A trade plate is used by people such as Motor car dealers to allow the use of an unregistered vehicle on the road (eg. taking a car for a test drive). They are usually white number plates with black characters.
To be eligible to have a trade plate assigned you must be:
- a manufacturer of vehicles, or
- a dealer in vehicles, or
- a fleet owner (must own more than 50 vehicles), or
- a licensed tester, or
- a person engaged in the business of modifying, repairing, altering or transporting vehicles before first registration
The above eligible person or a person acting on his/her behalf may use the vehicle on a highway under any of the following circumstances, to:
- drive the vehicle in the process of manufacture from place to place
- drive the vehicle from place of manufacture to the place where the vehicle will be offered for sale
- test drive the vehicle
- demonstrate the powers and qualities of the vehicle to a purchaser or prospective purchaser
- drive the vehicle in the course of its delivery before or after sale
- drive the vehicle anywhere to be repaired, or during the process of repair or modification, or to drive it to return it to its owner after repair or modification
If the eligible person is a dealer, a prospective purchaser of the vehicle may test drive the vehicle on a highway only under any one of the following conditions:
- in the case of a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass greater than 4.5 tonnes – has never been previously registered
- in the case of any other vehicle – has not been driven more than 1000km since its manufacture
- the dealer has acquired a Certificate of Roadworthiness (RWC) in Victoria, since acquiring the vehicle
The above eligible person or a person acting on his/her behalf may use the vehicle on a highway in the course of preparing it for registration.
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(a person or body of persons recognised by VicRoads as providing a service of inspecting and checking vehicles for mechanical condition and efficiency)
The above eligible person or a person acting on his/her behalf may use the vehicle on a highway under any of the following circumstances to:
- drive the vehicle from place to place for the purpose of then examining and testing it
- drive the vehicle in the process of examining and testing it
- drive the vehicle in the course of collecting it and returning it to its owner
(in accordance with manufacturer’s approved options before first registration)
The above eligible person or a person acting on his/her behalf may use the vehicle on a highway under any of the following circumstances, to:
- drive the vehicle to any premises to be modified, repaired or altered
- drive it during the process of modification, repair or alteration
- return it to its owner after modification, repair or alteration
A vehicle being used as outlined in this section may carry or tow another vehicle. In such cases the other vehicle need not have a trade plate attached to it. In the case of a boat trailer, a boat may be carried on the trailer.
Please check with relevant authorities before using Victorian Trade Plate(s) in another state or territory.
There are no fee concessions available for trade plates
To apply for a trade plate you will need to :
- complete a Vehicle Trade Plate form [PDF 28KB]
- provide documentary proof of eligibility (eg. proof of LMCT licence number, licensed vehicle tester number)
- pay appropriate trade plate fee
To lodge the Vehicle Trade Plate form and fees:
Applications will take 2 - 3 weeks to process, however, plates can be issued on the spot at the Carlton and Burwood East Customer Service Centres provided all requirements are met.
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The trade plate application form is available by: