What is a Number Plate?
A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate or license plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes.
Number Plate Registration In South Africa
If you are a title holder of a new, pre-owned, built or re-built motor vehicle, you must register it at your relevant registering authority to get a registration certificate. If the vehicle is financed, the title holder will be the financing institution. When it has been registered and licenced, you will get a motor vehicle licence disc.
You must register and license your motor vehicle within 21 days after a change of ownership. If you do not register it, you will have to pay arrears and penalties. The motor vehicle registration is recorded on the national traffic information system (eNaTIS).
Your vehicle’s registration becomes null and void if:
- the vehicle licence disc has not been renewed for more than four years
- the vehicle was involved in an accident and has been declared permanently unfit for use
- you sold the vehicle (changed ownership)
- your vehicle has been repossessed for more than 31 days
- a deregistration certificate has been issued.
What you should do
Register a new vehicle:
- To register a new vehicle, go to your appropriate registering authority and submit the following:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
- the manufacturer’s certificate containing all the relevant details of the vehicle
- a roadworthy certificate, if the vehicle is a heavy load [or Road Transport Quality System (RTQS)] vehicle.
- Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle (RLV) form.
Register a used vehicle:
- To register a pre-owned (used) vehicle, the seller must first complete and submit a Notification of change of ownership (NCO) form, which gives notification of change of ownership
- Go to your relevant motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
- the vehicle registration certificate (in the seller’s name)
- a certificate of roadworthiness if the current certificate is older than 60 days
- proof of purchase of the vehicle
- a valid motor vehicle licence (ensure that the licence fees for the vehicle are up to date).
- Complete the Application for registration and licensing of motor vehicle (RLV) form.
Register a vehicle built up from parts:
- To register a vehicle built up from parts, go to your nearest motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address
- an affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car (form SOA)
- request for police clearance (form RPC)
- request for police identification (form RPI)
- de-registration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered)
- a weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
- proof of title ownership
- letter of authority (if applicable).
- The provincial helpdesk will then introduce the vehicle record on eNaTIS
- request for police clearance (form RPC) must then be submitted
- a roadworthy test must be performed on the vehicle.
- Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV).
Register a modified vehicle:
- To register a modified vehicle, go to your nearest motor vehicle registration authority and submit:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
- an affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car (form SOA)
- request for police clearance (form RPC)
- request for police identification (form RPI)
- de-registration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered)
- a weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
- proof of title of ownership
- roadworthy certificate
- letter of authority (if applicable).
- manufacturer’s certificate or previous registration certificate or affidavit if the registration certificate cannot be provided.
- Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV).
How do number plates work in South Africa?
In South Africa, vehicle registration plates, known as number plates, are issued by the Department of Transport in each of its provinces.
Each province has plates with unique designs, color schemes, and alphanumeric patterns.
How many letters can you put on a number plate in South Africa?
Your chosen name/number may not exceed 7 characters (excluding the provincial mark) and must comply with the requirements of
a normal number plate (e.g. it must display the logo of the province) and be displayed in the same manner as the normal number plate.