VehiclesDB

License plate colors and what they mean

Which states and countries issue yellow, black, blue, red and green plates today, what each color marks, and an example of each, counted from the regulations and the plates themselves.

The short answer: the most common license plate is black characters on a white background, 273 of the 792 plate series in issue today whose colors we hold. Next come blue on white (126), black on yellow (92), green on white (53) and red on white (47). A different color is often a sign of a special plate: 382 of the 519 series in other colors are not the standard plate but a dealer, diplomatic, taxi, temporary, historic or other special issue.

Below is each color people ask about: which states and countries issue it today, what kind of plate it is, and an example of each. Every plate links to its jurisdiction's page, which shows the plate, its formats and the source for its colors.

Yellow license plates

Yellow is the everyday plate in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, where the standard car plate has black characters on yellow. In the United Kingdom only the rear plate is yellow: the regulation (S.I. 2001/561, Schedule 2) says a plate on the front "must have black characters on a white background" and one on the back "must have black characters on a yellow background". In Japan, privately owned kei cars (the light motor vehicle class) carry black characters on yellow.

In the US, yellow comes and goes with each state's plate design. New York's yellow "Empire Gold" plate, for example, was issued from 2010 to 2020; the current Excelsior plate is white with blue characters.

Yellow plates are issued today in 35 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every yellow plate in issue today (35 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Alaska (United States) Standard gold (documented since 2026) blue on yellow issued plates
China Driving school car (since 1992); Large car (since 1992); Driving school motorcycle (since 1992); Motorcycle (since 1992); Low-speed (since 1992); Trailer (since 1992) black on yellow issued plates
Croatia Military (since 2014) black on yellow the regulation
Czechia Agricultural (documented since 2001) black on yellow issued plates
Delaware (United States) Officials (since 2008) blue on gold issued plates
Denmark Van commercial yellow (since 1976); Moped small (since 2006); Trailer (since 1976) black on yellow issued plates
Estonia Temporary yellow (documented since 2011) black on yellow issued plates
Finland Snowmobile (documented since 1996); Tractor (documented since 1996); Koenumero (documented since 1996) black on yellow issued plates
Georgia (United States) Standard America 250 (since 2026); Standard America 250 alt (documented since 2026) black on yellow issued plates
Hungary Taxi 2022 (since 2022) black on yellow issued plates
Iceland Oil (documented since 2006) black on yellow issued plates
India Transport HSRP (since 2004) black on yellow issued plates
Italy Agricultural self-propelled (documented since 1993); Agricultural trailer (documented since 1993); Machine self-propelled (documented since 1993); Machine trailed (documented since 1993); Repeater (documented since 1993) black on yellow
red on yellow 		issued plates
Japan Kei goods 3-digit (since 2005); Kei goods alnum (since 2017); Kei passenger 3-digit (since 2005); Kei passenger alnum (since 2017); Kei special purpose 3-digit (since 2005); Kei special purpose alnum (since 2017); Kei US forces (documented since 1970) black on yellow issued plates
Latvia Taxi (documented since 2010) black on yellow issued plates
Liechtenstein Light motor yellow (documented since 1978); Moped (documented since 1978) black on yellow issued plates
Luxembourg Standard (documented since 2003); Moped (documented since 2003); Limited use (documented since 2003); Personalized (documented since 2003); Export (documented since 2003); Court (documented since 2003); Government (documented since 2003); Parliament (documented since 2003); State (documented since 2003); Diplomatic (documented since 2003) black on yellow issued plates
Netherlands Sidecode 10 car (since 2019); Sidecode 10 light commercial (since 2016); Sidecode 11 car (since 2024); Sidecode 11 light commercial (since 2019); Sidecode 12 light commercial (since 2024); Sidecode 5 heavy commercial (since 1994); Sidecode 6 car (since 2000); Sidecode 7 car (since 2008); Sidecode 7 heavy commercial (since 2012); Sidecode 8 car (since 2013); Sidecode 8 light commercial (since 2009); Sidecode 9 car (since 2015); Sidecode 9 light commercial (since 2012); Sidecode 6 motorcycle (since 2011); Sidecode 10 moped (since 2008); Sidecode 11 moped (since 2015); Sidecode 7 moped (since 2005); Sidecode 9 moped (since 2006); GV sidecode 1 (since 1951); GV sidecode 13 (since 2016); GV sidecode 14 (since 2019); GV sidecode 2 (since 1951); GV sidecode 3 (since 1951); Sidecode 11 agricultural (since 2021); Sidecode 12 agricultural tractor (since 2021); Sidecode 4 semitrailer (since 1988); Sidecode 4 trailer (since 1988) black on yellow issued plates
New Jersey (United States) Garden state screened (documented since 2014) black on yellow issued plates
New Zealand Trade 2016 (since 2016); Trade heavy (since 2016) black on yellow issued plates
Norway Military (since 1932); Military test (since 1945) black on yellow
red on yellow 		issued plates
Nova Scotia (Canada) Commercial (since 1978) black on yellow issued plates
Poland Historic (since 2000); Historic moped (since 2023); Temporary sport (since 2024) black on yellow
red on yellow 		issued plates
Portugal Moped (since 2006); Export (documented since 2005) black on yellow issued plates
Prince Edward Island (Canada) Dealer (since 1988) red on yellow issued plates
San Marino Agricultural MA (documented since 1990) black on yellow issued plates
Slovakia Historic (documented since 2009); Export (documented since 2009) black on yellow
red on yellow 		issued plates
Slovenia Export (since 2011) black on yellow issued plates
South Korea Commercial large (documented since 2009); Commercial long (documented since 2009); Commercial short (documented since 2009) grey on yellow the regulation
Spain Moped (documented since 1999); Diplomatic staff TA (documented since 1999) black on yellow issued plates
Sweden Taxi (since 2017) black on yellow issued plates
Switzerland Light motor yellow (documented since 1977); Motorfahrrad (since 1978) black on yellow issued plates
Thailand LTA public yellow (documented since 2011); Interprovincial taxi (documented since 2011); Motorcycle public (documented since 2011); Small four-wheel hire (documented since 2011); Taxi (documented since 2011); Tuk-tuk (documented since 2011) black on yellow
red on yellow
green on yellow
blue on yellow 		issued plates
Ukraine Taxi electric (since 2021); Taxi 2015 (since 2015) green on yellow
black on yellow 		issued plates
United Kingdom Ni reversed (rear plate) (documented since 2001); Ni standard (rear plate) (documented since 2001); Q (rear plate) (documented since 2001); Standard (rear plate) (since 2001); Green zev (rear plate) (since 2020); Motorcycle (since 2001); Export X (rear plate) (since 2001) black on yellow issued plates

