The numbering system in Ukraine has gone a long way of evolution before it has found its current form, understandable to every driver. State license plates They are not just a formal attribute, but an important identifier that allows police officers, infringement cameras and ordinary citizens to quickly determine the region of registration of a vehicle. Knowing how Ukrainian auto numbers are coded by region can be extremely useful in a variety of life situations, from buying a used car to analyzing traffic accident statistics.
The modern license plate standard was introduced in 2004 and has since undergone only minor changes, mainly in terms of design or the introduction of special series. Two-letter series The number at the beginning is a key element that indicates the specific area or city where the vehicle was registered. It is important to understand that the binding is to the place of registration of the owner or legal entity, and not to the place of actual location of the machine at the moment.
In this article we will analyze in detail the numbering structure, consider the code table of all regions of Ukraine, and also touch upon complex legal issues related to duplicates and “blat” numbers. You will learn why some series may cost more than others and what changes are planned in the legislation. From 2026, a new numbering standard is planned to be introduced, which will allow more regions to be encoded and make the system more flexible.
Structure and standards of license plates of Ukraine
The standard car license plate of Ukraine is a rectangular white plate with black symbols. It consists of two letters of the Ukrainian alphabet, four digits and two letters at the end. The first pair of letters is the region code that most motorists are interested in. It is these two symbols that you can instantly determine from which area the car comes, whether it is from the car. Lviv, Odessa or Donetsk region.
The digital part of the number following the regional code is the serial number of the vehicle registration within the series. The last two letters are again a series, but they are no longer geographically anchored, but serve to increase the number of possible combinations. The use of letters is limited to those graphically similar to Latin, which meets international traffic standards and makes it easier for numbers to be read by automatic recognition systems.
⚠️ Attention: The use of letters that are not in the Ukrainian alphabet (for example, "Q", "W", "X"), on standard civilian numbers is impossible. The numbers with such letters that are sometimes found are either fake or belong to special services (diplomatic, military), which have a completely different structure.
The size of the plate is also strictly regulated. For passenger cars, a standard size of 520×112 mm is used. However, for motorcycles, tractors and other special equipment, numbers of a reduced or square format can be used, although the principle of coding regional affiliation through the first two letters is preserved there. Understanding this structure helps avoid errors when filling out documents or searching for vehicle information.
Why two letters?
The two-letter system was chosen to provide a sufficient number of combinations (22 letters × 22 letters = 484 combinations per domain in theory, although the distribution is uneven). This allowed to cover the needs of all regions without introducing digital codes for regions, as is done, for example, in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Full table of codes of regions of Ukraine
For a quick search for the required code, the following table covers all regions of Ukraine, including the city of Kiev and Crimea (the code of which is formally reserved despite the occupation). Codes are not always linearly distributed, and some areas have reserved series that can be introduced into circulation when the current ones are exhausted.
| Area/Region | Code (Series) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kiev (G.) | AA, KA | Capital, the most popular series |
| Kiev region | AB, KB | Surrounding the capital |
| Vinnytsia region | AC, BC | Center, G. Vinnitsa |
| Volyn region | AI, BI | Center, G. Lutsk |
| Dnipropetrovsk region | AE, BE | Large industrial region |
| Donetsk region | AH, BH | Code reserved, part of the territory under control |
| Zhytomyr region | AM, BM | Center, G. Zhytomyre |
| Transcarpathian region | AO, BO | Center, G. uzhgorod |
| Zaporizhia region | AP, BP | Center, G. Zaporizhia |
| Ivano-Frankivsk region | AT, BT | Center, G. Ivano-Frankivsk |
| Kirovograd region | AX, BX | Center, G. cropiwnitsky |
| Luhansk region | AE (partially), Luhansk | Codes reserved, status of temporarily occupied |
| Lviv region | BC, HC | Western Ukraine, center - g. lion |
| Nikolaev region | BI, EI | Center, G. Nikolaev |
| Odessa region | BH, EH | South of Ukraine, center - D. Odessa |
| Poltava region | BP, EP | Center, G. poltava |
| rivne | BK, EK | Center, G. Exactly. |
| Sumy region | BM, EM | Center, G. Sums |
| Ternopil region | BO, EO | Center, G. ternopil |
| Kharkiv region | AX, EX | The largest region by area, the center - G. kharkov |
| Kherson region | BT, ET | South of Ukraine, center - D. cherson |
| Khmelnytskyi region | CA, EA | Center, G. khmelnytsky |
| cherkasy region | CB, EB | Center, G. cherkasy |
| Chernivtsi region | CE, EE | Center, G. chernivtsi |
| Chernihiv region | CT, ET | Center, G. chernihiv |
| Crimea | AI, CI | Code reserved. |
| d. sevastopol | AH, CH | Code reserved. |
As can be seen from the table, codes are often duplicated using different letters in the second position (e.g., A and B at the beginning), which allows you to expand the numbering capacity. Kiev rooms The AA and KA series are the most common on the country’s roads, which is not surprising given the concentration of the car market and the migration of the population to the capital. In addition, the numbers of remote regions, such as Chernihiv or kherson The regions are less common, especially in the central parts of the country.
