View source for European vehicle registration plate

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}

{{Multiple image
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| image1            = German-euroband.png
| image2            = Norwegian-band.png
| image3            = Non-EU-section-with-TR.svg
| image4            = UK Identifier Section with Union Flag.png
| caption1          = All EU countries issue registration plates in the common EU format. (D denotes Germany)
| caption2          = Some countries issue registration plates with a national flag or symbol. (N denotes Norway)
| caption3          = Some countries issue registration plates with no flag or symbol. (TR denotes Turkey)
| caption4          = Some countries issue registration plates with a different background colour to the common blue colour. (UK denotes United Kingdom)
| footer            = All of these registration plates satisfy the requirements for vehicles in cross-border traffic set in the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic as they display the [[international vehicle registration code]] for the country of registration incorporated into the vehicle registration plate.
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A [[vehicle registration plate]]<!-- DO NOT BOLD, see [[WP:SBE]] for further guidance -->, also known as a number plate<!-- DO NOT BOLD, see [[WP:SBE]] for further guidance --> ([[British English]]), license plate<!-- DO NOT BOLD, see [[WP:SBE]] for further guidance --> or licence plate<!-- DO NOT BOLD, see [[WP:SBE]] for further guidance --> ([[American English]] and [[Canadian English]] respectively), is a metal or plastic plate or plates attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing authority's database. In Europe most countries have adopted a format for registration plates that satisfies the requirements in the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]], which states that cross-border vehicles must display a distinguishing code for the country of registration on the rear of the vehicle. This sign may be an oval sticker placed separately from the registration plate, or may be incorporated into the plate. When the distinguishing sign is incorporated into the registration plate, it must also appear on the front plate of the vehicle, and may be supplemented with the flag or emblem of the national state, or the emblem of the regional economic integration organisation to which the country belongs.<ref name="international-driving-permit.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.international-driving-permit.com/Convention-on-Road-Traffic/8-November-1968/EN/Annexex/Annex-3-Distinguishing-Sign-of-Motor-Vehicles-and-Trailers-to-International-Traffic.aspx |title=Annexes- Distinguishing Sign of Motor Vehicles and Trailers to International Traffic- Convention on Road Traffic on 8 November 1968}}</ref> An example of such format is the common EU format, with the [[Flag of Europe|EU flag]] above the [[List of international license plate codes|country code]] issued in [[Member state of the European Union|EU member states]].

==Format==
The vast majority of European countries issue registration plates that are:
* {{convert|520 by 110|mm|in|abbr=in}}
* {{convert|520 by 120|mm|in|abbr=in}}

This is one of the basic standard sizes worldwide.

The others are:
* {{convert|305 by 152|mm|in|abbr=in}}, commonly issued to [[Grey import vehicle|import vehicles]] from North and Central America
* {{convert|305 by 160|mm|in|abbr=in}}
* {{convert|372 by 135|mm|in|abbr=in}}

Some European countries use registration plates in other formats:
* {{convert|330 by 140|mm|in|abbr=in}} in [[Andorra]]
* {{convert|440 by 120|mm|in|abbr=in}} in [[Finland]]
* {{convert|260 by 110|mm|in|abbr=in}} in [[Monaco]]
* {{convert|390 by 120|mm|in|abbr=in}} in [[San Marino]]
* {{convert|300 by 80|mm|in|abbr=in}} in [[Switzerland]] and [[Liechtenstein]] (only front plates)
* {{convert|360 by 110|mm|in|abbr=in}} in Italy (only front plates)
* {{convert|390 by 130|mm|in|abbr=in}} and {{convert|345 by 130|mm|in|abbr=in}} in [[Åland]]

=== European Union ===
The common EU format of having a blue section on the extreme left with EU [[circle of stars]] and the [[List of international vehicle registration codes|country code]] was introduced by Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98 of 3 November 1998<ref name="EL">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31998R2411:EN:NOT|title=EUR-Lex - 31998R2411 - EN - EUR-Lex |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> and entered into force on 11 November 1998. It was based on a model registration plate which three member states had already introduced: Ireland (1991),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1990/en/si/0287.html |title=S.I. No. 287/1990 - Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1990.|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> [[Portugal]] (1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/EU_PORT.html |title=License Plates of Portugal|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> and Germany (1994).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/EU_D6XX.html |title=License Plates of Germany|access-date=26 May 2016|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213201150/http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/EU_D6XX.html |archive-date=13 February 2007}}</ref> [[Luxembourg]] plates had displayed the EU flag on the left since 1988. Vehicles with registration plates in the EU format do not need to display the [[International vehicle registration code|white oval international vehicle registration code]] while within the [[European Economic Area]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=EUR-Lex - 22000D1123(10) - EN|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:22000D1123(10)&from=en |access-date=12 March 2021 |website=Official Journal L&nbsp;296, 23 November 2000, [.&nbsp;0045-0045 |language=EN}}</ref> or in countries party to the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]] (except if the plate is issued in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Spain).<ref name="CR">{{cite web |title=Convention on Road Traffic, of 8 November 1968 (2006 consolidated version), Annex&nbsp;3 |url=http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/conventn/Conv_road_traffic_EN.pdf |date=3 September 1993 |quote=When the distinguishing sign is incorporated into the registration plate(s), the following conditions shall apply: [...] When, in addition to the distinguishing sign, a non-numerical symbol and/or a flag and/or a regional or local emblem is displayed on the registration plate, the distinguishing sign of the State of registration shall obligatorily be placed on the far left of the plate}}</ref>

