Car license plates are not just metal plates with letters and numbers. They carry unique information about the country of registration, the type of vehicle and even the personal data of the owner. For tourists, expats or those planning to buy a foreign car abroad, understanding the numbering system becomes critical. After all ignorance of local rules may result in fines, rental problems, or even vehicle confiscation.

In this article we will look at license plate structure in 50+ countries of the world, we will explain how to distinguish diplomatic numbers from commercial ones, why in some countries they use green background, and in others - red. We will pay special attention European license plates with EU blue stripe, which have undergone changes since 2021 due to Brexit. You will also learn how to use the license plate to determine the age of a car in Japan or that a car from the UAE belongs to a member of the royal family.

How license plates are arranged: general structure

Despite external differences, most license plates in the world follow the same logic. They consist of three key elements:

  • 🇺🇳 Country code — alphanumeric identifier of the state (for example, D for Germany, F for France). In Europe it is often duplicated with a flag and a blue stripe.
  • 🔢 Regional code - indicates the region or city of registration (in Russia these are numbers in ovale, in the USA - the abbreviation of the state).
  • 🆔 Unique number - a combination of letters and numbers assigned to a specific vehicle. May contain encrypted information about the vehicle type or year of manufacture.

The color of the background and font is also not random. For example, yellow numbers in China means commercial vehicles, and black in Saudi Arabia - that the car belongs to a foreigner. In some countries like Singapore, the color changes depending on the environmental class of the car: green for electric cars, blue for hybrids.

📊 Why do you need information about foreign numbers?
I am planning to buy a car abroad
I often travel by rented car
I'm interested in auto history
I work with imported cars
Other

Yes, number A 1 in Dubai was sold for $14 million - a record amount for a car brand.

European plates: EU blue stripe and post-Brexit changes

Since 1998, EU countries have used a standard license plate format with blue stripe on the left, on which are located:

  • 🇪🇺 EU flag (12 stars)
  • 🇫🇷 Country code (for example, F for France, D for Germany)

However, after the UK left the EU in 2020, the rules changed. UK plates now have:

  • 🇬🇧 Black and white UK flag instead of EU
  • 🔠 Code UK instead of GB (although old numbers with GB remain valid)
  • ⚠️ Limitations: from 2021 cars with license plates GB may face delays at EU border if they do not have a separate sticker UK.
💡

If you're taking a car with UK plates to the EU, cover up the old sticker GB new UK or use a magnetic sign. This will save time at customs.

Country Code on the number Background color Features
Germany D White Black letters, at the beginning - 1-3 letters (city), then numbers
France F White Format AB-123-CD, on the right is the region logo
Italy I White Two letters (province), then 3 numbers and 2 letters
Poland PL White Black frame, format AB 12345 or ABC 1234
⚠️ Attention: In some European countries (for example, the Netherlands) numbers are tied to the owner, not the car. When selling a car, the new owner must receive new license plates and hand over the old ones to the traffic police.

Asian numbers: from Japanese "broad" to Chinese hierarchies

Asia shows the most diversity in license plate designs. Here, color and format often reflect the social status of the owner or the type of vehicle.

🇯🇵 Japan uses two main formats:

  • 🚗 Regular numbers: white background with green text (example: 33 12-34). The first hieroglyphs indicate the registration office (for example, - Shinagawa district in Tokyo).
  • 🚛 Commercial vehicles: yellow background with black text. The numbers at the beginning indicate car weight (for example, 5 - up to 8 tons).

🇨🇳 B China numbers are strictly regulated:

  • 🟢 Greens — electric cars (since 2016)
  • 🟡 Yellow – commercial transport
  • 🔵 Blue – private cars (the most common option)
  • ⚫ Black – foreign cars (with white text)

The first letter indicates the province (for example, — Beijing, - Shanghai).

How to determine the age of a Japanese car by license plate number?

In Japan, since 2020, a system has been introduced where the last digit of the number indicates the year of first registration. For example, the number ends with 9 — the car was released in 2019 or 2029 (the cycle repeats every 10 years). For an accurate determination, you need to look at the inspection sticker (shasin) on the windshield.

🇦🇪 B UAE and Qatar rooms often become a luxury item. For example:

  • 👑 Numbers with one digit (for example, 1 or 7) are usually owned by members of royal families.
  • 💎 Numbers with repeating numbers (77777) are sold at auctions for millions of dollars.
  • 🔴 Red numbers — temporary (for transit) or diplomatic.

North America: USA, Canada and Mexico

B USA and Canada Number format is determined at the state/provincial level. General features:

  • 🏷️ Above or below is the name of the state/province (for example, California, Ontario).
  • 🎨 The design often includes local symbols (mountains in Colorado, maple leaf in Quebec).
  • 🔤 A combination of letters and numbers (usually 6-7 characters). In some states (for example, Texas) can be ordered personalized numbers (vanity plates) with any text (for example, MY CAR).

🇺🇸 US Features:

  • 🚨 Red numbers — at dealers (for test drives).
  • 🚓 Blue/white numbers - from the police (format varies by state).
  • 💰 In some states (e.g. New York) can be bought premium rooms with a small number of characters (for example, A 123) at auction.

🇲🇽 B Mexico a new system has been in effect since 2021:

  • 🔢 Format: 3 letters + 3 numbers + state letter (for example, ABC-123-X, where X - Mexico City).
  • 🎨 The background color depends on the type of vehicle: pink for taxis, green for electric cars.
  • ⚠️ Attention: Vehicles with Mexican license plates are not allowed to cross the US border without special permission (border areas only).

