Everything You Need to Know About Saudi Vehicle Registration Plates

In Saudi Arabia, vehicle registration plates are more than just a set of numbers and letters; they reflect a detailed system of organization, purpose, and national identity. Managed by the Government Printing Press in Riyadh, these plates are required on both the front and rear of all vehicles, helping to ensure that every car on the road is registered and identifiable. Here’s a quick dive into the fascinating details of Saudi vehicle registration plates.

Design and Layout of Saudi Plates

Saudi license plates have a unique dual-language format. Each plate consists of three letters and up to four numbers, presented in both Arabic and Latin alphabets. The numbers also appear in Western Arabic numerals, creating an easy-to-understand format for residents and visitors alike.

Each plate includes the Saudi coat of arms and the international country code “KSA” (for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Since 2014, the layout has become more standardized, with elements arranged horizontally and the KSA code positioned centrally or on the right side, depending on the plate style. A sticker at the bottom also serves as an official seal, ensuring authenticity.

Types of Plates Based on Vehicle Use

Different colors and symbols are used on the plates to indicate the purpose of each vehicle:

• Private Cars: These plates have a white background and a circle symbol at the bottom of the strip, indicating they are for standard, private use.
• Public Transport: Plates for public transport, including taxis, have a yellow background strip with an upward-pointing triangle symbol.
• Commercial Vehicles: For commercial and utility vehicles, the strip is blue with a downward-pointing triangle.
• Diplomatic Vehicles: Diplomatic plates stand out with a green background. They feature the Saudi coat of arms surrounded by a white rectangle, with no additional symbols at the bottom.

Each type of plate provides instant visual information about the vehicle’s role, aiding both law enforcement and the general public in recognizing vehicle types on the road.

A Look at Temporary and Former Plates

Saudi Arabia also issues special plates for temporary use and for vehicles used by the police and other official bodies. Temporary plates are silver with a left-pointing triangle at the bottom. Meanwhile, diplomatic vehicles are marked with green plates, helping them stand out from other types of plates.

The current plate design was introduced in 2006, replacing older systems that featured only Arabic characters and often came in specific colors for trucks, public transport, and diplomatic vehicles. In the older system, colors covered the entire plate background, a feature that’s now limited to a color strip on the side.

Translation of Letters and Numerals

Interestingly, Saudi plates use a translation system that maps Arabic letters onto Latin letters. This allows the same combination to be readable in both Arabic and English, aiding in international understanding. However, not all Arabic letters are used; only a specific set of 17 Arabic letters appears on Saudi plates, each with a corresponding Latin alphabet equivalent.

Here’s a quick overview of how Arabic letters map onto their Latin counterparts:

ب (B), ج (J), د (D), and ر (R) are a few of the mappings, creating a connection between the two scripts. The numbers are also shown in Western Arabic numerals to ensure easy reading by international audiences.

Standard Sizes and Specifications

Saudi Arabia follows both US and EU plate sizes to accommodate different vehicle types. The standard size is 335×155 mm for US-size plates, while the EU-size option is 550×110 mm. This adaptability ensures that foreign vehicles can be accommodated without modifying their existing plate mounts.

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, next time you spot a Saudi plate, you’ll know a little more about what each color, symbol, and letter signifies.