Apply For A Motor Trade Number And Permit

To drive an unregistered vehicle on a public road in South Africa, you must have a motor trade permit and number.

A motor trade number is used by registered manufacturers, builders or importers, motor transport contractors, motor dealers or financial institutions to operate an unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicle on a public road in the course of their business. Such activities include:

  • selling the vehicle
  • exchanging the vehicle,
  • repairing the vehicle
  • delving the vehicle to clients.
What you should do
  1. Go to your nearest registering authority with the following:
    • a copy of your identity document(ID) or a letter of proxy if you represent a company
    • the business registration certificate if you represent a company
    • prescribed fee. 
  2. Complete the Application for motor trade number (MTN1) form.
  3. Indicate why you need trade numbers and stipulate the number of trade numbers you need.
How long does it take

The application is processed on the same day.

How much does it cost

Get the fees from your local registering authority.

Forms to complete

Application and notice i.r.o motor trade number and blank temporary permits (Form MTN1)

Who to contact

Registration authority service centres

City of Johannesburg

City of Tshwane

City of Cape Town

Nelson Mandela Bay

Eastern Cape municipalities

Free State municipalities

Gauteng municipalities

KwaZulu-Natal municipalities

Limpopo municipalities

Mpumalanga municipalities

North West municipalities

Northern Cape municipalities

Western Cape municipalities