Motor dealers

The relationship between Transport for NSW and Participants (who register vehicles for their customers) is important.

The DVRS authorises Participants to perform certain registration transactions on behalf of their customers. This improves the overall customer experience, as registration can be organised at the time of sale so the Participant does not need to attend a service centre to complete the process.

Under the DVRS, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) authorises Participants to perform the registration related services referred to in Clause 3 and Schedule 6 of the Agreement.

Participants are required to be either:

  • Dealers situated within NSW or within 50km of the NSW border, engaged in the sale, distribution and management of new vehicles or second-hand vehicles (or both), and who hold a NSW Dealer Licence or interstate equivalent, or
  • NSW based manufacturers or retailers of new trailers weighing less than 250kg, or
  • NSW based entities who are engaged in the distribution or management of new motor vehicles.

The Motor Dealer’s Guide provides detailed information on the procedures for participants to follow. It’s also an effective training aid for new staff.

Please contact your nearest Service NSW or call 137 788 if you’re interested in applying for authorisation under the DVRS.

Electric, hybrid and hydrogen safety labels

Safety labels help emergency services recognise risks when attending a vehicle incident. Vehicle Safety Standards Rules require all electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles to have safety labels attached to their number plates.

Electric or hybrid vehicles must display an ‘EV’ label and hydrogen vehicles must display an ‘H’ label. See Vehicle Standards Information Sheet No. 63 – Labelling information for motor vehicles powered by electric motors or alternative fuel systems (PDF, 430.06 KB) for more information.

Penalties, including a defect notice and/or a fine may apply if vehicles do not display the labels.

Dealer requirements

Dealers who register an electric, hybrid or hydrogen vehicle must attach safety labels to all number plates as part of the registration process. This is required by their DVRS Agreement (PDF, 840.76 KB). Customers should also be provided with the Information on electric, hybrid and hydrogen safety labels fact sheet (PDF, 268.65 KB).

Ordering labels

Dealers can purchase individual and bulk packs of labels through our online ordering portal.

Dealer Online (DOL)

DOL is an online system that allows authorised participants to perform registration transactions for the dealership and for customers, without attending  Service NSW.

Transactions available through DOL include:

  • Establishing registration for new and second-hand light vehicles and trailers
  • lodging a Notice of Disposal
  • transferring registration
  • renewing registration
  • exchanging number plates.

To access DOL, you must be accredited under the DVRS.

If you’re interested in using DOL, please contact Service NSW. Once your application is approved, they will provide comprehensive system training for your staff including the Dealer Online User Manual (PDF, 7.06 MB).

Vehicles not to be established on DOL

The following new vehicles must not be established via DOL:

  • Trailers over 4.5t Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
  • Heavy vehicles in excess of 4.5t GVM
  • Second stage of manufacture vehicles

The following second-hand vehicles must not be established via DOL:

  • Vehicles in excess of 4.5t GVM
  • Trailers over 2t Gross Trailer Mass (GTM), or fitted with breakaway brakes
  • Buses 2.5t tare weight and over
  • All prime movers

To access DOL, you must be authorised under the DVRS.

If you’re interested in using DOL, please contact Service NSW. Once your application is approved, refer to the DOL user manual for instructions.

Trader’s plates

Trader’s plates are issued to people and incorporated bodies in the motor vehicle industry that frequently move unregistered vehicles.

Trader's plate fees

(effective 1 October 2023)

From 1 July each year, TfNSW fees may increase as part of the annual NSW Treasury approved Consumer Price Index.

Item

Fee

Motor vehicle trader's plate (exc motorcycle) - annual

$498

Motor vehicle trader's plate (exc motorcycle) - monthly

$43

Trailer trader's plate - annual

$498

Trailer trader's plate - monthly

$43

Motorcycle trader's plate - annual

$121

Motorcycle trader's plate - monthly

$11

Replacement trader's plate (all types)

$52

Trader's plate application

$57

Merchant fee recovery

Merchant fee recovery is an existing cost across NSW Government Services and already applies to most Service NSW transactions.

The Dealer Online System now allows for the recovery of the merchant fees (PDF, 2.27 MB). For more information please see FAQs (PDF, 411.2 KB).

Motor dealer documents

Policy information