Vehicle Registration Plates South Africa
How do South African number plates work?
How much does a number plate cost in South Africa?
…
The cost of personalised number plates in South Africa.
Personalised licence number | Fee | Example |
---|---|---|
All others, up to a maximum of seven characters | R1 750 | JOHNNY2 – WP RUN2ME – WP |
3 x digits and letters | R10 000 | CA 1 |
How much does a number plate cost in South Africa?
The nine provinces
Key:
* UPPER CASE LETTERS: Literal letters in the numberplate
* a: compulsory letter (A – Z)
* b: letter (A – Z) or nothing
* x: compulsory character (A – Z, 0 – 9)
* z: character (A – Z, 0 – 9) or nothing
* #: an integer number (1 – 999,999)
* +: a compulsory digit (0 – 9)
Western Cape and Kwazulu–Natal
After 1988, the Western Cape Province and KwaZulu–Natal Province are the only two provinces where the registration can be still linked to specific towns and cities. i.e. the pre–1980 system has largely been retained in these areas, so the first two or three letters at the start of each number plate identify where the vehicle was licensed.
Western Cape Province
In 1994, the Cape Province was subdivided into three provinces (Western, Eastern and Northern Cape Provinces). The Eastern Cape and Northern Cape changed their licensing system and thus some former Cape Province registration prefixes, such as CB (Port Elizabeth), have been dropped. The current Western Province list is essentially an abbreviation of the pre–1980 Cape Province list, following the changes to the political boundaries that saw some towns shift provinces completely (Kokstad), and one change country (Walvis Bay).
* CA – Cape Town
* CAG – Barkly West
* CAM – Caledon & Kleinmond
* CAR – Clanwilliam & Lambert‘s Bay
*Â CAWÂ –Â George
*Â CBLÂ –Â Ladismith
*Â CBMÂ –Â Laingsburg
*Â CBNÂ –Â Mafikeng
*Â CBOÂ –Â Hofmeyr
*Â CBPÂ –Â Middelburg
*Â CBRÂ –Â Montagu
* CBS – Mossel Bay & Hartenbos
*Â CBTÂ –Â Murraysburg
*Â CBUÂ –Â Springbok
*Â CBVÂ –Â Pearston
*Â CBWÂ –Â Peddie
* CBX – Philipstown, Petrusville & Vanderkloof
*Â CBYÂ –Â Piketberg
*Â CBZÂ –Â Prieska
* CCA – Prince Albert
*Â CCBÂ –Â Richmond
* CCC – Riverdale & Still Bay
* CCD – Robertson & McGregor
* CCE – Somerset East
*Â CCFÂ –Â Steynsburg
*Â CCGÂ –Â Steytlerville
*Â CCHÂ –Â Seymour
*Â CCJÂ –Â Sutherland
* CCK – Swellendam & Barrydale
*Â CCLÂ –Â Tarkastad
*Â CCMÂ –Â Tulbagh
*Â CCOÂ –Â Uniondale
* CCP – Vanrhynsdorp & Klawer
* CCR – Victoria West, Loxton & Vosburg
* CCS – Vryburg & Reivilo
*Â CCTÂ –Â Willowmore
*Â CCUÂ –Â Dordrecht
*Â CDAÂ –Â Elliot
*Â CDLÂ –Â Maclear
*Â CDXÂ –Â Middledrift
*Â CDZÂ –Â Venderstad
*Â CEAÂ –Â Moorresburg
*Â CEBÂ –Â Kirkwood
*Â CECÂ –Â Garies
*Â CEDÂ –Â Hankey
*Â CEEÂ –Â Warrenton
*Â CEFÂ –Â Whittlesea
*Â CEGÂ –Â Heidelberg
