Your Guide to Number Plates in NSW From Regular to Revved Up

Reg Plates Article

Your Guide to Number Plates in NSW From Regular to Revved Up

Driving in NSW? Understanding your number plates is key! This guide demystifies the world of NSW vehicle registration, covering everything from standard plates to personalized picks.

Standard Issue: Seeing Green (and Black)

Most NSW cars sport the classic green and black plates. These standard issue plates display a three-letter, three-number combination followed by the NSW state abbreviation. They're assigned randomly upon vehicle registration and can't be chosen, but hey, who knows, maybe you'll snag a lucky sequence!

Going Custom: Personalized Plates for Personality

Craving a plate that reflects your personality or passions? Dive into the realm of personalized plates! Choose from:

Slogan plates: Express yourself with pre-defined slogans like "Beach Bum" or "Foodie."
Custom combinations: Design your own three-letter, four-number combo, letting your creativity shine.
Anniversary, club, or hobby plates: Show your love for sports, clubs, or special occasions with dedicated plate series.
Charity plates: Support a cause close to your heart with designated charity plates, a portion of the fee going to your chosen organization.
Remember, personalized plates come with an additional fee and availability checks are crucial. Don't forget, your chosen combination shouldn't be offensive or misleading!

More Than Just Display: Regulations and Responsibilities

Number plates aren't just decoration. They play a vital role in vehicle identification and must be:

Clearly visible: Both front and rear plates need to be clean, unobscured, and readable from 20 meters away. Fancy covers? Only clear, untinted ones allowed.
Securely mounted: Plates should be upright and parallel to the vehicle's axles, not exceeding 1.3 meters above ground. Wobbly plates won't fly!
Legally yours: Don't transfer plates between vehicles without proper authorization. Lost or stolen plates? Report them promptly.
Ordering, Renewing, and Beyond: Getting Your Plate Needs Sorted

Ready to order your standard or personalized plates? Service NSW makes it easy online or at service centers. Renewals are a breeze online too. Need replacements? Lost plates? The Service NSW website has you covered.

Fun Facts for the Road Warriors

Did you know? NSW plates used to be blue and white! The switch to green happened in 1976.
There are over 16 million possible personalized plate combinations, so get creative!
Special heritage plates celebrate iconic NSW symbols like the Sydney Opera House.
Whether you're a regular rider or a personalized plate enthusiast, this guide equips you with the knowledge to navigate the world of NSW vehicle registration. So buckle up, choose your plates, and hit the road with confidence!

The following list shows plates that have been sold in the past at the highest prices. Most of these were sold in auctions across the country although some were sold by the DVLA.

‘25’ O for £518,000.

This is the most expensive Regplates ever sold by the DVLA, and were purchased in 2014 by Ferrari dealer John Collins. The plate is currently being used on a Ferrari. The market value of the car is around £10,000,000.

‘F 1’ for £440,000.

This Regplate was the previous record holder for the highest price paid for a reg plate. The plate represents the initials of Formula 1 racing and was bought in 2008 by Afzal Khan, a businessman from Bradford. The plates are currently being used on his McLaren Mercedes SLR, which is quite an impressive match.

‘S 1’ for £404,000.

This is claimed to be the first Regplate that was ever made in Scotland. Therefore, it is both special and rare, as it is only one of its kind. The Regplates were purchased in 2008 at an auction by an anonymous bidder who said the plate would be used on an old Skoda. It’s a good investment, either to mark history or as an antique.

‘1 D’ for £352,000.

These initials bear a resemblance to the American pop group One Direction. However, it is interesting to note that the Regplate was purchased a year before the group was even formed. Nabil Bishara, a businessman from Lebanon, purchased it.

‘M 1’ for £331,000.

Mike McCoomb, a businessman in the phone industry, bought this unique Reg plate back in 2006. He said the plates were meant for his son, who was 10 years old at the time of the purchase.

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