International vehicle registration code

File:CH international vehicle registration oval.png

Example of a white oval plate or sticker; this one represents Switzerland

File:1960 Borgward H1500 Isabella pic-001.JPG

A 1960 Borgward Isabella showing the international vehicle code NL (Netherlands)

File:Estonia licenseplate EU.JPG

Estonian registration plate in EU standard format with international code EST

File:Indian Vehicle Registration Plate - Kolkata 2011-07-29 4088 (cropped).JPG

Indian vehicle registration plate in Indian standard format with international code IND

File:Brazilian vehicle license plate (2018-).jpg

Brazilian vehicle registration plate in Mercosur standard format with international code BR

The country in which a motor vehicle's vehicle registration plate was issued may be indicated by an international vehicle registration code, also called Vehicle Registration Identification code or VRI code, formerly known as an International Registration Letter<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> or International Circulation Mark.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is referred to as the Distinguishing sign of the State of registration in the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.

The allocation of codes is maintained byTemplate:Citation needed the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe as the Distinguishing Signs Used on Vehicles in International Traffic<ref name=unece/> (sometimes abbreviated to DSIT), authorised by the UN's Geneva Convention on Road Traffic<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many vehicle codes created since the adoption of ISO 3166 coincide with ISO two- or three-letter codes. The 2004 South-East Asian Agreement ... for the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Goods and People uses a mixture of ISO and DSIT codes: Myanmar uses MYA, China CHN, and Cambodia KH (ISO codes), Thailand uses T (DSIT code), Laos LAO, and Vietnam VN (coincident ISO and DSIT codes).<ref name="Annex2_2004">Template:Cite book</ref>

The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic entered into force on 26 March 1952. One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries to recognize the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries. When driving in other signatory countries, the distinguishing sign of the country of registration must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. This sign must be placed separately from the registration plate and may not be incorporated into the vehicle registration plate.

History

1909 Paris Convention

The display of a national distinctive mark on a white oval plate, Template:Cvt with black letters was first introduced by the 1909 International Convention with respect to the Circulation of Motor Vehicles signed in Paris. The plate was required to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle, separate from the number plate displaying the vehicle's national registration mark. The 1909 convention only allowed distinctive marks to be of one or two Latin letters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1909 Paris Convention distinctive marks

State	Mark
Template:Flag	A
Template:Flag	B
Template:Flag	BG
Template:Flag	F
Template:Flag	D
Template:Flag	GB
Template:Flag	GR
Template:Flag	H
Template:Flag	I
Template:Flag	MC
Template:Flag	MN
Template:Flag	NL
Template:Flag	P
Template:Flag	RO
Template:Flag	R
Template:Flag	SB
Template:Flag	E
Template:Flag	S
Template:Flag	CH
Template:Flag	US

1924 Paris Convention

The term distinguishing mark was adopted by the 1924 International Convention Relative to Motor Traffic signed in Paris, which extended the maximum length of mark from two to three Latin letters, and permitted distinguishing marks not just for states, but also for non-sovereign territories which operated their own vehicle registration systems.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:VW Golf I Åland.JPG

Volkswagen Golf Mk1 with both International vehicle registration codes, the Åland Islands (AX) and Finland (SF)

1924 Paris Convention distinguishing marks

State or territory	Mark	Notes
Alderney	GBA
Template:Flag	ATemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	BTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	BR
Template:Flag	BI
Template:Flag	BGTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	RCH
Template:Flag	RC
Template:Flag	CO
Template:Flag	C
Template:Flag	CS
Template:Flag	DA
Template:Flag	DK
Template:Flag	IN
Template:Flag	EQ
Template:Flag	ET	Current code is EG.
Template:Flag	EST
Template:Flag	SF	lang}}, Swedish {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}. The latter because Swedish is the second official language in Finland.
Template:Flag, Algeria and Tunis	FTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	F
Template:Flag	DTemplate:Efn	lang}}
Template:Flag	GBZ
Template:Flag	GBTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	GRTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	G
Guernsey	GBG
Template:Flag	RH
Template:Flag	HTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	SE	Part of the United Kingdom at the time of the 1909 convention. Initials stand for Irish {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.
Template:Flag	ITemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	GBJ
Template:Flag	LV
Template:Flag	FL
Template:Flag	LT
Template:Flag	L
Template:Flag	GBY
Template:Flag	MEX
Template:Flag	MCTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	F
Template:Flag	NLTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	PY	Current code is PA
Template:Flag	PA	Current code is PY
Template:Flag	PE
Template:Flag	PR
Template:Flag	PL
Template:Flag	PTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	RTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	SA	League of Nations mandate
Template:Flag	SHS
Template:Flag	SM
Template:Flag	ETemplate:Efn	lang}}
Template:Flag	STemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	CHTemplate:Efn
Syria and Lebanon	LSA	French League of Nations mandate
Template:Flag	TR
Template:Flag	SU	Russia had been a party to the 1909 convention.
Template:Flag	USTemplate:Efn
Template:Flag	U	Current code is ROU