* The common design consists of a blue strip on the left side of the plate. This blue strip has the [[Flag of Europe|EU flag]] symbol (twelve yellow stars), along with the [[List of international license plate codes|country code]] of the member state in which the vehicle is registered. All EU countries now issue plates in the common format, but the use of the EU flag on registration plates is optional for member states.
* EU member states that require foreign vehicles to display a distinguishing sign of the country of origin are obliged by Article&nbsp;3 of EC&nbsp;2411/98 to accept the standard design as a distinguishing sign when displayed on a vehicle registered in another member state. The requirement to display a distinguishing sign stems from the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, and the regulation is referencing the recognition of distinguishing signs according to that convention.<ref name="EL" />
* EU format plates are either white or yellow, on a plate wider than it is tall. Yellow registration plates are used both front and rear in [[Luxembourg]] and the [[Netherlands]]. [[Denmark]] and [[Hungary]] use yellow plates for vehicles registered as commercial vehicles. [[Denmark]] implemented the EU format in 2009, as the last EU country.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anders |last=Berner |date=2009-09-04 |title=Er du klar til EU-nummerplader? |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/biler/bil_nyheder/article4206471.ece |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=ekstrabladet.dk |language=da}}</ref><ref>[http://www.skat.dk/SKAT.aspx?oId=1815328&vId=0 Indførelse af danske EU nummerplader i oktober 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801012438/http://www.skat.dk/SKAT.aspx?oId=1815328&vId=0 |date=1 August 2014 }} (in Danish)</ref> Danish plates have a small holographic strip to the right of the blue EU strip. In [[Greece]], [[Cyprus]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]] and [[Sweden]] yellow plates are used for taxi vehicles. In Poland yellow plates are used for historic vehicles.
* [[Belgium]] uses red characters and is the only country not to use the standard black-on-white or black-on-yellow combination; with the introduction of European-style plates in November 2010, a slightly darker shade of red was chosen ([[List of RAL colors#Red|RAL&nbsp;3003]]) to improve legibility.
* Most European countries use metal plates, however France and Ireland use a mixture of flat plastic and metal plates. Flat plastic plates have earlier also been used in Sweden.
* Several European countries have introduced special registration plates for [[Electric vehicle|electric vehicles]], such as [[Hungary]] which issues plates with a green background;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=Hungary to strip PHEVs of its green number plates - electrive.com |url=https://www.electrive.com/2024/08/05/hungary-to-strip-phevs-of-its-green-number-plates/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.electrive.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Germany]] which adds an "E" identifier to standard plates;<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-license Plate in Germany |url=https://www.cardino.de/en/blog-posts/e-license-plate-in-germany |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.cardino.de |language=en}}</ref> [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] which has introduced green stripe to the right-hand side of registration plates;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green ‘flash’ registration plates for motorists on Irish roads with zero-emission vehicles |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2024/11/04/green-flash-registration-plates-for-motorists-with-zero-emission-vehicles/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>, and [[Romania]], which uses green lettering. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-02 |title=Romania to introduce green number plates for electric cars |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-green-plates-electric-cars |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Romania Insider |language=en}}</ref> Since late 2015 [[Latvia]] uses number plates with blue lettering on white background to identify zero-emission (fully electric or hydrogen-electric hybrid) vehicles. <ref>https://likumi.lv/ta/id/222145-transportlidzeklu-registracijas-noteikumi</ref><ref>https://www.olavsplates.com/latvia2.html</ref>  Other countries such as the [[Netherlands]] and [[Sweden]] make no special distinctions for electric vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bilder och mått på registreringsskyltar - Transportstyrelsen |url=https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/vagtrafik/fordon/aga-kopa-eller-salja-fordon/registreringsskyltar/bilder-och-matt-pa-registreringsskyltar/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.transportstyrelsen.se |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Soorten kentekenplaten |url=https://www.rdw.nl/particulier/voertuigen/auto/de-kentekenplaat/soorten-kentekenplaten |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.rdw.nl |language=nl}}</ref>

=== Other countries ===
Several non-EU European states have implemented formats similar to the EU format, with national flags or symbols in place of the circle of stars, plus the country code. Vehicles with such registration plates, issued in countries party to the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]], do not need to display the [[International vehicle registration code|white oval international vehicle registration code]] while within countries signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.<ref name="CR" />

* [[Vehicle registration plates of Norway|Norway]] is an example of such a state, issuing registration plates with the country code (N) Norwegian flag replacing the circle of stars. In Norway, regular plates are white with black characters; however, cars with front seats only (used for carrying goods) have green plates with black characters. Norwegian registration plates are made of metal, but flat plastic has also been used for earlier plates. [[Ukraine]] issues plates similar to the Norwegian ones, with the Ukrainian flag above the country code (UA). [[Moldova]]n registration plates have a wider than usual blue band with the Moldovan flag and the international country code (MD). [[Albania]]n registration plates are also similar to those of Norway and Ukraine, but they have the [[coat of arms of Albania]] above the country code (AL).
* [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (BIH) issues plates with a blue strip on the left side of the plate with the country code, but without the any flag or symbol. The same design is used on registration plates in [[Vehicle registration plates of Turkey|Turkey]] (TR) (which is in a customs union with the EU), [[Montenegro]] (MNE), [[North Macedonia]] (NMK) and [[Serbia]] (SRB).
* [[Belarus]] issues registration plates with the national flag above the country code on the left side, but without the blue strip. [[Vehicle registration plates of Iceland|Iceland]] issues plates similar to the Belarusian plates, with the Icelandic flag above the country code&nbsp;IS on the left side. Iceland, however, is not party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. 
* [[Andorra]] and [[Monaco]] use registration plates with their coat of arms above the respective country codes (AND and MC). [[San Marino]] issues similar plates but with the text "Repubblica di San Marino" underneath the coat of arms, instead of the country code&nbsp;RSM.
* Of those states that joined in the [[2004 enlargement of the European Union]] Malta already used EU format plates, while Latvia, Poland and Lithuania had used plates displaying the [[national flag]] before their accession, as did [[Vehicle registration plates of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] and [[Vehicle registration plates of Romania|Romania]] before their [[2007 enlargement of the European Union|accession in 2007]].
* [[United Kingdom]] vehicles must have a white front registration plate and a yellow rear registration plate. These must be made made from a reflective material, commonly plastic but metal is permitted.<ref name="RT" />  Post-2021 Regulations (Following [[Brexit]]): On 28 September 2021, the UK government changed the international vehicle code from "GB" to "UK" and notified the United Nations of this update,<ref name="GB">{{cite web |date=29 September 2021 |title=GB number plate sticker no longer valid abroad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58734265 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> effectively making all "GB" plates with the European circle of stars invalid for use abroad.<ref name="GB" /> Since 2021, plates with the European circle of stars must not be issued. Plates valid for international travel under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic must feature either the distinguishing code "UK" (in black or blue) or the Union Flag (landscape) alongside "UK." A green stripe on left-hand side of the plate is permissible for a zero-emission vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green number plates UK: Everything you need to know 2025 {{!}} AutoTrader |url=https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/green-number-plates |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.autotrader.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> In [[England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]], registration plates may include one of the following flags with identifying letters on the left-hand side:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Displaying number plates |url=https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/flags-identifiers-and-stickers |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
** The [[Flag of England|English flag]] may be accompanied by "ENG," "Eng," "ENGLAND," or "England."
** The [[Flag of Scotland|Scottish flag]] may be accompanied by "SCO," "Sco," "SCOTLAND," or "Scotland."
** The [[Flag of Wales|Welsh flag]] may be accompanied by "CYM," "Cym," "CYMRU," "Cymru," "WALES," or "Wales."
** The [[Union Jack|Union Flag]] may be displayed with "GB," "GREAT BRITAIN," "Great Britain," "UK," "UNITED KINGDOM," or "United Kingdom."<br>If a national flag is displayed, a "UK" sticker must be affixed to the rear when driving abroad.<ref name="Displaying number plates" /> Motorists in [[Northern Ireland]] are not permitted to display the letters "NI" alongside any flag. Only the Union Flag with the "UK" code is optionally allowed.
** [[Gibraltar]] uses plates similar to the EU format, but without a flag or symbol, only the code GBZ. They used the EU flag before Brexit. As in the UK, yellow plates at the rear and white at the front.
** The [[Crown dependencies]] of [[Bailiwick of Guernsey|Guernsey, including Alderney]] and [[Jersey]] and the [[Isle of Man]] have registration plates that are different from those used in the UK. [[Guernsey]] plates sometimes contain the letters GBG below the Guernsey flag on the left side, [[Alderney]] plates may have GBA below an Alderney flag. [[Jersey]] registration plates may incorporate the [[coat of arms of Jersey]] in a white strip on the left, along with the country identifier GBJ, and since 2004 Manx plates may incorporate the Manx flag and the international country identification code GBM.
* [[Switzerland]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[San Marino]] and [[Vatican City]] do not have the country code included on their vehicles’ plates, so vehicles registered in those countries need to have an oval sticker with the country code attached on the rear. The same rule applies to old, pre-EU plates in other European countries, which often do not include a country code.

