We’ve all seen someone on the road who has decided that they will just use a piece of cardboard or plastic with a registration instead of their actual license plate.
- You must use a license plate issued by a competent authority
- Using an illegal license plate could get you fined – and hundreds of dollars in fines!
- Demerits may also apply
That seems like a good idea if you lose a sign, for whatever reason… maybe it fell off while you were off-roading in the mud, or maybe someone stole it for a laugh or because more nefarious reasons.
Or maybe your license plate looks so old after years of exposure to road grime, rocks, bugs, washouts, weather, chemicals and other wear and tear that it’s unreadable.
Did you know that in some states, license plates come with a 10-year warranty against defective materials or workmanship? So if you think you qualify, ask your registrar for a replacement plate.
Whatever the cause, you may run into trouble when using license plate simulations, even if you use a license plate manufactured by a third party that looks as good as the real thing to avoid paying high fees in some states. for personalized license plates.
This applies to both standard or full-size vehicle license plates or accessory license plates that you might use on a bike rack or rack.
So, what are the rules and how much trouble can you get into? Let’s go through each state (and territories, too).
NSW: In New South Wales, “Using a vehicle with an illegal license plate” is an offense. That offense could cost you 3 points on your license and a fine of $464.
Victoria: In Victoria, this is also an offense with a $182 fine and one demerit point if you are caught “Using a vehicle that does not have a prescribed number plate attached or displayed”.
Queensland: “It is important to note that any number plates issued to a vehicle, including personalized or custom number plates, remain the property of the State of Queensland and must be surrendered to the Department of Transport and Main Roads , if required,” the state transportation agency said. website status.
Furthermore, it should be noted that for those whose old license plates need replacing, owners should take the following steps:
- “If you receive replacement signs that are not customized or personalized, you will receive them immediately. You will receive a new license plate combination. You must attach the license plate within 24 hours of receipt. We recommend that you attach the new license plate to your vehicle before driving away.
- “If you apply for the same number plate (these are called custom plates) or personalized plates, your new plate will be ordered and sent to you. You need to keep the old license plate on the back of your vehicle until you receive the new license plate. For vehicles with 2 license plates, keep the license plate in the best condition at the back of the vehicle. You must turn in the old disc when the new one arrives.”
The Department of Transport and Main Roads sets the fine for having ‘non-genuine’ number plates on your vehicle at $320.
Tasmania: In Tassie, the Traffic Offenses list states that a $195 fine can be imposed for: “Using a vehicle that does not comply with license plate/covering regulations (other than stickers and display)”. Another potential violation is: “Using a vehicle without a vehicle-issued license plate affixed and displayed as required,” which also carries a $195 fine.
Northern Territory: The NT Traffic Regulations, Part 2, Division 8, provide: “(3) A person must not: (a) print, manufacture or possess without authorization a label or number plate that resembles a registration label or number plate and is authorized to calculated or capable of deception.”
And in the Motor Vehicles Act it is stipulated that vehicles must have prescribed number plates provided by the competent authority of that territory.
When it comes to fines, there’s nothing exactly related to the violation mentioned above, but Traffic Violation 17, License Plates, has two different fines: No license plate clearly visible ($30); and Missing license plate ($40).
Western Australia: The WA Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 state: “WA number plates must not be used for decorative purposes or kept for sentimental reasons. If the panels are no longer in use, they must be returned to the DoT. Failure to do so may result in fines.”
The document also states: “The responsible person or person in charge of a vehicle must ensure that each license plate issued to the vehicle by the CEO or competent authority is permanently attached to the vehicle, securely fixed to the vehicle. vehicles and displayed according to current regulations…”, with a fine for the first violation of 200 USD and subsequent violations of 400 USD.
Also, if you get in trouble for that, you might get in trouble for creating a fake one. According to the regulations, producing, selling or providing fake license plates carries a similar penalty ($200 for first violation, $400 for subsequent violations).
South Australia: The state’s 2010 motor vehicle regulations include a somewhat lengthy section on license plate legality, most of which also applies in other states.
We won’t focus too much on the legality of the positioning and appearance of number plates, but here’s what SA’s laws say:
1- “The lower edge of the sign is not less than 30 cm above the ground and in such a position that all letters and numbers of the registration number are vertical; And
- (a) in the case of a number plate located on the front of the vehicle – the entire number plate is visible from the front; And
- (b) where the number plate is located at the rear of the vehicle – the entire number plate is visible from the rear;
2- “All letters and numbers on the license plate must be clearly visible in daylight to people standing on the same plane as the vehicle at any point not less than 3 meters from the license plate or greater than 18 meters from the license plate. sea view along a line. imaginary line approximately perpendicular to the plate; And
- (a) legible from left to right on a plane horizontal to the ground; And
- (b) always clean and legible;
- (c) license plate must be rectangular”
SA has quite strong potential penalties for those caught falsifying their number plates, with Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act setting out the law in plain English:
“Driving/standing a motor vehicle on the road without a prescribed license plate”. Fine – $807 plus $99 Crime Victims Tax (total $906).
ACT: Our country’s capital has quite strict regulations on illegal number plates, according to the Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999.
“An operator of a registrable vehicle commits an offense if the vehicle is used on a road or road-related area and is installed, displayed or attached to it–
- (a) the license plate is not properly issued or issued to another vehicle; or
- (b) a number plate or anything else validly issued that has been fraudulently or altered with a view to deception or anything that resembles a number plate or anything else validly issued but calculated to deceive.
The maximum penalty that can be imposed for that is 20 court-ordered penalty units, equivalent to a $3200 fine.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.
