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Guide

How to transfer a personalised plate in NZ

Buying or selling a personalised plate privately in New Zealand: the checks, the two ways to order payment and transfer, and the NZTA and LicenSys paperwork.
PlateYard never holds funds. There's no escrow, so whoever goes first carries the risk. Agree the order in messages, check the certificate and the name, and never pay by gift card, crypto, money transfer service or into an overseas account.
  1. 1

    Agree the deal on-site, in writing

    Agree the price and who goes first (see "Who goes first?" below) in PlateYard messages so there's a record. Be wary of anyone who pushes to move off-site fast or asks for a deposit.

  2. 2

    Buyer: check the seller holds the plate

    Ask to see the seller's Certificate of Entitlement or the plates themselves (in person or on a video call), and check the name matches the person you're dealing with.

  3. 3

    Pay and transfer in the order you agreed

    Buyers pay sellers directly by bank transfer to a named NZ account. PlateYard never holds or handles money and there's no escrow, so one side always goes first.

  4. 4

    Seller signs the Transfer of Entitlement

    Only the seller signs. The buyer adds their name, address and phone; the seller attaches a copy of the front of their NZ driver licence and sends the form to LicenSys (online, email or post).

  5. 5

    Buyer puts the plate on their vehicle

    With the physical plates: take them, ID and an MR6A form to an NZTA agent (AA, VTNZ, VINZ). Only if new plates must be made, contact LicenSys on 0800 REMAKE (0800 736 253).

Who goes first? Two ways to do it

Option A: buyer pays first, then the seller transfers

Protects the seller

The seller has cleared money before giving up the plate.

Risk to the buyer

Paying someone who doesn't actually hold the plate, or who never sends the signed form.

Reduce the risk
  • See the Certificate of Entitlement and photo ID, and check the names match.
  • Pay a named NZ bank account in the seller's name.
  • Meet in person if you can, and have the seller sign and lodge the form on the spot (it can be done online).
  • Sellers: wait until the money has cleared. Watch for fake payment screenshots.

Option B: seller transfers first, then the buyer pays

Protects the buyer

The buyer pays once LicenSys confirms the plate is in their name (add an email on the form to get the confirmation).

Risk to the seller

The buyer doesn't pay. Getting the money or the plate back can mean a Disputes Tribunal claim.

Reduce the risk
  • Only do this with a buyer you've checked: real name, ideally met or seen on a video call.
  • Agree the price and the payment deadline (e.g. same day as confirmation) in messages.
  • Keep copies of the form and the LicenSys confirmation.

Doing both together in person lowers the risk for everyone, but bank transfers between banks aren't always instant, so agree what counts as "paid" first.

The full guide, with forms and sources

When you buy a personalised plate, you're buying the right to display that combination (called "entitlement") — not the metal itself. There are two separate steps:

  1. Change who's entitled to the plate (seller → buyer).
  2. Put the plate on the buyer's vehicle.

Step 1 — Transfer of Entitlement (seller and buyer)

  1. Agree the price and who goes first: the buyer pays first, or the seller transfers first. Whoever goes first carries the risk (see "Who goes first?" on this page). If the buyer pays first, sellers wait until the money has cleared.
  2. Fill in the Transfer of Entitlement form together. The seller fills in their details and signs; the buyer adds their name, address and phone.
  3. The seller attaches a clear copy of the front of their NZ driver licence.
  4. Send it to LicenSys (the government plate manufacturer): online, by email to ServiceNZ@LicenSys.com, or by post to PO Box 22078, Otahuhu, Auckland 1640.
    • Form: Transfer of Entitlement (PDF) · Online
    • No fee is listed for this step.
    • Records are updated from the date LicenSys receives the form. No processing time is published — add an email on the form to get confirmation.

Step 2 — Get plates for the buyer's vehicle

If the seller is handing over the physical plates:

  • The buyer (as registered person of the vehicle) takes the plates, ID (NZ driver licence) and an MR6A Application for replacement plate form to an NZTA agent — AA, VTNZ, VINZ or another agent showing the NZTA logo. (NZ Post doesn't do plate transactions.)
  • The agent needs to see the plates. You'll get a new licence label. There's an agent fee. Check the current amount on NZTA's administration fees page: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/licensing-rego/vehicle-fees/administration-fees/
  • Form: MR6A (PDF)

If plates haven't been made yet, or the buyer wants new/duplicate ones:

  • Call LicenSys on 0800 REMAKE (0800 736 253) or apply at consumer.licensys.co.nz.
  • First-time manufacture is free within 180 days of the original purchase; after that LicenSys charges about $30–$110 depending on style (MR19 form). Duplicates vary by style.
  • Delivery is usually 7–10 working days (message plates up to 15) per KiwiPlates; NZTA says allow 7–10 days for duplicates.
  • Want a different style? That's a redesign through KiwiPlates.

Sources

This is general guidance, not legal advice. PlateYard is an independent marketplace and isn't affiliated with, or endorsed by, NZTA (Waka Kotahi), KiwiPlates or LicenSys.

Details were checked against official sites on 24 Oct 2026 and may change. Fees aren't listed here: check the current amounts on the NZTA page linked above. Phone numbers, emails and links are removed from PlateYard messages automatically, so keep talking here until you meet.

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