View source for International vehicle registration code

 {{short description|Codes used to identify where a vehicle is registered}}
{{more citations needed|date = April 2018}}
[[File:CH_international_vehicle_registration_oval.png|thumb|right|Example of a white oval plate or sticker; this one represents [[Switzerland]]]]
[[File:1960 Borgward H1500 Isabella pic-001.JPG|thumb|A 1960 [[Borgward Isabella]] showing the international vehicle code NL ([[Netherlands]])]]
[[File:Estonia licenseplate EU.JPG|thumb|[[Estonia]]n registration plate in EU standard format with international code EST]]
[[File:Indian Vehicle Registration Plate - Kolkata 2011-07-29 4088 (cropped).JPG|thumb|right|[[India]]n vehicle registration plate in Indian standard format with international code IND]]
[[File:Brazilian vehicle license plate (2018-).jpg|thumb|right|[[Brazil]]ian vehicle registration plate in [[Vehicle registration plates of the Mercosur|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>{{cite book |last1=Georgano |first1=G. N. |last2=Andersen |first2=Thorkil Ry |title=The New encyclopedia of motorcars, 1885 to the present |year=1982 |page=18 |publisher=Dutton |isbn=0-525-93254-2}}</ref> or '''International Circulation Mark'''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Harding |first1=Anthony |last2=Bird |first2=Anthony |title=Guinness Book of Car Facts and Feats: A Record of Everyday Motoring and Automotive Achievements |year=1980 |page=243 |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |isbn=0-85112-207-8}}</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 by{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} 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>{{cite web|title=Convention of Road Traffic signed at Geneva September, 19 1949 – Annex 4. Distinguishing Sign of Vehicles in International Traffic |url=http://www.adcidl.com/Annex-4-Distinguishing-Sign-of-Vehicles-in-International-Traffic.html|website=Auto Driver Club|publisher=NYS ZONE INC.|access-date=2016-11-24}}</ref> and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Convention on Road Traffic on 8 November 1968 – Index Page|url=http://www.international-driving-permit.com/Convention-on-Road-Traffic/8-November-1968/EN/index.aspx|website=Auto Driver Club|publisher=NYS ZONE INC.|access-date=2016-11-24}}</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&nbsp;... 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">{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www1.mt.gov.vn/hotrovantai/uploads/2006/E_annex_2.pdf |title=Agreement between and among the Governments of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Union of Myanmar, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Goods and People |chapter=Annex 2: Registration of Vehicles in International Traffic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304071234/http://www1.mt.gov.vn/hotrovantai/uploads/2006/E_annex_2.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |date=2004}}</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, {{cvt|30|×|18|cm|in|0}} 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>{{cite web |url=https://treaties.fcdo.gov.uk/data/Library2/pdf/1910-TS0018.pdf |title=1909 Paris Convention for the International Circulation of Motor Vehicles}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ 1909 Paris Convention distinctive marks
|-
! State !! Mark
|-
| {{flag|German Empire|name=Germany}} || D
|-
| {{flag|Austrian Empire|empire}} || A
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}} || B
|-
| {{flag|Spain|1874}} || E
|-
| {{flag|United States of America|1908}} || US
|-
| {{flag|France|1848b}} || F 
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|name=Great Britain and Ireland}} || GB
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Greece|old}} || GR
|-
| {{flag|Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen|1896}} || H
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Italy|1861}} || I
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Montenegro|name=Montenegro}} || MN
|-
| {{flag|Monaco}} || MC
|-
| {{flag|The Netherlands}} || NL
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Portugal|1910}}|| P
|-
| {{flag|Russian Empire}} || R
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Romania|name=Romania|1866}} || RO
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Serbia|name=Serbia|1882}} || SB
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}} || S
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}} || CH
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Bulgaria|1878}} || BG
|}

===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 not just distinguishing marks for states, but also for non-sovereign territories which operated their own vehicle registration systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://treaties.fcdo.gov.uk/awweb/pdfopener?md=1&did=64295 |title=International Convention Relative to Motor Traffic, Paris, 1924}}</ref>

[[File:VW Golf I Åland.JPG|thumb|[[Volkswagen Golf Mk1]] with both International vehicle registration codes, the [[Åland Islands]] (AX) and Finland (SF)]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ 1924 Paris Convention distinguishing marks
|-
! State or territory !! Mark !! Notes
|-
| {{flag|Germany|Weimar}} || D{{efn|name=o1909|Originally in 1909 convention}} || For {{lang|de|[[Deutschland]]}}
|-
| {{flag|United States of America|1912}} || US{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Austria}} || A{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}} || B{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Brazil|1889}} || BR ||
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|name=Great Britain and Northern Ireland}} || GB{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| [[Alderney]] || GBA ||
|-
| {{flag|Gibraltar|ensign1921}} || GBZ ||
|-
| [[Guernsey]] || GBG ||
|-
| {{flag|Jersey|old}} || GBJ ||
|-
| {{flag|Malta|1923}} || GBY ||
|-
| {{flag|British India}} || BI ||
|-
| {{flag|Bulgaria|1878}} || BG{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Chile}} || RCH ||
|-
| {{flag|Republic of China (1912–1949)|name=China|1912}} || RC ||
|-
| {{flag|Colombia}} || CO ||
|-
| {{flag|Cuba}} || C ||
|-
| {{flag|Denmark}} || DK ||
|-
| {{flag|Danzig}} || DA ||
|-
| {{flag|Egypt|1922}} || ET || Current code is EG.