Yellow plates no longer issued, for spotting older cars: Belgium (Motorcycle 2001, 2001 to 2010); Cyprus (Standard 1956 (rear plate), 1956 to 1990; Standard 1990 (rear plate), 1990 to 2013); Hungary (Taxi 1990, 1990 to 2022); India (Transport, 1989 to 2003; Consular CC 1989, 1989 to 2017); Japan (Kei goods 2-digit, 1970 to 2005; Kei passenger 2-digit, 1970 to 2005; Kei special purpose 2-digit, 1970 to 2005); Luxembourg (Legacy yellow, 1974 to 1988; Legacy euro, 1988 to 2003); New Jersey (United States) (Garden state embossed, 2010 to 2014); New York (United States) (Empire gold, 2010 to 2020); New Zealand (Trade 1999, 1999 to 2016); Portugal (Moped municipal, since 2006); Slovenia (Moped 1992, 1992 to 2011); Sweden (Taxi T, 1998 to 2017); Ukraine (Taxi 2004, 2004 to 2015); United Kingdom (Prefix (rear plate), 1984 to 2001).

Black license plates

A black plate is rarer, and in Europe it usually marks an old vehicle or an army one. The UK allows "white, silver or light grey letters and numbers on a black surface" on historic vehicles (S.I. 2001/561, Schedule 2 Part 3). In the US, black plates are newer designs: Mississippi's 2024 "Blackout" plate is a standard plate with white characters on black.

Black plates are issued today in 22 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every black plate in issue today (22 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Argentina Convocatoria reempadronamiento (since 1995) white on black issued plates
Brazil Mercosur collection national (since 2022) white on black the regulation
California (United States) Legacy 1960s (documented since 2015) yellow on black the regulation
China HK/Macau cross-border (documented since 2007); Embassy car (documented since 1992); Embassy motorcycle (documented since 1992); Consulate car (since 1992); Consulate motorcycle (since 1992) white on black issued plates
Cyprus Historic black (since 2013) white on black issued plates
Denmark Historic pre-1976 (since 2011) white on black issued plates
Estonia Historic A9 (documented since 2011); Historic B2 (documented since 2011) white on black issued plates
Finland Museum car M (documented since 1996); Museum motorcycle M (documented since 1996); Standard black (documented since 1996) white on black issued plates
France Collection (since 2009) white on black issued plates
Ireland Vintage ZV (documented since 1993) white on black issued plates
Latvia Military (documented since 2010) white on black issued plates
Liechtenstein Standard (documented since 1925); Dealer U (documented since 1978); Day registration (documented since 2021); Provisional (documented since 1978); Provisional Z (documented since 1978) white on black
yellow on black 		issued plates
Luxembourg Army (since 2003) white on black issued plates
Malaysia Standard prefix (documented since 1987); Standard suffix (documented since 1987); Military Z (since 1987); Consular CC (since 1987) white on black issued plates
Malta Vintage silver (since 2018) silver on black issued plates
Mississippi (United States) Blackout (since 2024) white on black issued plates
North Dakota (United States) Blackout (documented since 2025) white on black the regulation
Norway Off-road (documented since 1990); Rally (documented since 1996) yellow on black
white on black 		the regulation
Sweden Military (documented since 2009) yellow on black the regulation
Switzerland Military M (documented since 1977) white on black issued plates
Ukraine Military (since 2004); Military motorcycle (since 2004) white on black issued plates
United Kingdom Historic blacksilver (documented since 2001) white on black issued plates

Black plates no longer issued, for spotting older cars: Argentina (1995 car, 1995 to 2016; 1995 motorcycle, 1995 to 2016); Austria (Black plate, 1968 to 1990); Denmark (Historic pre-1958, 2008 to 2011); Iceland (District, 1938 to 1989); Ireland (Index mark pre-1987, 1921 to 1987); Italy (Provincial, 1959 to 1996; Diplomatic, 1959 to 1996); Liechtenstein (L, 1915 to 1925; Rental V, 1978 to 2001); Luxembourg (Legacy black, 1955 to 1974); Malta (Standard 1952, 1952 to 1979); New Zealand (Standard 1964, 1964 to 1986); Norway (Numeric 1899, 1899 to 1913); Portugal (National 1937, 1937 to 1992).

Blue and white license plates

"Blue and white" can mean two different plates. Blue characters on a white plate is one of the most common designs in the US and Canada: California and New York both issue it today. White characters on a blue plate is rarer, and most of the places that issue one use it for diplomats.

Blue characters on white

White plates with blue characters are issued today in 31 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every white plate with blue characters (31 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Alberta (Canada) Standard (since 2010); Trailer (documented since 2002); Antique (documented since 2002); Personalized (documented since 2002); Specialty index (since 2014); Veterans (since 2005); Dealer (documented since 2002) blue on white issued plates
British Columbia (Canada) Commercial truck (since 2025); Industrial (since 2025); Prorate (since 2025); Standard 2025 (since 2025); Motorcycle (since 1970); Farm (since 2025); Trailer utility (since 2025); Collector (since 2006); Vintage antique (since 1966); Personalized (since 1979); Parks 2025 (since 2025) blue on white issued plates
California (United States) Commercial (documented since 2026); Standard 123ABC1 (documented since 2026); Motorcycle (documented since 2026); Personalized (documented since 2026) blue on white issued plates
Czechia Diplomatic 2004 (since 2004) blue on white issued plates
District of Columbia (United States) Alternate design (documented since 2018); End taxation (documented since 2017) blue on white issued plates
Greece Historic IO (since 2023) blue on white issued plates
Iceland Standard 1989 (since 1989); Standard 2006 (documented since 2006); Tractor (documented since 2003); Personal (documented since 2003) blue on white the regulation
Kentucky (United States) Standard 2020 (since 2020); Standard igwt (since 2020) blue on white issued plates
Latvia Electric (since 2016) blue on white issued plates
Maine (United States) Motorcycle (since 2012) blue on white issued plates
Manitoba (Canada) Standard (since 1997); Collector (documented since 2018); Personalized (since 1997); MMIWG2S (since 2023); Parks (since 2024); Support our troops (since 2014); Dealer (documented since 2018); Repairer (documented since 2018) blue on white issued plates
Mississippi (United States) Standard 2024 (since 2024) blue on white issued plates
Monaco Resident Z (documented since 1978); Standard letter prefix (documented since 1978); Standard letter suffix (documented since 2013); Standard numeric (documented since 1978); Motorcycle (documented since 1978); Trailer (documented since 1978); Collection 0000 (documented since 1978); Dealer W (documented since 1978); Conseil national (documented since 1978); Government ME (documented since 1978); Princely (documented since 1978); Diplomatic CD (documented since 1978); Diplomatic K (documented since 1978); Consular CC (documented since 1978) blue on white issued plates
New York (United States) Excelsior (documented since 2020) blue on white issued plates
Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) Standard 2007 (since 2007); Truck C (since 1982); Motorcycle M (since 1982); Taxi TX (since 1982); Trailer T (since 1982); Amateur radio VO (since 1982); Veteran V (since 2007); Dealer D (since 1982); Government G (since 1982) blue on white issued plates
North Carolina (United States) Standard first in flight (documented since 2009); Standard first in freedom (documented since 2015); Standard national state mottos (documented since 2019) blue on white issued plates
Northwest Territories (Canada) Commercial (documented since 2013); Construction (documented since 2013); Regular (since 1986); Rental (documented since 2013); School bus (documented since 2013); Motorcycle (documented since 2013); Trailer (documented since 2013); Personalized (documented since 2013); Amateur radio (documented since 2013); Veteran (documented since 2013); Dealer (documented since 2013); Crown (documented since 2013); Government (documented since 2013) blue on white issued plates
Nova Scotia (Canada) Standard 1989 (since 1989); Motorcycle (since 1998); Fm farmer fisherman (since 1989); Antique (since 2009); Personalized (since 2005); Firefighter (since 1991) blue on white issued plates
Nunavut (Canada) Standard 2025 (since 2025) blue on white issued plates
Ontario (Canada) Commercial (since 2011); Standard 1997 (since 1997); Motorcycle 2024 (since 2024); Trailer 2025 (since 2025); Historic (since 2007); Personalized (since 1998) blue on white issued plates
Pennsylvania (United States) Let freedom ring (since 2025); Visit PA (documented since 2017) blue on white
blue on cream 		issued plates
Portugal Temporary import (documented since 2005) blue on white issued plates
Québec (Canada) Bus A (since 1991); Commercial F (since 2001); Off-road V (since 1991); Passenger 2023 (since 2023); Restricted C (since 1991); Truck L (since 1991); Motorcycle (since 2008); Trailer R (since 2007); Amateur radio (since 1991); Personalized (since 2018); Dealer X (since 1991); Diplomatic CD (since 1991); Consular CC (since 1991) blue on white issued plates
Romania Diplomatic (since 1992); Consular (since 1992) blue on white issued plates
San Marino Standard 2022 (documented since 2022); Motorcycle (documented since 1993); Moped (documented since 1993); Trailer R (documented since 1986); Historic H (documented since 2006); Personalized (documented since 2003); Police (documented since 1986); Diplomatic CD 1986 (documented since 1986) blue on white
blue on cream 		issued plates
Slovakia Sport (documented since 2009) blue on white issued plates
Slovenia Police (since 1992) blue on white issued plates
South Korea Motorcycle city (documented since 2009) blue on white the regulation
Thailand Private car 7+ seats (documented since 2011) blue on white issued plates
Virginia (United States) Standard lovers (documented since 2014) blue on white issued plates
West Virginia (United States) Standard (documented since 2023) blue on white issued plates

White characters on blue (blue plates)

