There are different requirements and application procedures for duplicate personalised plates and ordinary plates.
Applying for duplicate ordinary plates
Duplicate 'ordinary' registration plates can only be obtained when these plates are damaged, destroyed or lost.
You cannot obtain duplicates for ordinary registration plates that have been stolen. The main reason for this is to prevent the stolen plates being used on another vehicle - creating a situation where two vehicles have the same registration plates.
How to apply
To apply for duplicate ordinary registration plates (at a cost of $20.95), go to the LicenSys website and fill in the appropriate application form, or phone 0800 736 253.
There are different application requirements for damaged, destroyed and lost ordinary plates:
- For damaged plates: you will need to return the damaged plates, once you have received your duplicate plates.
- For destroyed plates: you will need to provide suitable evidence (eg from the NZ Police, NZ Fire Service, wreckers/dismantlers or insurance companies) that they have been destroyed.
- For lost plates: you will need to either fill in a statuatory declaration (if both plates are lost), or return the remaining plate (if one plate remains).
Applying for duplicate personalised plates
Duplicate personalised registration plates can be obtained when these plates are lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.
How to apply
To apply for a duplicate personalised registration plate, go to www.plates.co.nz or phone 0800 752 837.
Frequently asked questions
Why are duplicate registration plates necessary?
It is an offence to drive a vehicle with unreadable registration plates and the driver/owner of the vehicle could be fined.
Why are there different circumstances when you can apply for duplicate ordinary and duplicate personalised registration plates?
To reduce the likelihood of several vehicles with the same registration plate number, it has been decided to issue duplicate plates for ordinary registration plates only when the originals have been damaged destroyed or lost (ie not stolen as per personalised plates). if applying due to plates lost, you'll be required to either return the remaining plate if one is lost or complete a statutory declaration (you'll find this with the application form).
What happens if a vehicle’s ordinary registration plates are lost or stolen?
The owner of the vehicle must apply for replacement plates, ie new plates with a new set of characters.
