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Anon
By AA | Moderator | 844 Posts | 27 January 2011 at 1:36pm

Can I use a European-style replacement number plate manufactured overseas, but to NZ spec?

Graham

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

jbiddle
By jbiddle | Community Member | 1657 Posts | 27 January 2011 at 2:05pm

Thanks for your interesting email which was passed onto the Ministry of Transport for a response.

From that response we conclude the following: A number plate manufactured overseas would be deemed to be illegal as it was not issued under the authority given to LycenSys NZ (the official Govt plate manufacturer), including Personalised Plates.

You may not be aware, but to prevent fraud, official NZ plates are manufactured with silver ferns embossed in the background, although these can only be seen at a certain angle.

A legitimate question may be, if a plate manufactured overseas is outwardly to the same specification as official plates, then how will anybody know they are illegal (other than close inspection)?

That is a risk you may want to take (although I'm not suggesting you do). We are lead to believe that an enforcement officer has been targeting illegal plates in Auckland in recent times.

The MoT are also aware of complaints regarding Personalised Plates' monopoly in NZ, and have recommended changes in a Bill currently before parliament.