===Common letter and digit systems between countries===
Several countries have made efforts to avoid duplicating registration numbers used by other countries. This is not completely successful and there are occasional difficulties in connection with parking fines and automatic speed cameras.

* Cyprus (from 90s), Finland, Lithuania, [[Malta]], and Moldova (since 2014) each use combinations of first three letters and then three digits, <code>AAA&nbsp;000</code>. The same format was used in Belgium (until 2010), Hungary (until 2022), Georgia (until 2015), and Sweden (until 2019, now <code>AAA&nbsp;00A</code>).<ref>[https://matriculasdelmundo.com/dedonde.php Information about the positions of characters in plates] (in Spanish)</ref>
* Bulgaria uses plate numbers in the form <code>A[A]&nbsp;0000&nbsp;AA</code>, i.e. one or two letters representing the region, then four digits, then two more letters. All letters used are intersection of Latin and Cyrillic alphabet, i.e. A, B, C, E, H, K, M, O, P, T, X and Y. The same format is in use in Ukraine since 2004 and North Macedonia; it was also used in France until 2009 and in Spain until 2000 (but still valid, called "sistema provincial").
* Estonia uses a combination of three digits followed by three letters, in the format <code>000 AAA</code>. Spain uses a similar four number-three letter combination, in the form of <code>0000 BBB</code> (vowels and some possibly confusing consonants, like Ñ and Q, are not used)
* France (since 2009), Albania, Italy and Slovakia (since 2023) use a combination of three digits and four letters, in the format <code>AA 000 AA</code> (French plates also include hyphens), while Hungary uses a similar format (<code>AA AA-000</code>) since 2022.
* Greece uses a combination of three letters (before only two) that are [[homoglyph]]s of Latin letters, i.e. A, B, E, Z, H, I, K, M, N, O, P, T, Y, X in Greek alphabetic order) and four digits, in the form of <code>AAA-0000</code>, while Latvia uses a similar format with two letters and four digits (<code>AA-0000</code>).
* Denmark and Norway use two letters and five digits (<code>AB&nbsp;12345</code>), while trailers use two letters and four digits. The plates look very similar, but Denmark has a red border around the plate. Use of the country code on the plate may mitigate this problem (Norway began using the system on 1 November 2006). Denmark has begun running out of combinations in this style and has now introduced combinations previously reserved for the Faroe Islands for EU style registration plates (which will use different letters from non-EU style plates). [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Vatican City]] use the same format, but with fixed letter combinations — FL ({{lang|de|Fürstentum Liechtenstein}}) and CV ({{lang|it| Città del Vaticano}}). Liechtenstein is also the only country in Europe to issue standard registration plates with a black background and white characters.
* The Netherlands (until 2008) and Portugal both use three groups of two characters (letters or numbers) in several sequences: <code>AB-12-CD</code>, <code>12-34-AB</code>, <code>12-AB-34</code>, <code>AB-12-34</code>, etc. However, Portuguese plates since 90s have a white background, while those of Netherlands (after 1 January 1978) have a yellow one, though both countries also use white letters on blue plates for [[classic car]]s. Furthermore, newer plates on Dutch vehicles only contain consonants, to avoid coincidental abbreviations or words. Also some sensitive letter combinations, such as [[Schutzstaffel|SS]] or [[Sicherheitsdienst|SD]], are not used. The combination 'AA' is reserved for cars of the royal family. Dutch company registered bus, truck and/or minivan plates always start with a <code>B</code> or a <code>V</code>. Dutch taxis use blue registration plates. The number of new combinations ran out in 2008. New registered cars in the Netherlands now use the format of three letters-two digits-one letter (<code>ABC-12-D</code>).
* Belgium used the sequence <code>ABC-123</code> between 1973 and 2008. When these combinations ran out in 2008, the inverse sequence <code>123-ABC</code> was adopted, with the first plate in the new series issued on 25 June 2008. With the introduction of the EU format registration plates on 15 November 2010, a seven-character combination <code>1-ABC-234</code> is used and the previous <code>123-ABC</code> was discontinued. However, the six-character plates will remain valid, and no date is set for their expiration. Since Belgian plates are linked to an owner rather than to a vehicle, these older plates are likely to remain in use for a considerable time. As a way to phase out the six-character plates, future vehicle subscriptions will only be possible on the seven-character plates. Private numbers, not following any notation, are also allowed.
* Luxembourg standard registration plates use two letters and four digits, similar to those of Latvia (<code>AB&nbsp;1234</code>). Plates with 5&nbsp;digits (<code>12345</code>) and 4&nbsp;digits (<code>1234</code>) are also issued upon request. Older series with two letters and three digits (<code>AB&nbsp;123</code>), and one letter and 4&nbsp;digits (<code>A&nbsp;1234</code>) are no longer issued but are still in use. Special plates for diplomats, the government, the grand-ducal family, military vehicles and temporary registrations exist and follow [[Vehicle registration plates of Luxembourg|specific rules]]. Two letters and three digits (<code>AB&nbsp;123</code>) is also used in Northern Cyprus, and until 1973 it was used on the entire island of Cyprus.
* Current registrations allocated in [[Romania]] and the United Kingdom (where the registration contains two digits) are both of the form <code>AB&nbsp;12&nbsp;CDE</code>. The Romanian rear plates are white whereas UK ones are yellow. There is also a difference in the spacing and the font. In 2010, Bucharest, the capital of Romania, adopted the form <code>B&nbsp;123&nbsp;AAA</code>, three digits and three letters, because the number of cars had risen. In the United Kingdom, <code>B&nbsp;123&nbsp;AAA</code> was issued to cars registered from August 1984 to August 1985. Aside from this, some county codes can clash (MH, in Romania it stands for [[Mehedinți]], and in the United Kingdom, it stands for [[Manchester]]).
* Until 1973/74 the Swedish pattern was one letter representing the ''[[län]]'' (county) where the car was first registered, followed by four or five digits. However, in the more populated län, a second letter was introduced over time. For example, vehicles from southernmost county got the letter M + five digits, later also MA + five digits, MB + five digits etc. A problem was that the two northernmost counties had already been given two letters, the letter prefixes AC and BD, as the number of counties exceeded the number of usable letters. This system gave similar numbers as Denmark and Norway. The <code>ABC&nbsp;123</code> system was introduced gradually from July 1973 until June 1974. All vehicles had to switch plates, the old were not permitted after this.
* [[Serbia]], [[Slovenia]] and [[Croatia]] use <code>MM&nbsp;000-AA</code>, where MM stands for a city or a municipality. Additionally, Croatia and Serbia issue plates with four digits (<code>MM&nbsp;0000-AA</code>) in large cities such as [[Zagreb]] and [[Belgrade]], while Croatia also uses <code>MM&nbsp;0000-A</code>. All three countries use the national coat of arms after the municipality code. Croatia uses only [[Gaj's Latin alphabet|Croatian Latin]] letters without diacritics, (except for city codes, like ČK for [[Čakovec]]), while Serbia uses Latin characters for municipality codes and dubs Cyrillic characters in a smaller font. Slovakia also used this format until 2023, while [[Montenegro]] uses a reverse format,  <code>MM&nbsp;AA 000</code>
