If you’re still cruising around with nostalgic KZN number plates - think ND (Durban), NUF (Empangeni), NX (Scottburgh) or NR (Howick) - consider this your friendly festive-season nudge: you HAVE to switch to the new ZN number plates by 30 November 2025.
Yup, the classics are heading into retirement.
Nobody will be able to tell where you’re from anymore (this could be a good thing!)… beyond being from the best province in South Africa, of course!
The new province-wide ZN plates are rolling out in full force, and this time, the deadline is very real.
And with the holiday road-trip season basically here, the last thing you want is a surprise expense sneaking into your Christmas budget. Rather spend that cash on gifts, gammon, and getaways… not a fine because your licence plate is keeping you in the past!
Why the big change?
There are just too many of us living the good life in KZN, and the province ran out of numbers in several towns. PLUS, the new plates include better security features, aligning KZN with national standards, which means less crime.
More than 1.6 million vehicles have already made the switch, with around 60,000 plates processed every month, but around 20,000 of you are still hanging onto the old system.
Consider this your sign to join the modern era before the queues get wild next year.
The KZN Department of Transport is not playing games - no deadline extension is coming, and driving an unregistered vehicle after 30 November 2025 could land you with fines, impoundments, or even a court date if you repeatedly ignore the law.
Definitely not the Dezemba vibe you want.
How to Get Your New KZN Licence Plate
- Visit your nearest Licence Department to request the update.
- You’ll receive new documentation and will be directed to purchase the physical ZN plates.
- Plates can be bought (at your own cost, unfortunately!) from any accredited number plate embosser.
Getting Personal
- If you’re sentimental about your old ND plate, don’t stress — personalised options still exist!
- You can keep your personalised number, but the physical plates must change to the new blue-and-white format.
- If your exact old number isn’t available, you can pick a new personalised option.
- Short/special numbers purchased through the department can be converted to the new format: (Example): ND 1234 → ND 1234 �� ZN
- Standard personalised plates now allow 7 characters (excluding ZN) and must follow the new design.
The travel season is here, fun road trips are calling, and your December budget is too precious… so don’t let an outdated number plate ruin your festive spirit.
Join the gang and switch to ZN.
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