Rekisterimerkintätunnus

Rekisterimerkintätunnus is a Finnish term that translates to "registration mark identifier" or "vehicle registration code." It refers to the unique alphanumeric code assigned to a vehicle and displayed on its license plates. This identifier serves as a primary means of distinguishing one vehicle from another within a national or regional registration system.

The purpose of a rekisterimerkintätunnus is to facilitate identification and tracking of vehicles for various administrative, legal, and safety purposes. These include vehicle registration, taxation, insurance, traffic enforcement, and the investigation of traffic violations or accidents. The specific format and composition of the rekisterimerkintätunnus vary by country and sometimes by the type of vehicle.

In Finland, the rekisterimerkintätunnus consists of a combination of letters and numbers. The system has evolved over time to accommodate the increasing number of registered vehicles. For example, older plates might follow a different pattern than newer ones. The rekisterimerkintätunnus is permanently linked to a specific vehicle throughout its registered life in that jurisdiction. When a vehicle is sold or deregistered, its current rekisterimerkintätunnus is typically retired, and a new one is assigned to a subsequent vehicle. Access to information associated with a specific rekisterimerkintätunnus is generally restricted to authorized authorities to protect privacy.