Transferring number plates.

[manwell]

I heard something on the weekend and i just wanted to check if it is true.
We all know now that the RTA charges an annual fee for any customised number plate nowdays. Those with existing plates dont get charged the fee.
For instance, say when i got my first car i got numberplates with my initals and year of birth. eg. DJ-1975
I payed a one off fee for those when i got them back in 1995 or whenever. I think it was something like $210.
Now days if you want a number plate like that the RTA charge an annual fee. Those still with plates bought before they brought in the new fees in dont have to pay the fees though.

Well on the weekend i heard a friend of a friend who was in this situation and had personalised plates and hasnt had to pay the annual fee. But they just bought a new car and wanted to swap the plates to their ones and they were told if they swap the plates to another car, that the annual fee will now kick in.
Is this correct?
I thought us who have had the plates for years actually bought the plates. If so, dont we own those plates?
What right do the RTA now have to start charging us for them?
I hope this isnt correct and its just a chinese whisper thats far from the truth, but i wouldnt put it past the dodgy RTA.
Anyone know the real answer?

[GRNKPR]

Not in vic no annual fee it would be good if you listed your state is it NSW ???

[manwell]

Yeah sorry. State is NSW

[kelnic]

i had just bought some personalised plates 3months ago and just payed a one of payment of $171.00 (if i remember correctly) in south oz. my plates are classed as personalised because i have 5 letters,1 number. as far as i am aware you can have anything up to 5 letters,1 number or 1 letter,5 numbers this is a once off payment to purchase the plates and the plates remain mine when i sell the car so i can transfer them to another vehicle. if you have customalised plates which could be all letters or numbers or greater than 6 digit plates then you would have to pay an annual fee every year

[devilcv8]

I'm in NSW so this is probably the most relevant reply yet. I placed some pre annual fee plates on hold and just short of 12 months later I got the plates off hold and had them issued to a car. No annual fee apllies. I suggest confirming with RTA but can't see an annual charge applying. Sell the plates to someone else and the annual charge applies, but not if it is in the same name.

[Pinch]

My wife and I got our NSW plates in the late 90's too before annual fee's kicked in. Have been swapping and storing ever since with no change to the original situation, and no new annual fees. Last swap was in March this year. I think if you keep the right to display (ie the plates arent returned to general issue by the rta) then it seems you don't get hit with new fees. But yeah, it pays to check.

[Pinch]

Originally Posted by devilcv8

I'm in NSW so this is probably the most relevant reply yet. I placed some pre annual fee plates on hold and just short of 12 months later I got the plates off hold and had them issued to a car. No annual fee apllies. I suggest confirming with RTA but can't see an annual charge applying. Sell the plates to someone else and the annual charge applies, but not if it is in the same name.

Further to that, some of my plates were swapped around between family member registered cars after fees introduced (mother and brother's cars), but no new fees introduced when they came back to me. If you transfer the right to display to a non-relative, that's when the new fees apply I would guess.

[DRU842]

Took my personal plates from storage two weeks ago (NSW) transferred to new car; NO charge at all.