*Â CEHÂ –Â Jamestown
* CEJ – Lady Grey
*Â CEKÂ –Â Pofadder
*Â CELÂ –Â Noupoort
* CEM – Hermanus, Gans Bay, Onrus River & Stanford
*Â CENÂ –Â Indwa
*Â CEOÂ –Â Grabouw
*Â CEPÂ –Â Strekstroom
*Â CERÂ –Â Bonnievale
*Â CESÂ –Â Albertinia
*Â CETÂ –Â Joubertine
* CEU – Hartswater & Jan Kempdorf
* CEV – Postmasburg & DaniĂ«lskuil
* CEW – Olifantshoek, Sishen & Kathu
*Â CEXÂ –Â Porterville
* CEY – Strand & Gordon‘s Bay
*Â CEZÂ –Â Williston
* CF – Kuilsrivier & Brackenfell [Since approx 2000; “formerly Grahamstown (Eastern Cape)”]
*Â CFAÂ –Â Wolseley
*Â CFBÂ –Â Molteno
*Â CFCÂ –Â Stutterheim
*Â CFDÂ –Â Alice
* CFG – Vredenburg & St Helena Bay
*Â CFHÂ –Â Kokamas
*Â CFGÂ –Â Adelaide
*Â CFKÂ –Â Keiskammahoek
* CFM – Somerset West
*Â CFOÂ –Â Keimoes
* CFP – Velddrif (formerly used for Laaiplek)
* CFR – Kuilsrivier & Brackenfell
*Â CFSÂ –Â Groblershoop
*Â CGÂ –Â Oudtshoorn
*Â CHÂ –Â Queenstown
* CJ – Paarl & Franschhoek
* CK – Malmesbury & Darling
*Â CLÂ –Â Stellenbosch
* CM – De Aar
*Â CNÂ –Â Wellington
*Â COÂ –Â Calitzdorp
* CR – Hopefield & Langebaan
* CS – Bredasdorp & Napier
*Â CTÂ –Â Ceres
* CU – Port Nolloth
*Â CVÂ –Â Vredendal
* CW – Worcester, De Doorns & Touwsrivier
* CX – Knysna, Sedgefield & Plettenberg Bay
* CY – Bellville, Durbanville & Kraaifontein
* CZ – Beaufort West
KwaZulu–Natal Province
Unchanged from pre–1980 (see Natal Province section below)
Costs
The annual licence fee for personalised number plates can be as high as R10,000 for a single character licence plate (e.g. “1 WP“) but the standard licence fee is between R200 and R600, depending on the province in which the vehicle is registered.
History
Before 1994, South Africa had only 4 provinces: Natal, Cape Province, Orange Free State and Transvaal.
Pre Circa 1980
White letters on a black background were used across the country, including the military. For example: CC 147
Each town had a unique registration prefix followed by a number that was allocated sequentially from 1 (the mayor‘s vehicle) onwards to 999 999. For trade plates, the letters and numbers were swapped.
There were no personalised number plates.
Military
Military vehicles used the letter “R” as a prefix, followed by a sequential number.For example: R54321
Cape Province
The towns in the Cape Province were originally assigned prefixes in order from largest to smallest and following the corresponding letters of the alphabet. Thus “CA” represented the largest city, Cape Town and “CB” would have represented the second largesst, Port Elizabeth and so on. The full list of Cape Province prefixes was as follows:
* CA – Cape Town
* CAB – Aberdeen (Eastern Cape)
* CAC – Burgersdorp (Eastern Cape)
* CAD – Alexandria & Paterson (Eastern Cape)
* CAE – Aliwal North (Eastern Cape)