Location

Since the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic entered into force on 21 May 1977, in signatory countries it replaces previous road traffic conventions, including the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, in accordance with its Article 48. According to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, the distinguishing sign of the country of registration must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. The sign may either be placed separately from the registration plate as a white oval plate or sticker, or be incorporated in the vehicle registration plate. When the distinguishing sign is incorporated in the registration plate, it must also appear on the front registration plate of the vehicle.

The requirement to display a separate distinguishing sign is not necessary within the European Economic Area, for vehicles with license plates in the common EU format, which satisfy the requirements of the Vienna Convention, and so are also valid in non-EU countries signatory to that convention.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Separate signs are also not needed for Canada, Mexico and the United States, where the province, state or district of registration is usually embossed or surface-printed on the vehicle registration plate.Template:Citation needed

Current codes

Code	Country	From	Previous code(s)	Notes
A	{{#invoke:flag	Austria}}	1911		lang}} in French
AFG	Template:AFG	1971		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
AL	{{#invoke:flag	Albania}}	1934		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
AND	{{#invoke:flag	Andorra}}	1957		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
AM	{{#invoke:flag	Armenia}}	1992	SU	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
AUS	Template:AUS	1954		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
AZ	Template:AZE	1993	SU	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
B	{{#invoke:flag	Belgium}}	1910
BD	Template:BGD	1978	PAK	Formerly East Pakistan
BDS	Template:BRB	1956
BF	Template:BFA	1990	RHV / HV	lang}} (Upper Volta)
BG	{{#invoke:flag	Bulgaria}}	1910	BUL	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
BH	Template:BLZ	1938		Formerly British Honduras. Still officially registered as BH as of June 2024. New driving licenses appear to have 'BZ' instead of 'BH' as Belize's code.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
BIH	{{#invoke:flag	Bosnia and Herzegovina}}	1992	SHS 1919–29 Y 1929–53 YU 1953–92	lang}} / Template:Native name. Formerly part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes Template:Native name, then part of Yugoslavia. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
BOL	Template:BOL	1967		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
BR	Template:BRA	1930		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
BRN	Template:BHR	1954
BRU	Template:BRN	1956
BS	Template:BHS	1950
BVI	Template:VGB	1910
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:BWA	2003	BP	Officially used by Botswana since 2003. Formerly RB (Republic of Botswana) until 2004; Bechuanaland Protectorate before 1966.
BY	{{#invoke:flag	Belarus}}	1992 (2004)	SU	Belarus; formerly part of the Soviet Union. The UN was officially notified of the change from SU to BY only in 2004.Template:Citation needed Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CAM	Template:CMR	1952	F & WAN	Formerly a territory of France, plus a strip of territory from eastern Nigeria (WAN). Unofficially using CMR on their plates.
CDN	Template:CAN	1956	CA	CDN for "Canada Dominion"Template:Citation needed
CGO	Template:COD	1997	CB, RCL, ZRE	Template:Langx, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, Congo (Kinshasa), {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, Template:Native name
CH	{{#invoke:flag	Switzerland}}	1911		Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CI	Template:CIV ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	1961	F	Formerly a territory of France. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CL	Template:LKA	1961		Formerly Ceylon. However, "SL" is being used on current driver licenses.
CO	Template:COL	1952		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CR	Template:CRI	1956		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CU<ref name=unece/>	Template:CUB	1930Template:Citation needed		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CY	{{#invoke:flag	Cyprus}}	1932		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
CZ	{{#invoke:flag	Czech Republic}}	1993	CS	lang}} (Czechoslovakia). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
D	{{#invoke:flag	Germany}}	1910		Template:Native name; also used until 1974 by Template:GDR, which then used DDR until German reunification in 1990
DK	{{#invoke:flag	Denmark}}	1914		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
DOM	Template:DOM	1952		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
DY	Template:BEN	1910	lang}}) − 1960	Dahomey (name until 1975). Uses RB unofficially ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