* [[Montenegro]] and [[Serbia]], not members of the EU, used the following: <code>MM&nbsp;12-34</code>, <code>MM&nbsp;123-45</code> or <code>MM&nbsp;123-456</code> (MM being two letter abbreviation of [[Serbia and Montenegro#Administrative divisions|municipality]]), and having state flag (of [[FR Yugoslavia|former Yugoslavia]], later [[Serbia and Montenegro]]) between municipality and numbers. Montenegro left that system in 2007, and introduced new format: <code>MM&nbsp;AB&nbsp;123</code> with [[Coat of arms of Montenegro|Montenegrin coat of arms]] in circular shape between municipality and letter sequence. Blue strip with MNE country code is placed in the left side, with vacant place for EU stars, in case of joining the Union. Serbia also uses new system since 2011, with blue strip country code SRB: <code>MM&nbsp;123-AB</code> and <code>MM&nbsp;1234-AB</code>, with [[Coat of arms of Serbia|Serbian coat of arms]] between municipality and number sequence. The first two letters on the Serbian plates represent the municipality code, written in Latin letters, and repeated in Cyrillic characters with small letters under the coat of arms. The following system is used for taxi vehicles:<code>BG&nbsp;123&nbsp;TX</code> or <code>BG&nbsp;1234&nbsp;TX</code> and recently even <code>BG&nbsp;12345&nbsp;TX</code>, where a TX combination is reserved for this purpose only (another taxi vehicles have private vehicle plates). Since 2017, Serbia stopped issuing plates with last two letters containing W, Q, Y, X (except TX), Č, Ć, Š, Ž, and Đ, however Serbian Latin letters with diacritics are still used to mark the municipality code, like ČA for [[Čačak]] or ŠA for [[Šabac]].
* Poland and the United Kingdom have both used <code>AAA&nbsp;123A</code>. In Poland these were issued from 1976 to 2000, in the UK, they were issued from 1963 to 1983, with those issued prior to 1973 being the same colour as their Polish counterparts (white on black). While in United Kingdom black plates are still valid, Polish black registration plates lost their validity after 2023. {{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===Differing numbering systems===
Individual European countries use differing numbering schemes and text [[font]]s:
* Most countries, including [[Austria]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Croatia]], the [[Czech Republic]], Germany, [[Greece]], Ireland, [[Montenegro]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Norway]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], [[Serbia]], [[Slovenia]] and [[Switzerland]] (formerly also Sweden until 1974, Italy until 1994, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] until 1998, Spain until 2000, [[Estonia]] and [[Lithuania]] until 2004, [[Albania]] until 2011 and [[Slovakia]] until 2023, also former countries [[East Germany]] until 1990, [[Soviet Union]] until 1991, [[Czechoslovakia]] until 1993, [[Yugoslavia]] until 1998 and [[Serbia and Montenegro]] until 2011), have systems in which there is a direct link between a letter or letters appearing on the plate and the town or district where the plate was issued (e.g. ''"B"'' and ''"M"'' in Germany for [[Berlin]] and [[Munich]], ''"BG"'' and ''"KG"'' in Serbia for [[Belgrade]] and [[Kragujevac]] and "''AX''" and "''KY''" in Greece for [[Achaea]] and [[Corfu]]). Some countries, including Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Switzerland, even include a regional or municipal coat of arms on the plate, but Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Lithuania (from November 2023) include a national coat of arms. In Ireland, all registration plates have the name of the county of registration in Irish in smaller letters on the top.
* France (until 2009), and Turkey and Russia (since October 2013) use a system with an indirect number relation to the car's place of registration. Formerly in France, the last two characters on a plate comprised the [[Departments of France#Current departments|departmental code]] of registration. This pattern was discontinued, but in response to popular outcry, France added a second colour bar, on the right edge of the plate, where the departmental code (no longer a part of the registration number) appears. The Turkish system has since (around early 2018) been overridden by most provinces giving out three letter-three number codes (99&nbsp;XXX&nbsp;000) in alphabetical order, regardless of province subdivisions.
* The United Kingdom uses a [[Vehicle registration plates of the United Kingdom|system]] based on the region where the car was first registered and the date of registration, for example CA52&nbsp;GJK, where the "''C''" stands for [[Wales]] (the name of that country in [[Welsh language|Welsh]] being [[Cymru]]), the "''A''" stands for [[Cardiff]] (the letters A-O assigned to the city), and the "''52''" means that the car was registered in the period September 2002 to February 2003.
* [[Belgium]], Bosnia and Herzegovina, [[Denmark]], [[Iceland]], Estonia (after 2004), [[Finland]], [[Hungary]], [[Latvia]], Lithuania (after 2004), [[Luxembourg]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Portugal]], [[Slovakia]] (after 2023) and Sweden (after 1974) use plates that do not denote the location where the car is registered. Since 2000 Spain no longer uses province codes on plates but codes like 'B' for [[Barcelona]] or 'M' for [[Madrid]] can still be seen, for cars registered before that date. Italy, also, did not use the province codes on plates between 1994 and 1999.
* Italy, since 1999, has added a blue strip on either side. On the right one are the two digits of the year when the plate was issued (e.g. "99", "05", "08") and below that there may be an optional two-letter code for the province, such as "MO" for the [[Province of Modena]]. Albania and France have adopted similar formats.
* Portuguese registration plates since late 1998 have a yellow strip on the right side, with one number at the top and another at the bottom separated by a line, respectively the year and month of the vehicle's registration. This strip was discontinued for the new registration plates issued since March 2020.
* Irish registration plates also contain the year in which the vehicle was registered. A car registered in 2008 would have the format 08-XX-XXXX. In 2013, this was updated to specify which half of the year the registration occurred. So from January to June, the registration plate would show (for 2018) 181-XX-XXXX, whereas from July to December, the plate instead shows 182-XX-XXXX.
* [[Vehicle registration plates of Turkey|Turkish registration plates]] consist of letters and digits in combinations of 99&nbsp;AB&nbsp;999, 99&nbsp;A&nbsp;9999, 99&nbsp;ABC&nbsp;99, 99&nbsp;AB&nbsp;9999 or 99&nbsp;A&nbsp;99999 where the first two digits show which province the vehicle is registered from. First two digits numbers go from 01 to 81 (as there are 81&nbsp;[[Provinces of Turkey|provinces in Turkey]]) and each one is assigned to a province with alphabetical order e.g. 01 is the code of the province [[Adana Province|Adana]] or 34 is the code of the province [[Istanbul Province|Istanbul]]. All 81&nbsp;provinces used to use "01&nbsp;AB&nbsp;123" style plates initially until all combinations ran out, then the province starts to use 01&nbsp;A&nbsp;1234 then 01&nbsp;ABC&nbsp;12 etc. As a result, three largest provinces i.e. Istanbul, [[Ankara Province|Ankara]] and [[İzmir Province|İzmir]] are currently issuing 99&nbsp;ABC&nbsp;999 style plates. 99&nbsp;A&nbsp;99999 series are not regular since they are only used in provinces where commercial vehicles are abundant e.g. Bursa to distinguish these vehicles there from passenger cars. Letters "I" and "O" are only used in the middle 01&nbsp;ABC&nbsp;12 series e.g. 34&nbsp;YOC&nbsp;34 or 06&nbsp;TIL&nbsp;56 to avoid confusion with numerals "1" and "0" respectively. As an exception to this rule, there is a "HO" series that is only granted to privately operated city buses (''halk otobüsleri'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]). Also some letters combinations like "PKK" are not issued due to their referring to political organisations or words likely to cause offence.

