Can I make my own number plates?
Is it legal to use a cloned or fake number plate that looks real?
This information is not intended as legal advice. Always check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.
Regardless of how authentic a fake number plate might appear, if it is not issued by the state authority, it is illegal to use. Even if you use the correct numbers and letters on your original registration plate, you must use number plates issued by the relevant authorities. Using unauthorised plates can result in huge fines, potentially amounting to hundreds of dollars, and demerit points may also apply.
So what are the rules?
We’ve all seen cars on the road where someone replaced a missing or damaged number plate with a piece of cardboard or plastic. This might seem like a quick fix if your plate is lost or stolen, or simply worn out from years of use. However, it’s illegal to use any imitation or third-party-made number plate, even if it looks identical to the official ones.
In some states, number plates come with a 10-year warranty for faulty materials, so you might be eligible for a free replacement from your registration authority.
Using fake or unauthorised number plates can result in significant penalties. Here are the specific laws and fines across different states and territories in Australia:
New South Wales (NSW):
- Offence: “Use vehicle with unauthorised number plate”
- Penalty: 3 demerit points and a $464 fine
Victoria:
- Offence: “Use of vehicle where number plate not affixed or displayed in accordance with regulations”
- Penalty: $182 fine and 1 demerit point
Queensland:
- Requirement: Number plates remain the property of the state and must be surrendered if required
- Penalty for non-genuine plate: $320 fine
Tasmania:
- Offences: “Use vehicle not complying with number plate/cover regulations” and “Use vehicle without number plates issued for the vehicle affixed and displayed as required”
- Penalty: $195 fine for each offence
Northern Territory (NT):
- Regulations prohibit possessing or using plates that resemble official ones with intent to deceive
- Penalties: Fines for number plate-related offences range from $30 to $40
Western Australia (WA):
- Regulations prohibit using plates for decorative purposes or keeping them for sentimental reasons
- Penalty: $200 fine for the first offence, $400 for subsequent offences
- Additional penalty for imitation plate offences: $200 to $400
South Australia (SA):
- Law: Plates must be properly affixed and clearly visible
- Penalty: $807 fine plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy, totalling $906
Australian Capital Territory (ACT):
- Offence: Using a non-issued or altered number plate
- Penalty: Up to 20 penalty units, equating to a $3200 fine
It’s important to use only state-issued number plates to avoid these hefty fines and potential legal troubles.
