The current number plate format for Spanish Registered Vehicles has been in place since the year 2000 and consists of four numbers followed by three letters (eg. 1234 ABC). Prior to this regional letter codes were used. The letters B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y and Z are all used, whilst all vowels and the letter Q are excluded, so the current system allows for 80 million possible combinations. At the current rate of vehicle registrations this system should last until about 2040.
How it works
The first four numbers of a Spanish Number Plate are a counter which runs from 0000 to 9999. The next 3 letters are a sequence which started with 0000 BBB in September 2000 and will finally end with ZZZ. As at Nov 2023 we are up to MLK, so once there have been 10,000 registrations the letter sequence will change to MLL. Consequently there is no exact method of determining the date a Spanish Vehicle was registered, just an approximation based on the first letter of the sequence.
Using this guide
This guide can be used to find out the month and year a particular number plate was issued by using the last 3 letters of the registration number.So for example, the registration numbers ending MDD to MDS were issued in January 2023.
The current number plate format for Spanish Registered Vehicles has been in place since the year 2000 and consists of four numbers followed by three letters (eg. 1234 ABC).
The most commonly seen are on the back of trailers and caravans. In the UK trailers and caravans are not registered, but in Spain they need registering and inspecting just like a powered vehicle. The red plate shows the registration number of the trailer.
Automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR; see also other names below) is a technology that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates to create vehicle location data.
That said, it is generally accepted that the first two characters of a license plate represent your state (NY - New York). The rest of the characters are where things get interesting. They can either indicate your county or city within that state, and they could also indicate what type of vehicle you drive.
Yes, it is possible for people who are not citizens of EU countries to get their cars registered in Spain. Nonetheless, one must acquire an NIE number as well as fulfill every other requirement needed.
Once your vehicle has passed it's ITV test it will take about 7 days to complete registration although you will still be able to use your vehicle during this time.
Taxis and private hire (VTT) that have authorisation to operate display the rear plate with a blue background and an SP plate mentioned above Vehicles without these markings are not legal for hire.
Temporary Import plates (known in Spain as Placas Verdes) are the green plates with white lettering you may have seen on some vehicle in Spain. They are normally used on a foreign vehicle, when it cannot be driven on it's current registration plates.
Current moped series since 1999 in black on yellow. The registration consists of one letter and one numeral, above three numerals, above three letters. The first letter indicates the category where C stands for normal series. Current moped series since 1999 in black on yellow.
The registration number itself consists of four numbers followed by three letters. The characters are black on a white background. Only consonants are used as letters (including the letter Y, which in Spanish – unlike other languages – is generally regarded as a consonant).
The plates themselves are white with black characters, front and back, with a blue strip on the left containing the 12 stars of the flag of Europe and the country identifier E (for España). This strip is compulsory.
Spain. New drivers must display a standardized (15 cm × 19.5 cm; 6" x 8"), reflective green and white "L" plate on the lower left corner of the rear window for one year after obtaining their first driving license.
Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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