=== Angle and height ===
The plate must be at +/-5° to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle. Lower edge must be higher than 0.3m and upper edge lower than 1.2m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rear registration plates on motor vehicles {{!}} EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/rear-registration-plates-on-motor-vehicles.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

==Cross-border traffic==
According to the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]], vehicles in cross-border traffic are obliged to display a [[International vehicle registration code|distinguishing sign of the country of registration]] on the rear of the vehicle. This sign may either be placed separately from the registration plate or, after the convention was amended in 2006, may be incorporated into the vehicle registration plate. One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries to recognise the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries. The following requirements must be met when driving outside the country of registration:
* The physical requirements for the separate sign are defined in Annex&nbsp;3 of the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]], which states that the letters shall be in black on a white background having the shape of an ellipse with the major axis horizontal. The distinguishing sign should not be affixed in such a way that it could be confused with the registration number or impair its legibility.
* When the distinguishing sign is incorporated into the registration plate, it must also appear on the front registration plate of the vehicle, and may be supplemented with the flag or emblem of the national state, or the emblem of the regional economic integration organisation to which the country belongs. The distinguishing sign should be displayed on the far left or far right on the registration plate. When a symbol/flag/emblem is also displayed, the distinguishing sign shall obligatory be placed on the far left on the plate. The distinguishing sign shall be positioned so to be easy identifiable and so that it cannot be confused with the registration number or impair its legibility. The distinguishing sign shall therefore be at least a different colour from the registration number, or have a different background colour to that reserved for the registration number, or be clearly separated from the registration number, preferably with a line.<ref name="international-driving-permit.com" />

The common EU format of having a blue section on the extreme left with EU circle of stars and the country code was introduced by Council Regulation (EC) No&nbsp;2411/98 of 3 November 1998 and entered into force on 11 November 1998. According to Article&nbsp;3 of the regulation shall member states that require vehicles registered in another member state to display a distinguishing registration sign also recognise distinguishing signs issued in accordance with the regulation (the common EU format).<ref name="EL" /> After the amendment of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic in 2006, registration plates issued in the common EU format also satisfies the requirements of the named convention and hence is also valid in all countries party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (if the issuing country is party to the convention).

Mopeds are exempt, and do not need to wear a distinguishing sign. If their country does not require a license plate, then the vehicle can cross borders without a license plate as well. Example: Swedish moped class II or the German insurance plate, which isn't an official license plate and only shows that insurance has been paid.

After [[Brexit]] the [[European Commission]] confirmed that British cars with registration plates with the distinguishing sign incorporated do not need a separate sign when driving in EU countries party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. If the registration plate does not include the distinguishing sign, or if the vehicle is driven in an EU country not party to the Vienna Convention, a separate sign has to be displayed at the rear of the vehicle. All EU countries except Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Spain are party to the convention.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/travelling_en_2.pdf#page10 |title=Notice on Travelling Between the EU and the United Kingdom Following Withdrawal of the United Kingdom From the EU}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ The following European countries are required to recognise the registration plate of other European countries, satisfying the requirements set out in the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, as an international vehicle registration code
|-
! !! {{collapsible list
| title =<br />Registration plate in the common EU format issued in EU countries signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic|{{Flag|Austria}}|{{Flag|Belgium}}|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}|{{Flag|Croatia}}
| 6 = {{Flag|Czech Republic}}
| 7 = {{Flag|Denmark}}
| 8 = {{Flag|Estonia}}
| 9 = {{Flag|Finland}}
| 10 = {{Flag|France}}
| 11 = {{Flag|Germany}}
| 12 = {{Flag|Greece}}
| 13 = {{Flag|Hungary}}
| 15 = {{Flag|Italy}}
| 16 = {{Flag|Latvia}}
| 17 = {{Flag|Lithuania}}
| 18 = {{Flag|Luxembourg}}
| 20 = {{Flag|Netherlands}}
| 21 = {{Flag|Poland}}
| 22 = {{Flag|Portugal}}
| 23 = {{Flag|Romania}}
| 24 = {{Flag|Slovakia}}
| 25 = {{Flag|Slovenia}}
| 27 = {{Flag|Sweden}}
}}
!{{collapsible list
| title =<br />Registration plate in the common EU format issued in EU countries not signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
|{{Flag|Cyprus}}
|{{Flag|Ireland}}
|{{Flag|Malta}}
|{{Flag|Spain}}}}
!{{collapsible list
| title =<br />Registration plates issued in European countries signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
|{{Flag|Albania}}
|{{Flag|Armenia}}
|{{Flag|Austria}}
|{{Flag|Azerbaijan}}
|{{Flag|Belarus}}
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|{{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}
|{{Flag|Croatia}}
|{{Flag|Czech Republic}}
|{{Flag|Denmark}}
|{{Flag|Estonia}}
|{{Flag|Finland}}
|{{Flag|France}}
|{{Flag|Georgia}}
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|{{Flag|Greece}}
|{{Flag|Hungary}}
|{{Flag|Italy}}
|{{Flag|Kazakhstan}}
|{{Flag|Latvia}}
|{{Flag|Liechtenstein}}
|{{Flag|Lithuania}}
|{{Flag|Luxembourg}}
|{{Flag|Moldova}}
|{{Flag|Monaco}}
|{{Flag|Montenegro}}
|{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}
|{{Flag|Norway}}
|{{Flag|Poland}}
|{{Flag|Portugal}}
|{{Flag|Romania}}
|{{Flag|Russia}}
|{{Flag|San Marino}}
|{{Flag|Serbia}}
|{{Flag|Slovakia}}
|{{Flag|Slovenia}}
|{{Flag|Sweden}}
|{{Flag|Switzerland}}
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
|{{Flag|Ukraine}}
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
}}
|-
| {{collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
| title =<br />Member states of the European Economic Area (EEA)|{{Flag|Austria}}|{{Flag|Belgium}}|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}|{{Flag|Croatia}}|{{Flag|Cyprus}}|{{Flag|Czech Republic}}|{{Flag|Denmark}}|{{Flag|Estonia}}|{{Flag|Finland}}|{{Flag|France}}|{{Flag|Germany}}|{{Flag|Greece}}|{{Flag|Hungary}}|{{Flag|Iceland}}|{{Flag|Ireland}}|{{Flag|Italy}}|{{Flag|Latvia}}|{{Flag|Liechtenstein}}|{{Flag|Lithuania}}|{{Flag|Luxembourg}}|{{Flag|Malta}}|{{Flag|Netherlands}}|{{Flag|Norway}}|{{Flag|Poland}}|{{Flag|Portugal}}|{{Flag|Romania}}|{{Flag|Slovakia}}|{{Flag|Slovenia}}|{{Flag|Spain}}|{{Flag|Sweden}}
}}
|{{Yes}} ||{{Yes}} ||{{No}}
|-
| {{collapsible list| titlestyle = background:transparent; text-align:left; font-weight:normal
| title =<br />Countries signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
|{{Flag|Albania}}
|{{Flag|Armenia}}
|{{Flag|Austria}}
|{{Flag|Azerbaijan}}
|{{Flag|Belarus}}
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|{{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}
|{{Flag|Croatia}}
|{{Flag|Czech Republic}}
|{{Flag|Denmark}}
|{{Flag|Estonia}}
|{{Flag|Finland}}
|{{Flag|France}}
|{{Flag|Georgia}}
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|{{Flag|Greece}}
|{{Flag|Hungary}}
|{{Flag|Italy}}
|{{Flag|Kazakhstan}}
|{{Flag|Latvia}}
|{{Flag|Liechtenstein}}
|{{Flag|Lithuania}}
|{{Flag|Luxembourg}}
|{{Flag|Moldova}}
|{{Flag|Monaco}}
|{{Flag|Montenegro}}
|{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}
|{{Flag|Norway}}
|{{Flag|Poland}}
|{{Flag|Portugal}}
|{{Flag|Romania}}
|{{Flag|Russia}}
|{{Flag|San Marino}}
|{{Flag|Serbia}}
|{{Flag|Slovakia}}
|{{Flag|Slovenia}}
|{{Flag|Sweden}}
|{{Flag|Switzerland}}
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
|{{Flag|Ukraine}}
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
}}
|{{Yes}} ||{{No}} ||{{Yes}}
|}
[[File:D international vehicle registration oval.svg|right|150x150px]]
Some European countries are not party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Spain are examples of non-signatory countries. Those who have not ratified the convention may be parties to the older 1949 [[Geneva Convention on Road Traffic]], which is the case of the aforementioned countries. According to the Geneva convention, a 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. The letters shall be in black on a white background having the shape of an ellipse with the major axis horizontal.