DZ	Template:DZA	1962	F − 1911	lang}} (Template:Langx); formerly part of France. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
E	{{#invoke:flag	Spain}}	1910		Template:Native name
EAK	Template:KEN	1938		East Africa Kenya
EAT	Template:TZA	1938	EAT & EAZ	East Africa Tanzania; formerly East Africa Tanganyika and East Africa Zanzibar
EAU	Template:UGA	1938		East Africa Uganda
EAZ	Template:Flag	1964		East Africa Zanzibar
EC	Template:ECU	1962	EQ	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:EGY	2024	ET 1927-2024	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
ER	Template:ERI	1993	AOI	Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
ES	Template:SLV	1978
EST	{{#invoke:flag	Estonia}}	1993	EW 1919–1940 & 1991–1993 SU 1940–1991	lang}} (Estonian; old style {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
ETH	Template:ETH	1964	AOI − 1941	Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
F	{{#invoke:flag	France}}	1910
FIN	{{#invoke:flag	Finland}}	1993	SF	lang}} / {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Finnish/Swedish). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
FJI	Template:FJI	1971		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
FL	{{#invoke:flag	Liechtenstein}}	1923		lang}} (German: 'Principality of Liechtenstein')
FO	Template:FRO	1996	FR	lang}}. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
G	Template:GAB	1974	ALEF − 1960	lang}}. Unofficially using RG on their license plates.
GBA	Template:Flag	1924	GB 1923-1924	(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Alderney
GBG	Template:GGY	1924	GB 1914-1924	(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Guernsey
GBJ	Template:JEY	1924	GB 1914-1924	(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Jersey
GBM	Template:IMN	1932		(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Isle of Man
GBZ	Template:GIB	1924	GB 1911-1924	(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Gibraltar (Z was assigned because G was already used for Guernsey)Template:Citation needed
GCA	Template:GTM	1956	G	Guatemala, Central America
GE	{{#invoke:flag	name=Georgia}}	1992	SU	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Older licence plates use "GEO" instead of "GE". Also used unofficially and illegally by Equatorial-Guinea (Template:Langx). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
GH	Template:GHA	1959	WAC − 1957	West Africa Gold Coast − 1957. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
GR	{{#invoke:flag	Greece}}	1913		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
GUY	Template:GUY	1972	BRG	Formerly British Guiana − 1966. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
H	{{#invoke:flag	}}	1910
HK	Template:HKG	1961		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HKJ	Template:JOR	1966	JOR	Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
HN	Template:HON	2018		Unofficial: no other code found for Honduras. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
HR	{{#invoke:flag	Croatia}}	1992	SHS 1919–29 Y 1929–53 YU 1953–92	Template:Native name. Formerly part of Yugoslavia. Immediately after Croatia's declaration of independence in 1991, it was common to see unofficial oval stickers with the letters "CRO". Despite the initial anticipation that Croatia's international vehicle registration code would be "CRO", Croatia opted for "HR" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) instead. SHS was for the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
I	{{#invoke:flag	Italy}}	1910
IL	Template:ISR	1952		lang}}) and Arabic ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
IND	{{#invoke:flag	India}}	1947	BI	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
IR	Template:IRN	1936	PR	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
IRL	{{#invoke:flag	Ireland}}	1992	GB − 1910–24 SE − 1924–38 EIR − 1938–62 EIR/IRL − 1962–92	lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
IRQ	Template:IRQ	1930		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
IRQ KR	Template:KUR	1991		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2
IS	{{#invoke:flag	Iceland}}	1936		Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
J	Template:JPN	1964
JA	Template:JAM	1932
KG	Template:KGZ	1992	SU − 1991	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. The Kyrgyz government notified the change from "KS" to "KG", which featured on the new car registration plates from March 2016, in August that year to the UN Secretary-General.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Additionally, most vehicles use "KGZ" oval stickers instead of "KS". Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:KHM	1956 (KHM)	K	Known as Kampuchea 1976–89. Formerly a territory of France. KH currently being used (Khmer) on driving licenses, which coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code. Change ratified from K (previously KHM) to KH in 2009 to the United Nations.<ref name="treaties.un.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KSA	Template:SAU	1973	SA	Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
