How it works
Personalised plates in Queensland are sold by Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) under agreement with TMR. You pick a combination and a style online, PPQ screens it (offensive or misleading combinations are rejected), the plates are manufactured, and they attach to your registered vehicle. Your annual rego cost doesn't change — the plate purchase is a one-off.
What drives the price
Pricing is PPQ's and varies enormously: combination length (shorter is dearer), demand for the specific text, and the style range (classic, coloured, themed). Entry-level longer combinations are the affordable door in; short numeric or name plates trade at a premium — some rare combinations resell for serious money at PPQ auctions. Always price the exact combination on PPQ before committing.
Your plates, not the car's
The key difference from standard plates: personalised plates belong to the person. Selling the vehicle? Move the plates to another vehicle you own, or place them on a plate confinement with TMR and reattach them later. Transferring plate ownership to another person costs $122.10 (from 1 July 2026). Standard replacement and accessory plate fees are in the number plates guide.
Before the car changes hands
Remove or confine your personalised plates before completing the transfer — once the vehicle transfers with plates attached, unwinding it is paperwork you don't want. The vehicle then gets standard plates ($36.25 per plate).
Frequently asked questions
Where do I buy personalised plates in Queensland?
Through Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ), the official retailer operating under agreement with TMR. You choose the combination and style online, and once manufactured the plates attach to your registered vehicle.
How much do personalised plates cost?
Purchase prices are set by PPQ and vary widely with the combination length, style and colours — short or in-demand combinations command premium prices, while longer standard-style combinations are the entry point. Check current pricing on PPQ for the exact combination you want.
Do personalised plates cost extra rego each year?
No. Once purchased, the plates themselves do not change your annual registration fee — you keep paying the normal rego for your vehicle class.
Can I keep my plates when I sell the car?
Yes. Personalised plates belong to you, not the vehicle. Before transferring the vehicle, move the plates to another vehicle you own or place them on a plate confinement with TMR to use later; transferring plate ownership to another person costs $122.10.
Can any combination be approved?
No — combinations that are offensive, misleading (e.g. imitating official vehicles) or already taken are rejected. PPQ screens all combinations before manufacture.