Businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing, repair and maintenance of vehicles often need to move vehicles when they are unregistered. These businesses can apply to use trade plates.
You can apply for trade plates if you're:
a manufacturer, assembler, distributor or importer of motor vehicles
a car wrecker (if you have a second-hand trader licence)
a government department
delivering unregistered motor vehicles
a motor vehicle repairer
an owner or manager of a transport museum.
Contact us to find out if you're eligible
You can only use trade plates for the purpose for which we supply them. If you use the plates for any other purpose, you can be fined.
Most trade plates are used on unregistered vehicles. Only vehicle repairers, local authorities and vehicle inspection certifiers can use trade plates on vehicles that are registered but unlicensed.
More information about using trade plates on uncertified vehicles
Trade plates are available for:
To apply for trade plates, complete an Application for trade plate form (MR5) [PDF, 159 KB] and send it in to our Palmerston North office (or email tradeplate@nzta.govt.nz) with the following proof:
|
Occupation/business |
Documents we require |
|
Trader |
Trader registration number |
|
Manufacturer/assembler |
Business card or business letterhead paper |
|
Car wrecker |
Copy of second-hand trader licence and business card |
|
Government department |
Business card or business letterhead paper |
|
Delivering unregistered motor vehicles |
Business card or business letterhead paper |
|
Motor vehicle repairer |
Business card/business letterhead paper and advertising |
|
Proprietor of a transport museum |
Business card/business letterhead paper and advertising |
If you've already been approved for a trade plate, you can also apply for additional or replacement trade plates.
Application for additional trade plate form (MR5A) [PDF, 163 KB]
Application for replacement trade plate form (MR5R) [PDF, 154 KB]
When applying for or renewing a trade plate you will need to pay a trade plate fee as well as any applicable licence fees and ACC levies. The trade plate fee of $12.12 is included in the table below.
The fee you will pay depends on which month you apply in. All the prices below are inclusive of GST.
| For use on | Category | December 2024/January 2025 | February 2025 | March 2025 | April 2025 | May 2025 | June 2025 |
| Cars/trucks | 3500kg or less | $139.30 | $128.50 | $118.75 | $107.94 | $97.49 | $86.69 |
| Standard trailers | 3500kg or less | $90.90 | $84.20 | $78.17 | $71.47 | $65.00 | $58.31 |
| Heavy trucks | over 3500kg | $371.02 | $340.55 | $313.02 | $282.53 | $253.02 | $222.55 |
| Heavy trailers | over 3500kg | $322.62 | $296.25 | $272.44 | $246.07 | $220.54 | $194.17 |
| Mopeds | less than 61cc | $199.38 | $183.47 | $169.11 | $153.21 | $137.80 | $121.91 |
| Motorcycles | 61cc and over | $541.90 | $496.92 | $456.27 | $411.29 | $367.72 | $322.74 |
The fee for a replacement trade plate is $18.46.
Trade plates have a reflective yellow background and black lettering. They start or end with the letter 'X' and are valid until 31 December of the year shown on the plate.
You must display the plates on the rear of your vehicle. The plates must be upright so that every letter and figure is easily visible.
