License plates of all countries of the world: full decoding and rules for

Car license plates are not just metal plates with letters and numbers. They carry unique information about the country of registration, region, type of vehicle and even the owner. For tourists planning a trip abroad by personal car, buyers of used cars from abroad, or simply curious drivers, knowing the features of license plates from different countries can be a useful skill. In this article we will look at number formats 195+ countries, their color schemes, rules of use and nuances that will help you avoid fines abroad.

Have you ever wondered why German numbers there is a blue stripe with the EU flag, and American — is the state listed at the top? Or why in Japan the numbers indicate the engine size, and Australia - type of fuel? These details are not accidental: they reflect local laws, cultural characteristics and even historical traditions. For example, in some countries It is forbidden to use certain letters (like I and O in the USA due to the similarity with the numbers), and in others - the color of the number depends on the status of the owner (like red numbers for diplomats in Russia).

The material will be useful not only theoretically. If you are planning buying a car abroad, knowledge of number standards will help avoid counterfeits. For travelers by car, understand what documents will be required at the border. And for collectors of rare numbers - to distinguish the original from the replica. Let's start with general principles, and then move on to a detailed analysis by continent.

How license plates are arranged: general structure

Despite external differences, most license plates in the world follow unified coding logic. A typical number consists of three key elements:

• 🇺🇳 Country code - mandatory for international traffic (for example, D for Germany, F for France). Often duplicated on a bumper sticker.
• 📛 Regional code - indicates the region or city of registration (for example, MO for the Moscow region, B for Berlin).
• 🔢 Unique identifier - a combination of letters and numbers assigned to a specific vehicle. May include information about the vehicle type (for example, E for electric vehicles in Norway).

In addition, the numbers often contain additional elements:

• 🟦 Color marks: blue stripes for EU countries, red for diplomats, green for electric cars.
• 📅 Annual stickers: in some countries (e.g. Thailand) a sticker with the year of inspection is attached to the number.
• 🚗 Special characters: for example, T for taxi in Hong Kong or Z for temporary numbers in Poland.

Interesting fact: in China the numbers indicate fuel type (gasoline, diesel, electricity), and in UAE - even owner status (eg gold numbers for members of the royal family). B Japan the size of the number depends on the class of the car: small plates for kay cars (small cars) and large ones - for ordinary cars.

Europe: EU standards and unique exceptions

Countries European Union follow the general rules of room design, but with national characteristics. The general format includes:

• 🇪🇺 Blue stripe on the left with the EU flag and country code (for example, PL for Poland).
• 🔤 From 1 to 3 letters for the region (for example, W for Warsaw, M for Munich).
• 🔢 Up to 4 numbers and 2 letters for a unique identifier.

However, there are exceptions. For example:

Country	Feature	Example number
Germany	Black letters on a white background. The area code may consist of 1-3 letters (for example, HH for Hamburg).	B·MT 1234
France	Format AB-123-CD since 2009. Old numbers (until 2009) are valid until the car is replaced.	AB·456·CD
Italy	Two letters for the province (for example, MI for Milano), then 3 letters and 2 numbers.	MI 123AB45
UK	Format AB12 CDE (since 2001). The background color depends on the year of registration (yellow for older cars).	LA63 KJX
Russia	White background with black symbols. Regional code - 2-3 digits (for example, 77 for Moscow).	A123BV 77

Attention! In some European countries It is forbidden to hide numbers even partially (for example, mud or snow). IN Germany fine for this 60€, and in Austria - up to 2180€, if the number cannot be read from 20 meters. There is also a rule in the EU: if you temporarily import a car (for example, on vacation), the license plate must have a sticker with your country code (for example, RU for Russia).

Asia: from the strict rules of Japan to the chaos of India

Asian rooms offer great variety - from ultra-strict standards Japan and South Korea to almost chaotic systems in India and Thailand. General features of the region:

• 🇯🇵 B Japan numbers are linked to car size: small signs for kay cars (small cars), large ones - for ordinary cars. The background color depends on the type of vehicle (yellow for commercial vehicles).
• 🇨🇳 B China the numbers indicate fuel type: blue background for gasoline, green for electric vehicles, yellow for diesel.
• 🇮🇳 B India The number format includes the state code (for example, DL for Delhi), then 2 letters and 4 numbers. Often the numbers are covered with a protective film to prevent counterfeiting.
• 🇦🇪 B UAE The color of the number depends on the status of the owner: black symbols on a white background for ordinary citizens, gold for members of the royal family.

Particularly strict rules in Singapore: here numbers are issued to 10 years, after which they need to be replaced. However, the cost of a new room can reach up to 50 000 SGD (about 3 million rubles) due to the quota system. B ThailandOn the contrary, plates are often counterfeited, so when buying a used car it is important to check them through the Department of Transportation database.

Why can't you sell a car with a license plate in Japan?

In Japan, license plates are tied to the owner, not the vehicle. When selling a car, the new owner must receive a new number, and the old one is returned to the traffic police. This complicates the used car market, but reduces plate fraud.

Attention! B China Foreigners are prohibited from driving a car with local license plates without special permission. Tourists can only rent a car with license plates for foreigners (for example, with the prefix WJ in Beijing). For violation of this rule, the fine is up to 2000 CNY (about 22,000 rubles) and deportation.