|-
| {{flag|Ecuador|1900}} || EQ ||
|-
| {{flag|Spain}} || E{{efn|name=o1909}} || {{lang|es|[[España]]}}
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}} || EST||
|-
| {{flag|Finland|1920}} || SF || From Finnish {{lang|fi|Suomi}}, Swedish {{lang|sv|Finland}}.
|-
| {{flag|France}}, Algeria and Tunis || F{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|French India}} || F ||
|-
| {{flag|Guatemala}} || G ||
|-
| {{flag|Greece|old}} || GR{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Haiti|1859}} || RH ||
|-
| {{flag|Hungary|1920}} || H{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Irish Free State}} || SE || Part of the United Kingdom at the time of the 1909 convention. Initials stand for [[Irish language|Irish]] {{lang|ga|Saorstát Éireann}}.
|-
| {{flag|Italy|1861}} || I{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Latvia}} || LV ||
|-
| {{flag|Liechtenstein}} || FL ||
|-
| {{flag|Lithuania}} || LT ||
|-
| {{flag|Luxembourg}} || L ||
|-
| {{flag|Morocco}} || F ||
|-
| {{flag|Mexico|1916}} || MEX ||
|-
| {{flag|Monaco}} || MC{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Panama}} || PY || current code is PA
|-
| {{flag|Paraguay|1842}} || PA || current code is PY
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || NL{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Dutch East Indies|name=Dutch East Indies}} || IN ||
|-
| {{flag|Peru|1884}} || PE ||
|-
| {{flag|Persia|1907}} || PR ||
|-
| {{flag|Poland|1919}} || PL ||
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}} || P{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Romania|name=Romania|1866}}|| R{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Saar|name=Territory of the Saar|LON}} || SA || League of Nations mandate
|-
| {{flag|Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes}} || SHS ||
|-
| {{flag|Siam}} || SM ||
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}} || S{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}} || CH{{efn|name=o1909}} ||
|-
| [[Mandate for Syria and Lebanon|Syria and Lebanon]] || LSA || French [[League of Nations mandate]]
|-
| {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} || CS ||
|-
| {{flag|Turkey}} || TR ||
|-
| {{flag|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|1924}} || SU || Russia had been a party to the 1909 convention.
|-
| {{flag|Uruguay}} || U || Current code is ''ROU'' (?){{Citation needed|date=July 2024|reason=Conflicting sources.}}.
|}

{{notelist}}

==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 [[Vehicle registration plates of the European Union|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>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:1998:299:0001:0003:EN:PDF|title=Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98|date=3 November 1998|publisher=Council of the European Union}}</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.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

== Current codes ==
<!-- Official UN registered codes only -->
{{clear}}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
!Code
!Country
!From
!Previous<br />code(s)
!class=unsortable|Notes
|-
|A
|{{AUT}}
|1911
|
| ''Austria'' in English or {{lang|fr|Autriche}} in French
|-
|AFG
|{{AFG}}
|1971
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|AL
|{{ALB}}
|1934
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|AND
|{{AND}}
|1957
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|AM
|{{ARM}}
|1992
|SU
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|AUS
|{{AUS}}
|1954
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|AZ
|{{AZE}}
|1993
|SU
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|B
|{{BEL}}
|1910
|
|
|-
|BD
|{{BGD}}
|1978
|PAK
|Formerly [[East Pakistan]]
|-
|BDS
|{{BRB}}
|1956
|
|
|-
|BF
|{{BFA}}
|1990
|RHV / HV
|Until August 2003, 1984; {{lang|fr|(République de) Haute Volta}} ([[Republic of Upper Volta|Upper Volta]])
|-
|BG
|{{BGR}}
|1910
|(BUL)
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|BH
|{{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>{{Cite web |title=Driver's license will have a new look |url=https://lovefm.com/drivers-license-will-new-look/ |date=2019-07-22 |access-date=2021-12-20 |website=Love FM |language=en }}</ref>
|-
|BIH
|{{BIH}}
|1992
|SHS 1919–29<br />Y 1929–53<br />YU 1953–92
|{{lang|bs|Bosna i Hercegovina}} / {{native name|bs|Босна и Херцеговина|script=Cyrl}}.<br />Formerly part of the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] {{native name|sh|Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca}}, then part of [[Yugoslavia]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|BOL
|{{BOL}}
|1967
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|BR
|{{BRA}}
|1930
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|BRN
|{{BHR}}
|1954
|
|
|-
|BRU
|{{BRN}}
|1956
|
|
|-
|BS
|{{BHS}}
|1950
|
|
|-
|BUR{{Citation needed|date=March 2020|reason=Is it still BUR?}}
|{{MMR}}
|1956
|BA, BUR
|Previously known as Burma. Coincides with the former [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|BVI
|{{VGB}}
|1910
|
|
|-
|BW<ref name=unece>{{Cite web |url=https://unece.org/DAM/trans/conventn/Distsigns.pdf |title=Distinguishing Signs used on Vehicles in International Traffic |publisher=[[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe]] }}</ref>
|{{BWA}}
|2003
|BP
|Officially used by Botswana since 2003. Formerly RB (Republic of Botswana) until 2004; [[Bechuanaland Protectorate]] before 1966.
