Vehicle registration plates of New South Wales

The Australian state of New South Wales requires its residents to register their motor vehicles and display vehicle registration plates.[1] Current regular issue plates are to the standard Australian dimensions of 372 mm (14.6 in) in length by 134 mm (5.3 in) in height, and use standard Australian serial dies.[2]

Issuing authorities

Standalone departments/agencies:

  • Then RTA/RMS became a sub agency under a principal department from 2009 for a period of 10 years:
  • Roads & Traffic Authority (2009–2011)
  • Department of Transport (January 2011 – October 2011)
  • Transport for NSW (2011–2015)
  • Department of Transport (2015–2019)

Since 1 December 2019 the RMS merged into Transport for NSW to form a standalone agency:

  • Transport for NSW (1 December 2019 – )[3]

Previous general series

Cars and Heavy Vehicles

  • 1910–1924: nnn•nnn (cars only)
  • 1910–1937: L·nn•nnn (lorries only)
  • 1924–1937: nnn•nnn (cars only)
  • 1937–1951: aa•nnn (cars and lorries)
  • 1951–1961: aaa•nnn
  • 1961–2004: aaa•nnn
Early NSW car plate

From 1910 to 1937, serials on registration plates for cars were all-numeric, running from 1 to 274-000, while serials on plates for lorries consisted of the letter L followed by up to five numbers. All plates from 1910 to 1924 consisted of black characters on a white background, with the state abbreviation added in 1912. In 1924, the colour scheme for car plates was reversed, so that they consisted of white characters on a black background. Rear plates are supplied by the government and motorists have to request front plates to be made.

From February 1936, a new all numeric standard Australian style embossed plates were introduced to replace various styles that lasted until May 1937. the embossed style continues to the current series. Both sets are issued forward, removing the need for motorists to have front plates made themselves.

on 16 April 1937, a new serial format was adopted for both cars and lorries, consisting of two letters followed by three numbers, with leading zeros as necessary. This ran from AA-000 to ZZ-999, with the letters I and Q omitted to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0 and the letter O. Plates for both vehicle types consisted of white characters on a black background.

When the two-letter serials were exhausted on 3 May 1951, a three-letter format was introduced, starting at AAA-000. At the same time, the plates' colour scheme changed to black characters on a yolk yellow background. The yolk yellow was replaced with a brighter lemon yellow in 1961, by which point the three-letter serial format had reached the mid 'C' series.

In October 1980, from KWO-050 onwards plates with reflective sheeting began to be issued. At the same time, the slogan "NSW – The Premier State" was added at the bottom of the plate; this was used until November 1988. Two further slogans followed, again appearing at the bottom of the plate: "NSW – The First State" from June 1989 to September 1994, and "NSW – Towards 2000" from September 1994 to September 1996. Since September 1996, car plates have carried the full state name at the bottom.

In the three-letter serial format, the letters I and Q were omitted originally, but were allowed from 1970. Several blocks of series were skipped, or were reserved for other vehicle types (see the Skipped Combinations section below). By July 2004, the format had reached the ZLF series, and was thus close to exhaustion. Hence, the current format was introduced, consisting of two letters, two numbers, and two more letters, starting at AA-00-AA.

Plates continue to consist of black characters on a lemon yellow background, with reflective sheeting.

NSW trailer plate

Trailers

  • 1910–1924: nnn•nnn
  • 1924–1937: nnn•nnn
  • 1937–1948: aa•nnn
  • 1948–1981: aa•nnnn
  • 1981–2014: a•nnnnn

From 1910 to 1951, trailers (and caravans) used the same registration plates and serial formats as cars. In 1951, a separate serial format was introduced for trailers consisting of two letters followed by four numbers. The first letter progressed T, R, A, B and finally C, while the numeric combinations for each series ran from 1000 to 9999; the first serial was thus TA-1000, while the last was CS-9999. Plates continued to consist of white characters on a black background, while the colour scheme for car plates changed (above).

In August 1981, trailer plates adopted the same colour scheme as car plates, of black characters on a lemon yellow background. At the same time, a new serial format was introduced consisting of one letter followed by five numbers, starting at A-00000. This format omitted the letters I, O and T, and was exhausted in December 2014.

In August 2014, a new trailer plate was introduced consisting of black characters on a white background, and a plain "NSW" legend. This plate uses the same two-letter, two-number, two-letter serial format as car plates, but has T as the first letter, with the first serial being TR-00-AA. This serial format began to be used on the current mid yellow trailer plate as well from December 2014, beginning with TA-00-AA; at the same time, the legend on this plate was changed from the full state name to "NSW – TRAILER", the whole TI series was skipped.

