new number plate system
Motorists will need to re-register for new 2024 Gauteng licence plates. Image: Lesedi/X

Home » Personalised licence plates: Here’s how to get it in South Africa

Personalised licence plates: Here’s how to get it in South Africa

From the application process to overall cost, here’s how you can secure personalised plates in South Africa. Just don’t be lame about it …

22-01-24 13:01
new number plate system
Motorists will need to re-register for new 2024 Gauteng licence plates. Image: Lesedi/X

When it comes to personalised plates in South Africa, the only limitation is your imagination and ingenuity to come up with a snappy line. Because, according to the gov.za website, the application process for personalised plates in South Africa is a synch.

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You may apply for any personalised plates in South Africa that are an alpha-numeric (letter and numbers) combination of no more than seven characters. However, your personalisation is subject to approval by the MEC, provided it is available, and not construed as offensive in any way.

PERSONALISED PLATES IN SOUTH AFRICA

personalised plates in South Africa
Examples of some of South Africa’s funnest personalised plates. Image: Lesedi/X

You might wonder why the government would even allow personalised plates in South Africa if they run the risk of offending people. That’s easy. Because provincial traffic departments make millions annually from motorists who opt for personalised plates on their vehicles. Those one-liners that make you giggle at a traffic light rake in cash.

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So, if it’s in the government’s best interests, how much can you expect to pay on average for personalised plates in South Africa? According to reports, the average cost is around R1 500. However, there’s a sliding scale of cost when you opt for fewer characters. Provincial traffic department rates may differ around the country, too. So, here’s a rough guideline …

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

personalised plates in South Africa
A sweet ride needs a cool vanity plate. What would yours be? Image: Pixabay

According to reports, in the Western Cape, a plate with six characters will cost you R2,000. However, you can expect to pay roughly R10 000 for a plate with a single alpha-numeric character. A plate with four characters will set you back approximately R6,000.

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A number of businesses have sprung up around vanity plates in South Africa, too. You can find these via a simple Google search online. Their brokerages insist they will secure a registration plate you’re after, often buying them off of another motorist. However, in some instances, they will charge as much as R20 000 for their efforts.

HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR A VANITY PLATE?

These are such a laugh. Do you need to have a nice ride to have a funny vanity plate? Image: Lesedi/X

This cannot be done online. You have to go to your nearest registering authority. Click HERE for a comprehensive list of Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) and bring along the following:  

  • Certified copy of your identity document.
  • Vehicle registration certificate.
  • Proof of residential address e.g. utility account with your name on it.
  • Pay the required fee.

*the application is processed within the same day.

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Are you interested in personalised plates in South Africa? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.

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