KWT	Template:KWT	1954
KZ	Template:KAZ	1992	SU − 1991	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
L	{{#invoke:flag	Luxembourg}}	1911
LAO	Template:LAO	1959	F – 1949	Formerly a territory of France (French Indochina). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
LAR	Template:LBY	1972	I − 1949, LT	Libyan Arab Republic, unused, unofficial LY used instead.
LB	Template:LBR	1967
LS	Template:LSO	1967	BL	Basutoland − 1966. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
LT	{{#invoke:flag	Lithuania}}	1992	SU 1940–1991	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
LV	{{#invoke:flag	Latvia}}	1992	LR 1927–1940 SU 1940–1991	Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
M	{{#invoke:flag	Malta}}	1966	GBY 1924–66
MA	Template:MAR	1924		Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
MAL	Template:MYS	1967	PRK – 1957 FM 1954–57 PTM 1957–67	Formerly Perak, then Federated Malay States, then Template:Native name
MC	{{#invoke:flag	Monaco}}	1910		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
MD	{{#invoke:flag	Moldova}}	1992	SU − 1991	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
MEX	Template:MEX	1952		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
MNE	Template:MNE	2006	MN 1913–1919 SHS 1919–29 Y 1929–53 YU 1953–2003 SCG 2003–2006	Independent nation until 1918. After that, part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – Serbo-Croatian), then part of Yugoslavia and then Serbia and Montenegro ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – Serbian). Independence restored in 2006. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
MGL	Template:MGL	2002		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
MOC	Template:MOZ	1975	MOC: 1932–56 P: 1957–75	Formerly part of Portugal. Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
MS	Template:MUS	1938
MV	Template:MDV	1965		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
MW	Template:MWI	1965	EA 1932–38 NP – 1938–70 RNY option 1960–65	Formerly the Nyasaland Protectorate. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
MYA<ref name="ReferenceA">https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-19&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg3&clang=_en#20</ref>	Template:MMR	2019	BA, BUR	Previously known as Burma. Coincides with the former ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
N	{{#invoke:flag	Norway}}	1922
NAM	Template:NAM	1990	SWA	Formerly South West Africa. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
NAU	Template:NRU	1968
NEP	Template:NPL	1970
NIC	Template:NIC	1952		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
NL	{{#invoke:flag	Netherlands}}	1910		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
NMK	{{#invoke:flag	North Macedonia}}	2019	YU − 1992 MK 1992–2019	Formerly part of Yugoslavia. Known as Republic of Macedonia until 2019. Mix of English North and Macedonian {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.
NZ	Template:NZL	1958		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
OM	Template:OMN	?Template:Citation needed		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
P	{{#invoke:flag	Portugal}}	1910		Unofficially used for Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PA	Template:PAN	1952	PY 1924–1952	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
PE	Template:PER	1937		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
PK	Template:PAK	1947		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
PL	{{#invoke:flag	Poland}}	1921		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
PNG	Template:PNG	1978		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
PY	Template:PRY	1952	PA 1924–1952	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
Q	Template:QAT	1972
RA	Template:ARG	1927		Template:Native name
RC	Template:Flag	1932		Republic of China. Unofficially also used by car license plates in the Republic of Congo "République du Congo".
RCA	Template:CAF	1962		Template:Native name
RCB	Template:COG	1962		Template:Native name. Unofficially using RC on current plates.
RCH	Template:CHL	1930		Template:Native name
RG	Template:GIN	1972		Template:Native name. Also used unofficially by Gabon.
RH	Template:HTI	1952		Template:Native name
RI	Template:IDN	1955		Template:Native name
RIM	Template:MRT	1964		Template:Native name
RKS	File:Flag of Kosovo.svg Kosovo	2010	SHS 1919–29 Y 1929–53 YU 1953–2003 SCG 2003–2006 SRB 2006–2010	Republic of Kosovo
RL	Template:LBN	1952		Template:Native name
RM	Template:MDG	1962		Template:Native name
RMM	Template:MLI	1962	AOF − 1960	Template:Native name. Formerly part of French West Africa ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
RN	Template:NER	1977	AOF − 1960; 1960-1977 - NIG (?)	Template:Native name. Formerly part of French West Africa ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}). Still listed as NIG under the UN list.
RO	{{#invoke:flag	}}	1981	R - 1981	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
ROK	Template:ROK	1971		Republic of Korea. Unofficially using KOR on their plates.