Motorcycles

  • 1910–1939: nn•nnn
  • 1939–1950: aa•nn
  • 1950–1961: aa•nnn
  • 1961–1989: aa•nnn

From 1910 to 1939, registration plates for motorcycles consisted of black characters on a white background, and used all-numeric serials of up to five numbers. On 10 July 1939, the colour scheme was reversed to white characters on a black base, and a serial format of two letters followed by two numbers was introduced, running from AA-00 to ZZ-99, with the letters I and Q skipped for the reasons described above. On 14 November 1950, the serial format was expanded to two letters followed by three numbers, starting at AA-000. As with car plates, the colour scheme changed at this point to black characters on a yolk yellow base, with the yolk yellow in turn being replaced with lemon yellow in 1961.

Since October 1980, motorcycles have been provided with one plate rather than two, and plates have been manufactured with reflective sheeting. The two-letter, three-number serial format was exhausted in August 1989, at which point the current format was introduced, consisting of three letters and two numbers, starting at ZZZ-99 and progressing backwards. In November 2009, a plate consisting of black characters on a white background was introduced, using the same serial format but starting at ABA-00 and progressing forwards.

Current general series
NSW slimline light vehicle plate
  • Cars and Heavy Vehicles: aa·nn·aa – commenced July 2004.
  • Slimline light vehicle series: aaa·nna – commenced 1991.
  • Trailers: Ta·nn·aa – commenced December 2014 from TA-00-AA.
  • Trailers: Ta·nn·aa – commenced August 2014 from TR-00-AA.
  • Motorcycles: aaa·nn – commenced August 1989 from ZZZ-99; progresses backwards (currently issuing 'K' series).
  • Motorcycles: aaa·nn – commenced November 2009 from ABA-00; progresses forwards (currently issuing 'E' series).

Allocated series
General issue combinations at the start of each year (cars and trucks)
1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919
Nil110003000500060007-9998-99910-99915-999
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
18-99920-99922-99923-99925-99935-99967-99988-999100-999178-999
1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
200-999233-999253-999263-999270-999280-999289-999AA-000DN-999FA-999
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
JA-999LB-999LZ-999MA-999MD-999NA-999TX-999ZZ-999AA-999UW-999
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
ZZ-999AAA-000AEK-000ALY-000APB-000AUG-000BCC-000BKC-000BSA-000BWA-000
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
CAA-000CLL-000CTA-000DAA-000DKA-000DOJ-000EDA-000EMA-000AAA-000BAJ-000
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
AIA-000CWI-000DXI-000GEA-000GQA-000HEA-000HQA-000JCA-050JPE-050KBH-050
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
FOA-000LCZ-050LOS-050MBE-050MOZ-050NEA-050NTZ-050OFE-050OSA-050PHA-050
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
RGZ-050RQB-050SAA-000SPF-050TCM-050TOA-050UCW-050QUA-050UWA-050VOD-050
AAA-11AABS-12AACR-12AADR-12AAEF-12AAEX-12AAFJ-76AAGI-12AAGW-12A
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
WKA-050XCA-050XQD-050YFA-050ZBM-050AC-00-MAAI-00-ZZAN-00-NZAT-00-WBAZ-00-CE
AHA-12AAIP-12AAJP-12AALT-12AAOA-12AATB-12AAXA-12ABBA-12ABHA-12ABOA-21A
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
BC-00-CEBH-00-AABM-00-HGBT-00-TABY-00-VBCC-00-CCCG-00-NACK-00-VACO-00-VOCS-00-SL
BVC-00ACAD-00ACGS-00ACME-00ACSA-00ACYE-00ADCZ-00ADLH-00ADTI-00AEAA-00A
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
CW-00-JCDA-00-AA
EGN-00ZELZ-99Z

Other allocations

Dealer slimline plate
Summit lease slimline plate
  • Dealer Slimline: Same serial format as general slimline plates but with Y as the first letter, the first serial being YBA-00A. The name or web address of the dealer in question is screened at the bottom, along with any corresponding logos.
  • Fleet Plates: Fleet managers had plates allocated and issued for SG Fleet and Summit in full standard size and Fleet manager's business name printed below. SG Fleet plates has since changed to Dealer slimline size as reported in September 2015. Summit soon changed the size too. SG fleet plates are issued in BQA, CAA & CCB blocks and now into SGF. Summit Fleet was in CFF series but now moved over to SUM series.
  • Motorcycle Dealers: From BNA to BNZ, BPA to BRZ, BTA to BTZ, BVA to BXZ, CXA-CXZ and in various allocations DTA onwards. Various dealer names are screenprinted at the top between embossed NSW with some printed bottom texts.

