You will require vehicle trade plates if you intend to operate a business that involves the handling or use of unregistered vehicles or trailers. Businesses that may require vehicle trade plates include:
- motor vehicle dealers
- vehicle manufacturers
- licensed vehicle testers
- fleet managers
- vehicle transporters.
Trade plates are special identifying plates that are attached to the rear of unregistered vehicles or trailers to permit them to be driven for certain approved purposes such as taking an unregistered vehicle for a test drive.
If your application is approved, you will be issued with a number known as a General Identification Mark and supplied with a trade plate bearing that number. One or more plates can be issued for each General Identification Mark, subject to limits imposed by the agency.