|-
|BY
|{{BLR}}
|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.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CAM
|{{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
|{{CAN}}
|1956
|CA
|CDN for "Canada Dominion"{{citation needed |date=April 2022 }}
|-
|CGO
|{{COD}}
|1997
|CB, RCL, ZRE
| {{langx|fr|[[Belgian Congo|Congo Belge]]}}, {{lang|fr|[[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|République de Congo Léopoldville]]}}, Congo ([[Kinshasa]]), {{lang|fr|[[Zaïre]]}}, {{native name|fr|[[Democratic Republic of the Congo|République Démocratique du Congo]]}}
|-
|CH
|{{CHE}}
|1911
|
|{{native name|la|Confœderatio Helvetica}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CHN
|{{CHN}}
|
|
|People's Republic of China. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|CI
|{{CIV}} ({{lang|fr|Côte d'Ivoire}})
|1961
|F
|Formerly a territory of [[France]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CL
|{{LKA}}
|1961
|
|Formerly Ceylon. However, "SL" is being used on current driver licenses.
|-
|CO
|{{COL}}
|1952
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CR
|{{CRI}}
|1956
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CU<ref name=unece/>
|{{CUB}}
|1930{{Citation needed|date=March 2020|reason=It seems like this date was added without any references}}
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CY
|{{CYP}}
|1932
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|CZ
|{{CZE}}
|1993
|CS
|Formerly {{lang|cs|Československo}} ([[Czechoslovakia]]). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|D
|{{DEU}}
|1910
|
| {{native name|de|Deutschland}}; also used until 1974 by {{GDR}}, which then used DDR until German reunification in 1990
|-
|DK
|{{DNK}}
|1914
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|DOM
|{{DOM}}
|1952
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|DY
|{{BEN}}
|1910
|Part of AOF<br />({{lang|fr|Afrique occidentale<br /> française}}) − 1960
|[[Dahomey]] (name until 1975). Uses RB unofficially ({{lang|fr|République du Bénin}})
|-
|DZ
|{{DZA}}
|1962
|F − 1911
| {{lang|arq-Latn|Djazayer}} ({{langx|arq|جزائر}}); formerly part of [[France]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|E
|{{ESP}}
|1910
|
| {{native name|es|España}}
|-
|EAK
|{{KEN}}
|1938
|
|East Africa Kenya
|-
|EAT
|{{TZA}}
|1938
|EAT & EAZ
|East Africa Tanzania; formerly East Africa [[Tanganyika (territory)|Tanganyika]] and East Africa [[Zanzibar]]
|-
|EAU
|{{UGA}}
|1938
|
|East Africa Uganda
|-
|EAZ
|{{flag|Zanzibar}}
|1964
|
|East Africa Zanzibar
|-
|EC
|{{ECU}}
|1962
|EQ
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|EG<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#28:~:text=As%20from%2023%20April%202024.%20Previously%20%22ET%22.|title=Distinguishing Sign of Vehicles in International Traffic (Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General)|date=21 May 2024 }}</ref>
|{{EGY}}
|2024
|ET 1927-2024
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|ER
|{{ERI}}
|1993
|AOI
| {{native name|it|Africa Orientale Italiana}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|ES
|{{SLV}}
|1978
|
|
|-
|EST
|{{EST}}
|1993
|EW 1919–1940 & 1991–1993<br />SU 1940–1991
| {{lang|et|Eesti Vabariik}} ([[Estonian language|Estonian]]; old style {{lang|et|Eesti Wabariik}}). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|ETH
|{{ETH}}
|1964
|AOI − 1941
| {{native name|it|Africa Orientale Italiana}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|F
|{{FRA}}
|1910
|
|
|-
|FIN
|{{FIN}}
|1993
|SF
| {{lang|fi|Suomi}} / {{lang|sv|Finland}} ([[Finnish language|Finnish]]/[[Swedish language|Swedish]]). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|FJI
|{{FJI}}
|1971
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|FL
|{{LIE}}
|1923
|
| {{lang|de|Fürstentum Liechtenstein}} ([[German language|German]]: 'Principality of Liechtenstein')
|-
|FO
|{{FRO}}
|1996
|FR
| {{lang|fo|Føroyar}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|G
|{{GAB}}
|1974
|ALEF − 1960
| {{lang|fr|Afrique Équatoriale Française}}. Unofficially using RG on their license plates.
