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Welcome to Spain
Know Your Plates
These are the different colour plates that you will sometimes come across on Spanish roads. We'll also tell you about the most unique colour plate! GREEN / WHITE
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Green plates with white letters & numbers are usually temporary import plates, known as Placas Verdes but can also be found on consular vehicles when prefixed with the letters CC. The temporary plates are prefixed with the letter P for “provisional” and are also sometimes used by vehicle manufacturers for their prototype vehicles.
BLUE / WHITE
Blue plates with white lettering are used on Spanish taxis and limousines but can also be found on diplomatic vehicles belonging to international organisations with the latter carrying the prefix OI. The blue taxi plate was introduced on 1 August 2018 to help clearly identify properly licensed taxis and to stem the rise of unlicensed and illegal competition.
RED / WHITE & RED / BLACK
Red plates with white text are usually trade plates but can also be Diplomatic plates when prefixed with CD, whilst red plates with black lettering are used on trailers and have the prefix R for Remolque.
WHITE / RED
White plates with red lettering are found on agricultural vehicles and heavy machinery and are prefixed E.
WHITE / BLACK
This is the most common plate you will see on Spanish roads but if prefixed the letter H it's a historic vehicle with the following format: H 1234 BCDF. The same white black combination is used on state vehicles with differing prefixes
STATE PLATES
You'll likely have seen the prefix DGP on Spanish police force vehicles which stands for Dirección General de Policía, but there are many other government agencies that also have their own number plates including Mossos (CME), National Police (CNP), Spanish Air Force (EA), Guardia Civil (PGC) and State vehicles (PME).
CRIMSON PLATES
Almost certainly the most unique number plate in Spain, the Crimson Plate bears the Royal Crown and is only used on vehicles carrying the King of Spain when on official engagements.
NOT A ROYAL?
Whilst we can't get you a crimson number plate we can promise you a royal service. So if you have a vehicle to import or would like some advice about the import of your vehicle please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team on any of the numbers below:
