Car License Plates with Crests and Flags in Europe and the World
Have you seen a car or motorcycle license plate with a flag, crest, or design incorporated into it? In this article, we’ll show you the various designs featured on current and historical license plates from all over Europe and the world. Below, you can explore plates organized by the type of crest displayed.
License Plates by Crest Type
When we think of a car, motorcycle, or truck license plate, we usually imagine a metal plate showing a series of letters and numbers without much significance. This is partly true, but some states or territories have chosen—or once chose—to display a design or crest on the plate. This might be for regional or state-level identity. Particularly in countries across the Americas, like the United States, backgrounds featuring drawings are often used. If you’re still curious after this, we recommend checking out our free section to explore plates further on our site.
Crests and Flags on License Plates
Before joining the European Union, some countries displayed their flag with a blue stripe on the left side of the plate. Below, we provide many examples. In other cases, there was no blue stripe, but the standard background of the plate was used. Sometimes, crests are displayed, and increasingly less frequently, stickers indicate whether a technical inspection was successfully passed.
License plate from Albania. The eagle represents the national crest.
License plate from Germany. Technical Inspection and Federal State.
License plate from Andorra. National crest.
License plate from Saudi Arabia. National crest.
License plate from Armenia. National flag.
License plate from Austria. Regional crest.
License plate from Azerbaijan. National flag.
License plate from Bulgaria. National flag.
License plate from Belarus. National flag.
License plate from Czech Republic. Technical Inspection sticker.
License plate from Croatia. National crest.
License plate from Georgia. National flag.
License plate from Slovakia. National crest.
License plate from Slovenia. National flag.
License plate from Greece. National emblem and Technical Inspection sticker.
License plate from Hungary. National flag.
License plate from Isle of Man. Territorial emblem.
License plate from Iceland. National flag.
License plate from Jersey. Territorial emblem.
License plate from Liechtenstein. National emblem.
License plate from Luxembourg. European Union flag.
License plate from Lithuania. National flag. Military plate.
License plate from Moldova. National flag.
License plate from Montenegro. National emblem.
License plate from Norway. National flag.
License plate from Russia. National flag.
License plate from San Marino. National emblem.
License plate from Serbia. National emblem.
License plate from Switzerland. Canton flag.
License plate from Ukraine. Flag and national emblem.
Flags and emblems used in Austria and Switzerland
The countries of Austria and Switzerland have several characteristics that differ from those of other member states of Europe. In both cases, each state or region uses a different emblem, which is displayed on the license plate as shown in the images below. In Switzerland, the national emblem on the left side of the plate remains unchanged, even on special plates.
