Iran license plate (IR) in 2026 ✅
Iranian car license plates since 2005 use European size, black characters on a white background. On the left side of the Iranian license plate, a blue stripe with the national flag and the name of IRAN is displayed. The configuration is multi-character. On the right side, separated by a vertical black stripe, the regional code is displayed.
Language: Farsi or Persian
International code: IR
In Iran they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: ?.
There are 2 0 0 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Asia
Table of contents of Iran license plates
Current Iran License Plate System
The current Iran license plates, in use since 2004, have an approximate size of 520x110 mm, with black characters on a white background. The configuration consists of two numbers, one letter and three numbers, followed by the regional code consisting of two smaller numbers separated by a vertical black line. Above this code, the country name ایران is displayed. All characters are shown in the Persian alphabet, except for the characters used on license plates for vehicles traveling abroad. On the left side of the license plate there is a blue strip similar to the European Euroband, displaying the Iranian flag, the abbreviation I.R and the English name; IRAN. Iranian motorcycle license plates use smaller plates, displaying three numbers on the upper line and five sequential numbers on the lower line. The first three numbers identify the region.
| Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| . 0 | ۱ 1 | ۲ 2 | ۳ 3 |
| ۴ 4 | ۵ 5 | ۶ 6 | ۷ 7 |
| ۸ 8 | ۹ 9 | ||
Regional Codes on Iran License Plates
As mentioned in the previous sections, Iran uses a geographical identifier. This code is located on the far right of the license plate. It consists of two numbers identifying one of the provinces shown in the following table. Motorcycle license plate codes are different.
| No. (Persian) - Province | No. (Persian) - Province |
|---|---|
| 10,11,20,22,33,40,44,55,66,77,88,99 Tehran | |
| 12,32,42,36,74 Razavi Khorasan | 13,23,43,53,67 Isfahan |
| 14,24,34 Khuzestan | 15,25,35 East Azerbaijan |
| 16 Qom | 17,27,37 West Azerbaijan |
| 18,28 Hamadan | 19,29 Kermanshah |
| 21,30,38,68,78 Tehran Alborz | 26 Bojnord |
| 31,41 Lorestan | 45,65,75 Kerman |
| 46,56,76 Gilan | 47,57 Markazi |
| 48,58 Bushehr | 49 Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad |
| 51,61 Kurdistan | 52 Birjand |
| 54,64 Yazd | 59,69 Golestan |
| 62,72,82,92 Mazandaran | 63,73,83,93 Fars |
| 71,81 Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari | 79,89 Qazvin |
| 84,94 Hormozgan | 85,95 Sistan and Baluchestan |
| 86,96 Semnan | 87,97 Zanjan |
| 91 Ardabil | 98 Ilam |
Special License Plates in Use in Iran
Iran uses different special license plates with a variety of colors and elements displayed on the plate depending on the type of vehicle. The background color of the license plate also varies according to the type of vehicle. Public transport vehicles normally use a yellow background, while vehicles belonging to the state have a red background and military vehicles have a green background. The letter used varies for each type of special license plate. Below we show the main types of license plates and their characteristics. In the case of police vehicle license plates, instead of the regional code, a combination of two sequential numbers with no geographical significance is displayed.
| Type | Background color | Letter | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled | White | ♿︎ |  |
| Taxi | Yellow | ت |  |
| Public service | Yellow | ع Q |  |
| Agricultural vehicle | Yellow | ک |  |
| Government vehicle | Red | الف |  |
| Police | Green | پ |  |
Iran Historic Vehicle License Plate
In addition to the special license plate types mentioned in the previous section, there are several other types of special license plates, such as those for historic vehicles. These license plates use a different size, based on the American format. The characters are white and divided into two lines. The upper line displays the text تاریخی (historic), while the lower line displays a combination of five characters. The flag and other elements displayed on the blue strip appear on the left side of the plate, while the Bagh-e Melli (National Garden) of Tehran is also shown prominently at the bottom.
License Plate for Traveling Abroad
Vehicles traveling abroad, especially those traveling to Europe, must modify their license plates so that Latin characters are displayed instead of Persian characters. These license plates use a combination of characters in which each number and letter occupies the same position as in the standard system, but with a striking and different color combination. The regional code is displayed in white characters on a blue background on the right side of the license plate. In addition, the English text Touring & Automobile Club of Islamic Republic of Iran is displayed at the bottom. When a truck uses this type of license plate, it frequently carries a second plate with the characters in Persian. However, this practice appears to be declining over the years.
Iran Diplomatic Corps License Plate
Iran Diplomatic Corps license plates are similar to the special license plates shown above, but display the letter D in Latin characters on a blue background. Instead of the regional code, two sequential numbers with no geographical identification are displayed. Above these numbers, the name of Iran may be shown as on other license plates, or سیاسى (political) in the case of a license plate displaying the letter D (Diplomatic). The three numbers shown after the letter D identify the embassy.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Iran?
The code IR identifies Iran. The license plates of Iran may be used with the international registration code IR next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Iran
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Iran which is IR.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Iran 🥇
Where is the code IR in a license plate from?
The international code IR identifies Iran, in Asia.
Which country uses the code IR on its license plate?
The country that uses the code IR on its car license plate system is Iran.. The letter or letters IR always identify Iran. The international code IR must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inIranSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Iran have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Iran was in ?.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Iran?
In Iran, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Iran located?
Iran is located in the continent Asia. You can check how are the license plates of Asia following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Asia
What are license plates from Iran called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Iran is commonly called a license plate of Iran in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Iran. Another term, registration plate of Iran, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Iran, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Iran can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Iran and a registration plate of Iran?
Yes, both license plate of Iran and registration plate of Iran can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Iran.
Cite this section about the license plates of Iran
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Iran. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 10/09/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Iran license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Iran
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Iran 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 Iran has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Iran license plates.
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