Frequently asked questions

Our optional plates include a range of styles and colours so you can design your own unique number plates for your vehicle, motorcycle or trailer. Every optional plate (excluding the Personalised plates range) comes with a Certificate of Right to Display and Trade. This means you own the right to use the plates on your vehicle, allow someone else to use your plates on their vehicle or sell the plates.

We know District plates can hold a special place in your family and community, that is why with eligible District series number plates, they can now be converted to a District series optional plate. The benefits of choosing to convert your District plate to an optional plate include:

• The grant of the Certificate of Right to Display and Trade for the plate combination.
• The holder of the Certificate may sell that right at any price in the open market.
• The ability to display the plates on a vehicle, whether it is licensed in your name, a third party or an organisation.
• The ability to remake the plates if they are ever lost or stolen.

It's quick and easy to convert by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 13 11 56 or attending any licensing centre or agent state-wide.

More information can be found on the Converting a District plate to an optional plate.

Our Platinum series optional plates are issued in sequential order, which means specific character combinations cannot be requested. They are available at any Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent for a lower price point than the rest of our range. Each Platinum plate purchase comes with a certificate of Right to Display and Trade.

Once your order has been placed, your chosen character combination will be reviewed by the plate review committee within 2 business days. If your application is approved, it will take up to 10 business days for the plates to be manufactured and delivered to your collection location. You will receive a letter in the mail when your plates are ready to be picked up. 

If your plate application has been refused, you will be notified in writing by email or by post within 2 business days.

The plate review committee consists of a range of internal and external stakeholders from varied cultural and professional backgrounds, including representatives from the Department of Transport and the Western Australia Police. The committee will assess your application against the Plate Guidelines and Terms of use.

All optional plate applications are reviewed in accordance with established guidelines by the plate review committee which restricts character combinations that are considered inappropriate or offensive.

Some of the reasons your plate has been refused include:

• Offensive combinations, such as swear words, offensive acronyms, racist, references to drugs or alcohol, sexual references or an offensive combination written backwards or in another language.
• Sensitive nature, such as references to anti law, religion, mental health, weapons, violence or unsafe vehicle use.
• Ambiguous plates with more than 4 consecutive characters, such as B88888.
• Makes of vehicles. Plates containing vehicle make names will not be approved unless they contain a minimum of 3 additional characters, comprising of at least 1 alpha and one 1 numeric character.
• Conflicts with existing plate or plates series, for example 1ZAA000 would conflict with the State plate series.
• Plates that contravene Trademarks.

While some combinations may be innocent, the plate review committee has been established to ensure it does not breach our guidelines when the plate may be seen out of context. 

If your plate application has been refused, you will be notified in writing by email or by post within 2 business days of your original application. You will be notified of the reason for refusal and be provided two options; to submit an alternative choice or apply for a refund. If you wish to apply for a refund you will be required to complete an Application for Refund (Form C2) (transport.wa.gov.au).

Please note refund processing times may vary with possible extended wait times.

You may request a review of the decision to refuse your plate application. Only the original applicant may submit and receive the outcome of a review request. Please respond to the refusal notification via email or in writing and include any additional information or documentation which may support your review application. The outcome of the review process conducted by a senior delegate is final.

Any requests to change or cancel your order must be made via the contact us form within 24 hours of your application being placed. Please include details that match the order placed.

Please note that change and cancellation requests are subject to approval. PlatesWA does not take any responsibility for mistakes made during the order process by the purchaser.

When designing your unique optional plate, you may find that your preferred character combination is not available to order. Try different combinations or be creative and switch letters and numbers, such as:
A - 4
B - 8
E - 3
G - 6
Q - 0
S - 5
T - 7
Z - 2
Please note 1 and 0 cannot be substituted for I and O respectively due to the ambiguity this can cause.

Optional plates are a great gift idea. We don't offer gift cards or vouchers, but you can purchase a set of plates on behalf of someone as a gift. Visit the PlatesWA website to design and purchase the plates. Add the gift recipient as the plate owner, but make sure all contact methods at checkout are your details so the recipient doesn't receive any communication from us.

We do not offer layby or buy now, pay later options. All payments need to be made in full at the time of application.

When your plates are ready for collection at your nominated Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent, you'll need to bring:

• the letter from us advising you the plates are ready to be collected
• your current plates from the vehicle the new plates will be attached to
• a primary form of identification.

As your existing plates are retained by us, you will also need to bring a screwdriver to attach the new plates to your vehicle.

Yes, someone can collect your optional plates on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to bring your existing vehicle number plates, the letter from us and their primary identification.

Yes, bring your optional plates to a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent before you sell or trade in your vehicle to exchange the plates for a set of State plates. Fees apply. Your optional plates are retained at the DVS centre or regional agent until you are ready to use them again.

As the holder of the Certificate of Right to Display and Trade, you can sell your optional plates on the open market. You need to complete and submit a Right to Display optional plates (Form VL176) within 14 days of the sale. If you sell your optional plates with a vehicle, you will need to transfer the plate ownership by using the optional plate transfer consent box on the Notification of Change of ownership (Form MR9).

Yes, as the holder of the Certificate of Right to Display and Trade, your optional number plates can be displayed on a vehicle that is not licensed in your name. You will need to complete and submit the Nomination of Vehicle Display Optional Plates (Form E63).

Our optional plates are designed to withstand sustained exposure to WA road and weather conditions; however, they are a perishable product. 

If you believe your plates are damaged due to a manufacturing fault, please contact us for assessment. Our acrylic number plates are covered by a 5 year manufacturer's warranty and our aluminium number plates are covered by a 7 year manufacturer's warranty.

If your plates are not eligible for a warranty claim, you can apply to have them remade by completing the Optional Plate Remake Application form which can be submitted at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent. Fees apply.

Please be aware that accidental damage and damage caused by solvent-based cleaning products and/or high-pressured cleaners are not covered by warranty.

You will need to make a police report if your optional plates have been lost or stolen. You can then apply for your plates to be remade by completing the Optional Plate Remake Application form which can be submitted at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent. Fees apply. 

Your plates will take up to 10 working days to be manufactured and sent to your nominated DVS centre or regional agent for collection. You will need to purchase a set of State plates for your vehicle until your new optional plates are ready.