|-
|GBA
|{{flag|Alderney}}
|1924
|GB 1923-1924
|(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Alderney
|-
|GBG
|{{GGY}}
|1924
|GB 1914-1924
|(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Guernsey
|-
|GBJ
|{{JEY}}
|1924
|GB 1914-1924
|(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Jersey
|-
|GBM
|{{IMN}}
|1932
|
|(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Isle of Man
|-
|GBZ
|{{GIB}}
|1924
|GB 1911-1924
|(United Kingdom of) Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Gibraltar (Z was assigned because G was already used for Guernsey){{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
|-
|GCA
|{{GTM}}
|1956
|G
|Guatemala, Central America
|-
|GE
|{{GEO}}
|1992
|SU
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Older licence plates use "GEO" instead of "GE". Also used unofficially and illegally by Equatorial-Guinea ({{langx|es|Guinea Ecuatorial}}). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|GH
|{{GHA}}
|1959
|WAC − 1957
|West Africa [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] − 1957. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|GR
|{{GRC}}
|1913
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|GUY
|{{GUY}}
|1972
|BRG
|Formerly [[British Guiana]] − 1966. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|H
|{{HUN}}
|1910
|
|
|-
|HK
|{{HKG}}
|1961
|
|Hong Kong remains in the United Nations list of country road codes. Reattached to the People's Republic of China in 1997 with a strong autonomy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#5 | title=United Nations Treaty Collection }}</ref>
|-
|-
|HKJ
|{{JOR}}
|1966
|JOR
|Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
|-
|HN
|{{HON}}
|2018
|
|Unofficial: no other code found for Honduras. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|HR
|{{HRV}}
|1992
|SHS 1919–29<br /> Y 1929–53<br />YU 1953–92
| {{native name|hr|Hrvatska}}. 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" ({{lang|hr|Hrvatska}}) instead.<br />
SHS was for the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes ({{lang|sh|Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca}}). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|I
|{{ITA}}
|1910
|
|
|-
|IL
|{{ISR}}
|1952
|
| "Israel" is also written on the plate in Hebrew ({{lang|he|ישראל}}) and Arabic ({{lang|ar|إسرائيل}}). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|IND
|{{IND}}
|1947
|BI
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|IR
|{{IRN}}
|1936
|PR
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|IRL
|{{IRL}}
|1992
|GB − 1910–24<br />SE − 1924–38<br />EIR − 1938–62<br />EIR/IRL − 1962–92
| Formerly a part of the United Kingdom, {{lang|ga|[[Irish Free State|Saorstát Éireann]]}}, {{lang|ga|[[Éire]]}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|IRQ
|{{IRQ}}
|1930
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|IRQ KR
|{{KUR}}
|1991
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]]
|-
|IS
|{{ISL}}
|1936
|
| {{native name|is|Ísland}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|J
|{{JPN}}
|1964
|
|
|-
|JA
|{{JAM}}
|1932
|
|
|-
|KG
|{{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 [[vehicle registration plates of Kyrgyzstan|car registration plates]] from March 2016, in August that year to the UN Secretary-General.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Convention sur la circulation routière, signée à Vienne, le 8 novembre 1968 - Notification en vertu du paragraphe 4 de l'article 45 par le Kirghizistan. - Legilux|url=https://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/div/2016/09/21/n3/jo|access-date=2021-10-28|website=legilux.public.lu}}</ref> Additionally, most vehicles use "KGZ" oval stickers instead of "KS". Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|KH<ref>{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#28:~:text=As%20from%2023%20April%202024.%20Previously%20%22ET%22. | title=United Nations Treaty Collection }}</ref>
|{{KHM}}
|1956 (KHM)
|K
|Known as [[Democratic Kampuchea|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.<br /> Change ratified from '''K''' (previously KHM) to '''KH''' in 2009 to the United Nations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#27 | title=United Nations Treaty Collection }}</ref>
|-
|KSA
|{{SAU}}
|1973
|SA
|Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
|-
|KWT
|{{KWT}}
|1954
|
|
|-
|KZ
|{{KAZ}}
|1992
|SU − 1991
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|L
|{{LUX}}
|1911
|
|
|-
|LAO
|{{LAO}}
|1959
|F&nbsp;– 1949
|Formerly a territory of [[France]] ([[French Indochina]]). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|LAR
|{{LBY}}
|1972
|I  − 1949, LT
|Libyan Arab Republic, unused, unofficial LY used instead.
