License plates have existed in France since 1892, the year they were founded in the Tet d’Or park in Lyon. Gradually, they were deployed in other cities of France, then throughout the country. They have been ever since have greatly changed in their format, sizes, colors and symbols. The current system was implemented in 2009 with the transition from the FNI (National Registration File, 123 ABC 45) system to the SIV (Vehicle Registration System, AB-123-CD) system. This is for the main series used today for passenger cars, trucks, heavy trucks, motorcycles, trailers and, in particular, construction equipment. But it exists several special plates in the French systemof which here are the main ones.

Diplomatic plaques

Orange symbols on a green background, these plates intended for vehicles used by members of the foreign diplomatic corps In France. They contain a special combination of letters (CD, K or CMD) that indicates the country of origin first in alphabetical order. example:

• 5 CDs 75: car attached to the German Embassy (5) used by diplomatic personnel (CD for Diplomatic Corps), registered in Paris
• 16K75: a car attached to the Brazilian Embassy, ​​used by non-diplomatic staff (especially embassy staff, technical and general services), registered in Paris
• 102 CMD 1: this is the official car of the Somali ambassador to France, CMD means “head of the diplomatic mission”, number 1, which qualifies the “first” car of the embassy, ​​i.e. the most important.

Transit signs

White symbols on a red background, transit license plates are used for vehicles that are not intended for a permanent stay on French territory. They are issued for reasons such as testing, transfers between garages or temporary trips. Euroband is indicated in the usual place on the right expiration date of the vehicle.

Temporary plates W

They are in a standard format, but the first two letters are replaced by one W. These are vehicles on temporary registration: the final number has not yet been assigned to them (the deadline for creating the registration document). They are intended for automotive industry professionals for their demo or test vehicles: garages, dealerships, coachbuilders, vehicle importers, etc.

Temporary WW plates

They are in a standard format, but the first two letters are replaced by WW : Like W plates, these indicate a pre-registered vehicle awaiting registration. But unlike them, they are not limited to automotive industry professionals. They are intended for individuals or professionals who have imported a vehicle or was in the process of re-registration after purchasing a used vehicle. Please note that during the days of the FNI system, WW license plates already existed, but at that time in the 125 WWT 92 format.

Plates of the armed forces

Military equipment and equipment used by other forces safety plates have special plates that indicate, in particular, the authority to which they belong, the year the vehicle was put into circulation and the type of vehicle. Since 1980format “1234 5678”, where:

1: denotes the vehicle of the home army:
on 2: National Gendarme
on 6: Army
at 7: Air Force
at 8: National Navy
at 9: Service and support of the Armed Forces

23: refers to the year of vehicle registration

4: denotes the category of the vehicle in question:
to 1: light car (Peugeot P4, ACMATVT4)
up to 2: light SUV (<7.5 t) (Land Rover Defender, Toyota Masstech)
on 3: heavy weight
on 4: armored
at 9: Motorcycle

5678: define a common series to identify each vehicle

examples:

• 2952 2541: Renault Master from 1995 (VUL) of the National Gendarmerie
• 6844 0238: ERC-90 Sagaie from 1984 (Armored) Army
• 7993 3862: Renault GBC 180 from 1999 (truck) Air Force

Here are the main ones, note that agricultural vehicles, vehicles of public services (especially the police), the presidency of the republic, the RATP or the Paris fire brigade used certain number plates, but most of them are no longer used…

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