Blue plates are issued today in 25 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every blue plate in issue today (25 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Andorra Diplomatic CD (documented since 2011); Diplomatic CMD (documented since 2011); Diplomatic staff A (documented since 2011); Consular CC (documented since 2011) white on blue the regulation
Austria Dealer probefahrt (since 1989); Temporary vorlaeufig (since 1989) white on blue issued plates
China Small car (since 1992); Moped (since 1992); Temporary entry car (since 1992); Temporary entry motorcycle (since 1992); Temporary travel (since 1992) white on blue
black on light blue 		issued plates
Croatia Diplomatic (since 1993) yellow on blue issued plates
Delaware (United States) Standard beveled (documented since 2008); Motorcycle (documented since 2008); Trailer (documented since 2008); Vanity (since 2008); Dealer (since 2008); State owned (documented since 2008) gold on blue issued plates
Denmark Diplomatic mission (since 1976); Diplomatic organisation (since 1976) white on blue issued plates
Estonia Diplomatic CD (documented since 2011); Diplomatic CD reduced (documented since 2011); Diplomatic CMD (documented since 2011); Diplomatic CMD reduced (documented since 2011) white on blue issued plates
Finland Diplomatic C (documented since 1996); Diplomatic CD (documented since 1996) white on blue issued plates
Hungary Diplomatic 2017 (since 2017) white on blue issued plates
Iceland Moped (documented since 2003) white on blue issued plates
India Diplomatic CD (since 1989); UN (since 1995); Consular CC 2017 (since 2017) yellow on blue
white on blue 		issued plates
Liechtenstein Work vehicle blue (documented since 1978) black on light blue issued plates
Monaco Provisional WW (since 1978) white on blue issued plates
Netherlands Sidecode 12 special moped (since 2025); Historic dark blue (since 1978); Historic dark blue agricultural (since 1978); Historic dark blue sidecode 2 (since 1978); Historic dark blue sidecode 3 (since 1978) white on blue
black on light blue 		issued plates
Norway Diplomatic (documented since 1990) yellow on blue issued plates
Poland Diplomatic (since 2000) white on blue issued plates
Slovakia Diplomatic mission (documented since 1997); Diplomatic staff (documented since 1997) yellow on blue issued plates
Slovenia Historic (since 2013) white on blue issued plates
South Korea Electric (since 2017); Diplomatic long (documented since 2009); Diplomatic short (documented since 2009) white on blue
grey on light blue 		the regulation
Spain International OI (documented since 1999) white on blue issued plates
Sweden Diplomatic (since 1988) black on blue issued plates
Switzerland Work vehicle blue (documented since 1977) black on light blue issued plates
Tennessee (United States) Standard 2024 (since 2024); Standard igwt 2024 (since 2024) white on blue issued plates
Thailand Consular (documented since 2011) white on blue issued plates
Ukraine Police (since 2021) white on light blue issued plates

Blue plates no longer issued, for spotting older cars: Brazil (PNU diplomatic, 2008 to 2020); Czechia (Diplomatic 2001, 2001 to 2005); Delaware (United States) (Standard flat, 1969 to 2008); Hungary (Diplomatic 1990, 1990 to 2017); Ontario (Canada) (Standard blue, 2020 to 2020); Tennessee (United States) (Standard 2022, 2022 to 2024; Standard igwt 2022, 2022 to 2024).

Red license plates

A red plate rarely means an ordinary car. Most red plates in issue today are temporary, dealer or diplomatic plates, as the list below shows. Two cases are written straight into the law:

  • Germany: red characters on white is the "rotes Kennzeichen", the plate dealers, manufacturers and workshops use to move and test different vehicles (§ 41 of the Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung).
  • Belgium: every ordinary Belgian plate has red characters on white. The ministerial decree of 23 July 2001 on vehicle registration sets the characters and border in ruby red, RAL 3003. Belgium's plates with a red background, set in RAL 3020, are temporary, export and agricultural plates.

Red plates

Red plates are issued today in 20 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every red plate in issue today (20 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Andorra Historic failed ITV (documented since 2011) black on red the regulation
Austria Moped (since 1989); Trailer foreign (since 2002) white on red issued plates
Belgium Agricultural G (documented since 2020); Temporary W (documented since 2021); Export X (documented since 2021) white on red the regulation
Denmark Airport RF (since 2012); Airport RF trailer (since 2012) yellow on red issued plates
Estonia Racing A10 (documented since 2011) white on red issued plates
France Transit red (since 2009) white on red issued plates
Iceland Off-road (documented since 2003); Trade (documented since 2003) white on red
black on red 		issued plates
India Dealer 2022 (since 2022) white on red issued plates
Latvia Diplomatic (documented since 2010) white on red issued plates
Liechtenstein Rear load carrier (documented since 2022) white on red issued plates
Luxembourg Dealer red (documented since 2003) white on red issued plates
Malaysia Diplomatic DC (since 1987); UN (since 1987) white on red issued plates
Mexico Civil protection (since 2016) white on red issued plates
Norway Dealer annual (since 2015); Dealer day (documented since 1990) black on red
white on red 		issued plates
Ontario (Canada) Diplomatic (since 1994) white on red issued plates
Spain Trailer (documented since 1999); Temporary company registered (documented since 1999); Temporary company unregistered (documented since 1999); Diplomatic CD (documented since 1999) white on red
black on red 		issued plates
Sweden Temporary interim (documented since 2016) white on red issued plates
Thailand Trade red (since 1979) black on red issued plates
Ukraine Moped transit (since 2015); Motorcycle transit (since 2015); Motorcycle transit small (since 2015); Tractor transit (since 2021); Transit 2015 (since 2015) white on red issued plates
Vermont (United States) Municipal (documented since 1990) white on red issued plates

Red plates no longer issued, for spotting older cars: Belgium (Temporary 2001, 2001 to 2010; Temporary 2010, 2010 to 2020); Ukraine (Transit 2004, 2004 to 2015).