* CAF – Barkly East (Eastern Cape)
* CAG – Barkly West
* CAH – Port Alfred & Bathurst (Eastern Cape)
* CAJ – Bedford (Eastern Cape)
* CAL – Britstown (Northern Cape)
* CAM – Caledon & Kleinmond
* CAN – Calvinia, Brandvlei & Loeriesfontein (Northern Cape)
* CAO – Carnarvon (Northern Cape)
* CAP – Cathcart (Eastern Cape)
* CAR – Clanwilliam & Lamberts Bay
* CAS – Colesberg (Northern Cape)
* CAT – Cradock (Eastern Cape)
* CAU – Fort Beaufort (Eastern Cape)
* CAV – Fraserburg (Northern Cape)
*Â CAWÂ –Â George
* CAY – Upington (Northern Cape)
* CAZ – Graaf–Reinet & Nieu–Bethesda (Eastern Cape)
* CB – Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape)
* CBA – Hanover (Northern Cape)
* CBB – Griquatown (Northern Cape)
* CBC – Douglas (Northern Cape)
* CBE – Hopetown & Strydenburg (Northern Cape)
* CBF – Humansdorp & Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape)
* CBG – Jansenville (Eastern Cape)
* CBH – Kenhardt (Northern Cape)
* CBJ – Komga (Eastern Cape)
* CBK – Kuruman (Northern Cape)
*Â CBLÂ –Â Ladismith
*Â CBMÂ –Â Laingsburg
*Â CBNÂ –Â Mafikeng
*Â CBOÂ –Â Hofmeyr
*Â CBPÂ –Â Middelburg
*Â CBRÂ –Â Montagu
* CBS – Mossel Bay & Hartenbos
*Â CBTÂ –Â Murraysburg
*Â CBUÂ –Â Springbok
*Â CBVÂ –Â Pearston
*Â CBWÂ –Â Peddie
* CBX – Philipstown, Petrusville & Vanderkloof
*Â CBYÂ –Â Piketberg
*Â CBZÂ –Â Prieska
* CC – Kimberley (Northern Cape)
* CCA – Prince Albert
*Â CCBÂ –Â Richmond
* CCC – Riverdale & Still Bay
* CCD – Robertson & McGregor
* CCE – Somerset East
*Â CCFÂ –Â Steynsburg
*Â CCGÂ –Â Steytlerville
*Â CCHÂ –Â Seymour
*Â CCJÂ –Â Sutherland
* CCK – Swellendam & Barrydale
*Â CCLÂ –Â Tarkastad
*Â CCMÂ –Â Tulbagh
* CCN – Uitenhage & Despatch (Eastern Cape)
*Â CCOÂ –Â Uniondale
* CCP – Vanrhynsdorp & Klawer
* CCR – Victoria West, Loxton & Vosburg
* CCS – Vryburg & Reivilo
*Â CCTÂ –Â Willowmore
*Â CCUÂ –Â Dordrecht
* CCW – Kokstad (KwaZulu–Natal: NCW)
* CCX – Matatiele (KwaZulu–Natal: NCX)
* CD – King Williams Town (Eastern Cape)
*Â CDAÂ –Â Elliot
*Â CDLÂ –Â Maclear
*Â CDXÂ –Â Middledrift
*Â CDZÂ –Â Venderstad
* CE – East London & Gonubie (Eastern Cape)
*Â CEAÂ –Â Moorresburg
*Â CEBÂ –Â Kirkwood
*Â CECÂ –Â Garies
*Â CEDÂ –Â Hankey
*Â CEEÂ –Â Warrenton
*Â CEFÂ –Â Whittlesea
*Â CEGÂ –Â Heidelberg
*Â CEHÂ –Â Jamestown
* CEJ – Lady Grey
*Â CEKÂ –Â Pofadder
*Â CELÂ –Â Noupoort
* CEM – Hermanus, Gans Bay, Onrus River & Stanford
*Â CENÂ –Â Indwa
*Â CEOÂ –Â Grabouw
*Â CEPÂ –Â Strekstroom
*Â CERÂ –Â Bonnievale
*Â CESÂ –Â Albertinia
*Â CETÂ –Â Joubertine
* CEU – Hartswater & Jan Kempdorf
* CEV – Postmasburg & DaniĂ«lskuil
* CEW – Olifantshoek, Sishen & Kathu
*Â CEXÂ –Â Porterville
* CEY – Strand & Gordons Bay
*Â CEZÂ –Â Williston
* CF – Grahamstown (Eastern Cape)
*Â CFAÂ –Â Wolseley
*Â CFBÂ –Â Molteno
*Â CFCÂ –Â Stutterheim