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:URY	1981	U 1926-1981	Stands for República Oriental del Uruguay.
RP	Template:PHL	1975		lang}} (Republic of the Philippines)
RSM	{{#invoke:flag	San Marino}}	1932		Template:Native name
RU	Template:BDI	1960		Belgian territory of Ruanda-Urundi. Unofficially using BU on their plates.
RUS	{{#invoke:flag	}}	1992		Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
RWA	Template:RWA	1964	RU − 1962	Formerly part of Ruanda-Urundi − 1962. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
S	{{#invoke:flag	Sweden}}	1911
SD	Template:SWZ	1935		Formerly Swaziland
SGP	Template:SGP	1952		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
SK	{{#invoke:flag	Slovakia}}	1993	CS 1919–39,1945–92 SQ 1939–45	lang}} (Czechoslovakia). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	{{#invoke:flag	Slovenia}}	1992	SHS 1919–29 Y 1929–53 YU 1953–92	Formerly part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes Template:Native name, then part of Yugoslavia.
SME	Template:SUR	1936		Now displaying 'SUR' on current driving licenses.
SN	Template:SEN	1962		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
SO	Template:SOM	1974	SP	Formerly Somaliland Protectorate. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
SRB	Template:SRB	2006	SB – 1919 SHS 1919–29 Y 1929–53 YU 1953–2003 SCG 2003–2006	Formerly part of Kingdom of Serbia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – Serbian), Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – Serbo-Croatian), Yugoslavia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – Serbo-Croatian), and Serbia and Montenegro ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – Serbian). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
SUD	Template:SDN	1963
SY	Template:SYC	1938
SYR	Template:Flagdeco Syria	1952		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
T	Template:THA	1955	SM	Siam
TCH	Template:TCD	1973		Template:Native name
TG	Template:TGO	1973	RT	Formerly Template:Native name. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
TJ	Template:TJK	1992	SU − 1991	Formerly part of the Soviet Union, used code "PT" for {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} on plates from 1993 to 2003. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
TM	Template:TKM	1992	SU − 1991	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
TN	Template:TUN	1957	F − 1956	Formerly a territory of France. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code. Unofficial code TU is common.
TO	Template:TON	1995		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
TR	{{#invoke:flag	Turkey}}	1923		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
TT	Template:TTO	1964		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
UA	{{#invoke:flag	Ukraine}}	1992	SU	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
UAE	Template:ARE	1971
UK	REDIRECT Template:GBR	2021	GB (1910–2021)	Before 1922, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Until 2021, "GB" was used, but from 28 September 2021 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland changed its international vehicle registration code from "GB" to "UK". (This does not affect territories for which the United Kingdom controls international relations outside Great Britain and Northern Ireland.)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
USA	Template:USA	1952	US	Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code, used on registration plates for US Forces in Germany from 1962 until 2020, US now used by US Forces Germany since 2020. 'U' is currently used for registration plates for US Forces in Portugal (Lajes, Azores).
UZ	Template:UZB	1992	SU	Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
V	Template:VAT	1931		CV (Template:Langx) is used as a prefix on the licence plate number itself. The prefix used on official and government vehicles is SCV (Template:Langx)
VN	Template:VNM	1953		Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
WAG	Template:GMB	1932		West Africa Gambia
WAL	Template:SLE	1937		West Africa Sierra Leone; on local licence plates SLE is used
WAN	Template:NGA	1937		West Africa Nigeria
WD	Template:DMA	1954		Windward Islands Dominica
WG	Template:GRD	1932		Windward Islands Grenada
WL	Template:LCA	1932		Windward Islands Saint Lucia
WS	Template:WSM	1962		Formerly Western Samoa. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
WV	Template:VCT	1932		Windward Islands Saint Vincent
YAR	Template:YEM	1960		North Yemen formerly known as the Yemen Arab Republic.
YV	Template:VEN	1955
Z	Template:ZMB	1964Template:Citation needed	RNR	Formerly Northern Rhodesia. However, "ZM" is used on current driving licences.
ZA	Template:ZAF	1936		lang}} (from Dutch; in Afrikaans it is {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}). Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
ZW	Template:ZWE	1980	SR, RSR	Formerly Southern Rhodesia until 1965, Rhodesia unrecognised until 1980. Coincides with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.