==List==
Vehicle registration plates of each country are described in the following table:

Motorcycle plates are used for motorcycles and vehicles where mounting space is an issue such as vehicles imported from countries where the mounting space was not originally designed to take European-sized plates (e.g. USA).

Moped plates are used for 2-wheeled moped and, in the European Union and EER countries for 4-wheeled mopeds (light quadricycle)

The country code has a link to an article about plates from that specific country.
=== Countries ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Country ||[[List of international vehicle registration codes|Code]] || Strip || Example || Motorcycle plates || Moped
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{ALB}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Albania|AL]] ||[[File:Albanian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:License Plate - Albania - Private Vehicle.png|200x50px]] ||[[Image:License Plate - Albania - Private Motorcycle.png|150x100px]]
|[[File:Moped license plate of Albania.jpg|120x113px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{AND}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Andorra|AND]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-AND.svg|100x100px]]||[[File:Andorra aktuell 2014.jpg|149x149px]] ||[[Image:Andorra motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]||
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{AUT}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Austria|A]] ||[[File:Austrian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Austrian license plate.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Plate_motorcycle_Austria_PL-1YEX.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Austria moped plate.JPG|100x100px]] [[File:Electric motorcycle license plate Austria (Feldkirch).jpg|100x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{BLR}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Belarus|BY]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-BY.svg|100x100px|border]] ||[[File:BY-auto-number-1.png|200x50px]] ||[[File:BY-auto-number-6.png|140x140px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{BEL}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Belgium|B]] ||[[File:Belgian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Belgian License plate from 2010-11-16 onwards.JPG|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Belgium motorcycle plate 01.jpg|150x100px]] ||[[File:Belgian scooter plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{BIH}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Bosnia and Herzegovina|BIH]] ||[[File:Bosnian-band.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Registarske tablice Bosne i Hercegovine.svg|200x200px]]||[[File:Bosnia and Herzegovina motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{BUL}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Bulgaria|BG]] ||[[File:Bulgarian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Plak shakhsi2-BG.png|200x50px]] ||[[File:Plak motor2-BG.png|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{CRO}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Croatia|HR]] ||[[File:Croatian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Registration-plate zagreb.jpg|200x50px]] ||
[[File:Motorcycle plate Croatia.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Croatia moped plate.jpg|120x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{CYP}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Cyprus|CY]] ||[[File:Cypriot-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Cyprus license plate 2013 sample.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:2013 Cyprus motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{CZE}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of the Czech Republic|CZ]] ||[[File:Czech-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Czech-License-Plate-Vector.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Czech Republic License Plate - Motorcycle.png|150x100px]]
|[[File:Czech moped registration plate.jpg|120x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{DNK}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Denmark|DK]] ||[[File:Danish-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Denmark DK common license plate 2009.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Denmark motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:PM623 Danish heavy moped license plate.png|120x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{EST}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Estonia|EST]] ||[[File:Estonian-eurobamd.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Estonian license plate.svg|200x50px]] ||
[[File:Estonia licenseplate motorcycle.JPG|150x100px]]
|[[File:Estonian license plate for mopeds.jpg|140x113px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{FIN}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Finland|FIN]] ||[[File:Finnish-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Finnish license plate.svg|200x200px]] ||
[[File:Finland licenseplate motorcycle EU.JPG|150x100px]]
|[[File:Finland moped license plate.jpg|120x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{FRA}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of France|F]] ||[[File:French-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:License plate of France AA-229-DB.png|200x200px]] ||[[File:License plate of France AA-229-DB (2).png|142x142px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{GER}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Germany|D]] ||[[File:German-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:2007 Baden-Württemberg license plate (RAKL8136).png|200x50px]] ||[[File:Alemanya.KA-moto.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Versicherungskennzeichen.jpg|150px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{GRC}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Greece|GR]] ||[[File:Greek-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:GR-number-plate-2004.svg |200x200px]] ||[[File:ГРЕЦІЯ НОМЕР М.JPG|150x100px]]
|[[File:License plate Greece moped 05.JPG|115px]] [[File:License plate Greece moped 06.JPG|115px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{HUN}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Hungary|H]] ||[[File:Hungarian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:HU normal AABP022.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Hungarian motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Ungarn Mopedkennzeichen.jpg|113x113px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{ISL}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Iceland|IS]] ||[[File:Icelandic-band.png|100x100px|border]] ||[[File:Iceland car plate.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Iceland motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Icelandic moped or small motorcycle license plate.jpg|frameless|143x143px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{IRL}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of the Republic of Ireland|IRL]] ||[[File:Irish-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Revised format Republic of Ireland numberplate (2013-).svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Irish motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{ITA}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Italy|I]] ||[[File:Italian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Targa automobilistica Italia 1999 CZ•889 KF Bolzano-Alto Adige posteriore.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Italy Euro Plate Bike.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Targa automobilistica Italia 2006 X69 SJ9 ciclomotore.jpg|112x112px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{LVA}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Latvia|LV]] ||[[File:Latvian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Latvian license plate.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Latvian motorcycle number plate.png|150x100px]]
|[[File:Latvian moped number plate.jpg|150x113px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{LIE}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Liechtenstein|FL]] || ||[[File:Recently issued license plate from Liechtenstein.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Liechtenstein Motorcycle license plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Liechtenstein moped plate.jpg|121x121px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{LTU}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Lithuania|LT]] ||[[File:Lithuanian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:License plate of Lithuania XXX 000 (2023).png|199x199px]]||[[File:License plate of Lithuania 000 XX motorcycle (2023) (2).png|102x102px]]