*Â CFDÂ –Â Alice
* CFG – Vredenburg & St Helena Bay
*Â CFHÂ –Â Kokamas
*Â CFGÂ –Â Adelaide
*Â CFKÂ –Â Keiskammahoek
* CFM – Somerset West
*Â CFOÂ –Â Keimoes
* CFP – Velddrif (formerly used for Laaiplek)
* CFR – Kuilsrivier & Brackenfell
*Â CFSÂ –Â Groblershoop
*Â CGÂ –Â Oudtshoorn
*Â CHÂ –Â Queenstown
* CJ – Paarl & Franschhoek
* CK – Malmesbury & Darling
*Â CLÂ –Â Stellenbosch
* CM – De Aar
*Â CNÂ –Â Wellington
*Â COÂ –Â Calitzdorp
* CR – Hopefield & Langebaan
* CS – Bredasdorp & Napier
*Â CTÂ –Â Ceres
* CU – Port Nolloth
*Â CVÂ –Â Vredendal
* CW – Worcester, De Doorns & Touwsrivier
* CWB – Walvis Bay (Namibia)
* CX – Knysna, Sedgefield & Plettenberg Bay
* CY – Bellville, Durbanville & Kraaifontein
* CZ – Beaufort West
Transvaal Province
*Â TAÂ –Â Benoni
*Â TAAÂ –Â Barberton
*Â TABÂ –Â Bethal
*Â TACÂ –Â Christania
*Â TADÂ –Â Lichtenburg
*Â TAEÂ –Â Lydenburg
*Â TAFÂ –Â Zeerust
* TAG – Piet Retief
*Â TAHÂ –Â Nylstroom
*Â TAIÂ –Â Wolmaranstad
* TAJ – Louis Trichardt
* TAK – Wolmaransad district
*Â TALÂ –Â Pietersburg
*Â TAMÂ –Â Wakkerstroom
*Â TANÂ –Â Potgietersrust
*Â TAOÂ –Â Ottosdal
*Â TAPÂ –Â Graskop
*Â TAQÂ –Â Balfour
*Â TARÂ –Â Messina
*Â TASÂ –Â Delmas
*Â TATÂ –Â Greylingstad
*Â TAUÂ –Â Fochville
*Â TAVÂ –Â Hercules
*Â TAWÂ –Â Bronkhorstspruit
* TAX – Rodeon, Zwartruggens
*Â TAYÂ –Â Randfontein
*Â TAZÂ –Â Britz
*Â TBÂ –Â Boksburg
*Â TBAÂ –Â Dullstroom
*Â TBBÂ –Â Leeudoornstad
*Â TBCÂ –Â Tzaneen
*Â TBDÂ –Â Duivelskloof
*Â TBEÂ –Â Delareyville
*Â TBFÂ –Â Hendrina
* TBG – Charl Cilliers
*Â TBHÂ –Â Nelspruit
*Â TBIÂ –Â Koster
*Â TBJÂ –Â Trichard
*Â TBKÂ –Â Morgenzon
*Â TBLÂ –Â Machadodorp
*Â TBMÂ –Â Breyton
*Â TBSÂ –Â Sabie
*Â TBZÂ –Â Thabazimbi
*Â TCÂ –Â Carolina
*Â TCAÂ –Â Groblersdaal
*Â TCBÂ –Â Belfast
*Â TCCÂ –Â Coligny
* TCD – Kempton Park
*Â TCEÂ –Â Westonaria
*Â TCXÂ –Â Maquassi
* TDD – Pilgrims Rest
*Â TDGÂ –Â Nigel
*Â TDHÂ –Â Witrivier
*Â TDJÂ –Â Leslie
*Â TDKÂ –Â Alberton
*Â TDLÂ –Â Edenvale
*Â TEÂ –Â Ermelo
*Â TEAÂ –Â Amsterdam
*Â TFÂ –Â Amersfoort
*Â TGÂ –Â Germiston
*Â THÂ –Â Heidelberg
*Â TIÂ –Â Rustenburg
*Â TJÂ –Â Johannesburg
*Â TKÂ –Â Krugersdorp
*Â TLÂ –Â Bloemhof
*Â TMÂ –Â Middleburg
*Â TNÂ –Â Ventersdorp
*Â TNSÂ –Â Naboomspruit
*Â TOÂ –Â Brakpan
*Â TPÂ –Â Pretoria
*Â TQÂ –Â Standerton
*Â TRÂ –Â Schweizer–Reneke
*Â TSÂ –Â Springs
*Â TSNÂ –Â Sandton
*Â TTÂ –Â Volksrust
*Â TUÂ –Â Roodepoort–Mariasburg
*Â TVÂ –Â Vereeniging
* TVB – Van Der Bijl Park
*Â TWÂ –Â Witbank
*Â TWBÂ –Â Warmbaths
*Â TXÂ –Â Potchefstroom
*Â TYÂ –Â Klerksdorp
*Â TZÂ –Â Stilfontein
*Â TOYÂ –Â Orkney
KwaZulu–Natal Province
The different regions in the KZN province use the place names to determine the letters that are used to identify each region. This pattern does not always hold, especially for smaller areas.
