Back in the 80s I found a set of yellow and black NSW number plates in a shed of a house I bought. The previous owner left them behind. Do these plates expire or can they be used on another car (look good on 70s car). What checks need to be done as the original owner has long gone.? Can I obtain ownership of these old plates and possibly onsell them?
Number Plates
Started by
shadey1963
, Jan 19 2012 12:48 PM
15 replies to this topic
#1
shadey1963
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 12:48 PM
#2
Tiny
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 01:40 PM
Call the RTA - I'm sure you will be asked to hand them in as they would be listed as missing / stolen.
You MAY be able to after handing them in go via the Mypaltes website and order them again legally - and they would be re-printed.
Speak with the RTA.
Cheers
You MAY be able to after handing them in go via the Mypaltes website and order them again legally - and they would be re-printed.
Speak with the RTA.
Cheers
#3
orangeLJ
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 02:01 PM
soooo resisiting the urge to outline how one would go about this illegally.....
My bet would be, throw them on the shed wall and forget about using them.
My bet would be, throw them on the shed wall and forget about using them.
#4
wot179
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 03:10 PM
I dont think NSW even has the option of applying for yellow plates with black letters anymore,unless you want premium custom or slimline.
http://www.myplates.com.au/
http://www.myplates.com.au/
#5
orangeLJ
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 03:14 PM
yo might be right WOT, I had MYPLATES out today to talk over cobranded stuff for the dealership, so have all the brochures infront of me.
She did mention that yellow/black plates are issues by the RTA only.
Basically in NSW, MYPLATES is a marketing agency acting as the face for custom plates in NSW (same setup in QLD)
so the plates, fees etc are all decided by the RTA, but the agency reccomends new styles, does all the marketing and gets paid a butload.
You could still realisitically apply for black/white plates and use the yellow/black ones. All rego check and speeding photos go off the content not the style.
Also, if you are planning on getting custom plates, get in now, prices are changing in the next couple months.
She did mention that yellow/black plates are issues by the RTA only.
Basically in NSW, MYPLATES is a marketing agency acting as the face for custom plates in NSW (same setup in QLD)
so the plates, fees etc are all decided by the RTA, but the agency reccomends new styles, does all the marketing and gets paid a butload.
You could still realisitically apply for black/white plates and use the yellow/black ones. All rego check and speeding photos go off the content not the style.
Also, if you are planning on getting custom plates, get in now, prices are changing in the next couple months.
#6
_LH SLR 3300_
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 06:30 PM
The short answer is no. Even if they've been out of circulation for years, the best you can do is apply for that particular letter/number combination to be re-made. You will never be legally able to display the original plates on a car & if you present them to the RTA for the purpose of having the content re-established, you are legally required to surrender them where they will be destroyed. I believe it may differ in other states, but in NSW, all number plates issued remain the property of the RTA, even custom ordered plates.
#7
_rob350hatch_
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 08:42 PM
also if you were the original holder of such plates and did not surrender them upon receipt of the letter after 3 months are you then liable for the storage fees that they offer for storing said plates until such time that you are ready to use them again?????
#8
Neils LX
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 10:13 PM
The short answer is no. Even if they've been out of circulation for years, the best you can do is apply for that particular letter/number combination to be re-made. You will never be legally able to display the original plates on a car & if you present them to the RTA for the purpose of having the content re-established, you are legally required to surrender them where they will be destroyed. I believe it may differ in other states, but in NSW, all number plates issued remain the property of the RTA, even custom ordered plates.
So if i have the original 1970s plates for my car i can get them re issued but wont be able to display the old plates?
#9
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 10:22 PM
Thats correct Neil, RTA told me the reason for this is that the old plates are non reflective, If i wanted my original plates i would have to have them in and apply to get them remade and pay a yearly fee. Even if you declare them as lost they will not remake them without changing the plate number so instead of AAA-123 you would have to get AAA-124. But there is meant to be a way around this.
Edited by Woodsy, 19 January 2012 - 10:23 PM.