|[[File:License plate of Lithuania 00 XXX moped (2023).png|90x90px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{LUX}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Luxembourg|L]] ||[[File:Luxembourgish-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Luxembourg licenseplate EU.JPG|200x50px]] ||[[File:Luxembourg motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Luxembourg license plate.JPG|108x108px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{MLT}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Malta|M]] ||[[File:Maltese-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Maltese license plate.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Malta motorcycle plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{MDA}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Moldova|MD]] ||[[File:Moldavian-band.png|98x98px]] ||[[File:Moldova MD license plate ABC012 2015.svg|frameless|200x200px]]||[[File:Moldovo motorcycle license plate 01.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{MCO}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Monaco|MC]] || [[File:Monégasque-band.png|100x100px]]||[[File:License plate Monaco 2014.jpg|150x150px]] ||[[File:Monaco motorcycle registration plate 2016.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:License plate 2013 Monaco scooter.jpg|115x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{MNE}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Montenegro|MNE]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-MNE.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Car-plate plevlja.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Montenegro motorcycle plate 01.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{NLD}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of the Netherlands|NL]] ||[[File:Dutch-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Dutch plate yellow NL code 10.png|200x50px]] ||[[File:17-MG-JJ motorcycle license plate of the Netherlands.jpg|150x100px]] ||[[File:Dutch_license_plate_for_Moped.JPG|120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{NMK}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of North Macedonia|NMK]]{{refn|group="fn"|Prior to February 2019, North Macedonia used the distinguishing sign "MK".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vlada.mk/node/16768?ln=en-gb|title=Announcement of the Inter-ministerial working group for fulfilment of the obligations stipulated in the Final Agreement for the Settlement of the Differences as Described in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions&nbsp;817 (1993) and 845 (1993)|publisher=Government of the Republic of Macedonia|date=13 February 2019|access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref>}} ||[[File:Northmacedonian-band.png|98x98px]] ||[[File:North_Macedonia_plate_2019.jpg|200x200px]]||[[Image:License plate Macedonia motorcycle new.JPG|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{NOR}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Norway|N]] ||[[File:Norwegian-band.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Hvitt, standard skilt.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:License plate Norway motorcycle.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{POL}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Poland|PL]] ||[[File:EU-section-with-PL.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:PolishLicensePlates2019.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:License plate Poland 2006 two lines.png|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{POR}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Portugal|P]] ||[[File:Portuguese-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Portuguese licence plate AA16AA.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:New_Motorcycle_License_plate_Portugal.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Moped licence plate portugal.JPG|115x115px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{ROU}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Romania|RO]] ||[[File:EU-section-with-RO.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Romanian license plate.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Romanian motorcycle license plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Romania (Bucharest) moped plate.jpg|140x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{SMR}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of San Marino|RSM]] ||[[File:Sanmarinese-band.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Targa automobilistica San Marino 1993 L0198.jpg|150x150px]] ||[[File:Targa automobilistica San Marino 1993 L031 motocicletta.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[File:Targa automobilistica San Marino 1997 8 905 ciclomotore.jpg|115x115px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{SRB}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Serbia|SRB]] ||[[File:Serbian-band.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Serbian license plate 2011.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Serbia motorcycle license plate Beo Grad.JPG|150x100px]]
|[[File:Serbia license plate slow trafic Beo Grad.JPG|100x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{SVK}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Slovakia|SK]] ||[[File:EU-section-with-SK.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Slovak car registration plate 2023.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Slovakia motorcycle license plate with Euro band - CA642CY.jpg|150x100px]]
|
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{SVN}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Slovenia|SLO]] ||[[File:Slovenian-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Registrska tablica.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Tablica motorja 150x110.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File: Tablica mopeda do 25 kmh.jpg|140x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{ESP}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Spain|E]] ||[[File:Spanish-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Spanish license plate.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Registration plate motorcycle Spain-EU.JPG|150x100px]]
|[[File:Spain moped plate.jpg|123x123px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{SWE}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Sweden|S]] ||[[File:Swedish-euroband.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:Sweden licenseplate EU.JPG|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Registration plate motorcycle Sweden-EU.jpg|150x100px]] ||
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{SWI}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Switzerland|CH]] || ||[[File:Switzerland licence plate 2007 from Sankt Gallen canton.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Motorcycle license plate Zuerich Switzerland.jpg|150x100px]]
|[[File:Swiss moped plate SG.jpg|111x111px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{UKR}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Ukraine|UA]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-UA.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:License plate of Ukraine 2015.png|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Motorcycle license plate of Ukraine 2015.png|150x100px]]
|[[File:Ukraine moped license plate.gif|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{UK}}''' || [[Vehicle registration plates of the United Kingdom|UK]]{{refn|group="fn"|The national identifier is optional on British registration plates. Registration plates with the "UK" identifier displayed on its own or with a Union Jack flag satisfy the requirements from the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]], and are valid in countries party to the Convention.<ref name="RT">[https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/conventn/Conv_road_traffic_EN.pdf Convention on road traffic]</ref> The specification of plates incorporating the UK code was created by the British Number Plate Manufacturers Association, and is seen as the default design by the Department for Transport.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UK plates from 28th September - BNMA|url=https://www.bnma.org/news/uk-flag-number-plate-design-confirmed-for-overseas-travel/ |access-date=9 January 2022|website=bnma.org}}</ref>

Registration plates can also feature the national flag of England, Scotland or Wales together with their corresponding code or name (such as "ENG", "Eng" "ENGLAND" or "England"). These are valid within the UK,<ref name="UKemblems2">{{UK SI |year=2009 |number=811 |title=The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks)(Amendment) Regulations 2009}}</ref> but a "UK" sticker must be affixed at the rear of the vehicle if driven abroad.<ref name="Displaying number plates">{{cite web |title=Displaying number plates|url=https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/flags-symbols-and-identifiers |access-date=31 December 2020 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