Red characters on white

White plates with red characters are issued today in 23 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every white plate with red characters (23 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Andorra Giny mecanic (documented since 2011); Snow vehicle (documented since 2011); Special vehicle (documented since 1999) red on white issued plates
Argentina Provisoria (since 1993) red on white issued plates
Belgium Standard 2010 (since 2010); Motorcycle M (documented since 2021); Moped S (since 2014); Taxi T (documented since 2021); Trailer Q (documented since 2021); Historic O (documented since 2021); Historic O moto (documented since 2021); Personalized (since 2014); International 2021 (documented since 2021); Supplementary aep (documented since 2001); Supplementary court (documented since 2001); Diplomatic CD (since 2010) red on white the regulation
Denmark Dealer testplate (since 2008) red on white issued plates
Estonia Transit D1 (documented since 2011); Transit D2 (documented since 2011) red on white issued plates
Finland Siirtomerkki (documented since 2021) red on white issued plates
Germany Dealer red (documented since 2007); Oldtimer red (documented since 2007) red on white the regulation
Iceland VAT free (documented since 2003) red on white the regulation
Latvia Dealer (documented since 2010) red on white issued plates
Lithuania Temporary commercial (since 2018); Temporary commercial motorcycle (since 2018) red on white issued plates
Malta Weekend (since 2015) red on white issued plates
Massachusetts (United States) Standard spirit (since 1993) red on white issued plates
Monaco TT (documented since 1978) red on white issued plates
New Brunswick (Canada) ATV (since 2003); Commercial (since 2011); Standard 2011 (since 2011); Truck (since 2003); Motorcycle (since 2009); Trailer (since 2003); Antique (since 2003); Dealer (since 2009) red on white issued plates
Nova Scotia (Canada) Off-highway (since 1989) red on white issued plates
Poland Temporary (since 2000) red on white issued plates
Portugal Diplomatic (documented since 2005) red on white issued plates
Romania Probe (documented since 2006); Provisional (documented since 2006) red on white issued plates
San Marino Red Cross CRS (documented since 1989) red on white issued plates
Slovakia Dealer (documented since 2009) red on white issued plates
Spain Special vehicles (documented since 1999) red on white issued plates
Thailand Private three-wheeler (documented since 2011) red on white issued plates
Vatican City Papal red (since 2002) red on white issued plates

Green license plates

Green has the widest range of meanings. In Germany, green characters on white mark a vehicle whose keeper doesn't pay vehicle tax, such as farm tractors and machinery: the law calls it the "grünes Kennzeichen" (§ 10 of the Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung). Elsewhere a green plate can mean an electric car, a diplomat, or simply the state's own design: Vermont's standard plate is green with white characters.

Green plates

Green plates are issued today in 23 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every green plate in issue today (23 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Andorra Dealer prova (documented since 1999) red on green the regulation
Austria Temporary ueberstellung (since 1989) white on green issued plates
China New energy large (since 2016); New energy small (since 2016) black on light green
black on green 		issued plates
Croatia Export (since 2008) yellow on green issued plates
Czechia Transfer (documented since 2001) black on green issued plates
Estonia Moped B3 (documented since 2011) black on green issued plates
France Diplomatic CD (since 2009); Diplomatic CD delegation (since 2009); Diplomatic K (since 2009); Diplomatic K delegation (since 2009); Consular C (since 2009); Consular K (since 2009) white on green
orange on green 		issued plates
Hungary Electric 2022 (since 2022) black on light green issued plates
Iceland Diplomatic (documented since 2003) white on green issued plates
India Electric green (since 2018); Non-diplomatic CDP (since 1997); Non-diplomatic CCP (since 1997) white on green issued plates
Liechtenstein Agricultural green (documented since 1978) black on light green issued plates
Lithuania Diplomatic (since 2004); Diplomatic motorcycle (since 2004) white on green issued plates
Norway Green varebil (documented since 1990) black on green issued plates
Poland Electric (since 2020) black on light green issued plates
Prince Edward Island (Canada) Electric (since 2022) white on green issued plates
Slovakia Agricultural (documented since 2009) black on green issued plates
South Korea Corporate green (since 2024) grey on green the regulation
Spain Temporary private (documented since 1999); Consular CC (documented since 1999) white on green issued plates
Sweden Dealer saluvagn (since 1973) black on green issued plates
Switzerland Agricultural green (documented since 1977) black on light green issued plates
Thailand Service green (documented since 2011) white on green issued plates
Ukraine Diplomatic CD (since 2025); Diplomatic S (since 2025); Consular CC (since 2025) white on green issued plates
Vermont (United States) Standard 1990 (since 1990); Truck (since 2009); Motorcycle (documented since 1990); Trailer small (documented since 1990) white on green issued plates