*Â NAÂ –Â Harding
*Â NATÂ –Â Amanzimtoti(reserved)
*Â NBÂ –Â Bergville
*Â NBAÂ –Â Babanango
* NBB – KwaZulu Natal Administration Boards vehicles
*Â NCÂ –Â Camperdown
*Â NCOÂ –Â Colenso
*Â NCVÂ –Â Butterworth
*Â NCWÂ –Â Kokstad
*Â NCXÂ –Â Matatiele
*Â NDÂ –Â Durban
* NDM – Durban Metro Council
*Â NDEÂ –Â Dundee
*Â NDHÂ –Â Dannhauser
*Â NDWÂ –Â Ndwedwe
*Â NEÂ –Â Estcourt
*Â NESÂ –Â Eshowe
*Â NFÂ –Â Msinga
*Â NGLÂ –Â Glencoe
* NH – New Hanover
*Â NHLÂ –Â Hlabisa
*Â NIMÂ –Â Impendle
*Â NINÂ –Â Ingwavuma
*Â NIPÂ –Â Polela
*Â NIXÂ –Â Ixopo
*Â NJÂ –Â Verulam
*Â NKÂ –Â Richmond
*Â NKAÂ –Â Nkandla
*Â NKKÂ –Â Kranskop
* NKR – Klip River(Ladysmith)
*Â NMÂ –Â Mapumulo
*Â NMAÂ –Â Mahlabatini
*Â NMGÂ –Â Magudu
* NMR – Mooi River,Nottingham Road
*Â NNÂ –Â Newcastle
*Â NNDÂ –Â Nongoma
*Â NOÂ –Â Melmoth
*Â NPÂ –Â Pietermaritzburg
* NPA – Natal Provincial Administration vehicles
* NPB – Natal Parks Board vehicles
* NPC – Pietermaritzburg city council
*Â NPNÂ –Â Pinetown
*Â NPPÂ –Â Paulpietersburg
* NPS – Port Shepstone
* NR – Lions River, Howick
* NRB – Richards Bay
*Â NSÂ –Â Ngotshe
*Â NTÂ –Â Stanger,Ballito
*Â NTUÂ –Â Nqutu
* NU – New Germany,Waterfall,Hillcrest,Kloof
*Â NUBÂ –Â Ubombo
*Â NUDÂ –Â Underberg
*Â NUFÂ –Â Empangeni
*Â NULÂ –Â Umbumbulu
*Â NUMÂ –Â Umvoti/Greytown
* NUR – Umhlanga Rocks
*Â NUTÂ –Â Utrecht
*Â NUZÂ –Â Umlazi
*Â NVÂ –Â Vryheid
*Â NWÂ –Â Weenen
*Â NXÂ –Â Scottburgh
*Â NZÂ –Â Gingindlovu,Mtunzini
Orange Free State Plates
*Â OAÂ –Â Bethlehem
*Â OABÂ –Â Reitz
*Â OAFÂ –Â Kestell
*Â OBÂ –Â Bloemfontein
*Â OBBÂ –Â Brandfort
*Â OBDÂ –Â Dewetsdorp
*Â OBGÂ –Â Reddersburg
*Â OBTÂ –Â Botshabele
*Â OBWÂ –Â Phuthadistjhaba
*Â OCÂ –Â Bethulie
*Â OCCÂ –Â Springfontein
*Â ODÂ –Â Boshoff
*Â ODBÂ –Â Hertzogville
*Â ODDÂ –Â Deslesville
*Â OEÂ –Â Edenburg
*Â OEBÂ –Â Trompsburg
*Â OFÂ –Â Fauresmith
*Â OFBÂ –Â Jagersfontein
*Â OFDÂ –Â Koffiefontein
*Â OFHÂ –Â Petrusburg
*Â OGÂ –Â Picksburg
*Â OGBÂ –Â Fouriesburg
*Â OHÂ –Â Frankfort
*Â OHBÂ –Â Villiers
*Â OHSÂ –Â Harrismith
*Â OICÂ –Â Warden
*Â OILÂ –Â Sasolburg
*Â OJÂ –Â Heilbron
*Â OKÂ –Â Hoopstad
*Â OKBÂ –Â Bultfontein
*Â OKCÂ –Â Odendaalsrus
*Â OKDÂ –Â Wesselsbron
*Â OKEÂ –Â Welkom
*Â OLÂ –Â Jacobsdal
*Â OMÂ –Â Kroonstad
*Â OMBÂ –Â Bothaville
*Â OMFÂ –Â Viljoenskroon
*Â OMGÂ –Â Edenville
*Â ONÂ –Â Ladybrand
*Â ONBÂ –Â Hobhouse
*Â ONDÂ –Â Clocolan
*Â OOÂ –Â Lindley
*Â OODÂ –Â Steynsrus
* OOE – Petrus Steyn
*Â OPÂ –Â Philippolis
*Â ORÂ –Â Senekal
*Â ORDÂ –Â Marquard
* ORE – Paul Roux
*Â ORXÂ –Â Rouxville
*Â OSÂ –Â Smithfield
*Â OUÂ –Â Vrede
*Â OUBÂ –Â Memel
*Â OVÂ –Â Parys
*Â OVBÂ –Â Vredefort
*Â OVEÂ –Â Koppies
*Â OWÂ –Â Wepener
*Â OXÂ –Â Winburg
*Â OXDÂ –Â Theunissen
*Â OXFÂ –Â Ventersburg
*Â OXGÂ –Â Excelsior
*Â OXHÂ –Â Hennenman
*Â OXVÂ –Â Virginia
*Â OZÂ –Â Zastron
Circa 1980 to 1994
A new numbering scheme had to be introduced in the Transvaal, after the Johannesburg series exceeded the number TJ 999–999 . An alphanumeric system was therefore introduced in this province, which allowed more permutations with fewer characters. The series comprised three letters followed by three numbers and the letter “T“. All number plates used black text on a yellow background, for example: BCD123T .