General notes When a black on yellow plate is judged to be in need of replacement, the Roads and Maritime Services are required to manufacture a replacement at no cost to the owner, hence it is quite common to see plates from older series in the current format. Registration plates, both personalised and standard, are able to be transferred between vehicles. A number of Sydney bus operators still recycle old plates including Forest Coach Lines and Punchbowl Bus Company.[4] This practice has since ceased as the Road and Maritime Services has insisted all old plates need to be remade into the current base.

Skipped combinations

Historic

  • aaa·nnn – combinations from the 'A' series through the 'E' series containing I and Q were originally skipped, before being issued from 1970–72 prior to the commencement of the 'G' series, the 'F' series was reserved for trucks until 1980; series FOA–FPZ were subsequently issued on cars, the entire 'I' series was skipped, except for red on white interstate truck series ISA–ISZ that started in the early 1950s, series FAA-FNZ except FBY, WBB–WCZ and ZLG–ZZY were also skipped.

Current

  • aa·nn·aa – combinations with I or O as the third letter are skipped (except for series AA-IA through AA-IZ, issued in 2004), All combinations containing AS, AX and BO are skipped, series CU-NA through CU-NZ have also been skipped, (Trailer series: All combinations containing TI are skipped because of TI-75-xx and TI-xx-TS sequence).
  • aaa·nna – AFP, AFR, ASS, AVA-AVZ, BQB-BQZ, BRA, BRC-BRH, BRJ-BRZ, BUA-BUZ, BXG-BXZ, BYA-BYZ, CAL-CAZ, CCC-CCZ, CFN-CFZ, CKB-CKZ, CLE-CLZ, CUA-CUZ, DEA-DEZ, DGI-DGZ, DIA-DIZ, DOA-DOZ, DRA-DRZ, DUA-DUZ, EFA-EFZ, whole FAA-FZZ series were skipped in the future. CBA-CBZ series are allocated to white-on-blue series. Some previously skipped combinations are now issued over the counter, e.g. BRB in blue-on-white and CKA in Eurostyle.
YearsPlate styleYearsPlate style
1937–1951
White-on-black plate with aa·nnn serial format, issued 1945
1951–1980
Black-on-lemon yellow plate with state abbreviation at top, issued 1979
1980–1988
Plate featuring "The Premier State" slogan, issued 1983
1989–1994
Plate featuring "The First State" slogan, issued 1990
1994–1996
Plate featuring the "Towards 2000" slogan, issued 1996
1996–2004
Plate with full state name at bottom, issued 1998
2004–present
Plate with aa·nn·aa serial format, issued 2016

MyPlates range
NSW – Centenary of Federation, special edition, 2001
Euro Plate NSW, 2002–present
BiCentennial plate
Historic vehicle plate
NSW plate Share the Spirit

"MyPlates" range is a product of the Plate Marketing Pty Ltd on behalf of the NSW Roads and Maritime Services. It offers personalisation of registration plates including plate colour and content. Since 2009, all non-reflective bases have been converted to reflective. As of 1 October 2010, Plate Marketing Pty Ltd (formerly part of the LicenSys group) has been appointed to manage and operate the myPlates business under a 15-year partnering arrangement.

Formats available by type of vehicle:

  • Light vehicles options: aa-nnn, aa-nnnn, aaa-nnn, aaa-nna, aa-nn-aa,nnn-aaa, nn-aaa, nn-aaaa, cccccc (where c can be a numeral, letter or space)
  • Motorcycle format options: aa-nn, aa-nnn, aaa-nn, nn-aaa, ccccc
  • Trailer format options: a-nnnnn, aa-nnnn, cccccc
  • Heavy vehicles options: aaa-nnn, aa-nnn, aa-nnnn, cccccc

