(1) If a numberplate becomes damaged in a material respect, the plate-holder must, as soon as is practicable (but within 14 days) after discovering the damage—
(a) tell the road transport authority about the damage; and
(b) return the numberplate to the authority and, unless otherwise approved by the authority, any other numberplate with the same registration number.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) If the plate-holder returns a numberplate under this regulation, the road transport authority may issue a replacement numberplate with the same distinguishing number to the plate-holder.
(3) For this regulation, a numberplate becomes damaged in a material respect if anything required to be included on the numberplate is missing or cannot be readily read.
(4) For subregulation (3), a number on the numberplate is taken not to be readily readable if the number is not clearly visible as required by paragraph 59 (1) (b) (Display of numberplates).