From this point onwards, a Transvaal vehicle‘s origin could no longer be narrowed down to a specific town or city. However people soon realized that the first letter of the registration indicated the date of first registration of a vehicle, as the sequence grew alphabetically. It was therefore very obvious to a casual observer if someone had a new vehicle.
Other provinces also adopted the new black on yellow number plates, but kept their existing numbering systems. Government plates were coloured red on a white background. There were still no personalised number plates.
Homeland Number Plates
Under Apartheid South Africa, each of the homelands had their own departments of vehicle licencing.
Venda
*Â VDÂ –Â Dzanani
* VDF – Defence Force vehicles
* VM – Government vehicles
* VP – Police vehicles
*Â VSÂ –Â Tshitale
*Â VTÂ –Â Thohoyandou
* VTA – Traffic Administration vehicles
* VV – Dzanani, Mutale, Sibasa & Vuwani, Venda
Qwaqwa
* WR – Government vehicles
* WRP – Police vehicles
Transkei
*Â XAÂ –Â Umtata
*Â XAAÂ –Â Nqamake
*Â XABÂ –Â Tabankulu
*Â XACÂ –Â Tsomo
*Â XADÂ –Â Xhora
*Â XAEÂ –Â Mqanduli
*Â XAFÂ –Â Bizana
*Â XAGÂ –Â Gatyana
*Â XAHÂ –Â Siphaqeni
*Â XBÂ –Â Ccuwa
*Â XCÂ –Â Lusikisiki
*Â XDÂ –Â Cofimvaba
*Â XEÂ –Â Engcobo
*Â XFÂ –Â Umzimvubu
* XG – Transkei government vehicles
* XGA – Agriculture & Forestry Dept vehicles
* XGC – Commerce, Industry & Tourism Dept vehicles
* XGH – Health & Welfare Dept vehicles
* XGL – Local Government & Land Tenure Dept vehicles
* XGW – Works & Energy Dept vehicles
*Â XHÂ –Â Umzimkulu
*Â XJÂ –Â Maxesibeni
*Â XKÂ –Â Kwabhaca
*Â NCXÂ –Â Matatiele
*Â NCWÂ –Â Kokstad
* XM – Transkei Army vehicles
*Â XNÂ –Â Idutywa
*Â XOÂ –Â Tsolo
* XP – Transkei police vehicles
* XPT – Transkei Traffic Police vehicles
*Â XRÂ –Â Cacadu
* XRT – Transkei Road Transport Services vehicles
*Â XSÂ –Â Xalanga
*Â XTÂ –Â Herschel
*Â XUÂ –Â Libode
*Â XVÂ –Â Qumbu
* XW – Mt Fletcher
*Â XYÂ –Â Centane
*Â XZÂ –Â Ngqeleni
Bophuthatswana
* YB – Government vehicles
*Â YBAÂ –Â Molopo
*Â YBBÂ –Â Odi
*Â YBCÂ –Â Moretele
* YBD – Hafekeng & Tlhabane
*Â YBEÂ –Â Ditsobotla
*Â YBGÂ –Â Lehurutshe
*Â YBHÂ –Â Tlhaping–Tlharo
*Â YBJÂ –Â Madikwe
* YBK – Thaba ‘Nchu
*Â YBLÂ –Â Mankwe
*Â YBMÂ –Â Ganyesa
*Â YBNÂ –Â Taung
* YBP – Police vehicles
*Â YBXÂ –Â Mabopane
Zululand / KwaZulu
* ZG – Government vehicles
* ZK – Paramount Chief vehicles
* ZP – Police vehicles
* Z – General vehicles
Lebowa
Government
- LG – Lebowa Government
- LP – Lebowa Police
Civilian
- LEB–1–NUMBER/S – Lebowakgomo & Surrounds
- LEB–2–NUMBER/S
- LEB–3–NUMBER/S – Mahwelereng & Surrounds
- LEB–4–NUMBER/S – Seshego & Surrounds
- LEB–5–NUMBER/S
- LEB–6–NUMBER/S
- LEB–7–NUMBER/S – Tzaneen & Surrounds
- LEB–8–NUMBER/S
- LEB–9–NUMBER/S
- LEB–10–NUMBER/S – Botlokwa & Surrounds
About registering your motor vehicle
If you are a title holder of a new, pre-owned, built or re-built motor vehicle, you must register it at your relevant registering authority to get a registration certificate. If the vehicle is financed, the title holder will be the financing institution. When it has been registered and licenced, you will get a motor vehicle licence disc.
You must register and license your motor vehicle within 21 days after a change of ownership. If you do not register it, you will have to pay arrears and penalties. The motor vehicle registration is recorded on the national traffic information system (eNaTIS).
Your vehicle’s registration becomes null and void if:
- the vehicle licence disc has not been renewed for more than four years
