What are trade plates?
Some individuals or companies need to drive unregistered vehicles as part of their trade. For example, vehicle dealers, vehicle testers, manufacturers and more.
Trade plates are specific plates that allow these groups to legally drive unregistered vehicles on the road. They’re usually white number plates with black characters, so they’re easy to spot.
It's important to remember they’re only temporary and you must remove them when the vehicle is not in use.
How to apply for trade plates
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1
Step 1: Check you’re eligible
You may be eligible for trade plates if you fall into one of the following groups:
- vehicle manufacturer
- vehicle dealer (Licensed Motor Car Trader (LMCT))
- fleet owner of more than 50 vehicles
- Licensed Vehicle Tester (LVT)
- business that modifies, repairs, alters or transports vehicles before registration
- person or company that inspects and checks vehicle for mechanical condition and efficiency.
You’ll need to provide the relevant evidence when you apply. If you fall into more than one group, you’ll need to complete a separate application for each.
If you need trade plates, we’ll assign you or your company with a General Identification Mark (GIM) and trade plate.
Group |
Evidence |
|---|---|
| Vehicle manufacturer | Company letterhead with:
|
| Vehicle dealer (Licensed Motor Car Trader (LMCT) | A current LMCT number |
| Fleet owner of more than 50 vehicles | Company letterhead with:
|
| Licensed Vehicle Tester (LVT) | A current LVT number |
| Business that modifies, repairs, alters or transports vehicles before registration | Company Letter on company letter with:
Individual Letter on business letterhead with:
|
| Person or company that inspects and checks vehicle for mechanical condition and efficiency | Company Letter on company letter with:
Individual Letter on business letterhead with:
|
The GIM/trade plate holder, or employee, may use the vehicle on a road or road related area for the following reasons:
| Group | When plates can be used |
|---|---|
Vehicle manufacturer
|
|
| Vehicle dealer (Licensed Motor Car Trader / LMCT) | |
| Fleet owner of more than 50 vehicles |
|
| Licensed vehicle tester (LVT) |
|
| Business that modifies, repairs, alters or transports vehicles before registration |
|
| Person or company that inspects and checks vehicle for mechanical condition and efficiency |
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Step 2: Apply for your trade plates
It’s easy to apply for your trade plate. All you need to do is:
- Complete a Vehicle trade plate application form (PDF).
- Provide your proof of eligibility (see step 1).
- Pay the trade plate fee.
- Lodge the form and fee either:
- at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (pay by Visa, Mastercard*, EFTPOS or cash)
- post to VicRoads, GPO Box 1644, Melbourne, VIC 3001.
- Receive your trade plate(s). If you apply at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre, we’ll process and issue your plates on the spot. If you don’t meet all the requirements, or you post your application, it will take 2 to 3 weeks to process. We’ll then post your trade plate(s) to you. Remember to update your address if you’ve moved recently.
*A card payment fee applies.
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Step 3: After you’ve applied
Once your plates have been issued, you must follow the rules below.
- Only use your trade plate on an unregistered vehicle. This includes vehicles with suspended, expired or cancelled registrations.
- The vehicle you’re using must be safe for use on the road.
- You cannot use trade plates on a stolen or written-off vehicle.
- If the vehicle is registered with conditions, it must be in accordance with the conditions which would normally apply when it is registered.
- You may use an unregistered vehicle on a road without the trade plate only if it is on the GIM/trade plate holder premises or within 100m of the perimeter.
- The GIM/trade plate holder must be the owner of the vehicle.
- Only the GIM/trade plate holder, or one of their employees, may drive the vehicle.
- You cannot use an expired or cancelled trade plate on the vehicle.
- You cannot transfer or loan trade plates to any other person or business.
- You must return the trade plates to VicRoads if you stop business.
- You must return the trade plates to VicRoads if you don’t pay your renewal within 3 months of expiry.
- Trade plates remain the property of VicRoads.
- You can only use the trade plate on the vehicle category it was issued for. For example, you can use a vehicle trade plate on a motor car or motorcycle.
- You must display your trade plate at the back of your vehicle in the number plate spot. This applies to motorcycles too.
- If the vehicle still has regular number plates attached, the trade plates must be displayed over the registration number plate.
- Check with the relevant authorities before using Victorian trade plates in another state or territory.
- You don’t need trade plates if your vehicle is towed or carried by a vehicle with trade plates attached.
- You may use a trade plate when towing another vehicle, provided you use the towing vehicle for the purpose in which the trade plate specifies.
- A vehicle displaying a trade plate must not carry any load, unless the vehicle is:
- carrying a load solely to demonstrate to a potential buyer its capacity to carry a load
- carrying another vehicle from its place of manufacture, repair or purchase - it must be driven the shortest practical route to the GIM/trade plate holder’s premises
- a trailer specially made to carry a boat.
How to manage your existing trade plates
How to replace your trade plates
We can issue replacement plates for:
- stolen plate if you have a police report
- damaged plate after you return it to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre
- lost plate if you provide a statutory declaration.
Visit us at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre and we’ll help you replace your plates. Don’t forget to bring your evidence if needed. Please keep in mind you’ll need to pay the annual trade plate fee for your new plates.
How to change your address on a GIM/trade plate
It’s important to let us know if you change your address. This includes:
- residential address
- postal address
- place of work address.
You can let us know by:
- mailing us at VicRoads, GPO Box 1644, Melbourne, VIC 3001 (on letterhead for companies)
- visiting a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
If VicRoads needs to cancel a GIM / trade plate
We may need to cancel a GIM and its plates if:
- the person is not eligible for a GIM or it was an error
- the person does not meet the renewal payment
- we receive notice from Victoria Police, or another enforcement agency, that they’ve been misused.
We’ll write to you if this happens.
Refunds for cancelled or replacement plates
We don’t provide full refunds for the annual trade plate fees. However, you can apply for a pro-rate refund of the TAC premium by filling out a refund form. Make sure to bring it along with you when you return your trade plate(s).