How to check if number plates are taken

To check if a number plate is taken in South Africa, you can follow these steps:

1. Visit the South African eNatis website, which is the electronic National Traffic Information System for South Africa.
2. Click on “Services” and then “Vehicle Number Plate Enquiry.”
3. Enter the vehicle’s registration number in the format of “AAA123GP” (where “AAA” are letters and “123GP” are numbers).
4. Click on “Submit” to view the status of the number plate.

The eNatis website will display the status of the number plate, including whether it is available or has already been assigned to another vehicle. If the number plate is not available, the website will suggest alternative number plates that are available.

It’s important to note that the eNatis website only displays information on number plates that are registered in South Africa. If you are trying to check the availability of a number plate for a vehicle registered in another country, you will need to contact the appropriate agency in that country.