- the vehicle was involved in an accident and has been declared permanently unfit for use
- you sold the vehicle (changed ownership)
- your vehicle has been repossessed for more than 31 days
- a deregistration certificate has been issued.
What you should do
Register a new vehicle:
- To register a new vehicle, go to your appropriate registering authority and submit the following:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
- the manufacturer’s certificate containing all the relevant details of the vehicle
- a roadworthy certificate, if the vehicle is a heavy load [or Road Transport Quality System (RTQS)] vehicle.
- Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle (RLV) form.
Register a used vehicle:
- To register a pre-owned (used) vehicle, the seller must first complete and submit a Notification of change of ownership (NCO) form, which gives notification of change of ownership
- Go to your relevant motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
- the vehicle registration certificate (in the seller’s name)
- a certificate of roadworthiness if the current certificate is older than 60 days
- proof of purchase of the vehicle
- a valid motor vehicle licence (ensure that the licence fees for the vehicle are up to date).
- Complete the Application for registration and licensing of motor vehicle (RLV) form.
Register a vehicle built up from parts:
- To register a vehicle built up from parts, go to your nearest motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address
- an affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car (form SOA)
- request for police clearance (form RPC)
- request for police identification (form RPI)
- de-registration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered)
- a weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
- proof of title ownership
- letter of authority (if applicable).
- The provincial helpdesk will then introduce the vehicle record on eNaTIS
- request for police clearance (form RPC) must then be submitted
- a roadworthy test must be performed on the vehicle.
- Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV).
Register a modified vehicle:
- To register a modified vehicle, go to your nearest motor vehicle registration authority and submit:
- your identity document (ID)
- proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
- an affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car (form SOA)
- request for police clearance (form RPC)
- request for police identification (form RPI)
- de-registration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered)
- a weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
- proof of title of ownership
- roadworthy certificate
- letter of authority (if applicable).
- manufacturer’s certificate or previous registration certificate or affidavit if the registration certificate cannot be provided.
- Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV).
How long does it take
The application will be forwarded to the provincial helpdesk.
The introduction of the motor vehicle record can take up to a few days. The applicant will be contacted when the record is on the system.
How much does it cost
Contact your local licensing office for the cost.
Forms to complete
Forms are obtainable at the motor vehicle registering authority or you can download them from the eNaTIS website.