Transfer special number plates for a deceased estate

There are various types of number plate agreements and terms of these agreements vary. Only certain agreements are transferable.

If you're managing a deceased estate and the vehicle has special number plates, you may be able to transfer the plate agreement to a beneficiary provided the will confirms they are entitled to the specific number plate and/or vehicle.

Plate types that can be transferred

Custom plates

• Can be transferred only if the plate agreement is current.

Personalised plates

• Can be transferred only if the plate agreement is current; or
• Must have been on a registered vehicle within the last 5 years.

Euro plates

• Can be transferred only if the plate agreement is current.
• If not allocated to a vehicle for over 5 years, rights become void.

Reallocation rights

• Can be transferred.
• Provided rights remain active as long as the plate is on a registered vehicle.
• If not allocated to a vehicle for over 5 years, rights become void.

Proprietary rights

• Can be transferred only if plates:
  • were issued between 1 Sep - 30 Nov 1998
  • were not transferred on a vehicle to a new owner after Nov 1998
• If not allocated to a vehicle for over 5 years, rights become void.

The beneficiary will only receive reallocation rights.

Reallocation rights

• Can be transferred.
• Rights remain active as long as the plate is on a registered vehicle.
• If not allocated to a vehicle for over 5 years, rights become void.

Class specific or proprietary rights

• Can be transferred.
• If under proprietary rights, the beneficiary will be issued reallocation rights only.

There are 3 types of rights:

No rights agreement

• Plate is resumed by the registrar 120 days after registration expires or vehicle is transferred.

Restricted rights agreement

• Beneficiary must inherit both the vehicle and the plate.
• Plate must stay on the same vehicle.
• A new agreement is issued only if one already exists.

Alternatively, the beneficiary may retain the number without entering into a Rights agreement:

• The vehicle must remain registered in the name of the deceased (or ‘the estate of’).
• The number is treated as an ‘existing numeric number without rights’.
• The vehicle can only remain in the 'estate of' for up to 12 months.

Class specific rights agreement

• No transfer fee (10% of plate value) required.
• Beneficiary retains class specific rights.

Reallocation rights

• Can be transferred provided the plate the vehicle is affixed to is also transferred to the beneficiary.
• The rights remain active provided the plate is on a registered vehicle.
• If not allocated to a vehicle for over 5 years, rights become void.

No rights agreement

• Can't be transferred.

Reallocation rights

• Can be transferred.
• The rights remain active provided the plate is on a registered vehicle.
• If not allocated to a vehicle for over 5 years, rights become void.

Class specific or proprietary rights

• Can be transferred.
• If under proprietary rights, the beneficiary will be issued class specific rights only.

• Can be transferred.

If there are multiple beneficiaries and the number plate agreement is to be given to a single beneficiary, you'll need a signed statement from the other beneficiaries relinquishing interest in the specific number plate and vehicle.

More about plate agreements types and their conditions

How to apply

1. Visit a Service SA centre
2. Bring:
   1. the will or alternate estate documents
   2. supporting documents
3. Vehicle and plate must be transferred together. Find out how to transfer the vehicle from a deceased estate.
4. Fees may apply.

The will must clearly state the beneficiary is entitled to the vehicle and plate.

If multiple beneficiaries are named, others must sign a statement relinquishing interest.

You'll need:

• letters of administration
• a letter from the administrator listing beneficiaries and their relationship to the deceased.
• signed statements from other beneficiaries (if applicable)

If the vehicle is being transferred to someone not named by the administrator, the plate can't be transferred.

Special plate agreements can't be transferred to a buyer. The new owner must purchase a new plate.

Related information

Other websites

EzyPlates - ezyplates.sa.gov.au