License Plate Formats by Country (EU Band Guide)
Vehicle plates follow surprisingly different rules around the world. This table shows a typical plate example and the general letter-and-number layout for ten major countries and regions, so you can recognise where a vehicle is registered at a glance. The EU band column notes whether a country displays the blue strip with a country code such as D, F or I on the left side of its plates.
| Country | Typical format | EU band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ABC 1234 | No | Issued by each state; formats and colours vary |
| Canada | ABC 1234 | No | Issued by province or territory; layouts differ |
| United Kingdom | AB12 CDE | Yes | Blue strip on the left may show UK or GB |
| Germany | B AB 1234 | Yes | City code prefix; blue strip shows D |
| France | AB-123-CD | Yes | Nationwide format since 2009; blue strip shows F |
| Italy | AB 123CD | Yes | Blue strip shows I |
| Japan | 123 X 45-67 | No | X stands for a hiragana character; region name on the top line |
| Australia | ABC 12D | No | Issued by state or territory; formats differ |
| China | A 12345 | No | Regional Chinese character comes first, then letters and numbers |
| Singapore | SBA 1234 D | No | Checksum letter at the end; colours differ by vehicle type |
Notes
- Formats shown are typical examples only; actual plates vary by state, province, year, and vehicle type.
- The EU band is the blue strip on the left side of a plate that carries a country code such as D, F or I.
- Japan and China include local script characters on their plates; these appear here as X or are omitted for clarity.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the blue EU band on a plate mean?
- It is an identification band used by EU countries and some neighbours. It shows a country code such as D for Germany, F for France, I for Italy or GB/UK for the United Kingdom.
- Are plates the same across all US states?
- No. Each state issues its own plates, so the layout, colours and numbering rules differ from state to state.
- Why do UK plates still show the EU band after Brexit?
- Plates made before the UK left the EU keep the blue band. Newer plates may instead show a UK flag with the code UK or GB.
- How do I read a Japanese licence plate?
- Japanese plates have the region name on the top line. The lower line holds a number, a hiragana character and a four-digit serial, such as 123 X 45-67.
- Which countries on this list use the EU band?
- Among the examples shown, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy display the blue EU band on their plates.