It is worth noting that the distribution of series is centralized. Service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs receive blocks of numbers that already contain pre-installed region codes. This excludes the possibility of arbitrary selection of the region of registration, if the owner does not register the car at a new address. The system is designed to ensure transparency and order in the accounting of vehicles.
Legal aspects and rules of issue of numbers
The procedure for obtaining license plates in Ukraine is strictly regulated by law. The main document regulating this sphere is the Law “On Road Traffic” and the relevant resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers. When buying a new car or re-registrating used equipment, the owner applies to the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is there, after checking all documents and paying fees, that the number is assigned.
It is important to know that since 2019, Ukraine has a system of electronic queues and pre-registration, which has greatly simplified the process. However, there are nuances associated with “beautiful” or “blatant” rooms. The legislation provides for the possibility of obtaining the desired combination through an auction or special services, but this applies only to the digital series or the second letter series. Regional code (first two letters) It cannot be changed arbitrarily - it is strictly tied to the place of registration (residence) of the owner or the legal address of the company.
- 🚗 Individuals receive numbers at the place of their official registration (registration in the passport).
- 🏢 Legal entities register transport at the location of the head office or branch.
- 🔄 Change of region It is possible only when changing the place of residence and re-registration of the car in the new service center.
There is also the concept of “transit numbers”, which are issued for a limited period for the passage of the car. They have their own format and color (often red or marked), and their use after expiration is equated to driving without numbers. This is a serious violation, entailing a fine and evacuation of the car to the penalty area.
⚠️ Attention: Buying a car with a “beautiful” number does not automatically transfer the right to that number. The license plate is the property of the state. To keep the combination, the previous owner must go through the procedure of keeping the license plate with him, and the new owner - buy the right to this combination through official channels, if possible.
Duplicate license plates: when and how to get
Loss or damage of the license plate is an unpleasant situation, but it is solvable. Ukrainian legislation allows to produce a duplicate license plate without re-registration of the car and without changing the digital combination. This is possible in cases where the license plate has become unreadable due to corrosion, mechanical damage, loss of one of the elements or theft.
To obtain a duplicate, the owner must contact the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the official manufacturer of license plates that has a license and access to the database. The procedure requires a passport, a certificate of registration of the vehicle (passport) and the damaged number (if it is preserved). If the number was stolen, a police certificate on the initiation of a criminal case will be required.
☑️ What to take to get a duplicate number
It is important to distinguish between a duplicate and a replacement series. The duplicate completely copies the original: the same letters, the same numbers, the same region. The replacement of the series (change of digits) is made only if the original combination is occupied by another car in the database (which is rare when duplicated) or if the owner himself wants to change the number, paying the corresponding fees. The production of a duplicate usually takes from 30 minutes to one working day, depending on the workload of the center.
