Not display “P” or “L” plates

What is not display ‘P’ or ‘L’ plates?

This is where plates can dislodge and fall off during the course of driving. There may be other reasons why you are not displaying a plate. Regardless of what the reason may be, we can provide advice on how to navigate this offence.

What penalties apply for not displaying the appropriate plate?

The following penalties exist for not displaying the appropriate plate:

$272.00
2 demerit points

The above fines and demerit point penalties apply to camera-detected offences and to infringements issued by NSW Police.

Given that drivers of “P” plates or “L” plate have a limitation of either 4 or 7 points over a three year period, being convicted with this offence may result in the loss of your license.

What are my options?

Pay the fine

This option is recommended where you:

accept that you were able to control having the required plate on your vehicle, and
you do not stand to lose your licence, and
you do not want the added expense of going to court to ask for leniency.

Plead guilty and ask the court for leniency

This option is recommended where you:

accept that the required plate was not displayed on your vehicle, and / or
stand to lose your license, or come close to losing your licence, and /or
have a valid reason why the court would show you some leniency (we can assist you in determining what the court considers valid.

Leniency is where the court has found you guilty but has chosen not to convict you. Where a non-conviction order (section 10) is made, you will:

avoid a loss of demerit points
avoid a fine.

Appeal my license suspension (where relevant)

This option is recommended where:

my licence plate offence leads to a licence suspension. (“Licence Appeals”)

Plead not guilty

This option is exercised where you are prepared to attend court and defend your matter in a court hearing. The following defences exist:

Honest and reasonable mistake of fact. If you were unaware that the plates had fallen off, then you be able to raise this defence. Note: you must be able to show the court that the plates were reasonably secured to the vehicle.
Reasonable effort might apply if you were aware that the plates had fallen off, and a reasonable effort would have been made to replace the plates when the opportunity arose.
Note: you need to consider whether it was safe to pull over if you had replacement plates. If you did not have replacement plates, you should consider the proximity of any shops selling replacement plates.