Description
A trade plate and associated Trade Plate Certificate (valid for 12 months) can be obtained for a range of motor trade related purposes. A trade plate authorises the use of a vehicle that would normally be required to be registered.
The plate is denoted with a 'M' prefix followed by four numbers and has black characters with a yellow background.

A trade plate may be used for the following:

• to demonstrate or test drive a vehicle
• to proceed to an exhibition or show to display or trial the vehicle and return
• to move a vehicle to or from a place where repair or maintenance work, including painting is undertaken.

Only one trade plate is required and is to be displayed at the back of a vehicle where a number plate would be or otherwise as permitted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Conditions of use





Conditions of use for a trade plate are:

• by a person authorised by the holder of the plate
• for no longer than 36 hours at any one time
• to be attached correctly to the rear of a vehicle (or other location as permitted) and be clearly visible.

Detailed records must be maintained (and made available for inspection) by the holder of the trade plate:

• of each occasion a trade plate is used on a vehicle
• at the place of business of the holder of the trade plate
• be made available for inspection.

Details required include the date and time of departure and return of the vehicle with the trade plate