|-
|LB
|{{LBR}}
|1967
|
|
|-
|LS
|{{LSO}}
|1967
|BL
|Basutoland − 1966. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|LT
|{{LTU}}
|1992
|SU 1940–1991
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|LV
|{{LVA}}
|1992
|LR 1927–1940<br />SU 1940–1991
| {{native name|lv|Latvijas Republika}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|M
|{{MLT}}
|1966
|GBY 1924–66
|
|-
|MA
|{{MAR}}
|1924
|
| {{native name|fr|Maroc}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|MAL
|{{MYS}}
|1967
|PRK – 1957<br />FM 1954–57<br />PTM 1957–67
|Formerly [[Perak]], then [[Federated Malay States]], then {{native name|ms|[[Federation of Malaya|Persekutuan Tanah Melayu]]}}
|-
|MC
|{{MCO}}
|1910
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|MD
|{{MDA}}
|1992
|SU − 1991
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|MEX
|{{MEX}}
|1952
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|MNE
|{{MNE}}
|2006
|MN 1913–1919<br />SHS 1919–29<br />Y 1929–53<br />YU 1953–2003<br />SCG 2003–2006
|[[Kingdom of Montenegro|Independent nation]] until 1918. After that, part of the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] ({{lang|sh|Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca}}&nbsp;– [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]), then part of [[Yugoslavia]] and then [[Serbia and Montenegro]] ({{lang|sr|Srbija i Crna Gora}}&nbsp;– [[Serbian language|Serbian]]). Independence restored in 2006. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|MGL
|{{MGL}}
|2002
|
|MNG displayed on current plates. Nevertheless, the new format includes MGL once again.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://platesmania.com/newforum/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&controller=topic&id=19420&page=2 |title=Discussions of Mongolian license plates / Дискуссии по монгольским номерам|date=18 June 2009 }}</ref> Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|MOC
|{{MOZ}}
|1975
|MOC: 1932–56<br />P: 1957–75
|Formerly part of [[Portugal]]. {{native name|pt|Moçambique}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|MS
|{{MUS}}
|1938
|
|
|-
|MV
|{{MDV}}
|1965
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|MW
|{{MWI}}
|1965
|EA 1932–38<br />NP – 1938–70<br />RNY option 1960–65
|Formerly the [[History of Malawi#Nyasaland|Nyasaland Protectorate]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|N
|{{NOR}}
|1922
|
|
|-
|NAM
|{{NAM}}
|1990
|SWA
|Formerly [[South West Africa]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|NAU
|{{NRU}}
|1968
|
|
|-
|NEP
|{{NPL}}
|1970
|
|
|-
|NIC
|{{NIC}}
|1952
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|NL
|{{NLD}}
|1910
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|NMK
|{{MKD}}
|2019
|YU − 1992<br />MK 1992–2019
|Formerly part of [[Yugoslavia]]. Known as ''Republic of Macedonia'' until 2019. Mix of English ''North'' and [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] {{lang|mk|Makedonija}}.
|-
|NZ
|{{NZL}}
|1958
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|OM
|{{OMN}}
|?{{Citation needed|date=October 2021|reason=No further information on Oman's UN road code could be found}}
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|P
|{{PRT}}
|1910
|
|Unofficially used for [[Palestinian territories|Palestine]] in the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/AS_PALE.html |title=License Plates of Palestine }}</ref>
|-
|PA
|{{PAN}}
|1952
|PY 1924–1952
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|PE
|{{PER}}
|1937
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|PK
|{{PAK}}
|1947
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|PL
|{{POL}}
|1921
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|PNG
|{{PNG}}
|1978
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|PY
|{{PRY}}
|1952
|PA 1924–1952
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|Q
|{{QAT}}
|1972
|
|
|-
|RA
|{{ARG}}
|1927
|
| {{native name|es|República Argentina}}
|-
|RC
|{{Flag|Taiwan}}
|1932
|
|''Republic of China''. Unofficially also used by car license plates in the Republic of Congo "République du Congo".
|-
|RCA
|{{CAF}}
|1962
|
| {{native name|fr|République Centrafricaine}}
|-
|RCB
|{{COG}}
|1962
|
| {{native name|fr|République du Congo Brazzaville}}. Unofficially using RC on current plates.
|-
|RCH
|{{CHL}}
|1930
|
| {{native name|es|República de Chile}}
|-
|RG
|{{GIN}}
|1972
|
| {{native name|fr|République de Guinée}}. Also used unofficially by Gabon. 
|-
|RH
|{{HTI}}
|1952
|
| {{native name|fr|République d'Haïti}}
|-
|RI
|{{IDN}}
|1955
|
| {{native name|id|Republik Indonesia}}
|-
|RIM
|{{MRT}}
|1964
|
| {{native name|fr|République islamique de Mauritanie}}
|-
|RKS
|[[File:Flag of Kosovo.svg|20px]] [[Kosovo]]
|2010
|SHS 1919–29<br />Y 1929–53<br />YU 1953–2003<br />SCG 2003–2006<br />SRB 2006–2010
|Republic of [[Kosovo]]
|-
|RL
|{{LBN}}
|1952
|
| {{native name|fr|République Libanaise}}
|-
|RM
|{{MDG}}
|1962
|
| {{native name|fr|République de Madagascar}}
|-
|RMM
|{{MLI}}
|1962
|AOF − 1960
| {{native name|fr|République du Mali}}. Formerly part of French West Africa ({{lang|fr|Afrique Occidentale Française}})
|-
|RN
|{{NER}}
|1977
|AOF − 1960; 1960-1977 - NIG (?)
| {{native name|fr|République du Niger}}. Formerly part of French West Africa ({{lang|fr|Afrique Occidentale Française}}). Still listed as NIG under the UN list.