History of plate launches

  • 1969
  • White on black personalised introduced – Cars AB-123 & Motorcycle AB-12
  • 1976
  • White on black personalised extended into AB-1234 and black on yellow ABC-123 added.
  • 1981
  • Custom Plates introduced initially as NSW-THE PREMIER STATE in black on reflective lemon base.
  • 1987
  • Custom Plates replaced by current Custom yellow.
  • Bicentenary plates launched – black on reflective white with shield – ABC-123 (AAA-050 TO ABZ-999) and later added AB-123
  • 1991
  • Premium slimline plates were introduced commencing at AAA-11A, black on reflective white base in smaller embossed characters and NSW embossed at left hand side.
  • 1994
  • Premium slimline personalised plates were introduced and was offered in combinations – AB-123, AB-1234, ABC-123 & CUSTOM
  • 1997
  • RSL Plates in green on mid yellow – "NSW Lest We Forget"
  • 1998
  • Sydney Olympic Games Plates – "Share the Spirit" in black on white with blue band on bottom and the Sydney Olympic Logo – ABC-123, AB-123 & AB-1234
  • 2000
  • Due to popular demand, Olympic slimlines introduced – ABC-123, AB-123 & AB-1234
  • 2001
  • Centenary of Federation plates available for 12 months ABC-123, AB-123 & AB-1234 and CF series 1901-CF to 2001-CF were offered in reflective embossed white characters. Recent remakes are now in reflective black base.
  • 2002
  • White Euro plates: N aa-nnn and N aa-nna new style of plates fitting European dimensions was introduced in April 2002. In these plates, the N is compulsory prefix then spaced combinations.
  • New England plates that ran for about 4 years.
  • 2003
  • The colour range were introduced. See colour chart.
  • 2004
  • White on black personalised extended into ABC-123
  • 2005
  • Metallic range was introduced. See colour chart.
  • Premium slimline plates replaced by bordered slimline plates commencing at AWA-11A
  • 2006
  • Black Euro introduced, and an auction custom i.e. N-CSTM1 was conducted.
  • 2007
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge Plates – SHB Harbour Bridge shaped plates from SHB-1 to SHB-99 only sold via on-line auctions. In white on graphic background of the bridge. Standard slimline series HB-12-AC issued for 12 months those sales ceased on 27 March 2008. Black on white with bridge graphic in light grey.
  • 2008
  • NRL Team Plates – Plates for NRL fans team colours are introduced.
  • Centenary NRL Footy plates of all NRL teams were sold through an online auction – They comes in team colours and the number digits represents half back half eight, front rowers, back rowers, centres and wingers. The auction has since been completed.
  • 2009
  • HSV, FPV and V8 Supercar plates were introduced. From 22 September 2010, slimline version were added.
  • All plates range changed to reflective bases.
  • 2010
  • Corporate plates with business names and logos are introduced
  • 2012
  • Bright lights commences on 1 May 2012 and was initially in black base only with reflective colours are Venetian green, casino sunrise, moulin rougue, gold rush, midnight jazz, hot flamingo and blue lagoon. It was extended to motorcycles during November 2012. The range has since been modified to include reflective black with the rest of reflective colour choices.
  • The first number personalised plate range begins, allowing motorists to choose alternative series as the current personalised plates capacity are near full or not available. Current range of plate options will apply to all first number combinations as shown as 123-ABC, 12-ABC & 12-ABCD.
  • 2013
  • Custom Traditional black introduced. Custom yellow expanded into AA-123, AA-1234, ABC-123, 123-ABC, 12-ABC & 12-ABCD combinations.
  • Art range – 7 selected designs were launched.
  • Tech Range released 4 November 2013
  • 2014
  • US sized plates released – comes in US style star spangles, NSW State plate and black on white plain.
  • Le Chic & Vintage range introduced on 13 July 2014
