numberplate

A number plate, also known as a license plate in some regions, is a small sign attached to a road vehicle that displays a government-issued registration number. The plate serves to uniquely identify the vehicle for purposes such as registration, taxation, and law enforcement. In many countries the plate also carries national symbols or regional marks.

Construction and display: Plates are typically made of metal or durable plastic with characters that are either embossed or printed. The characters use a high-contrast typeface and are mounted on a reflective background to improve legibility at night. Most jurisdictions require front and rear plates, but some permit a rear plate only. Many plates include security features to deter counterfeiting, such as serial codes, holograms, or microprinting.

Standards and formats: Formats vary by country or region. They usually follow a fixed character set and sequence prescribed by law, with rules on size, font, spacing, and mounting location. Some systems encode information such as issuing region, year, or category; international variants may display a country identifier or flag.

Legal and enforcement: Display of a valid plate is mandatory; obscuring, altering, or using false plates is illegal and subject to penalties. Authorities use plate data for traffic enforcement, tolling, and crime investigation; automated plate recognition systems are commonly deployed around roads and facilities.

History and trends: Vehicle registration plates appeared in the early 20th century and became standardized in many places mid-century. The adoption of reflective materials and standardized fonts improved legibility and anti-counterfeiting. Modern plates may integrate digital or barcode features in some systems.

Variations and personalization: In many countries, individuals may acquire personalized or vanity plates for a fee, subject to eligibility and content restrictions.