|-
|RO
|{{ROU}}
|1981
|R - 1981
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|ROK
|{{ROK}}
|1971
|
|Republic of Korea. Unofficially using KOR on their plates.
|-
|ROU<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-19&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg3&clang=_en#EndDec:~:text=UK-,Uruguay,ROU|title=Distinguishing Sign of Vehicles in International Traffic [article 45 (4) and article 46 (3)] (Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General)|date=21 May 2024 }}</ref>
|{{URY}}
|1981
|U 1926-1981
|Stands for República Oriental del Uruguay.
|-
|RP
|{{PHL}}
|1975
|
| {{lang|fil|Republika ng Pilipinas}} (Republic of the Philippines)
|-
|RSM
|{{SMR}}
|1932
|
| {{native name|it|Repubblica di San Marino}}
|-
|RU
|{{BDI}}
|1960
|
|Belgian territory of [[Ruanda-Urundi]]. Unofficially using BU on their plates. 
|-
|RUS
|{{RUS}}
|1992
|
|Formerly part of the Soviet Union. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|RWA
|{{RWA}}
|1964
|RU − 1962
|Formerly part of [[Ruanda-Urundi]] − 1962. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|S
|{{SWE}}
|1911
|
|
|-
|SD
|{{SWZ}}
|1935
|
|Formerly Swaziland
|-
|SGP
|{{SGP}}
|1952
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|SK
|{{SVK}}
|1993
|CS 1919–39,1945–92<br />SQ 1939–45 
|Formerly {{lang|cs|Československo}} ([[Czechoslovakia]]). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|SLO<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/word-lists/car-international-car-registration-letters |title=Car: International car registration letters Word Lists |work=Collins English Word Lists}}</ref>
|{{SVN}}
|1992
|SHS 1919–29<br />Y 1929–53<br />YU 1953–92
|Formerly part of the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]]  {{native name|sh|Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca}}, then part of [[Yugoslavia]].
|-
|SME
|{{SUR}}
|1936
|
|Now displaying 'SUR' on current driving licenses.
|-
|SN
|{{SEN}}
|1962
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|SO
|{{SOM}}
|1974
|SP
|Formerly Somaliland Protectorate. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|SRB
|{{SRB}}
|2006
|SB – 1919<br />SHS 1919–29<br />Y 1929–53<br />YU 1953–2003<br />SCG 2003–2006
||Formerly part of [[Kingdom of Serbia]] ({{lang|sr|Kraljevina Srbija}} – [[Serbian language|Serbian]]), [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] ({{lang|sh|Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca}} – [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]), [[Yugoslavia]] ({{lang|sh|Jugoslavija}} – [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]), and [[Serbia and Montenegro]] ({{lang|sr|Srbija i Crna Gora}} – [[Serbian language|Serbian]]).<br /><br />Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|SUD
|{{SDN}}
|1963
|
|
|-
|SY
|{{SYC}}
|1938
|
|
|-
|SYR
|{{SYR}}
|1952
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|T
|{{THA}}
|1955
|SM
|
|-
|TCH
|{{TCD}}
|1973
|
| {{native name|fr|Tchad}}
|-
|TG
|{{TGO}}
|1973
|RT
|Formerly {{native name|fr|République Togolaise}}. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|TJ
|{{TJK}}
|1992
|SU − 1991
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]], used code "PT" for {{lang|ru|Республика Таджикистан}}
on plates from 1993 to 2003. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|TM
|{{TKM}}
|1992
|SU − 1991
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|TN
|{{TUN}}
|1957
|F − 1956
|Formerly a territory of [[France]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code. Unofficial code TU is common.
|-
|TO
|{{TON}}
|1995
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|TR
|{{TUR}}
|1923
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|TT
|{{TTO}}
|1964
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|UA
|{{UKR}}
|1992
|SU
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|UAE
|{{ARE}}
|1971
|
|
|-
|UK
|{{UK}}
|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>{{cite web |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driving-abroad/355463/gb-stickers-no-longer-valid-driving-abroad |title=GB stickers no longer valid for driving abroad |last=Griffiths |first=Hugo |publisher=autoexpress.co.uk |date=5 July 2021 |access-date=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2021/CN.207.2021-Eng.pdf |title=Convention on Road Traffic Vienna, 8 November 1968: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Notification under Article 45 (4)}}</ref>
|-
|USA
|{{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
|{{UZB}}
|1992
|SU
|Formerly part of the [[Soviet Union]]. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|V
|{{VAT}}
|1931
|
|CV ({{langx|it|Città del Vaticano}}) is used as a prefix on the licence plate number itself. The prefix used on official and government vehicles is SCV ({{langx|la|Status Civitatis Vaticanae}}) 
|-
|VN
|{{VNM}}
|1953
|
|Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|WAG
|{{GMB}}
|1932
|
|West Africa Gambia
|-
|WAL
|{{SLE}}
|1937
|
|West Africa Sierra Leone; on local licence plates SLE is used
|-
|WAN
|{{NGA}}
|1937
|
|West Africa Nigeria
|-
|WD
|{{DMA}}
|1954
|
|Windward Islands Dominica
|-
|WG
|{{GRD}}
|1932
|
|Windward Islands Grenada
|-
|WL
|{{LCA}}
|1932
|
|Windward Islands Saint Lucia
|-
|WS
|{{WSM}}
|1962
|
|Formerly Western Samoa. Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|WV
|{{VCT}}
|1932
|
|Windward Islands Saint Vincent
|-
|YAR
|{{YEM}}
|1960
|
|North Yemen formerly known as the [[Yemen Arab Republic]].
