Improving land transport to make a better New Zealand
What you need to know about using trade plates
Introduction
What are trade plates for?
People use trade plates for different purposes and reasons, depending on their occupation and business.
If you're legally entitled to use a trade plate, you can put a trade plate on a vehicle and drive it - even if the vehicle hasn't been registered with both plates and a current licence, and in some limited situations, if it has no warrant of fitness.
Trade plates can only be used on registered vehicles in very limited circumstances and then only by repairers.
What do trade plates look like?
Trade plates have a number starting or ending with the letter X, displayed in black characters against a yellow reflective background. They are valid until 31 December of the year that's shown on the plate.
Where do you display trade plates?
The trade plate must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle in an upright position, so that every letter and figure is easily visible.
Using a trade plate
Trade plates can only be used in relation to the purpose for which they were granted. For example, if you are a car wrecker you may use the plate on an unregistered motor vehicle being removed from the point of purchase to the point of destruction.
If you use trade plates for a purpose other than the purpose they were supplied for you may be fined for operating an unregistered and unlicensed vehicle.
Who can apply to use trade plates?
Trade plates can be applied for by:
- vehicle traders (within the meaning if the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003)
- manufacturers and assemblers
- car wreckers (if they have a second-hand trader licence)
- Government departments
- motor vehicle ferrymen (a person not being a trader who moves motor vehicles from the wharf to the retail outlet, etc)
- motor vehicle repairers
- proprietors of transport museums.
If you're not sure whether you're eligible to apply, write to the Transport Registry Centre (TRC), Private Bag, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442, explaining why you want a trade plate.
How do I apply for trade plates?
If you're in one of the groups listed above, you need to write to the Transport Registry Centre, enclosing the appropriate documents (see below). We'll then send you an application form.
(Note that this is the only way you can apply - Land Transport New Zealand agents don't have trade plate application forms.)
What do I send with my request for an application form?
When you write to the Transport Registry Centre asking for a trade plate application form, you also need to send us some proof of your eligibility.
| Occupation/business | Documents we require before we'll send the application form |
|---|---|
| Trader | Ministry of Economic Development – Trader registration number |
| Manufacturer/assembler | Business card or business letterhead paper |
| Car wrecker | Copy of second-hand trader licence and business card |
| Government department | Department's letterhead paper |
| Motor vehicle ferryman | Letter from a registered trader confirming that you deliver to them |
| Motor vehicle repairer | Business card/business letterhead paper and advertising |
| Proprietor of a transport museum | Business card/business letterhead paper and advertising |
Lost/stolen trade plates
Any lost or stolen trade plates must be reported to the Police.
Road user charges (RUC) time licences
All vehicles with a manufacturers gross laden weight (GLW) of over 3500 kg and all vehicles whose GLW is 3500 kg or less powered by a fuel not taxed at the source, eg diesel, used on a road with a trade plate must display a current RUC time licence. (You can buy RUC time licences through any Land Transport New Zealand agent, using a RUC TL form.)
Trade plates for uncertified or unregistered vehicles
This information only applies when trade plates are used to drive a vehicle that is uncertified and unregistered, or when repairers use their trade plates on a registered but unlicensed vehicle that doesn't have a warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness and the vehicle can not be licensed until the repairs are completed.
Trade plates let you drive that vehicle to and from testing stations, specialist repairers and garages, in order to bring it up to the appropriate standard.
What are the requirements?
From 1 April 2002 you don't need to apply for an exemption permit to use trade plates. Instead, you carry out a safety check of the vehicle. If the vehicle passes, you can drive it using your trade plate. If it doesn't, you've got to tow the vehicle or get it transported.
Display the permit in the windscreen at all times. Fill out the permit yourself, sign it and date it. The permit must be displayed in the vehicle when you're stopped by the Police or a Land Transport New Zealand Compliance Officer.
About the safety check
You must:
- carry out a safety check on the vehicle before it's driven anywhere
- transport or tow the vehicle everywhere if it doesn't pass
- sign the safety check form if the vehicle passes
- keep the safety check form in the vehicle.
Signing the safety check form makes you responsible for the vehicle's condition. If you don't have enough experience and skill to carry out the safety check, we strongly recommend you use someone who does.
There are two safety check sheets:
You can use these as master copies, and photocopy more if you need to.
Which forms do I need?
For light or heavy vehicles to be driven not more than 50 km from your business premises:
For light vehicles to be driven more than 50 km from your business premises:
- get the vehicle certified and approved for registration. The trade plate can then be used on an unregistered vehicle to travel more than 50 km from your business premises.
For heavy vehicles (over 3500 kg) to be driven more than 50 km from your business premises:
- visit a Land Transport New Zealand agent (participating outlets of the Automobile Association, On Road NZ, Vehicle Testing New Zealand or Vehicle Inspection New Zealand) who will inspect the vehicle and issue an Annex C form.
More about the forms
Annex A lists where you can drive the vehicle if you're using an Annex B form. The addresses have to be within 50 km of your business premises. If you want to drive a light vehicle further, the vehicle must be certified, towed or transported. If you want to drive a heavy vehicle further, use an Annex C.
Annex B is your promise that you've carried out the safety check, and that you'll only drive the vehicle for the purposes you're allowed to drive it for. It expires in 28 days, so you'll have to recheck the vehicle if you want to drive it after that time.
Annex C, issued by Land Transport New Zealand TSD agents who inspect heavy vehicles, expires in six months.
Keep the forms visible in the window area of the vehicle at all times.
Staying within the law
There are very few occasions when you can legally use an uncertified and unregistered vehicle on the road.
You must have a valid trade plate fitted to the vehicle.
Only you or a person authorised by you in writing can drive the vehicle - no one else.
You have to be driving the vehicle for one of these reasons, and it has to be within the purpose you were granted the trade plates:
- Demonstration of the vehicle
- Delivery of the vehicle
- Completion of construction of the vehicle
- Repair or modification of the vehicle
- Road testing in connection with inspection and certification of the vehicle
- Evaluation or testing of the vehicle.
You must have your permit visible in the vehicle.
You must have carried out the safety check, and carry the safety check sheet in the vehicle.
If it's a heavy vehicle, you can't carry any loads.
Also, you have to be driving the vehicle to or from one of the addresses listed on your permit.
Note
Please note that this information was correct at the time of publication. If you need more information, or if you're unsure whether this information is correct, please consult the Transport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and Licensing) Act 1986 (sections 30-35), or contact Land Transport New Zealand at the Transport Registry Centre.
Last updated: 12 October 2007