Trade plates for vessels

Eligibility

A person who designs, commissions, constructs, manufactures, supplies, maintains, repairs or modifies vessels may apply for the issue of a dealer trade mark and a vessel trade plate.

Fees

See Vessel Registration and Transfer fees for the dealer trade mark fee and vessel trade plate fee.

A person issued with a vessel trade plate must:

• ensure at all times that the vessel trade plate is displayed on the vessel for which the plate has been issued; and
• not use, or allow the vessel to be used, for any purposes other than:
  • operating the vessel from place to place while the vessel is in the process of manufacture or repair operating the vessel from the place of manufacture to the place where it will be offered for sale
  • testing the vessel
  • demonstrating the vessel to a purchaser or prospective purchaser
  • delivering the vessel for or after sale
  • carrying out repairs to the vessel
  • returning the vessel to its owner after it has been repaired
• not allow the vessel to be operated by a person other than:
  • the person issued with the vessel trade plate, or
  • an employee of the person issued with the vessel trade plate, or
  • a person under the direct supervision of either the person issued with the vessel trade plate or an employee of the person issued with the vessel trade plate
• ensure that the vessel trade plate is fixed to the vessel where it can be easily seen, and
• keep at the person's office or place of business a record which contains the personal particulars of each person who operates the vessel.

To apply for a vessel trade plate you will need to:

• complete the Vessel Trade Plate application form [PDF 172 Kb] and
• pay appropriate fees.

To lodge the Vessel Trade Plate form and fees mail to VicRoads at GPO Box 1644, Melbourne 3001.

The plates and dealer number will then be mailed out. You can apply for up to three plates on the original application form.

Forms

The vessel trade plate application form is available by:

• downloading the Vessel Trade Plate form [PDF 172 Kb] or
• calling VicRoads on 13 11 71 or
• attending a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.