your plate idea
6 easy ways to pay
  • Credit Card
  • Cheque
  • Direct Credit
  • Lay by
  • Hire Purchase
  • Eftpos
  • More details
terms of sale

Click here for
Terms of Sale >>

Note: If your Plate choice is a Resale Plate then the seller sets the price.

buying a plate faqs
question What payment options do you have?
answer
  • Credit Card online or over the phone (Visa, MasterCard, Amex)
  • Direct credit into our bank account
  • Eftpos (at our offices or shows)
  • Cheque
  • Q Card
  • Finance (credit criteria apply)
  • Layby with a $99 deposit

For info on how secure our online credit facility is, please refer to our Security and Privacy Information page
 
question Are there any hidden costs to purchasing a plate?
answer There are no hidden costs. GST, freight and registration changes are all included in the plate price. Click here to view Prices and Options
 
question Do I need to own a vehicle to purchase a personalised plate?
answer No. You don't need to own a vehicle to own the rights to receive a plate. However, in order to get your plates manufactured, they must be going to be attached immediately to a currently licensed and registered (in NZ) motor vehicle.
 
question Can my plates get made if they aren't going on a vehicle straight away?
answer No. The Government Plate Manufacturer will only make the plates if they are going to be attached immediately to a currently licensed and registered (in NZ) motor vehicle.
 
question Can I purchase a plate if I live overseas?
answer Yes. You can purchase a plate from overseas. However the plates can only be manufactured if they are going to be attached immediately to a currently licensed and registered motor vehicle in New Zealand.
 
question How many characters can I have on my plate?
answer For a plate intended for a car or truck, you can have up to and including 6 characters. For a motorcycle, trailer or tractor you are limited to 5 characters or less.
 
question Can I put spacing between the characters on my plate?
answer If you have less than the maximum number of characters on your plate you are automatically able to have some spacing on your plate. Full spaces can be divided down to 1/2 or 1/4 spaces. Also, for every "I" or "1" in your plate, you can have an additional 1/2 space to play around with.
 
question What happens once I have ordered and paid for my plate?
answer
  • Your chosen combination will be removed from the market so it cannot be purchased by someone else 
  • The entitlement to these plates will be placed under your name (or another recipient's name if you purchased as a gift)
  • We email/post (depending on your preference) out your paperwork including details of how to get your plates made
  • Your order information is downloaded to the Government Plate Manufacturer
  • When YOU are ready for your plates to go on a vehicle, follow the instructions to request manufacture as set out in the paperwork we sent to you (or refer to the next question)
  • Your new plates will be delivered to your chosen address. Enclosed will also be a replacement registration sticker.
  • Place your new plates on your vehicle (this must be done within 5 days).
  • Pop your old plates in the postage bag the new plates arrived in and remove the address label to reveal the address the old plates should be returned to
  • And enjoy all the great comments you'll get about your new plate!!
 
question How do I get my plates made?
answer The Government Plate Manufacturer makes all license plates for NZ, including personalised plates. Personalised Plates Ltd sells you the right to receive your combination of numbers/letters and then you instruct the manufacturer when you are ready for your plate to go on your vehicle.

To do so, just call 0800 736 253 or click through to their website forms using one of the links below. They will organise for your plates to be made and delivered to your chosen address.
 
question How long will it take to get my plates?
answer Not long at all once your details and payment are cleared. Once you have sent the "Request To Manufacture" form to the manufacturer, delivery usually occurs in:
  • 7-10 working days for a standard personalised plate
  • Up to 15 working days for one of our graphic Fashion plates (e.g. Message, Euro, Flame, Flower, Star Signs etc.)
Plates will be posted to your chosen address.
 

already have a plate faqs
question My plates are lost/stolen/damaged - how can I get a new set made?
answer

Just contact the Government Plate Manufacturer on 0800 736 253 or click through to their website form using one of the links below:

They will organise your plates to be remade and deliver the replacement plates to your chosen address. A remake cost will apply.

Once ordered, delivery usually occurs in:

  • 7-10 working days for a standard personalised plate
  • Up to 15 working days for one of our graphic Fashion plates (e.g. Message, Euro, Flame, Flower, Star Signs etc.)
 
question Can I Upgrade my existing personalised plate to another Fashion style?
answer You sure can! We have lots of Fashion styles to suit you and your car. For more information please click through to our Upgrades page
 
question I have ordered a plate, can I cancel it?
answer Please refer to our Terms of Sale.
 
question I have purchased a set of plates but haven't received them yet - where are they?
answer Getting your plates made is a process initiated by you when you are ready to put them on a registered and licensed vehicle. This is done through the Government Plate Manufacturer who make all NZ license plates.
  This is a very simple process! Just give them a call on 0800 736 253 or click through to their website form using one of the links below. They will organise your plates to be made and deliver the plates to your chosen address.
 
question Can I change my plate details after I have purchased it?
answer You may request to change your Plate Design once within 30 days of purchasing your plate, provided you have not already made a "Request To Manufacture" with the Government Plate Manufacturer.

If your plates have been manufactured, some changes may be possible but a fee will apply.
 
question What's my plate valued at?
answer Appeal levels vary with personalised plates because they are just that…personalised plates. What appealed to you when you purchased your plate may or may not appeal to other people in the same way.

Many factors can influence your plate's "value":
  • Is it very generic and will appeal to a wide range of people?
  • Or is it very personalised and will only fit someone with your interests?
  • Is it a "correct spelling" or are there "substitutions" such a 1 for and I or a 0 for O (and vice versa) etc?
  • Is it a highly desired word, name or phrase?
Click here for information on sales made through our resale services.
 
question How can I sell my plate?
answer There are various methods open to you from advertising in a local or national website (e.g. Trademe) to publications such as the Trade and Exchange. Personalised Plates offer a Resale Service as well and because we are the Home of Plates we think it's the best place to try to sell your plate. Go to our Seller's Info section for further details.

If you have someone interested in your plate for a private sale, you will both need to complete a Transfer of Entitlement Form and send it to the Government Plate Manufacturer (details below). This transfers the entitlement of the "right to receive" the plate over to the new name. The new owner will not be able to get the plates manufactured unless this form is lodged correctly.

Government Plate Manufacturer (LicenSys NZ Ltd.)
PO Box 22078
Otahuhu
Auckland

so they can update their records.

right to receive form
 
question How to I change the name that my personalised plate is under?
answer You and the new owner will need to complete a Transfer of Entitlement Form and send a copy to the:

Government Plate Manufacturer (LicenSys NZ Ltd.)
PO Box 22078
Otahuhu
Auckland

so they can update their records.

right to receive form
 
question How do I transfer my plate from vehicle to vehicle?
answer Easily done. Simply call into any AA office or Vehicle Testing NZ station, complete the appropriate forms and pay the standard fee. They will guide you through this simple process.
 
question I am selling my car but want to retain my personalised plates what do I do?
answer You will need to re-register the car to a set of standard number plates before selling the vehicle. Simply call into any AA office or Vehicle Testing NZ station, complete the appropriate forms and pay the standard fee. They will guide you through this simple process.