the word "TOW"
  • Issued in error
  • Have not been lawfully acquired or acquired by fraud
  • Can be mistaken for another registration number.

Purchase & Delivery

How long does delivery take?

Most custom plates arrive within 13 business days. For Deluxe plates and plates with frames, such as Lucky and Prestige plates, please allow 17 business days.

Signature plates are currently experiencing delivery delays beyond the 25 business days. We are working closely with our manufacturing partner to monitor delivery times and are committed to ensuring that your Signature plates meet the highest standards of craftsmanship.

Australia Post will send you a confirmation email when your plates are on their way.

For any queries about your order, please contact [email protected] or 1300 660 417 (between 8:30am- 5:00pm on Monday to Friday).

Can I change or cancel my plate order?

If you want to change or cancel your plate order you need to let us know by 12:00pm (noon AEDT) the following business day. If it’s after this time, a fee will be charged to cover our administrative costs. Fees paid by card will incur a card payment fee. To change or cancel your order, call, email or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

After you buy

My plates are damaged, what do I do?

Call us.

It’s against the law to intentionally damage, modify or deface plates.

If your custom plates have been damaged through an accident or crash, you can order replacement plates for a fee. Just call us or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

Can I change or cancel my plate order?

If you want to change or cancel your plate order you need to let us know by 12:00pm (noon AEDT) the following business day. If it’s after this time, a fee will be charged to cover our administrative costs. Fees paid by card will incur a card payment fee. To change or cancel your order, call, email or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

My plates are faulty, or have been stolen

If your plates have arrived damaged or are faulty through no fault of your own (i.e. cracking or peeling) you may be eligible for replacement plates if they were purchased less than 7 years ago. Again, call us or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

Here’s some info about faulty, damaged or stolen General Issue Plates.

If your plates have been stolen, firstly you’ll need to report them to Victoria Police. Secondly, please email us.  

Can I take my plates off to keep, sell or transfer?

If you’d like to sell or transfer your custom plates, you’ll need to fill out a Transfer of Rights form so the plates don’t stay in your name. You’ll also need to replace them with General Issue plates which you can get by visiting a Customer Service Centre. 

If you’d like to keep your plates (but not on your vehicle), you'll need to call us to let us know and then store them securely. If you do decide to reassign your plates, you’ll need to call us again to make sure your vehicle’s registered. An admin fee will apply to reattach your plates.

If you've grown tired of your plates and want to release your combo, you’ll need to return your plates to a Customer Service Centre. This way, you cannot be held responsible for their misuse.

I sold my car with custom plates

If you sell your car with your custom plates still on it, unfortunately you’ll have lost your rights to those plates. So if you want to keep them you can then either sell your car unregistered or purchase a new set of General Issue plates to assign to your car.

The fine print

All transactions incur a card payment fee and here’s our T&C’s – they’re important because they set out our legal obligations, and protect your rights as a consumer.

Victorian Number Plate Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT’s)

NFT’s associated with images of Victorian number plates are not endorsed by the Department of Transport/VicRoads and have no connection with the registration of vehicles in Victoria. The purchaser of an NFT associated with an image of a Victorian number plate obtains no legal interest in any Victorian number plate represented in the associated image and obtains no registration number rights under the Road Safety Act 1986. The Department of Transport/VicRoads encourage prospective purchasers of NFTs to contact the relevant seller to find out what rights they will be acquiring when purchasing an NFT associated with an image of a Victorian number plate.  

The Department of Transport/VicRoads disclaims all liability to any person (including any NFT seller, purchaser or owner) in connection with any NFT associated with an image of a Victorian number plate.