Accredited bus plates

All accredited bus operators must display specific bus number plates. An accredited bus operator is a bus with 10 or more seats, including the driver’s seat, that runs commercially within Victoria.  

The number plates are only assigned to buses registered in the name of the accredited person (individual) or organisation (company). The individual or company must be listed on a proof of accreditation document signed by Safe Transport Victoria.

For more information on the accreditation process, visit the Safe Transport Victoria website.

To apply for accredited bus service plates, follow these simple steps:

1. Obtain a copy of the letter granting accreditation, or a copy of the Certificate of Accreditation, signed by Safe Transport Victoria.
2. Visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (CSC) that provides accredited bus number plate and registration transactions.
3. Attend your appointment and pay the fee for your new or replacement accredited bus plates. 

If you’ve registered at a dealership or CSC that doesn’t hold bus plates, you’ll receive general issue plates instead. You’ll then need to visit us at a CSC that provides accredited bus number plate and registration transactions. We’ll ask you to complete an application for a change of number. 

Once issued, accredited bus service number plates must remain on the vehicle they’re assigned to unless:

• they’re cancelled
• the number plates are changed
• the plates are transferred to another vehicle.

If the bus is no longer operated by an accredited bus service

You must remove the accredited bus service number plates from the bus. Return them to us and you’ll be issued with general issue number plates that you can affix to the bus.

If you’re transferring the registration of a bus with accredited bus service number plates

The transfer of registration for a bus with accredited bus service number plates between operators is permitted provided each operator is accredited. Contact us to arrange the transfer.

Disposing of a bus with accredited bus service number plates

If you want to sell the bus with registration you can change the number plates to general issue plates.  Contact us to change and assign the plates.

The accredited bus service plate series display the words:

• “Accredited bus” and have four numerals followed with a suffix of AO*, or
• “Accredited bus service” and have a prefix of BS followed by two numbers and two letters.

If previous series accredited bus number plates get lost, stolen or damaged, we’ll issue new accredited bus plates. Fees apply.