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PTV plates
Authorised PTVs can have a range of plates affixed depending on their authorisation categories. Find out what plates your PTV can have, when you should display PTV plates, how to replace plates, and how to retain plates with the Department of Transport.
Important notice: When returning or changing the number plate of vehicle with an on-demand rank or hail (OD-RH) (taxi) PTV authorisation, ensure all Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) vouchers received for trips undertaken in that vehicle are submitted and processed before you return or change the plate.
Any vouchers submitted after the plate has been returned or changed will require manual review and may result in an additional processing period of up to 14 days.
What are PTV plates?
PTV plates are number plates that identify the vehicle as a passenger transport vehicle.
Current PTV plate types include taxi plates and charter vehicle licence (CVL) plates.
There are also several discontinued PTV plate types that may still be attached to vehicles operating in the passenger transport industry, including:
- country taxi (CT);
- tour charter (TC);
- special charter vehicle (SCV); and
- private taxi (PT).
Your PTV authorisation category affects the type of PTV plate you can display.
PTV plates identify a vehicle as a passenger transport vehicle to prospective passengers so it is important they are only affixed to vehicles that have a valid and current PTV authorisation.
Overview of PTV plate types and examples
The tables below outline current and discontinued PTV plate types, including:
- examples of the plate design;
- relevant PTV authorisation categories; and
- advice regarding when the plate may be remade.
Visit Government/Commercial plates for information about:
- how to apply to remake a plate;
- how to fit plates to your vehicle; and
- plate-related fees and charges.
Visit Replace lost/stolen or damaged number plates for more information about replacing your plates.
Current PTV plate types
| Plate type | Authorisation category | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
TAXI (Black characters on white background) Taxi plate
|
On-demand rank or hail (OD-RH) (taxi) | OD-RH (taxi) PTVs must be issued with and display TAXI plates. No other vehicle can be issued with or display TAXI plates. |
|
CVL Charter vehicle licence
|
On-demand charter (OD-C), tourism passenger transport (TPT) and regular passenger transport (RPT) | Vehicles that have been granted a PTV authorisation for on-demand charter, tourism passenger transport, or regular passenger transport have the option to display CVL plates if they wish. |
Discontinued PTV plate types
| Plate type | Authorisation category | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
CT Country taxi
|
OD-RH (taxi) |
A discontinued plate type that was issued to country taxis under legislation that has now been repealed. CT plates issued prior to 2 July 2019 can remain affixed to the vehicle provided the PTV authorisation:
Remakes of CT plates are not possible. |
|
TAXI (red characters on white background) Taxi plate
|
OD-RH (taxi) |
A discontinued plate type that was issued to taxis prior to 2 July 2019 featuring red characters on a white background. Old-style TAXI plates issued prior to 2 July 2019 can remain affixed to the vehicle provided the PTV authorisation:
Remakes of old-style plates are not possible in the red characters on the white background, however they can be remade with black characters on a white background. |
|
TC Tour and charter
|
OD-C, TPT, RPT |
A discontinued plate type that was issued to vehicles licenced to provide tour and charter services under legislation that has now been repealed. TC plates issued prior to 2 July 2019 can remain affixed to the vehicle provided the PTV authorisation:
Remakes of TC plates are not possible. |
|
SCV Small charter vehicle
|
OD-C, TPT, RPT |
A discontinued plate type that was issued to vehicles licenced to provide tour and charter services under legislation that has now been repealed. SCV plates issued prior to 2 July 2019 can remain affixed to the vehicle provided the PTV authorisation:
Remakes of SCV plates are not possible, unless the plate is a custom SCV plate. Custom SCV plates can be remade however will not feature text small charter vehicle. |
|
PT Private taxi
|
OD-C, TPT, RPT |
A discontinued plate type that was issued to private taxis under legislation that has now been repealed. PT plates issued prior to 2 July 2019 can remain affixed to the vehicle provided the PTV authorisation:
Remakes of PT plates are not possible. |
When can my vehicle display PTV plates?
Vehicles that have a PTV authorisation that is valid and current may display certain PTV plates depending on the category of PTV authorisation they hold.
On-demand rank or hail (OD-RH) (taxi)
Vehicles with a PTV authorisation of the OD-RH (taxi) category must display TAXI plates – operating a taxi without these plates is against the Regulations and makes you liable for penalties.
If your vehicle does not already have TAXI plates when you apply for a PTV authorisation, you will be issued TAXI plates once you have paid your PTV authorisation application fee. Visit Apply for a PTV authorisation: OD-RH (taxi) for more information on obtaining TAXI plates.
If either the PTV authorisation or vehicle licence cease being valid and current, you must not operate, and the TAXI plates must be returned to DoT within 14 days. Failure to do so may result in the issuing of an infringement.
On-demand charter (OD-C), tourism passenger transport (TPT) and regular passenger transport (RPT)
Vehicles with a PTV authorisation of the OD-C, TPT and RPT categories may be issued any of the following plates:
- state (ordinary) plates;
- CVL plates; or
- custom plates (fees apply – see PlatesWA for more information).
Note: PTVs authorised in these categories cannot have TAXI plates affixed to the vehicle.
Retaining PTV plates at DoT
When you return your PTV plates to DoT, you can request to have them retained at a Driver and Vehicles Services centre or regional DoT centre. This allows them to be reissued on another vehicle.
PTV plates can be physically retained by DoT for 90 days from the date they are received.
After 90 days, the physical plate will be destroyed. If you wish to have them issued to another vehicle after this time, the plates must be remade and a remake fee will apply.
The option to have retained plates remade will be available to you for 365 days from the date you originally retained them, unless you have previously advised DoT that you do not wish to have your plate remade.
Note: Damaged plates cannot be retained or re-issued, and must be destroyed.
Read the Overview of PTV plate types and examples section above to find out which PTV plate types can be remade.
Return of PTV plates notifications
A PTV authorisation ceases to be in force upon:
- the expiry or cancellation of the PTV authorisation;
- the expiry or cancellation of the vehicle licence; and/or
- the expiry of a defect notice.
DoT will send an email to the vehicle owner one day after the PTV authorisation is not in force. The email advises the vehicle owner that:
- the PTV authorisation is not in force; and
- if it continues to not be in force, the PTV plates must be returned to DoT within 14 days.
If after 7 days the PTV authorisation is still not in force, DoT will send a reminder email to the vehicle owner advising them:
- the PTV authorisation is still not in force; and
- the plates must be returned within 14 days of the PTV authorisation ceasing to be in force.
Failure to return the PTV plates within the nominated period may result in an infringement notice being issued to the vehicle owner. Vehicle owners are responsible for returning plates to DoT.
Infringement Notice for failing to return PTV plates
The infringement for failing to return PTV plates under r.113A of the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 is a penalty of $200.
The Infringement Notice cannot be presented at Department of Transport Centres. Payment will be accepted by the nearest Magistrates Court as mentioned on the Infringement Notice.