Global List of Country License Plate Codes

When traveling abroad or encountering a foreign vehicle on the road, you might have noticed the short letter codes on its license plate. These codes indicate the country in which the vehicle is registered and play a key role in international traffic regulations. Country license plate codes are extremely useful for both individual and corporate users.

Especially for companies benefiting from operational fleet leasing services, these codes facilitate vehicle tracking, customs procedures, and insurance transactions. In this article, we share the license plate codes of all countries worldwide in alphabetical order. You’ll also find practical information and helpful tips regarding foreign license plates throughout the article.

License plate codes are short letter combinations used to indicate the country of registration of a vehicle in the international traffic system. These codes are usually found at the top left or bottom of the plate. For example:

• TR: Turkey
• D: Germany
• F: France
• CH: Switzerland

For companies involved in international transportation or cross-border operations, country license plate codes greatly simplify official processes.

• Logistics Management: Routes and transit permits can be planned based on the vehicle’s country.
• Fleet Monitoring: In multi-country operations, vehicles can be tracked by country.
• Legal Compliance: Official codes are mandatory for customs, insurance, and transit tax processes.
• Security and Recognition: Understanding foreign plates in traffic reduces risks and improves awareness.

The standardization of country codes on license plates developed alongside the regulation of international road traffic. In the early 20th century, as cross-border vehicle movements increased, countries adopted letter-based identification systems to quickly recognize vehicle origin. However, having each country create its own system eventually caused confusion.

To address this, the 1924 Geneva International Road Traffic Convention marked the first step toward a globally unified code system. Countries began using three-letter codes based on their English, French, or Latin names. For example:

• TR for Turkey
• D for Germany (Deutschland)
• CH for Switzerland (Confoederatio Helvetica)

These codes typically appear on the left side of the plate, usually in white on a blue background. Today, the system aligns with ISO 3166 alpha-2/3 standards and EU traffic regulations. Countries use these codes not only at border crossings but also for diplomatic vehicles and certain special permits.

In short, the standardization of license plate codes not only aids identification but also supports international cooperation in areas such as security, insurance, taxation, and traffic violations.

While most license plate codes are clear, some can be confusing due to historical or visual similarities between countries. This is especially common in Europe and Asia, where linguistic and geopolitical factors overlap.

Examples include:

• CH represents Switzerland (from Confoederatio Helvetica), though it's often mistakenly linked to China.
• A is for Austria, while Australia uses AUS.
• IR (Iran) and IRL (Ireland) differ by just one letter and are frequently misinterpreted.
• D is for Germany, but DK stands for Denmark—important for road transport across European borders.
• RC refers to Taiwan (Republic of China), while CN is for the People’s Republic of China. Political sensitivities make these distinctions important.

Such confusion arises not only from letter similarities but also from countries’ historical names, official languages, and levels of international recognition. For fleet managers, logistics firms, and customs authorities, knowing the correct codes is critical to avoid operational errors.

Countries Starting with A

USA – United States
AFG – Afghanistan
D – Germany
AND – Andorra
ANG – Angola
RA – Argentina
AL – Albania
AUS – Australia
A – Austria
AZ – Azerbaijan

Countries Starting with B

BS – Bahamas
BRN – Bahrain
BD – Bangladesh
BDS – Barbados
B – Belgium
BH – Belize
BEN – Benin
BY – Belarus
BT – Bhutan
UAE – United Arab Emirates
BOL – Bolivia
BIH – Bosnia and Herzegovina
BW – Botswana
BR – Brazil
BRU – Brunei
BG – Bulgaria
BF – Burkina Faso
BU – Burundi

Countries Starting with C

CV – Cabo Verde
DZ – Algeria
DJI – Djibouti
TCH – Chad
CZ – Czechia
CN – China

Countries Starting with D

DK – Denmark
DOM – Dominican Republic

Countries Starting with E

EC – Ecuador
ES – El Salvador
RI – Indonesia
ER – Eritrea
AM – Armenia
EST – Estonia
ETH – Ethiopia

Countries Starting with F

MA – Morocco
FJI – Fiji
RP – Philippines
FIN – Finland
F – France

Countries Starting with G

G – Gabon
WAG – Gambia
GH – Ghana
RAG – Guinea
GNB – Guinea-Bissau
WG – Grenada
GCA – Guatemala
ZA – South Africa
ROK – South Korea
GE – Georgia

Countries Starting with H

RH – Haiti
IND – India
NL – Netherlands
HN – Honduras
HR – Croatia

Countries Starting with I

IRQ – Iraq
IR – Iran
IRL – Ireland
E – Spain
IL – Israel
S – Sweden
CH – Switzerland
I – Italy
IS – Iceland

Countries Starting with J

J – Japan

Countries Starting with K

K – Cambodia
CAM – Cameroon
CDN – Canada
MNE – Montenegro
Q – Qatar
KZ – Kazakhstan
EAK – Kenya
KS – Kyrgyzstan
CO – Colombia
COM – Comoros
RC – Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
ZR – Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
RKS – Kosovo
CR – Costa Rica
KWT – Kuwait
C – Cuba
NMK – North Macedonia

Countries Starting with L

LAO – Laos
LS – Lesotho
LV – Latvia
LB – Liberia
LAR – Libya
FL – Liechtenstein
LT – Lithuania
RL – Lebanon
L – Luxembourg

Countries Starting with M

H – Hungary
RM – Madagascar
MW – Malawi
MV – Maldives
MAL – Malaysia
MLT – Malta
MEX – Mexico
MD – Moldova
MC – Monaco
MGL – Mongolia
RIM – Mauritania

Countries Starting with N

NAM – Namibia
NEP – Nepal
NIC – Nicaragua
RN – Niger
WAN – Nigeria
N – Norway
NZ – New Zealand

Countries Starting with O

OM – Oman
UZ – Uzbekistan

Countries Starting with P

PK – Pakistan
PAL – Palau
PA – Panama
PY – Paraguay
PE – Peru
PL – Poland
P – Portugal

Countries Starting with R

RO – Romania
RWA – Rwanda
RUS – Russia

Countries Starting with S

KN – Saint Kitts and Nevis
WL – Saint Lucia
WV – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
WS – Samoa
RSM – San Marino
STP – São Tomé and Príncipe
SN – Senegal
SRB – Serbia
WSL – Sierra Leone
SGP – Singapore
SK – Slovakia
SLO – Slovenia
SP – Somalia
CL – Sri Lanka
SYR – Syria
KSA – Saudi Arabia
RCH – Chile

Countries Starting with T

TJ – Tajikistan
EAT – Tanzania
T – Thailand
RC – Taiwan
TG – Togo
TO – Tonga
TT – Trinidad and Tobago
TN – Tunisia
TR – Turkey
TM – Turkmenistan

Countries Starting with U

UA – Ukraine
ROU – Uruguay

Countries Starting with V

YV – Venezuela
VN – Vietnam

Countries Starting with Y

YAR – Yemen
GR – Greece

Countries Starting with Z

Z – Zambia
ZW – Zimbabwe

Understanding country license plate codes is crucial not just for general knowledge but for operational success. In international logistics, customs, or when working with foreign vehicles, knowing plate codes saves both time and cost. For fleet managers dealing with foreign license plates, this knowledge can significantly impact daily operations.

While recognizing country codes helps identify a vehicle’s origin in traffic, what truly matters in business is ensuring reliable, efficient fleet management.
At DRD Fleet Leasing, we provide long-term vehicle leasing solutions for businesses across Turkey. Focus on your business—leave the operational processes to us.
Looking for the right solution for your fleet? Get in touch with DRD today. Click here to request an offer.