Special number plates are provided for under–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Part III of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Division 4 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.
The information on this page is a summary of the provisions as they relate to a person applying for a special number plate.
Special number plates are issued by the RTA. Requests for special number plates should be made to the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.
Number plates for official vehicles
Number plates for–
- the official vehicle of the Governor-General;
- official vehicles of Ministers of the National Parliament;
- official vehicles of members of the Diplomatic Corps;
- official vehicles of members of the Consular Service,
are provided for in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Section 19A(a) to (d) of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Section 15 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.
Application for number plates for official vehicles may be made on this form [Downloadable Form 8B]
Number plates for State vehicles
Number plates for motor vehicles owned by the State, including motor vehicles owned by the Defence Force, the Police Force, an instrumentality of the State or a statutory body are provided for in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Section 19A(e) of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Section 15 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.
Application for number plates for state vehicles may be made on this form [Downloadable Form 8B]
Number plates for Provincial Government vehicles
Number plates for motor vehicles owned by a Provincial Government are provided for in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Section 19A(f) of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Section 15 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.
Application for number plates for Provincial Government vehicles may be made on this form [Downloadable Form 8B]
Personalised plates
Personalised number plates are provided for in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Section 19A(n) of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Section 16 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.
Personalised number plates must be approved by the RTA. A personalized number plate may have any arrangement of numerals and letters of up to six characters, in black on a gold background.
Application for a personalised number plate may be made using this form [Downloadable Form 8B], accompanied by the fee prescribed in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 20] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 18] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.
Where a personalised plate has been lost or destroyed, the owner of the motor vehicle to which it was affixed must, within seven days, forward to the RTA a statutory declaration of the loss or destruction using this form [Downloadable Form 22]. The RTA will–
- if the motor vehicle has not also been lost or destroyed; and
- the RTA is satisfied that no improper use has been made of the personalised plate,
supply the owner with a replacement personalised plate, on payment by the owner of the fee prescribed in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 21] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 21] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.
A personalised number plate may be transferred from one vehicle to another. Application for transfer of a personalised number plate may be made using this form [Downloadable Form 8B], accompanied by the fee prescribed in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 32] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 19] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.
Trader’s plates
Trader’s plates are provided for under–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Part VI of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Division 6 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.
An application for a trader’s plate or the renewal of use of a trader’s plate may be made using this form [Downloadable Form 18], accompanied by the fee prescribed in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 28] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 26] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.
A trader’s plate, and a trader’s plate certificate, will be issued only to a person, firm or company who or that–
- is bona fide engaged in manufacturing, dealing in or repairing motor vehicles; and
- has premises suitable for that purpose.
A trader’s plate and trader’s plate certificate are issued for a period of 12 months.
Where a trader’s plate has been lost or destroyed, the holder of the trader’s plate must, within 7 days, forward to the RTA a statutory declaration of the loss or destruction using this form [Downloadable Form 22]. The RTA will–
- if the motor vehicle has not also been lost or destroyed; and
- the RTA is satisfied that no improper use has been made of the trader’s plate,
supply the owner with a new trader’s plate, on payment by the owner of the fee prescribed in–
- prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 28] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
- from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 28] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.
If a trader’s plate certificate is lost, defaced or destroyed, a statutory declaration must be made using this form [Downloadable Form 22]. The RTA will, if satisfied that no improper use has been made of the trader’s plate certificate, supply the owner with a substitute trader’s plate certificate, on payment by the owner of the fee prescribed in–