Macao license plate (MO) in 2026 ✅
Current Macau car license plates have the standard European size, in white characters on a black background. Macau license plates have two letters starting with AA, and four numbers separated into two blocks, and in turn, separated by hyphens. (AA-01-23) The design is similar to that used in the Portuguese colonial era.
Language: Chinese
International code: MO
In Macao they drive on the left
First plate was registered on: ?.
There are cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Asia
Table of contents of Macao license plates
Current Macao Car License Plates
Every license plate in Macao (Macau in Portuguese) uses white characters on a black background and the standard European size. Macao license plates retain the characteristics of the Portuguese colonial era. Since November 2021, license plates consist of two letters followed by two groups of two numbers separated by hyphens, exactly as older Portuguese license plates were configured. The first plate in the series is 10-00, with the first 999 numbers reserved for government vehicles of various types. In Macao, license plates are issued by the Instituto para os Assuntos Civicos e Municipais (IACM), which does not manufacture the plates, as this is handled by specialized local businesses. License plate auctions are occasionally held and can involve large sums of money, especially for "lucky" numbers such as 8 or 9. The AA-88-88 license plate was auctioned for more than €150,000 at the end of 2021. Read our detailed news article about the system change. Motorcycles use the same configuration as other vehicles, but with the MU series.
2021 License Plate Change and Macao License Plate Dates
The license plate change that took place at the end of 2021 was implemented over several months. Initially, new license plates from the AA series could only be selected through an auction. During this period, MZ-9x-xx license plates began to be registered. As of January 2, 2022, the final MZ-99-xx and AA-21-xx license plates were registered at the same time. Motorcycles use the MU-7x-xx series. See all the details.
Other Current Vehicle Registration Systems
Macao uses other registration systems depending on the type of vehicle. Moped license plates are white with black characters and use the format "CM-NNNNN", where "N" represents numbers and "CM" stands for ciclomotor. Dealer license plates use standard plates beginning with the letters ES. In the past, they used plates with white characters on a red background. Temporary license plates begin with the letter T. Trailer license plates use only a numerical combination issued in sequence.
Bus license plates use the same format and design as standard license plates, but with yellow characters on a black background.
Black License Plates for Cross-Border Vehicles
Vehicles crossing the border into China are required to use a Chinese license plate. Exceptionally, as also occurs with Hong Kong, a system recognized and validated by China is used, featuring white characters on a black background. This additional license plate fitted to the vehicle uses the standard Chinese configuration for vehicles belonging to foreigners. The license plate begins with 粤, identifying Guangdong Province, which borders Macao. This is followed by the letter Z· and a combination of four characters. On the right-hand side, 澳, the Chinese name for Macao, is displayed. These license plates are normally displayed above the Macao license plate, but never covering either the Macao or Hong Kong license plate.
In addition, vehicles registered in Macao that have permission to cross into Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge must display a second (or third) license plate that follows the configuration, size and design of Hong Kong license plates, but begins with the letters ZM.
Previous Macao Vehicle Registration Systems
Macao license plates from the 1980s until October 2021 used the same design and configuration as the current format, but began with the letter M. The letter M in the first position has been retained since the first registrations in this territory. The change from the previous system (Mx) to the current system (Ax) was not sudden, so license plates with the final Mx combinations and Ax combinations were registered at the same time. On December 20, 1999, Portugal returned the territory of Macao to China, but this had no impact on the license plate system.
History and First Car License Plates in Macao
It is not known with certainty when the first vehicle was registered in Macao, but it is known that the first registration was M1 with the Portuguese colonial design. It is important to note again that Macao remained a Portuguese colony until the end of 1999. Later, during the 1960s, license plates adopted the standard configuration used in the Portuguese colonies: one letter (the letter M identifying Macao), followed by two groups of numbers beginning with 00-01. All vehicles registered before this date changed their license plates to display 00-01 instead of 1. Once the M-99-99 license plate was reached, the system moved to MA-10-00, with the first 999 numbers reserved for police and government vehicles.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Macao?
The code MO identifies Macao. The license plates of Macao may be used with the international registration code MO next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Macao
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Macao which is MO.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Macao 🥇
Where is the code MO in a license plate from?
The international code MO identifies Macao, in Asia.
Which country uses the code MO on its license plate?
The country that uses the code MO on its car license plate system is Macao.. The letter or letters MO always identify Macao. The international code MO must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inMacaoSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Macao have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Macao was in ?.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Macao?
In Macao, you drive on the left side of the road.
On which continent is Macao located?
Macao 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 Macao called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Macao is commonly called a license plate of Macao in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Macao. Another term, registration plate of Macao, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Macao, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Macao can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Macao and a registration plate of Macao?
Yes, both license plate of Macao and registration plate of Macao can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Macao.
Cite this section about the license plates of Macao
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Macao. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 26/10/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Macao license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Macao
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Macao 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 Macao has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Macao license plates.
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