  • Bright Lights now withdrawn from sale as they are under review following customer feedback that the colours are hard to read by a normal human eye. As of Feb 2015, 9604 sets will be recalled and replaced by a larger & clearer version of bright lights. Prototype sets are being pressed and tested prior to potential re-release.[5][6]
  • Art Cycle range launched 30 September
  • 2014 Premiership plates launched 6 October
  • 2015
  • formerly called Bright Lights now relaunched as Colour on Black available for car and light vehicles at this stage.
  • Black on coloured plates base introduced.
  • Australiana Range launched 16 November 2015.
  • AB-123 & 12-ABC blocks have been removed from NRL range following complaints of character spacing.
  • 2016
  • Ford Mustang plates commenced 1 March offered in white on black or black on white with Mustang logo and red, white, and blue stripes draped downside on top after "NSW".
  • Japanese plates designs become known in March. Green on white base in Japanese symbols at left and NSW right next to the symbol on top. Launch date is now confirmed for 27 June 2016. Designs have been amended in readiness for release—Original JDM now called JDM Classic while the other JDM is a new design, NSW at top while the bottom is in Japanese inscription and is designed to accommodate 2X2X2 combinations.
  • Marine Rescue NSW Charity Trailer only plates launched 28 March 2016
  • State of Origin NSW Theme plate launched 3 May 2016
  • All Euro ranges are now offered in both slimline or large sizes for front of vehicles, effective 1 July 2016.
  • 2 Oct 2016 2016 Premiers Cronulla Sharks released
  • 1 Nov 2016 – Australian Range expanded – Whale, Sunset, Surf, Skyline and Black Bridge Tech Plate – Brushed Metal added on range.
  • 2017
  • 28 May 2017 Classic Stripes range released in 7 stripes colour choices.
  • 4 September 2017 – Wanderlust range in 6 choices and two Socceroos plates launched. Carbon Fibre now include red, blue and green.
  • 28 September 2017 – Updated Supercars design launched.
  • 1 October 2017 – 2017 NRL Premiership launched for the winning team – Melbourne Storm.
  • 19 November 2017 – Dog and Cats (Animal range), Newcastle United Jets, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Mariners and Zodiac range released.
  • 2018
  • 12 February 2018 – (Animal Range) added are Kangaroo, Paws and Koalas, then extended to trailers in all ranges. Australian and Wanderlust range extended to trailers.
  • June – Prestige plates introduced in 2009 has been removed from sale as now no longer offered.
  • October – Serenity New age style plates and Statement Plates released – # SAMPLE, @ SAMPLE and I (love) SAMPLE
  • 2019
  • 7 February – Euro Platinum Plates, Euro sized coloured and Black on white & Black on yellow Japaese JDM plates released. Leather & Tough cycle plates also released.
  • Horses plates added, and updated Eels/Storms NRL plates, now include hyphen in the middle to streamline with the remainder of sports plates. Rest of NRL plates not yet updated.
  • Personalised plates in NSW reached 50 years since the launch.
  • V8 Supercar plates have been removed from sale effective 22 July 2019.
  • 2 September - Pastel, Chinese Traditional and Music launched. BlackCarbon fibre added for Euro Premium and slimline premium range. Panthers NRL plates has a 3rd revised version including hyphen.
  • 8 October 2019 - 2019 NRL Premier Roosters added and A League Soccer plates updated. Socceroos and Matildas plates discontinued
  • 2020
  • 21 April 2020 - NRL plates range revamped, first time in 12 years on my plates website but rolled back to the old version after only 24 hours and relaunched on 28 May, Botanical Range 4 choices and introduction of NSW HEAVY TRAILER legend plates comes in White on Black and Black on gold custom colour. AA-000, AA-0000, AAA-000, 000-AAA will be used.
  • 28 May 2020 - NRL Plates relaunched, 4 Comic range choices launched.
  • 20 July 2020 - Cute, Camo and Sport & Leisure range launched
Personalised
  • Coloured plates chart

