Barbados license plate (BDS) in 2025 ✅
Current license plates on the Caribbean island of Barbados use the standard font and layout formerly used in the United Kingdom. License plates of Barbados typically have white or grey characters on a black background and may display a phrase or slogan at the bottom. The configuration is two letters and several numbers, with the first letter of the Barbados license plate being a regional identifier. The letters BDS identify Barbados.
Language: English
International code: BDS
In Barbados they drive on the left
First plate was registered on: 19xx¿?.
There are 417 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Caribbean
Table of contents of Barbados license plates
Current License Plates of Barbados
The current license plates of Barbados use white or gray characters on a black background, with the British typography. The sizes used can vary, with or without different types of decorations (white border or some phrase or text at the bottom of the plate). The configuration of the current Barbados license plates consists of two letters followed by up to four numbers. The first letter of Barbados license plates identifies the administrative division, while the second letter is a serial letter starting from A. The license plates of the Barbados Diplomatic Corps use yellow characters on a blue background. In the first position, two letters may be displayed if the use of one letter has already been exhausted. This means that in some regions, MA1 would be used upon reaching M9999. Barbados is a sovereign state that is part of the Commonwealth.
Which region does the first part of the Barbados license plate identify?
The first letter of Barbados car and motorcycle plates identifies the region/parish where the vehicle was registered. Generally, the plates are based on old black British plates, although with some variations in typography. Below, you can find the list of regional codes currently used on Barbados license plates.
| The first letter of a Barbados license plate identifies the region where the vehicle was registered | ||
|---|---|---|
| A-St. Andrew San Andrés |
E-St. Peter San Pedro |
G-St. George San Jorge |
| L-St. Lucy Santa Lucía |
M-St. Michael San Miguel Where the capital (Bridgetown) is located |
O-St. Joseph San José |
| S-St. James San Jaime |
T-St. Thomas Santo Tomás |
X-Christ Church |
Special License Plates Currently in Use in Barbados
The special license plates currently in use in Barbados vary in background color and some letters in the plate configuration. The license plates of the Barbados Diplomatic Corps use yellow characters and a yellow border on a blue background, preceded by the letters CD followed by a hyphen.
Commercial License Plates of Barbados Since 2023
Among other types of special plates, Barbados uses a unique type of license plate for commercial vehicles. These plates are known as "sea plates" and are mandatory for all vehicles intended for commercial use. The official Barbados blue car plates always use the letter C followed by a series of numbers. For example, tractors, trailers, private ambulances, pickups (for commercial use), container trucks, refrigerated trucks... Although these plates have been in use for several years, in 2023, a brief expansion was carried out regarding which vehicles must use them.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Barbados?
The code BDS identifies Barbados. The license plates of Barbados may be used with the international registration code BDS next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Barbados
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Barbados which is BDS.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Barbados 🥇
Where is the code BDS in a license plate from?
The international code BDS identifies Barbados, in Caribbean.
Which country uses the code BDS on its license plate?
The country that uses the code BDS on its car license plate system is Barbados.. The letter or letters BDS always identify Barbados. The international code BDS must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inBarbadosSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Barbados have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Barbados was in 19xx¿?.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Barbados?
In Barbados, you drive on the left side of the road.
On which continent is Barbados located?
Barbados is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Caribbean following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Caribbean
What are license plates from Barbados called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Barbados is commonly called a license plate of Barbados in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Barbados. Another term, registration plate of Barbados, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Barbados, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Barbados can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Barbados and a registration plate of Barbados?
Yes, both license plate of Barbados and registration plate of Barbados can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Barbados.
Cite this section about the license plates of Barbados
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Barbados. 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 Barbados license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Barbados
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Barbados 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 Barbados has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Barbados license plates.
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