Codes no longer in use

Code	Country	Used until	Replaced by	Notes
ADN	Template:Flagicon Aden	1990	Y	From 1938, also known as South Yemen, People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1967)
BA	Template:Flagicon Burma	1956	BUR	From 1937
BUR	Template:Flagicon Myanmar	2019	MYA	Change notified in 1982 and ratified in 2019.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
BP	Template:Flagicon Bechuanaland Protectorate	1966	BW	Now Botswana
CA	Template:Flag	1956	CDN
CS	Template:Flagicon Czechoslovakia	1992	CZ, SK	Split into Czech Republic and Slovakia. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
DA	Template:Flag, Free City of	1939	D (1939–1945) PL (since 1945)	Danzig (German for Gdańsk)
DDR	Template:Flagicon German Democratic Republic	1990	D	From 1974 (used D until 1974), Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
EIR	Template:Flagicon Éire	1992	IRL	Now {{#invoke:flag	Ireland}}
ET	Template:EGY	2024	EG	Ratified to the United Nations in 2024.
EW	{{#invoke:flag	Estonia}}	1993	EST	Eesti Vabariik (Estonian)
FR	Template:Flagicon Faroe Islands	1996	FO	Føroyar (Faroese)
GB	Template:Flagicon United Kingdom	2021	UK	Changed to UK to be inclusive of Northern Ireland (which is not part of Great Britain), though the previous GB did also apply to Northern Ireland. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
GBY	{{#invoke:flag	Malta}}	1966	M	Changed after independence from UK
GRO	Template:Flagicon Greenland	1910	KN	Grønland (Danish language) / Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenlandic language). Unofficial. The official code is DK.
HV	Template:Flagicon Upper Volta (Template:Langx), now Burkina Faso	1984	BF	Upper Volta. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
K	Template:Flag	2009	KH	Ratified by the United Nations as KH on 18 November 2009.<ref name="treaties.un.org"/>
KS	Template:Flag	1992–2016	KG	Ratified by the United Nations as KG in March 2016.
LR	Template:LAT	1927–1940	SU, LV	Latvijas Republika (Latvian)
MK	Template:Flagicon Republic of Macedonia	1992–2019	NMK	Became North Macedonia in 2019. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
NA	Template:ANT	1957		The Netherlands Antilles were dissolved in 2010.
NIG	Template:NIG	Template:Unknown	RN	Still listed as NIG under the UN list.<ref name="United Nations Treaty Collection"/>
PANG	Template:Flagicon Portuguese Angola	1956	P (1957-1975)	From 1932. Formerly part of Portugal
PI	Template:PHI	1973?	RP	Still listed as PI under the UN list.<ref name="United Nations Treaty Collection"/>
R	Template:Flagicon Romania	1981	RO
RNY	File:Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953–1963).svg Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland	1953–1963	NP, NR, SR	Now Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe
RNR	Template:ZAM	Template:Unknown	Z? ZM?	Formerly Rhodesia, although still listed as RNR under the UN list (as of May 2024).
RSR	File:Flag of Rhodesia (1964–1968).svg Southern Rhodesia	1965–1979	SR	Now Zimbabwe
RT	Template:TGO	1973	TG	République togolaise (French). Formerly French Togoland − 1960
SA	Template:Flagicon image Territory of the Saar Basin	1926–1935	D	League of Nations mandate, returned to Germany in 1935
SA	Template:Flag Protectorate	1947–1956	D	French Protectorate, now Saarland, Germany
SA	Template:Flag	Template:Unknown	KSA	The date of the change is unknown. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
SB	Template:Flagicon Serbia	1919	SHS	Serbia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
SCG	Template:Flagicon Serbia and Montenegro	2006	MNE, SRB	From Serbian name "Srbija i Crna Gora". Split into Montenegro and Serbia. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.
SE	Template:Flagicon Saorstát Éireann	1938	EIR (IRL from 1962)	Under GB until 1924. Name changed to Éire, now {{#invoke:flag	Ireland}}
SF	{{#invoke:flag	Finland}}	1993	FIN	SF from "Suomi – Finland" (the names of the country in its official languages, Finnish and Swedish)
SHS	Template:Flagicon Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes	1929	Y	Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca – Serbo-Croatian. The Kingdom changed its name to Yugoslavia
citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Flag country	1960	SO	Initialism of Somaliland Protectorate.
SU	Template:Flagicon Soviet Union	1991	EST, LT, LV, BY, MD, UA, TJ, TM, GE, KZ, UZ, KS, AZ, AM, RUS	Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
SWA	Template:Flagicon South West Africa	1990		Now Namibia
TS	Template:Flagicon Free Territory of Trieste	1947–1954		Territory Zone A (controlled by the United Kingdom and United States from 1947 to 1954 before given to Italy). Now in Italy, Croatia and Slovenia.
Y	Template:Flagicon Yugoslavia	1953	YU
YU	Template:Flagicon / Template:Flagicon Yugoslavia	1992	BIH, HR, NMK, MNE, RKS, SRB, SLO	Now Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, and Slovenia. MK for Macedonia was in use from 1993 until 2019. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
ZRE	Template:Flagicon Zaire	1997	CGO	Now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Coincided with ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code.