Offered in colours are:
Colour on black: AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA-nnn
Black on colour: AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn
Coloured on white: AAA·nnn AAA·nnA AA·nnn AA·nnnn nn·AAA nn·AAAA nnn·AAA cccccc
Coloured range: AAA·nnn AAA·nnA AA·nnn AA·nnnn nn·AAA nn·AAAA nnn·AAA cccccc AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn
Premium Range: AAA·nnn AA·nnnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn

Exclusions & choices: Motorists can choose any combined letters and numbers including solely letters (maximum 6 characters). Plate customisation has also been added into the coloured, premium range and recently motorcycles (7 March). Certain restrictions about combinations have been put in place to prevent people from designing plates which appear too much like numeral-only plates which are auctioned off separately (e.g. 9I2 would not be allowed as it is too similar to 912). There are also restrictions preventing people from picking combinations that are too similar to special plates issued by the Authority (for instance, HC-nnn and HC-nnnn combinations are reserved only for accredited hire-car operators).

Special purpose vehicles
Taxicab
[[file:
New Series Tourist Vehicle plates
|200px|alt=]]
New Series Tourist Vehicle
State Transit Authority
Metro
Conditional

Vehicles with particular purposes in New South Wales have been introduced with numberplates specific to their type.

  • Taxis have two types of plate: Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong plates have a T·nnnn format, while regional and country taxis use TC·nnnn. As of October 2009, the Taxi plate design has changed to its current format following enforcement camera errors showing the zeros or eights between the character spaces. It has an embossed premium slimline at the top with sticker for LPG, CNG and TPG moved to two bottom corners. The white on blue reflective base remain the same. NSW -TAXI is the legend description.
  • Tow truck plates use nnnn·TT or nnnn·TT and as of March 2018 123-TTT was seen on a table top tow truck nnn·TTT depending on the registered use of the vehicle. They have blue characters on a white background, and the top of the plate reads "TOW TRUCK", that was introduced in October 2000. The original yellow on black format with NSW The First state or Towards 2000 began in November 1990. It is now in the current NEW SOUTH WALES format and is seen to have 9906-TT as of 28 March 2008. As of September 2008 it is in 9800s series, but now it is issued in 7000 to 8999 unused blocks as the first one 7002-TT was seen at the Northern Beaches as of December 2008.
  • Buses have black on yellow plates, with the prefix Metro: M/O·nnnn, Country: nnnn·MO (Motor Omnibus) or nnnn·ST 2008-current (State Transit Buses) nnnn·ST Yellow based used in error 2018. Commercial buses in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong districts have M/O-nnnn plates, with the M over the O; all other country commercial buses use nnnn-MO. Like other vehicles, buses not used for hire or reward are registered with National Heavy Vehicle plates. The M/O·1000 to M/O·3999 range was reserved for the State Transit Authority and its predecessors but now issued to private buses since the start of ST series.[7] When the end of the series was reached in the early 1970s the series was reissued before again being exhausted again in 2000. Some plates were reissued for a third time before the State Transit Authority adopted its own nnnn·ST series from 2008. In March 2018 the base colour issued to one bus has the yellow NEW SOUTH WALES legend. The M/O·6nnn series was reserved for the Wollongong region, but now cancelled M/O 6000s series are re-issued to private buses in Sydney, which continues from M/O·5nnn series and into 8000s as of June 2019.
  • Tourist vehicles have black on yellow plates, with the prefix TV·nnna. Originally issued as yellow on black TV·nnn plates in the 1960s, before changed to reflective black on yellow format in the early 1980s. At the time the tourist coach market was heavily regulated with a finite number of TV plates on issue, making them like taxi plates a traded commodity. As of September 2018 it has reached TV-9999 and is reissuing cancelled blocks from TV-1000 onwards. Starting on 2 October 2019, new TV series commenced at TV-001A using last alpha suffix in place of numerical.
  • Police and emergency vehicles in New South Wales, such as ambulances and police vehicles, are using aaa-nna slimline plates for cars. Some police vehicles have had personalised plates fitted, for example several Highway Patrol vehicles have plates featuring the HWP series from 1975 and in recent decades the initials of officers killed on duty. During the 2010s HWP series were allocated to Police HWP motorcycles and VIP series during the 2000s, that continues to today. NSW Ambulance plates in 1937 had AC series plates allocated for the duration of the original AA-000 to ZZ-999 series. From the 1960s CDA series plates were allocated to Central District Ambulances in Sydney but no longer in use as was phased out in the 1980s.New South Wales Rural Fire Service vehicles were exempted from displaying registration plates, however some have been fitted with standard issue plates. New South Wales Fire Brigades vehicles were at one stage only fitted with brass plates featuring the letters "NSWFB". These plates were red on gold brass and from 1984, NSWFB plates were pressed into standard dies in gold and red base. It was withdrawn from 1991 when FBY-000 to FBY-999 was allocated that lasted until 2010 when it was replaced by the standard series.
  • Conditional Registration Scheme nnnnn·E Conditional Motorcycle format: nnnn·N Forklift, Off-Road Vehicles, etc., that need to use public roads as part of their operation can be registered conditionally. As of June 2008, it is reported that the motorcycle sized series has overflowed to 0001-C onwards after reaching 9999-C then moved onto M and N suffix. By June 2019 89000-D suffix Conditional Plates are the latest issues. nnnn·U for machinery/tractors commenced in December 2013 starting as T suffix to balance between existing Conditional and Machinery/Tractors types. As of May 2018, it moved to U suffix series.
  • Rally vehicle plates: nnnnn·R Introduced in 2014,with the slogan NSW – Rally Vehicle.
  • Historic and veteran cars Cars – nnnnn·J Cycles – nnnn·J From 1959 to 2002 there were colourful club plates provided by the club and was manufactured in either Vintage Car or Veteran Car legend on top. They were withdrawn from use in 2002 and the current H series is in use. For vehicles used/registered for historical interest and not used as regular transport.
  • Trade plates (current): in the format Annnn or nnnnA . Permanent trade plates have replaced white on orange annual trade plates effective 23 December 2015, with an embossed NSW and screened "Trade" legend: NSW – Trade. The RMS commenced issuing new style yellow perpetual trader plates during the 31 December 2015 renewal process.[8] The following content ranges are reserved for the new style trader’s plates:
  • A0000 to A9999 for vehicles.
  • 0000A to 5999A for trailers—available from January 2017—using full premium embossed dies.
  • 6000A to 9999A for motorcycles. Available from January 2017—using slimline embossed dies format and 5 character base that was later replaced by motorcycle sized plates following feedback from dealers.
  • This clarifies the allocation of trailer and motorcycle plates as B-series motorcycle trade plates have been discontinued and replaced by the allocation of 6000A to 9999A series. Trailers have moved to 0000A to 5999A replacing the three numeric blocks. This previous permanent arrangement existed from 1991 to 2003 in colour as shown: A·nnnn.
  • CC Consular Plates – CC·nnnn Special purpose plates are used for consular corps since 1978 in CC-2000 to CC-4999 range, initially in white on blue then changed to black on yellow by August 1983, with the same legend at top NSW CONSULAR CORPS. The legend moved from top to the bottom from changeover to fat dies in October 1992 and since the variations of dies and bases were updated on a few occasions to the current style.