Until [[Brexit]], UK registration plates could be issued in the common EU format. This format cannot be issued after the end of the transition period.<ref>[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1363/made The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (No.&nbsp;2) Regulations 2020]</ref> A "UK" sticker must be affixed at the rear of a vehicle with a registration plate displaying the EU emblem when driven abroad.<ref name="Displaying number plates"/> Note: Many cars also have EU flag on if issued pre-Brexit and cars can have EU flag only with the code "GB"; these plates are not valid for international use, a "UK" sticker must be affixed at the rear of the vehicle if driven abroad.<ref name="Displaying number plates" />}}
||[[File:UK Identifier Section with Union Flag.png|75x75px]][[File:UK Blank Rear Identifier Section.png|75x75px]]
||[[File:UK Front Registration Plate.png|center|200x200px]][[File:Northern Ireland Rear Registration Plate (Blank identification band).png|200x200px]]|| colspan="2" |[[File:UK Motorcycle Registration Plate.png|129x129px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''{{VAT}}''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Vatican City|V]]{{refn|group="fn"|CV ({{langx|it|Città del Vaticano}}) is used as a prefix on the licence plate number itself for private vehicles. The prefix used on official and government vehicles is SCV ({{langx |it|Status Civitatis Vaticanae}})}}|| ||[[File:CV-Vatican-plate.jpg|150x150px]] ||
|
|}

; Notes
{{reflist|group=fn}}

=== Transcontinental countries ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Territory ||[[List of international vehicle registration codes|Code]] || Strip || Example || Motorcycle plates
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{ARM}}''''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Armenia|AM]] || | [[File:Armenian-band.png|100x100px|border]] ||[[File:Plak-Shakhsi-AM.png|200px]] ||[[File:Plak-Shakhsi2-AM.png|100x150px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{AZE}}''''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Azerbaijan|AZ]] || [[File:Azerbaijani-band.png|100x100px|border]] ||[[File:Pelak shakhsi-AZ.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:AZ rectangular plate Baku.jpg|100x150px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{GEO}}''''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Georgia (country)|GE]] ||[[File:Georgian-band.png|100x100px]] ||[[File:New EU style vehicle registration plates of Georgia (3).jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:New EU style vehicle registration plates of Georgia (4).jpg|100x150px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{RUS}}''''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Russia|RUS]] || [[File:Non-EU-section-with-RUS.svg|90x90px]]||[[File:License plate in Russia.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Russia 2019 motorcycle license plate.png|200x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{TUR}}''''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Turkey|TR]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-TR.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Private vehicle license plate of Turkey.svg|200x50px]] ||[[Image:Motorcycle license plate Turkey (34 - Istanbul).jpg|150x100px]]
|}

=== Dependent territories ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Territory ||[[List of international vehicle registration codes|Code]] || Strip || Example || Motorcycle plates
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{ALA}}'''''<br/>'''({{FIN}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of Finland#Åland|FIN]]{{refn|group="fn1"|The official distinguishing sign is '''FIN''' as in the rest of Finland, but the [[Parliament of Åland]] wants to introduce "AX" as its official code.}} ||  ||[[File:Kfz-Kennzeichen Aland2.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Åland motor cycle plate (1).jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{country|Alderney}}'''''<br/>'''({{UK}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of the Bailiwick of Guernsey#Other islands|GBA]]||  ||[[File:License plate Alderney.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:License plate of Alderney.jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{FRO}}'''''<br/>'''({{DNK}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of Denmark#Faroe Islands|FO]]||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-FO.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Licenseplate of Faroe Islands.JPG|200x50px]] ||[[File:Faroe Islands motorbike license plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{GIB}}'''''<br/>'''({{UK}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of Gibraltar|GBZ]]{{Efn|The EU strip is allowed but no longer issued by the local government after [[Brexit]].}}||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-GBZ.png|99x99px]]||[[File:Current Post-Brexit Gibraltar vehicle license plate.jpg|200x100px]]||[[File:Gibraltar motorcycle license plate.jpg|200x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{GGY}}'''''<br/>'''({{UK}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of the Bailiwick of Guernsey|GBG]] ||[[File:GBG Number Plate Band.png|99x99px]] ||[[File:Guernseylicense plate GBG.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:GBG 1845 motorcycle.jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{IOM}}'''''<br/>'''({{UK}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of Isle of Man|GBM]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-GBM.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Licenceplate of Isle of Man 2.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Isle of Man motorcycle license plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{JEY}}'''''<br/>'''({{UK}})''' 
|[[Vehicle registration plates of Jersey|GBJ]] ||[[File:GBJ Number Plate Band.png|99x99px|border]] ||[[File:Jersey United Kingdom number plate GBJ.jpg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Jersey motorcycle license plate.jpg|200x100px]]
|}
; Notes
{{reflist|group=fn1}}

=== Disputed territories ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Territory||[[List of international vehicle registration codes|Code]]|| Strip || Example || Motorcycle plates
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{flag|Abkhazia}}'''''||[[Vehicle registration plates of Abkhazia|ABH]]|| ||[[File:Abkhazia License Plate Design.png|200x50px]]||
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{KOS}}''''' ||[[Vehicle registration plates of Kosovo|RKS]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-with-RKS-2017.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:License plate Kosovo.JPG|200x50px]]||[[File:Kosovo moped or scooter license plate.jpg|100x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{flag|Northern Cyprus}}'''''||[[Vehicle registration plates of Cyprus#Northern Cyprus|TRNC]] ||[[File:Non-EU-section-Northern Cyprus.jpg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 2018 blue stripe.jpg|200x50px]]||
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{flag|South Ossetia}}'''''||[[Vehicle registration plates of South Ossetia|RSO]]|| ||[[File:South Ossetia License Plate Design.png|200x50px]] ||[[File:South Ossetia motorycle license plate.jpg|150x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" |'''''{{flag|Transnistria}}'''''||[[Vehicle registration plates of Transnistria|PMR]]|| [[File:Non-EU-section-with-MD-PMR.svg|100x100px]] ||[[File:Transnistria license plate T001AA.svg|200x50px]] ||[[File:Motorcycle license plate from Transnistria.JPG|150x100px]]
|}

== Timeline == 
{{Timeline of Vehicle registration plates of Europe}}

Dependencies and disputed territories <ref>{{cite web|url=https://matriculasdelmundo.com/europeas.php|title=European plates information|website=Matriculasdelmundo.com|access-date=12 Sep 2023|lang=ES}}</ref> 
{{Timeline of Vehicle registration plates of disputed, dependent and other territories in Europe}}

==See also==
* [[International vehicle registration code]]
* [[European driving licence]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Vehicle registration plates of Europe}}
{{European Union topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vehicle Registration Plates Of Europe}}
[[Category:European Union transport policy]]
[[Category:Vehicle registration plates|Europe]]
[[Category:Road transport in Europe]]