Every car has two, and bikes and trailers only need one, but when were number plates introduced? And how are the numbers and letter combinations determined? We explain all below.
Before 1925, vehicle registration was done regionally, rather than a nationally. Registration numbers were displayed on the right-hand-side of the vehicle and they were often painted on. From 1925, the authorities issued steel plates to vehicle owners annually. The first plates were USA-made and were green with white numbers, prefixed with NZ (nnn-nnn). The 1926/27 year was black with white numbers, and the years following were black with orange numbers (nnn*nnn) until WW2. Limited steel supplies during the war forced a change to the system, and from 1941 plates remained valid for 5 years.
The issue of permanent registration-plates started in 1964. These new plates had silver letters and numbers on black aluminum plates, and started with "AA100". The LLnnnn system started at this time. Plates beginning with the letters "DC" were reserved for government use only.
Reflectorised white plates with black characters replaced silver-on-black plates back in November 1986, officially starting with "NA1", though a limited trial run had taken place during the "MX1-MX999" run some weeks earlier.
The old silver-on-black plates remain valid and in use, though only on older vehicles. Vehicle owners in New Zealand do not have to change registration plates when ownership of a vehicle changed, meaning you can buy a pre-1987 used car which still has old silver-on-black plates on it. If old silver-on-black plates on a vehicle become irreparably damaged, the newer black on white plates will be required to replace them.
Personalized Plates
Introduced in 1988, the right to create a plate with a unique combination of six characters became available for public purchase. The NZTA contracted a private company to carry out this service on their behalf.
The only limiting factors are that the combination can’t be the same as a current regular plate, be derogatory, obscene, or intentionally confusing. The most sought after combinations such as A1 or AAAAAA became special “collectors plates”, with lettering in blue on white. These plates are often offered for sale at a much higher price than regular plates.
Not only can you choose what your plate says, you can personalize the design, from chic to slim, tough to European, you can even put a message around the outside of the plate to help those who may not understand what the plate says.
Duplicate Plates
As a rule in NZ, you must ensure that the numbers and letters on your vehicle’s number plate are clearly visible. If your number plate is obscured, you risk a $200 fine, issued either by a warden (if stationary) or by the police if you’re out on the road. The same goes for bent or dirty number plates - these need to be straightened out or cleaned.
However, it is perfectly legal to obtain supplementary registration plates that can be attached to objects such as bike racks that could obscure permanent registration plates. If your registration plate has been damaged, destroyed or lost, you are able to apply for duplicate plates.
You can only duplicate number plates that are currently issued to the vehicle, so no making up your own numbers. Older style plates, i.e. the black plates with silver characters, can only be duplicated with a white retro-reflective background and black characters (latest style).
Supplementary plates are smaller than normal registration plates (300mm x 114mm) and have the word "supplementary" along the bottom. Only plates issued by NZTA are legal, which means you can’t make your own plate or purchase one online. Displaying a non-approved plate, or something that could be mistaken for a plate, could mean a maximum fine of $5,000. So a piece of cardboard marked with vivid pen hanging off your bike rack won’t quite cut it.