Other purpose plates
  • NSW Auxiliary A supplementary plate to be displayed on a bike rack or other kind of racks displaying the duplicate number/alpha combination was introduced in October 1995, initially in black on off white non reflective and screenprinted legend as "NSW – BIKE RACK" . In 1998 it changed to black on reflective white, again on screenprinted legend. In 1999 the legend changed to embossed. In 2006 the legend reverted to screenprinted. In 2012 the name was changed to "NSW- AUXILIARY" again in screenprinted. in 2016, the arrangements extended to tow trucks and other vehicles covered in this scheme and in December the legend was revised to add embossed NSW and the rest screenprinted.

Discontinued plates
Sydney 2000 Olympics (slimline)
Hire car

MyPlates products and special short term plates:

  • V8 Supercar plates: have been removed from sale effective 22 July 2019.
  • Bright lights: AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn AAA·nnn
  • Prestige: Introduced in 2009 as v1.0 as premium typeface fonts then updated to v2.0 with typeface fonts changed to standard dies fonts. Discontinued circa June 2018.
  • Bicentenary 1788-1988 : Introduced November 1987 and discontinued after the quota 200,000 orders/issues reached.
  • RSL Range : 1998 only
  • Centenary series : Available during 2001 and is still offering remakes, but no new orders are taken.
  • New England Regional : 2001 to 2004. For the New England Region only, other regional options were explored but it was decided not to continue.
  • Sydney 2000 Olympics: Introduced in May 1998, slimline added July 1999 and then discontinued from 31 December 2000.

Specialised series blocks in either previous styles or discontinued combinations:

  • Slogan plates: 1980 - 1988 NSW-THE PREMIER STATE, 1989-1994 NSW-THE FIRST STATE and 1994-1996 NSW-TOWARDS 2000
  • Previous trade plates style since 1910 as known as agent's plates, in the a-nnn format was standard porcelain white on black until 1937 when it changed to very large page embossed dies in an annual non standard colour until 1952.
    From 1952, the annual cyclic colour scheme was introduced, red, purple, brown, green, orange and blue for all annual trade plates and stickers but the embossed style remained until 1959.
    From 1959 the year was added on top of NSW as the format showed as 19 NSW 59 and runs from A-0000 to A-9999.
    By 1982, the design was changed, the year moved to the left hand side in vertical, and the dies format changed to standard car size as the previous very large dies was used from 1937.
    In 1991, it changed to permanent trade plates with trade word replacing the year, colour changed to white on dark green and ran until 2004 when it was replaced by the current format trade plates with year & bottom legend—NSW TRADE screenprinted & a change to the premium dies
  • Light or heavy vehicles or trailers A-nnnn or nnnn-A formats.
  • Cycles are in either B-nnnn or nnnn-B formats.
nnnn-A/nnn-BColourA-nnnn/B-nnnColour
2004nnnn·A2005A·nnnn
2006nnnn·A2007A·nnnn
2008nnnn·A2009A·nnnn
2010nnnn·A2011A·nnnn
2012nnnn·A2013A·nnnn
2014nnnn·A2015– Perm
  • Motorcycle trade plates (B-series): issued from 1958 to 2015. These were initially issued in annual cyclic colours, then from 1991 to 2004 permanent trade plates were issued with white text on a green base. The last issued combinations were B·nnn or nnn·B from 2004 to 2015.
  • Hire Cars HC·nnnn HC-000 to 999 issued in Sydney but now extends beyond HC-1000 since 2008. HC-2000 to HC- 4999 blocks are issued outside Sydney. Previously until 1998, HV-nnn series were issued in the country but had to combine into a single HC series. Effective from the week of 29 July 2013, new HC plates design were released—in same white on reflective black with legend NSW-HIRE CAR starting with HC-1927. As of 18 December 2015 the HC series has been discontinued and won't be issued to new drivers as it is no longer required when Hire Car drivers require a new service. Remakes or replacement are still available on request.[9]
  • Motor van: V·nnnn V series began as a motor van plates until 1939 when it changed to large page dies then into black on reflective yellow The Premier State from 1983 until it was discontinued in 1985 and was recalled.
  • Lorry series: L·nn-nnn Issued from 1910 until 1937 when it was replaced by the general series. All have been recalled.
  • Interstate visitors: B·nnnn B0series were used for interstate visitors in the 1920s to register interstate visitors to NSW and vice versa in their own states registration schemes. It was discontinued after only 2 years. The B series were later adopted by motorcycles dealer plates.
  • Interstate series: ISA·nnn 1953–1987. It began in the ISA-to-ISZ blocks and used for trucks and trailers. In April 1982, it changed to red in reflective white in The Premier State slogan. In January 1987, it was replaced by the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme.
  • Country HV hire cars: HV·nnnn HV-nnn series were issued in the country until 1998 when it had to combine into a single HC 4000 series.
  • Early hire cars: H·nnnn Issued from the 1910s until 1939 when it was replaced by the current HC-nnn series.
  • Country MO prefix: MO·nnnn The prefix series commenced in 1939 and was replaced in 2008 with the current suffix series nnnn-MO
  • Roads and Traffic Authority: vehicles use plates in RTA·000 RTB·000 and RTC·000 format, some plates are in coloured slimline or wallaby formats. Recently, there were no more combinations, so standard plates will be used on new vehicles. The Roads and Traffic Authority has been abolished and replaced by the Roads and Maritime Services.
  • Fire and Rescue New South Wales: FRNSW vehicles used to be registered in the FBY·nnn series, but now both administrative and operational firefighting vehicles are now using AB-12-CD general issues, to reduce budget expenditure.
  • CdeC Consular Plates – CdeC·nnn In 1941 the CdeC plates series commenced and ran until 1978 showing the format as CdeC-nnn. CdeC has a shield with the letters inside and was white on blue. A similar format has been used in Qld, NT, & WA.
  • Yellow "general series" personalised plates: ABC·nnn From the mid-1970s personalised plates into the yellow general series format began and then later into the Premier State, First State and Towards 2000 era then into New South Wales reflective yellow. It briefly stopped in 2003 and was reinstated in 2006 for 3 years until it was finally discontinued. In 2013 it was reintroduced but in black and yolk yellow base 1951–1980 style. This original NEW SOUTH WALES yellow style continues to be offered as a remake only to both personalised and general series.

