Antarctica license plate (AQ) in 2025 ✅
Antarctica does not have an individual car license plate system. Car license plates in Antarctica vary depending on the scientific base where the vehicle is located. There are a few exceptions for cars with their own license plates, which we will tell you about below.
Language: Various
International code: AQ
In Antarctica they drive on the It has not been specified
First plate was registered on: 1960.
There are 0,1 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Antarctica
Table of contents of Antarctica license plates
How are license plates in Antarctica currently?
The Antarctica or Antarctic continent is located at the South Pole of the Earth. More than 98% of its surface is covered by ice. Although it is estimated that the population living in the continent throughout the year is very small, due to the research centers of various countries, the approximate and variable population of the Antarctic continent is around 4000 people. What is the international recognition code for Antarctica? None, Antarctica does not have any international recognition code as it does not belong to any country. However, the code AQ can be referenced to the territory, as the internet domain is .aq. In Antarctica, driving is either on the right or left depending on the scientific base where the vehicle is located.
General context about Antarctica and its administrative division
Currently, there are 7 countries that officially claim a part of the Antarctic continent as their own: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and United Kingdom, without international recognition of the same. Since 1959, the Antarctic Treaty has been in effect, which states in its first article that Antarctica will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, prohibiting any military activity and the testing of all types of weapons. Only scientific research is allowed. Prior to the signing of this Treaty, there were some specific conflicts between some of the countries that claim part of Antarctica. The second article also establishes the freedom of scientific research.
In Antarctica, there are several countries from all over the world that have a permanent scientific base. Among them, for example, is Spain, among many others. The highest population in Antarctica during the summer months (the months with the highest population) comes from the United States, Argentina, and Chile. The base capable of housing the most scientists is McMurdo, from the United States, with 1200. Marambio from Argentina can house 165, and Amundsen-Scott South Pole, also from the United States, can accommodate 153. The vehicles at each of the bases usually use license plates from the country of the scientists or have no license plates at all.
The Volkswagen Beetle with the Antarctica license plate
There is a very particular story about three Volkswagen Beetles that were sent to Antarctica from Australia. In February 1963, a Volkswagen Beetle was sent from Australia to the Australian Mawson base with the goal of having a vehicle that allowed for quicker and more comfortable movement. These brightly colored Volkswagen Beetles, orange and red, had a unique license plate. The license plates of the Volkswagen Beetles sent by VW Australia to the Australian scientific base had a plate with ANTARCTICA and a number. However, in some photos, it is seen that these cars also had an ordinary Australian license plate.
These license plates never had any legal value for circulation as they were used alongside the official Australian plates. These plates have been used in several Volkswagen advertising campaigns as a great achievement. They are also available as souvenirs.
Australian license plate on the left and the Antarctica souvenir license plate on the right" style="max-width:700px;">License plates in the scientific bases of the United States
In the United States scientific bases, only ordinary license plates from the states are used, or serial numbers are directly painted on the vehicles themselves, meaning there are no license plates shown. However, there is an interesting story about souvenir license plates that we explain below. License plates were also used for a squadron until the end of the 20th century.
License plate of the Antarctic Development Squadron Six
Later, we will see how the souvenir license plates of Antarctica are designed. But in addition to this type of license plate in Antarctica, between 1955 and 1999, the Antarctic Development Squadron Six (in English Antarctic Development Squadron Six - VXE-6) had its own license plate system. The license plates of the Antarctic Development Squadron Six were used for some years on military vehicles. These license plates show the name of the squadron and a two-character number or a number and a letter. The background color of the plate was dark blue or another shade of blue, and the characters were white, black, or red.
How is the design of the United States Antarctica car license plate souvenir?
If you are wondering about the design of the car license plate of Antarctica from one of the United States scientific bases, we explain it below. The souvenir license plates from Antarctica issued by the United States have the standard American size with characters and borders in dark blue or black.
In theory, anyone visiting the store can buy a souvenir like the Antarctica license plate we explained. On the top of the license plate, the name ANTARCTICA is shown. In the middle, the letters SP are displayed to identify the owner as a resident of Antarctica. Below is an illustration of an Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), followed by the number 90º, which identifies the latitude. (Antarctica is located at the South Pole, which corresponds to the latitude 90ºS.) Lastly, the motto THE WORLD'S LAST FRONTIER (La última frontera del mundo) is displayed in uppercase letters. This design was created by Lieutenant John J. Jaminet of the United States Navy (US Navy) in 1963, and these plates were sold as souvenirs at the McMurdo research station. Currently, there are several designs with different typographies.
This Antarctica license plate is not official, and it is not valid as the official license plate of any vehicle. Therefore, every vehicle used by American scientists at a United States scientific base must have an official license plate.
As a curiosity, in some states of the United States, it is not necessary to use a front license plate. This means that as a souvenir, it would be possible to see a car with this plate on the front of a car in some states with no legal value.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Antarctica?
The code AQ identifies Antarctica. The license plates of Antarctica may be used with the international registration code AQ next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Antarctica
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Antarctica which is AQ.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Antarctica 🥇
Where is the code AQ in a license plate from?
The international code AQ identifies Antarctica, in Antarctica.
Which country uses the code AQ on its license plate?
The country that uses the code AQ on its car license plate system is Antarctica.. The letter or letters AQ always identify Antarctica. The international code AQ must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inAntarcticaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Antarctica have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Antarctica was in 1960.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Antarctica?
In Antarctica, you drive on the It has not been specified side of the road.
On which continent is Antarctica located?
Antarctica is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Antarctica following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Antarctica
What are license plates from Antarctica called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Antarctica is commonly called a license plate of Antarctica in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Antarctica. Another term, registration plate of Antarctica, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Antarctica, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Antarctica can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Antarctica and a registration plate of Antarctica?
Yes, both license plate of Antarctica and registration plate of Antarctica can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Antarctica.
Cite this section about the license plates of Antarctica
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Antarctica. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 01/05/2025 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Antarctica license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Antarctica
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Antarctica and vehicle plates shown here has been extracted from official state archives (such as the BOE and the DGT in Spain), from personal sightings, by contacting automobile clubs from other countries, or through media or files referenced in the text. This information on car and motorcycle plates in Antarctica has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Antarctica license plates.
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