#10
_Gunmetal LH_
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 10:57 PM
In S.A. I think it's 3 years unregistered then that number is available to be relisted/reused again. I got a few letters years ago asking for my HJ plates back. I ignored them. NOW they fine you if you don't.
The original plates must be surrendered or cop a fine of $200. I got a 'surrender or cop a fine' letter for my VB plates after 3 months. Rang the number on there and explained they were off the car and safe- they said too bad.
You must prove if they've been lost (don't know how you'd do that properly), destroyed, or stolen.
I asked about my 'older' plates and they said they are going back through the records so expect more 'fine' letters when they get to them...
I've checked the rego site to see if the plates I've still got are available for anyone and they are! So if I want to use the ones that are still screwed to the car I have to re-apply for them anyway. Bugger!
Hang old plates in your shed and hope cops never come around... If they come up as belonging to a stolen car look-out!
The original plates must be surrendered or cop a fine of $200. I got a 'surrender or cop a fine' letter for my VB plates after 3 months. Rang the number on there and explained they were off the car and safe- they said too bad.
You must prove if they've been lost (don't know how you'd do that properly), destroyed, or stolen.
I asked about my 'older' plates and they said they are going back through the records so expect more 'fine' letters when they get to them...
I've checked the rego site to see if the plates I've still got are available for anyone and they are! So if I want to use the ones that are still screwed to the car I have to re-apply for them anyway. Bugger!
Hang old plates in your shed and hope cops never come around... If they come up as belonging to a stolen car look-out!
#11
_Big Rob_
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 11:44 PM
Yep..... Keep 'em for the garage wall (or hand them in if you want), but the RTA will never let you use them now. My sister-in-law works for the RTA and I can't get any favours with regard to old plates. (Pity, I have a lot and some are pretty cool. Garage wall looks good though.....) 
#12
shadey1963
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Posted 20 January 2012 - 07:47 AM
Thanks for all the info. As usual nothing seems as easy as it could be, especially with gov agencies involved, although they would have their reasons. Once again thanks , i will find a spot on the shed wall.
#13
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Posted 20 January 2012 - 11:22 AM
What about old cars that were never unregistered?
Has the RTA gone around and requested them to have their plates upgraded to reflective?
If not, order new plates with that letter number combo and drive around in non-reflective plates, if cops hassle you, tell them the car was never unregistered as far as you know and nobody has come around to ask you or previous owners to upgrade them - of course you won't be able to use them on a > 70's car.
s
Has the RTA gone around and requested them to have their plates upgraded to reflective?
If not, order new plates with that letter number combo and drive around in non-reflective plates, if cops hassle you, tell them the car was never unregistered as far as you know and nobody has come around to ask you or previous owners to upgrade them - of course you won't be able to use them on a > 70's car.
s
Edited by StephenSLR, 20 January 2012 - 11:22 AM.
#14
_Gunmetal LH_
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Posted 21 January 2012 - 02:58 AM
Never unregisered- no problem.
But, I know in S.A. number plates have to be reflective or you can cop a fine (another one...) and have to get some 'approved' ones re-issued. Haven't heard of letters requesting such though?
But, I know in S.A. number plates have to be reflective or you can cop a fine (another one...) and have to get some 'approved' ones re-issued. Haven't heard of letters requesting such though?
#15
StephenSLR
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Posted 21 January 2012 - 11:00 AM
I assume the cops don't have access to registration history, they only can tell if it's stolen or unregistered right?
s
s
#16
_mick74lh_
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Posted 21 January 2012 - 12:50 PM
What about old cars that were never unregistered?
Has the RTA gone around and requested them to have their plates upgraded to reflective?
If not, order new plates with that letter number combo and drive around in non-reflective plates, if cops hassle you, tell them the car was never unregistered as far as you know and nobody has come around to ask you or previous owners to upgrade them - of course you won't be able to use them on a > 70's car.
s
^^exactly what I was thinking. As long as you don't tell the RTA any more information than they need to know then I can't see there being a problem.
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