Registration labels

From 1932, registration labels were introduced which corresponded to the vehicle's registration plate, and were displayed on the windscreen or side-windows of vehicles.
The label was a wet application type soaked in cold water which was then applied to the glass, then squeegeed with a clean sponge to remove remaining gum on the label. It was time consuming. In 1992, it changed to self-adhesive printed on registration certificates and continues for heavy vehicles after the abolition of labels for light vehicles.
1932 to 1953 – Non standard annual colours were used
1953 to 2018 – Annual cyclic colours of red, purple, brown, green, orange and light blue.(Heavy vehicles only from 1 January 2013)

Design changes

  • 1932–1957 – Month in the middle and particular details on both sides of label and NEW SOUTH WALES with government crest at top.
  • 1957–1959 – Month in the middle and particular details on bottom of label and NEW SOUTH WALES with government crest at top while VEHICLE REGISTRATION LABEL at bottom.
  • 1960–1973 – Redesigned label showing month in middle, particular details on top of label and NEW SOUTH WALES at the right hand side & Date of expiry at left hand side.
  • 1973–1984 – Redesigned label showing month in middle, particular details on top of label on one line only and NEW SOUTH WALES moved to the top & Date of expiry moved to right hand side.
  • 1984–1987 – Redesigned label showing month & year in left hand side, particular details deleted and NEW SOUTH WALES remain at top with annual graphic designs of the Sydney Opera House, Parkes Observatory, Queen Victoria Building and Australian Bicentenary.
  • 1988 – Redesigned label showing NEW SOUTH WALES, month and year in right hand side and Australian Bicentenary logo.
  • 1989–1992 – Redesigned half size label showing NEW SOUTH WALES, month & year in full middle alignment.
  • 1992–2012 – Adhesive sticker label with vehicle details reinstated in yellow L shaped area.
  • 1 January 2013 – Registration labels abolished for light vehicles – cars, trailers, cycles and caravans.
  • 1 July 2018 - Registration labels abolished for heavy vehicles and conditional registration. Last to be abolished.

References
  1. http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/PA_AUST.html
  2. "New South Wales". Plateshack.com. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-road-and-transport-agencies-merged-reshuffle-in-senior-bureaucracy-20190401-p519p1.html
  4. New South Wales Fleet Lists Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  5. "Bright Lights licence plates should be recalled, says NRMA". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. "NRMA's 'Bright Lights' ban call". NRMA Motoring & Services.
  7. State Transit Authority – Sydney/Newcastle Buses Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  8. Rolfe, Ian (January 2016). "Perpetual trader's plates". Motor Traders' Association of NSW. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  9. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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