Green plates no longer issued, for spotting older cars: Cyprus (Diplomatic green, 1973 to 2013); Hungary (Electric 2015, 2015 to 2022); Slovenia (Agricultural, 1992 to 2004; Temporary, 1992 to 2004); Vermont (United States) (Standard 1985, 1985 to 1989).

Green characters on white

White plates with green characters are issued today in 19 of the jurisdictions we cover.

What they are used for:

Every white plate with green characters (19 jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Plates in issue today Colors Exact shade from
Austria Electric (since 2017) green on white issued plates
Belgium Dealer essai Y (documented since 2021); Dealer marchand Z (documented since 2021); Dealer professionnelle V (documented since 2021); National U (documented since 2021) green on white the regulation
Czechia Historic 2015 (since 2015); Dealer (documented since 2001); Test (documented since 2001) green on white issued plates
Florida (United States) Standard (documented since 2003); Personalized (since 1972) green on white issued plates
Germany Green tax-exempt (since 1956) green on white the regulation
Japan Registered bus 3-digit (since 1998); Registered bus alnum (since 2017); Registered classcode 1-digit (documented since 1970); Registered goods 3-digit (since 1998); Registered goods alnum (since 2017); Registered passenger 3-digit (since 1998); Registered passenger alnum (since 2017); Registered small goods 3-digit (since 1998); Registered small goods alnum (since 2017); Registered small passenger 3-digit (since 1998); Registered small passenger alnum (since 2017); Registered special purpose 3-digit (since 1998); Registered special purpose alnum (since 2017); Registered US forces (documented since 1970); Motorcycle 126 250 (documented since 1970); Motorcycle over 250 cc (documented since 1970); Motorcycle over 250 cc combination (documented since 1970); Motorcycle over 250 cc US forces (documented since 1970); Registered construction 3-digit (since 1998); Registered construction alnum (since 2017); Registered large special 3-digit (since 1998); Registered large special alnum (since 2017); Figure local (since 2018) green on white issued plates
Latvia Off-road (documented since 2010) green on white issued plates
Maine (United States) Trailer longterm (since 2001) green on white issued plates
New Hampshire (United States) Motorcycle (since 2022) green on white issued plates
Ontario (Canada) Green (since 2010) green on white issued plates
Poland Professional (since 2019) green on white issued plates
Prince Edward Island (Canada) Standard 2022 (since 2022) green on white issued plates
Québec (Canada) Electric (since 2017) green on white issued plates
San Marino Machinery MO (documented since 1990) green on white issued plates
Saskatchewan (Canada) Standard (since 1998); Personalized (since 1998) green on white issued plates
Slovakia Electric (since 2023); Limited F (documented since 2009); Temporary C (documented since 2009) green on white issued plates
South Africa FS personalised (since 2002) green on white issued plates
Thailand Private pickup (documented since 2011) green on white issued plates
Ukraine Electric (since 2020); Moped electric (since 2021); Motorcycle electric (since 2021); Non-format electric (since 2021) green on white issued plates

Why some colors are law and others aren't

The British, German and Belgian rules above name the colors in the regulation itself. US law often works the other way round: where it mentions color at all, it may only ask that plates can be told apart, and leave the colors to the plate's design. California's Vehicle Code, for its historic-vehicle plates, says "each series of plates shall have different and distinguishing colors" (§ 5004).

Delaware is a state that does name them: its law spells out "gold letters on a blue background" (21 Del. C. § 2121), and gives the plates of the State's elective and constitutional officers and of state and federal judges the reverse, "blue letters on a gold background" (§ 2123).

Every color combination in issue today

Every combination of character and background color on a plate issued today, with each place that issues it. A rear plate in a color of its own, like the UK's yellow one, counts on its own row.