Be careful with suggestions to "manufacture a room in 15 minutes" in underground passageways or on curbs. Such signs do not have holographic protective elements driven into metal, and are not listed in a single database. Driving with such “sampled” numbers is regarded by the police as their absence with all the ensuing consequences, including the arrest of a vehicle.
Special series and diplomatic numbers
In addition to standard civilian numbers, on the roads of Ukraine you can find vehicles with special designations. These numbers are highlighted by background color, the presence of additional characters or structure. They belong to government agencies, diplomatic missions or special services.
- 🇺🇦 Numbers with the flag of Ukraine: They are often found on cars of high-ranking state officials, judges of the Constitutional Court, deputies. They are standard format, but on the left instead of the region code or next to it shows a flag.
- 🌍 Diplomatic numbers (CD): They have a red background and letters CD (Corps Diplomatique). They belong to embassies and international organizations. Their owners have diplomatic immunity that complicates the procedure for bringing to justice for traffic violations.
- 👮 Police and military numbers: Often have a format other than civil (for example, fewer numbers, other letters), and may not have a regional binding in the usual sense, as they refer to federal (national) structures.
The presence of such numbers imposes certain obligations on other road users. For example, cars with flashing lights and special numbers have priority in traffic. However, the presence of a “flag” number from a private person (if it was obtained legally through an auction or belonged to a car purchased from a government agency) does not give any advantages on the road, except for prestige.
If you see a car with diplomatic plates (red background), remember that even in the event of an accident, the police may be limited in their actions to apprehend the driver until the arrival of the Foreign Ministry or consulate.
The future of car numbering in Ukraine
The number plate system, introduced in 2004, is gradually becoming depleted in the most populated regions. This is especially true in Kiev and the Kiev region, where there are fewer and fewer free combinations. In this regard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada periodically consider bills on changing the format of license plates.
One of the key proposals is to move to a European standard with the introduction of a digital code for the region (as in France or Poland), which would allow unification of the system and create a reserve for decades to come. The possibility of introducing QR codes or RFID tags into the plate itself is also being discussed for more efficient operation of automatic parking control and payment systems.
Another area of development is digitalization. The Diya app already has the option of viewing the digital registration certificate and driver’s license. It is possible that in the future the physical license plate may be supplemented or partially replaced by a virtual identifier readable from a distance, although the complete abandonment of the hardware in the foreseeable future is not planned due to the need for visual control.
The numbering system of Ukraine is one of the most transparent in Eastern Europe, but requires modernization due to the exhaustion of letter combinations in large regions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I leave my number when selling a car?
Yes, the legislation allows you to keep the license plate for the owner. To do this, you need to submit an application to the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs when removing the car from the register. The number is “preserved” for you for a fixed period of time (usually up to 1 year), and you can install it on a new car when you check in. However, an additional fee must be paid for this service.
What does the KH code or other new combinations mean?
Codes may be changed or new series introduced within a region as the old ones are exhausted. For example, if the AA series in Kiev ends, backup series may be introduced or the second letter may be changed. The "KH" code is not the standard area code in the current table, perhaps it is a typo or a new experimental series worth reading about in the current Interior Ministry news.
Can I buy a “beautiful” room officially?
Direct sales of numbers by the state are prohibited. However, there is a mechanism for auctions or obtaining rights to a particular combination through charitable contributions or special services organized with the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Buying a number "with hands" together with a car does not legally transfer the right to a room, only for metal. To legalize a beautiful combination, it will still have to be bought from the state.
What is the penalty for driving without numbers or with unreadable?
Under the Code of Administrative Offences, driving without license plates or with contaminated/unreadable numbers is punishable by a fine. In addition, the police have the right to detain the vehicle and send it to the penalty area until the cause of detention is eliminated (i.e., until a normal number is installed).
Are the numbers for electric vehicles different?
At the moment (2026-2026) electric cars in Ukraine receive standard license plates of the general sample. However, the introduction of special series or color markers to facilitate the identification of such vehicles that enjoy parking and customs clearance benefits is being discussed. Keep an eye out for legislative updates.