|-
|YV
|{{VEN}}
|1955
|
|
|-
|Z 
|{{ZMB}}
|1964{{Citation needed|date=April 2020|reason=When was it chosen?}}
|RNR
|Formerly [[Northern Rhodesia]].  However, "ZM" is used on current driving licences.
|-
|ZA
|{{ZAF}}
|1936
|
| {{lang|nl|Zuid-Afrika}} (from [[Dutch language|Dutch]]; in [[Afrikaans]] it is {{lang|af|Suid-Afrika}}). Coincides with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|ZW
|{{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==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Code
!width=190pt|Country
!Used until
!width=110pt|Replaced by
!width=450pt|Notes
|-
|ADN
|{{Flagicon|Aden}} [[Aden]]
|1980
|Y
|From 1938, also known as South Yemen, [[People's Democratic Republic of Yemen]] (1967)
|-
|BA
|{{flagicon|Burma|1948}} [[Post-independence Burma, 1948–62|Burma]]
|1956
|BUR
|From 1937
|-
|BP
|{{Flagicon|Bechuanaland Protectorate}} [[Bechuanaland Protectorate]]
|1966
|
|Now [[Botswana]]
|-
|CA
|{{Flag|Canada|1921|size=23px}}
|1956
|CDN
|
|-
|CS
|{{Flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} [[Czechoslovakia]]
|1992
|CZ / SK
|Split into [[Czech Republic]] and [[Slovakia]]. Coincided with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|DA
|{{Flag|Danzig}}, Free City of
|1939
|D (1939–1945)<br />PL (since 1945)
|Danzig ([[German language|German]] for [[Gdańsk]])
|-
|DDR
|{{Flagicon|East Germany}} [[German Democratic Republic]]
|1990
|D
|From 1974 (used D until 1974), Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Coincided with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|EIR
|{{Flagicon|Ireland}} [[Éire]]
|1992
|IRL
|Now {{IRL}}
|-
|ET
|{{EGY}}
|2024
|EG
|Ratified to the [[United Nations]] in 2024.
|-
|EW
|{{EST}}
|1993
|EST
|Eesti Vabariik ([[Estonian language|Estonian]])
|-
|FR
|{{Flagicon|Faroe Islands}} [[Faroe Islands]]
|1996
|FO
|Føroyar ([[Faroese language|Faroese]])
|-
|GB
|{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[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
|{{MLT}}
|1966
|M
|Changed after independence from UK
|-
|GRO
|{{Flagicon|Greenland}} [[Greenland]]
|1910
|KN
|Grønland ([[Danish language]]) / Kalaallit Nunaat ([[Greenlandic language]]). Unofficial. The official code is DK. 
|-
|HV
|{{Flagicon|Upper Volta}} [[Republic of Upper Volta|Upper Volta]] ({{langx|fr|Haute-Volta}}), now [[Burkina Faso]]
|1984
|BF
|Upper Volta. Coincided with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|K
|{{flag|Cambodia}}
|2009
|KH
|Ratified by the United Nations as KH on 18 November 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#27 | title=United Nations Treaty Collection }}</ref>
|-
|KS
|{{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
|1992–2016
|KG
|Ratified by the United Nations as KG in March 2016.
|-
|LR
|{{LAT}}
|1927–1940
|SU, LV
|Latvijas Republika ([[Latvia]]n)
|-
|MK
|{{flagicon|MKD}} [[Republic of Macedonia]]
|1992–2019
|NMK
|Became [[North Macedonia]] in 2019. Coincided with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|NA
|{{ANT}}
|1957
|
|The Netherlands Antilles were dissolved in 2010.
|-
|NIG
|{{NIG}}
|{{Unknown}}
|RN
|Still listed as '''NIG''' under the UN list.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#28:~:text=As%20from%2023%20April%202024.%20Previously%20%22ET%22. | title=United Nations Treaty Collection }}</ref>
|-
|PANG
|{{Flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portuguese Angola|Angola]]
|1956
|P (1957-1975)
|From 1932. Formerly part of [[Portugal]]
|-
|PI
|{{PHI}}
|1973?
|RP
|Still listed as '''PI''' under the UN list.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en#28:~:text=As%20from%2023%20April%202024.%20Previously%20%22ET%22. | title=United Nations Treaty Collection }}</ref>
|-
|R
|{{Flagicon|Romania}} [[Romania]]
|1981
|RO
|-
|RNY
|[[File:Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953–1963).svg|25px]] [[Rhodesia-Nyasaland Fed.]]
