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Motor Vehicles Act 1949
18Loss or destruction of number plate
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18 Loss or destruction of number plate
(1) If a number plate has been lost or destroyed, the owner of the
motor vehicle or trailer to which it was affixed must, within 14 days
after the loss or destruction, forward to the Registrar a statutory
declaration of the loss or destruction.
(2) On payment by the owner of the prescribed fee, the Registrar must,
if the motor vehicle or trailer has not also been lost or destroyed
and the Registrar has no reason to believe that improper use has
been or is being made of the number plate, issue to the owner:
(a) if the plate was affixed to a motor vehicle, other than a motor
cycle – 2 new number plates; or
(b) otherwise – a new number plate.
(3) On receipt of the new number plate or plates, the owner must
immediately:
(a) affix the plate or plates to the motor vehicle or trailer in
accordance with section 16; and
(b) return to the Registrar any number plate that was not lost or
destroyed.