Colors Series Where
black on white 273 Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia (United States), Germany, Greece, Guam (United States), Hawaii (United States), Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Maryland (United States), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico (United States), Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Carolina (United States), South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Texas (United States), Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City and Yukon (Canada)
blue on white 126 Alberta (Canada), British Columbia (Canada), California (United States), Czechia, District of Columbia (United States), Greece, Iceland, Kentucky (United States), Latvia, Maine (United States), Manitoba (Canada), Mississippi (United States), Monaco, New York (United States), Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada), North Carolina (United States), Northwest Territories (Canada), Nova Scotia (Canada), Nunavut (Canada), Ontario (Canada), Pennsylvania (United States), Portugal, Québec (Canada), Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Thailand, Virginia (United States) and West Virginia (United States)
black on yellow 98 China, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia (United States), Hungary, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Jersey (United States), New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia (Canada), Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine and United Kingdom
green on white 53 Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Florida (United States), Germany, Japan, Latvia, Maine (United States), New Hampshire (United States), Ontario (Canada), Poland, Prince Edward Island (Canada), Québec (Canada), San Marino, Saskatchewan (Canada), Slovakia, South Africa, Thailand and Ukraine
red on white 47 Andorra, Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Massachusetts (United States), Monaco, New Brunswick (Canada), Nova Scotia (Canada), Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand and Vatican City
white on black 33 Argentina, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mississippi (United States), North Dakota (United States), Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine and United Kingdom
white on blue 33 Andorra, Austria, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Tennessee (United States) and Thailand
white on red 27 Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Iceland, India, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Ontario (Canada), Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Vermont (United States)
white on green 22 Austria, France, Iceland, India, Lithuania, Prince Edward Island (Canada), Spain, Thailand, Ukraine and Vermont (United States)
grey on white 7 South Korea
red on yellow 7 Italy, Norway, Poland, Prince Edward Island (Canada), Slovakia and Thailand
gold on blue 6 Delaware (United States)
black on green 6 China, Czechia, Estonia, Norway, Slovakia and Sweden
black on light blue 6 China, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland
yellow on blue 5 Croatia, India, Norway and Slovakia
black on light green 5 China, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland and Switzerland
black on red 5 Andorra, Iceland, Norway, Spain and Thailand
brown on white 5 Prince Edward Island (Canada)
yellow on black 4 California (United States), Liechtenstein, Norway and Sweden
black on orange 4 Sweden and Thailand
grey on yellow 3 South Korea
black on beige 2 Liechtenstein and Switzerland
blue on cream 2 Pennsylvania (United States) and San Marino
orange on green 2 France
black on pink 2 France
yellow on red 2 Denmark
blue on yellow 2 Alaska (United States) and Thailand
green on yellow 2 Thailand and Ukraine
silver on black 1 Malta
black on blue 1 Sweden
blue on gold 1 Delaware (United States)
grey on green 1 South Korea
red on green 1 Andorra
yellow on green 1 Croatia
grey on light blue 1 South Korea
white on light blue 1 Ukraine
yellow on silver 1 Japan

Where these colors come from

This page covers 809 of the 1,174 plate series in issue today, in 97 jurisdictions: every current series for which the dataset records a background color (1,004 series once past plates are included). For 91 of them the exact shade comes from the regulation itself, as an RAL or Pantone reference, color coordinates or a named color; the rest were read from issued plates, in some cases because the law names the color but not the shade (the UK's "yellow" is one). US plates are mostly in the second group (63 of 65 US series).

The dataset records each color as an exact value, together with whether it comes from the regulation or from issued plates. On this page those values are grouped under everyday names, by hue and lightness, so that "yellow" covers both the Dutch and the Japanese yellow, which aren't quite the same shade. The exact value and its source are on each jurisdiction's page. If a color looks wrong to you, that's where to check it; we'd rather be corrected than wrong.

Plate sizes have a page of their own: license plate dimensions for every country and state.

Validate plate numbers, not just colors

If you're building something that handles license plates (a parking app, a fleet tool, a form), the same dataset knows each jurisdiction's plate formats too. One call tells you whether a registration is valid and which series it belongs to, including its colors:

curl "https://vehiclesdb.com/api/v1/plates/nl/match" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer vdb_sk_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"plate": "12-GB-BD"}'

Every account starts with 100 free credits, and a match costs 1 credit. The car API page has the rest of what the API does, and you can browse every jurisdiction's plates for free.

More license plate guides