Unofficial codes

File:Qumran, Dead Sea, Palestine 39.jpg

Car with Palestinian license plate, bearing Latin letter "P" and Arabic letter Fāʼ.

File:Brittany country code sticker on motorbike.jpg

The unofficial code for Brittany, Bzh

There are unofficial codes in common use, such as "AS" for Asturias, "CAT" for Catalonia, "SCO" for Scotland, "CYM" for Wales (Welsh Cymru), "ENG" for England, "BZH" for Brittany (Breizh), "GRD" for Groland (a fictional/satirical 'presipality'), "FRL" for Friesland, "NB" for North Brabant, "VL" for Flanders (Vlaanderen), "TS" for Transylvania, "P" for Palestine, "PR" for Puerto Rico, "CSB" for Kashubia (Cassubia) and "SIC" for Székely Land (from Latin Terra Siculorum). Some of these, such as "VL" which is used by Flemish separatists, are used despite being specifically illegal under local laws.

In addition, in some areas, vehicle-style stickers have been used to denote and promote other entities, such as towns, islands, businesses, and even associations. These irregular stickers almost always bear an explanation of the code in small print near the edge of the sticker, as the codes used may be unfamiliar.

Diplomatic licence plate codes

A separate system is used for vehicles belonging to the diplomats of foreign countries with license plates from the host country. That system is host country-specific and varies largely from country to country. For example, TR on a diplomatic car in the USA indicates Italy, not Turkey. Such markings in other countries (e.g. Norway) are indicated with numbers only, again different from international standards (e.g. 90 means Slovakia in Norway).

See also

• Aircraft registration
• International Driving Permit
• ISO 3166
• Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
• Vehicle identification number

Further reading

• "RPW": Neil Parker; John Weeks, Registration Plates of the World, Europlate; 4th edition (2004).

External links

• Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles, UNECE
• Distinguishing Signs used on Vehicles in International Traffic Notified to the Secretary General of the United Nations, UNECE
• Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, United Nations Treaty Collection
• Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, United Nations Treaty Collection
• UN Economic Commission for Europe, Working Party on Road Transport (WP.11)
• Miscellaneous Proposals of Amendments to the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Identification of Approval Country in Marking, UN/SCETDG/33/INF.5 (table compares ISO 3166 and DSIT codes)
• Association Francoplaque: Collectionneurs de Plaques d'Immatriculation Template:Webarchive (data mostly from RPW, above)
• European Registration Plate Association: Registration Plates of the World Online (registration required; data mostly from RPW, above)