Make sure the VIN matches the documents|Check the number via NMVTIS (stolen car database)|Pay attention to the color of the license plate (red = dealer)|Check for the presence of a smog sticker (in California)

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Africa and the Middle East: from South Africa to Saudi Arabia

B South Africa numbers have a unique format CA 123-456, where:

  • 📌 CA - province code (for example, GP — Gauteng, WC - Western Cape).
  • 🔢 Numbers are assigned sequentially, without encrypted information.
  • 🎨 Introduced since 2020 green numbers for electric vehicles.

🇸🇦 B Saudi Arabia numbers are strictly segregated by gender of the owner:

  • 👨 White background with black text - men.
  • 👩 Green background with white text — women (until 2018, women did not have the right to drive, so there are few such license plates).
  • 🔴 Red background — temporary numbers for foreigners.

🇦🇪 B UAE and Qatar Strict rules apply:

  • 🚫 It is prohibited to cover rooms with tinting or accessories (fine up to 2000 dirhams).
  • 📱 Rooms with WhatsApp or Instagram-nicknames (for example, @DUBAI) are sold legally, but are expensive.
  • ⚠️ Attention: In Dubai, you cannot sell a car with a “nice” number plate separately from the car - this is considered fraud.

How to check a car using a foreign license plate

If you are planning to buy a used car from abroad, checking by license plate number will help you avoid problems. Here legal ways for different regions:

  • 🇪🇺 Europe: Use the service EU Vehicle Registration. For Germany - KBA, for France - SIV.
  • 🇺🇸 USA: Check history via Carfax or AutoCheck (VIN is needed, but you can find out the state of registration by the number).
  • 🇯🇵 Japan: On the website JUMVEA (Japan Auto Exporters Association) you can check the legality of the export.
  • 🇦🇪 UAE: Official portal MOI UAE allows you to check fines and accident history by number.
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Never buy a car with foreign license plates without checking the VIN! In some countries (for example, the USA), stolen cars have their numbers altered, but the VIN remains original.

⚠️ Attention: In some countries (for example, Ukraine or Belarus) databases are closed to foreigners. In this case, please ask extract from the register from the seller - it must be certified by a notary.

To check the authenticity of European license plates, please note:

  • 🔍 Holograms — new EU license plates must have security elements.
  • 📏 Size and font - fake license plates often have inaccurate proportions.
  • 🖼️ Flag and country code — fakes may not have the blue EU stripe.

If you plan to drive abroad, keep the following rules in mind:

  • 🇪🇺 B Europe from 2023, a rule applies: if your car is registered in one country, but you live in another for more than 6 months, it needs to be re-registered. Otherwise the fine is up to €1000.
  • 🇺🇸 B USA some states (eg California) require local registration of the car within 20 days after moving.
  • 🇯🇵 B Japan foreigners can drive a car with an international license only 1 year, then you need to take a local exam.
  • 🇦🇪 B UAE A local license is required to register a vehicle (this can only be obtained after passing a test).

⚠️ Attention: In some countries (for example, Singapore or Hong Kong) To buy a car, you must first win a lot at a quota auction (COE). The cost of a quotation may exceed the price of the machine itself!

If you rent a car abroad:

  • 📝 Check that the contract specifies all countries, where you plan to travel (for example, rental in Germany may not cover Poland).
  • 🚗 Take a photo of the license plates and VIN before your trip - this will help in case of disputes with the lessor.
  • 💳 Make sure there are enough funds on the card for deposit blocking (in some countries this is up to $3000).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about foreign license plates

Is it possible to drive around Russia with foreign license plates?

Yes, but with restrictions:

  • 🚗 The car must be registered to you or your company.
  • ⏳ Duration of stay in Russia - no more 1 year (next you need to get Russian license plates or take the car out).
  • 📄 Must have international insurance policy (Green card) or apply for a Russian MTPL.

⚠️ Since 2022, additional checks at customs apply for cars from “unfriendly” countries (EU, USA, etc.).

How to decipher a German license plate number?

German numbers have the format AB C 1234, where:

  • 🔤 AB - city code (for example, B — Berlin, M — Munich, HH - Hamburg).
  • 🔢 C - a letter indicating the type of vehicle (for example, E - electric car).
  • 📌 1234 — unique number (can contain up to 4 digits).

Background color:

  • ⚪ White - private cars.
  • 🟡 Yellow - commercial vehicles.
  • 🟢 Green - taxis or electric cars (in some regions).
What does a red number mean in Dubai?

In the UAE, there are three types of red plates:

  • 🚗 Temporary — issued when purchasing a new car (valid for 30 days).
  • 🛂 Transit — for foreigners temporarily importing a car (valid for up to 6 months).
  • 👮 Police or diplomatic - with additional characters (for example, CD for diplomats).

⚠️ You cannot drive with an expired red license plate - a fine 3000 dirhams + car confiscation.

Is it possible to buy a “beautiful” number in Europe?

Yes, but the rules vary by country:

  • 🇬🇧 B UK you can buy a personal number through DVLA (price from £250 to £500,000).
  • 🇩🇪 B Germany auctions are carried out by local authorities (for example, no. B A 1 was sold for €160,000).
  • 🇫🇷 In France personal numbers are prohibited, but you can choose a combination of free symbols.

💡 Tip: Before purchasing, check whether the desired combination is prohibited (for example, in Germany you cannot use SS, KZ and other “undesirable” letters).

What happens if you lose your number in another country?

Actions vary by country:

  • 🇪🇺 B Europe you need to contact the local police and traffic police to obtain a duplicate (translation of documents may be required).
  • 🇺🇸 B USA a duplicate is issued in DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) State. Cost: $10-$50.
  • 🇦🇪 B UAE fine for loss of number 3000 dirhams + payment for a new sign.
  • 🇯🇵 B Japan If lost, you need to write a statement to the police and pay a fine (~¥5000).

⚠️ In some countries (e.g. Thailand) for loss of numbers can confiscate the car until the circumstances are clarified.