Plate status: “Locating”
In progressThe plate exists and is being found and sorted for release to your region.
Updated 3 August 2026
What it means
Locating means manufacturing is behind you: the plate physically exists, and the system is finding and sorting it for release to your regional or district office. Think warehouse logistics, not production.
This is also the status people see move backwards — a plate that was Dispatched can revert to Locating. That almost always means it was re-batched or re-sorted, not lost.
How long it typically takes
Typically days to a few weeks. If it sits here beyond about six weeks, a follow-up is reasonable.
What to do
- No action needed in the normal case.
- If the status reverted from a later stage, wait one to two weeks before reacting — re-batching usually resolves itself.
- Past six weeks, follow up with the LTO office that processed your registration, quoting your MV file number.
Common questions
Why did my status change back to Locating?
Re-batching. Plates are moved and sorted in batches between facilities and release schedules, and the tracker reflects the latest scan. It does not mean your plate was lost or cancelled.
Is Locating better than In Process?
Yes — it means your plate has been produced and is in the distribution chain rather than the production queue.