Apply for trade plates

Trade plates may be issued to:

• individuals
• people involved in a joint ownership
• companies registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

What you'll need

You will need to produce at least 3 of the following identification documents:

• second hand vehicle dealer's licence certificate (MVLD)
• Motor Trade Association (MTA) membership letter (must not be more than 12 months old at time of lodging the application)
• a current RAA approved repair service agreement (must not be more than 12 months old at time of lodging the application)
• any one of:
  • ASIC Business Name extract
  • ASIC Company extract
  • notice of issue of an ABN from the Australian Taxation Office
• photographic evidence (mandatory for businesses such as mechanical repairers and panel beaters)
• confirmation of Return to Work SA Registration
• any one of:
  • White or Yellow Pages listing
  • reference to business website or social media account that shows clear evidence of conducting a business.

How to apply

Complete the forms:

Application for trade plates (298.7 KB PDF)

Application for approval for issue of trade plates (167.5 KB PDF)

Lodge your application forms, present your identification documents and pay the required fee at a Service SA centre.

The plate size issued depends on the type of vehicle categories that you nominate.

A motorcycle-sized plate will be issued if the only category nominated is motorcycle.

All other vehicle category types and combinations will be issued a general vehicle-sized trade plate.

A trade plate may be issued for 1, 2 or 3 years. A certificate and label will be issued to you when all the requirements are completed.

You may apply for a trade plate to be used on the following vehicle categories.

Heavy vehicle

A motor vehicle or trailer that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 4,500 kg (excluding a farm implement and farm machine or special purpose vehicle).

The heavy vehicle category does not allow the trade plate to be used for vehicles that belong to the light vehicle category. If you wish to use a trade plate for both types of vehicles, you would need to nominate both categories in your application.

Light vehicle

A motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 4,500 kg (excluding a motorcycle, trailer, farm machine, farm implement and special purpose vehicle).

Motorcycle

Any motorcycle regardless of the engine capacity.

Trailer

A trailer that has a gross trailer mass not exceeding 4,500 kg (excluding a farm implement, farm machine and special purpose vehicle).

Farm implements and farm machines

Self-propelled farm machines and towed farm implements only.

Special purpose vehicles

Any vehicle not specifically designed for the carriage of passengers or goods including farm implements and farm machines.

Conditions

It is an offence to use a trade plate on a category of vehicle that is not recorded on the certificate and label that is issued to you.

The Motor Vehicle Regulations 2010 detail the purposes for which a trade plate may be used.