|1953–1963
|NP, NR, SR
|Now [[Malawi]], [[Zambia]] and [[Zimbabwe]]
|-
|RNR
|{{ZAM}}
|{{Unknown}}
|Z? ZM?
|Formerly [[Rhodesia]], although still listed as RNR under the UN list (as of May 2024).
|-
|ROU
|{{URY}}
|1979–2012
|UY{{Citation needed|date=March 2020|reason=When was this change made?}}
|República Oriental del Uruguay ([[Spanish language|Spanish]])
|-
|RSR
|[[File:Flag of Rhodesia (1964–1968).svg|25px]] [[Southern Rhodesia]]
|1965–1979
|SR
|Now [[Zimbabwe]]
|-
|RT
|{{TGO}}
|1973
|TG
|République togolaise ([[French language|French]]). Formerly [[French Togoland]] − 1960
|-
|SA
|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Saar 1920-1935.svg}} [[Saar (League of Nations)|Saar Territory (League of Nations mandate)]]
|1926–1935
|D
|SA is again Germany's [[Saarland]]
|-
|SA
|{{flag|Saar}} Protectorate
|1947–1956
|D
|SA is again Germany's [[Saarland]]
|-
|SA
|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
|{{Unknown}}
|KSA
|The date of the change is unknown. Coincided with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] code.
|-
|SB
|{{Flagicon|Kingdom of Serbia}} [[kingdom of Serbia|Serbia]]
|1919
|SHS
|Serbia became part of [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]]
|-
|SCG
|{{Flagicon|Serbia and Montenegro}} [[Serbia and Montenegro]]
|2006
|MNE, SRB
|From Serbian name "Srbija i Crna Gora". Now Montenegro, Serbia. Coincided with [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-3]] code.
|-
|SE
|{{Flagicon|Ireland}} [[Irish Free State|Saorstát Éireann]]
|1938
|EIR (IRL from 1962)
|Under GB until 1924. Name changed to [[Éire]], now {{IRL}}
|-
|SF
|{{FIN}}
|1993
|FIN
|SF from "Suomi&nbsp;– Finland" (the names of the country in its official languages, Finnish and Swedish)
|-
|SHS
|{{Flagicon|Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes}} [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]]
|1929
|Y
|Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca&nbsp;– [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]. Kingdom changed its name to Yugoslavia
|-
|SP<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.europlate.org.uk/category/somaliland/ | title=Somaliland }}</ref>
|{{flag country|British Somaliland}}
|1960
|SO (''de jure''), unknown/none (''de facto'')
|Initialism of ''Somaliland Protectorate''.
|-
|SU
|{{Flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[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
|{{Flagicon|South West Africa}} [[South West Africa]]
|1990
|
|Now [[Namibia]]
|-
|TS
|{{Flagicon|Trieste}} [[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
|{{Flagicon|Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia}} [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]
|1953
|YU 
|Yemen started using '''Y''' afterwards
|-
|YU
|{{Flagicon|Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia}} / {{Flagicon|FRY}} [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|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 
|{{Flagicon|Zaire}} [[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|thumb|Car with Palestinian license plate, bearing Latin letter "P" and Arabic letter [[Pe (Semitic letter)#Arabic fāʾ|Fāʼ]].]]
[[File:Brittany country code sticker on motorbike.jpg|thumb|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''), "FRL" for [[Friesland]], "NB" for [[North Brabant]], "VL" for [[Flanders]] (''Vlaanderen''), "V" for [[Vojvodina]]/[[Vajdaság]], "TS" for [[Transylvania]], "P" for [[State of Palestine|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 separatism|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 Italian, not Turkish. 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]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* "RPW": Neil Parker and John Weeks, ''Registration Plates of the World'', Europlate; 4th edition (2004)

==External links==
{{commons category|International vehicle registration codes}}
* [https://unece.org/distinguishing-signs-vehicles Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles], UNECE
* [https://unece.org/DAM/trans/conventn/Distsigns.pdf Distinguishing Signs used on Vehicles in International Traffic Notified to the Secretary General of the United Nations], UNECE
* [https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11#32 Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva], United Nations Treaty Collection
* [https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-19&chapter=11 Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna], United Nations Treaty Collection
* [http://www.unece.org/trans/conventn/sc1_legalinst.html UN Economic Commission for Europe, Working Party on Road Transport (WP.11)]
* [http://www.unece.org/DAM/trans/doc/2008/ac10c3/UN-SCETDG-33-INF05e.pdf ''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)
* [http://plaque.free.fr/ov1e.html ''Association Francoplaque: Collectionneurs de Plaques d'Immatriculation''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309203856/http://plaque.free.fr/ov1e.html |date=2021-03-09 }} (data mostly from RPW, above)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100730005841/http://www.europlate.org.uk/buy.htm ''European Registration Plate Association: Registration Plates of the World Online''] (registration required; data mostly from RPW, above)

[[Category:Lists of country codes|International license plate codes]]
[[Category:Lists of abbreviations|International license plate codes]]
[[Category:Vehicle registration plates]]