North and South America: from strict USA to creative Brazil

B USA and Canada numbers are issued at the state and provincial level, so their design and format vary widely. General features:

• 🇺🇸 B USA the number indicates the name of the state (for example, California or New York) and motto (for example, "The Sunshine State" for Florida).
• 🇨🇦 B Canada The numbers are two-tiered: the upper part is the name of the province, the lower part is a combination of letters and numbers.
• 🇲🇽 B Mexico numbers include a state code (for example, CDMX for Mexico City) and 3 letters with 3 numbers.

B Brazil the number system is one of the most creative: since 2018 the format has been used ABC1D23, where:

• 🔤 ABC — 3 letters (excluding I, O, Q and W).
• 🔢 1D23 - number, letter and 2 numbers.

The background color depends on the type of fuel: gray for gasoline, green for hybrids, blue for electric vehicles. B Argentina Numbers are issued for the life of the vehicle and are transferred to the new owner upon sale.

Attention! B USA some states (eg California) require that the number have a sticker about the passage smog check (emission tests). Without it you can get a fine of up to $500. B Canada In winter, the rooms are often covered with snow - for this there is a fine of up to C$110 (about 6000 rubles).

Make sure that the number matches the VIN code in the documents

Check for smog check sticker (for California)

Pay attention to the color of the number (red - temporary, blue - for diplomats)

Check state code against registration documents-->

Africa and the Middle East: from strict monarchies to post-colonial standards

B Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) numbers often reflect the social status of the owner. For example:

• 🇦🇪 B UAE numbers with a small digit (for example, 1 or 5) are worth millions of dirhams. Record - number D 5, sold for $9 million.
• 🇸🇦 B Saudi Arabia Women's and men's numbers may differ in color (pink background for women in some regions).
• 🇶🇦 B Qatar the numbers indicate year of registration Arabic numerals.

B South Africa and Egypt The numbers inherit the British system, but with local features:

• 🇿🇦 B South Africa format CA 123-456, where CA - province code (for example, GP for Gauteng).
• 🇪🇬 B Egypt The numbers are bilingual: Arabic and Latin characters. The background color depends on the type of vehicle (yellow for taxis, red for buses).

Attention! B UAE It is prohibited to photograph other people's license plates without permission - this may be regarded as an attempt to collect personal data. Fine - up to 5000 AED (about 100,000 rubles). B Saudi Arabia Until 2018, women did not have the right to drive a car, so old license plates with “female” codes are now considered a rarity.

Australia and Oceania: unique systems for rare cars

B Australia and New Zealand numbers are issued at the state and territory level. Features:

• 🇦🇺 B Australia format varies by state. For example, in Victoria — 1AB 2CD, and in Queensland — 123-ABC. The background color can be yellow (for taxis) or green (for electric cars).
• 🇳🇿 B New Zealand The numbers are not tied to the car: when the car is sold, the number remains with the old owner, and the buyer receives a new one.

Interesting fact: on Fiji and Samoa numbers are often made by hand, so they are easy to fake. When purchasing a used car in Oceania, it is recommended to check the license plate number with the local police.

Attention! B Australia It is prohibited to use numbers with combinations that may offend someone (for example, vulgar words). For this the fine is up to AUD 2200 (about 120,000 rubles). B New Zealand numbers with low digits (for example, 1 or 2) are sold at auctions for tens of thousands of dollars.

How to check the authenticity of a foreign license plate before buying a car

If you are planning to buy a car abroad, number verification - a mandatory stage. Here's what to do:

1. Check the number with the VIN code in documents. In the EU this can be done through the service EU Car Registration.
2. Check number history through local databases (for example, CarVertical or Carfax for the USA).
3. Pay attention to color and material: original plates usually have holograms, microtext or other security features.
4. Make sure there are no fines by number (in some countries, e.g. Germany, this can be done online).

In some countries (for example, Japan or UAE) plates are sold separately from the car. This means that:

• 🔄 When buying a car, you will have to issue a new license plate.
• 💰 Rare numbers (for example, with repeating numbers) can cost more than the car itself.

Attention! B Russia The import of cars with license plates that do not meet international standards (for example, with Arabic script or hieroglyphs) is prohibited. Such numbers will have to be replaced within 10 days after customs clearance.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about foreign license plates

Is it possible to drive in Europe with Russian license plates?

Yes, but only if the number has a sticker with the country code (RU) and you have green card (insurance for foreign trips). In some countries (for example, France) a sticker with the environmental class of the car is also required (Crit’Air).

How to decipher a Japanese number?

Japanese numbers consist of:

• 🔤 Car class (for example, 5 for kei cars, 3 for ordinary cars).
• 📛 Region code (for example, for Tokyo).
• 🔢 Serial number (combination of numbers and letters).

The background color indicates the type of vehicle: white for passenger cars, yellow for commercial vehicles, green for electric vehicles.

What to do if you lost your number abroad?

You must immediately contact the local police and obtain a certificate of loss. Then contact your country's embassy to obtain temporary numbers or documents to return home. In the EU this can be done through European motorist assistance service.

Is it possible to order a beautiful room abroad?

Yes, in many countries (eg UAE, USA or UK) you can buy a “beautiful” number at auction. For example, in California number 1ABC may cost from $10 000, and in UAE - up to millions of dirhams. However, such numbers are often the target of fraud, so you should only buy them through official websites (for example, DMV California).

What are the penalties for fake license plates in different countries?

Fines vary from country to country:

• 🇺🇸 B USA: to $10 000 and car confiscation.
• 🇩🇪 B Germany: to 5000€ and deprivation of rights.
• 🇦🇪 B UAE: to 50 000 AED (about 1 million rubles) and deportation for foreigners.
• 🇷🇺 B Russia: to 80,000 rubles or compulsory work.