Somalia license plate (SO) in 2026 ✅
Somalia car license plates since 2012 use a black on white plate in American size. Various types and designs of license plates are used depending on the region. In the center of the license plate design used in the capital, the coat of arms of Somalia is displayed. The configuration of Somalia car license plates is two letters followed by four numbers. At the top, SOM and Somalia are displayed in Arabic.
Language: Somali and Arabic
International code: SO
In Somalia they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1960s.
There are 5 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Africa
Table of contents of Somalia license plates
Current License Plates Used in Somalia
Somalia’s current car license plates, used in the capital and nationwide (*) since 2012, feature a design similar in size to American plates, with black characters and borders on a white background. These vehicle registration plates display the letters SOM and the name of Somalia in Arabic, الصومال, at the top, separated by the national coat of arms. The lower half contains a configuration of two letters followed by four numbers. Although a national design and registration system exists, some regions enjoy a greater degree of independence and have therefore adopted their own license plate systems, as explained below.
Special License Plates Used in Somalia
A yellow background on Somali license plates identifies government vehicles. License plates for vehicles belonging to the Diplomatic Corps feature a number, the letters CD—or UN for United Nations vehicles—and a serial number group in white characters on a dark background. [1CD234]
Car License Plates in the Different Regions of Somalia
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Somalia is currently divided into different federal states and the capital region, including Somaliland.
| State(s) | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nationwide Used in Mogadishu (capital), Hirshabelle and Southwest | | View more information |
| Somaliland Somaliland صوماليلاند |  | In use since 2018 Background color varies depending on the type of vehicle View more information |
| Puntland Puntland أرض البنط |  | In use since 2015 |
| Galmudug جلمدج |  | In use since 2021 |
| Jubaland Jubaland جوبالاند |  | In use since 2018 |
Somalia State-Level Car License Plates (Capital Region)
Somalia’s car license plates used in the central region are the same plates described in the general and nationwide current license plates section, which have been used continuously since 2012. Previously, from 2004 to 2012, Somalia’s nationwide license plates had the following format. The national coat of arms was displayed on the left, with the first two serial registration letters positioned above it. The name of Somalia appeared below, in both Latin and Arabic characters.
Somaliland License Plates
In northern Somalia, in what was formerly the British Somaliland Protectorate, lies Somaliland, also known as Somaliland in English. This territory declared independence in the early 1990s, although it has not been internationally recognized as an independent state. Among other distinctions, Somaliland uses its own license plate system. Between 2004 and 2018, Somaliland used the previous license plate system. These plates featured black characters on a white background, with the abbreviation S.LAND at the top and ص۔لاند at the bottom. The registration format consisted of five serial numbers.
Somalia’s License Plate Systems Before 2012
Somalia’s car license plates used before the declaration of autonomous regions within Somalia or complete independence had identical characteristics throughout the territory, featuring white characters on a black background, probably from the beginning of vehicle registration in the country. To see the license plates used after each independence declaration or the establishment of autonomous regions, you can consult the section on regional license plates above. Below, you can view the nationwide license plates used from the 1980s and from the 1960s.
Somalia License Plates from the 1980s Until Regional Independence
Somalia’s car license plates used from the 1980s until the autonomy of the previously mentioned regions and states featured white characters on a black background. The design of these license plates included a couple of details that made them unique in the world and in license plate history. A no-entry traffic sign and a mandatory left-turn sign were displayed on the right and left sides of the plate. This was because vehicles in Somalia drive on the right-hand side of the road. SOMALIA appeared in the upper-left corner, while الصومال was shown on the right. The national coat of arms of Somalia was displayed in the center. At the bottom, the license plate number appeared in Latin numerals on the left and in Arabic numerals on the right. The front license plate could have the same dimensions as those used on Italian front license plates.
Somalia License Plates from the 1960s to the 1980s
On July 1, 1960, Somalia declared independence as a sovereign state. On that date, the territories of the British Somaliland Protectorate and Italian Somaliland, which was then part of Italian East Africa, were united. After independence, a completely new and unified license plate system was gradually introduced. This system consisted exclusively of Latin letters and numbers, rather than Arabic characters, displayed in white on a black background. The front license plate generally retained the dimensions used on Italian front license plates. The format consisted of the word SOMALIA, followed by the national coat of arms and a combination of numbers that eventually reached five digits.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Somalia?
The code SO identifies Somalia. The license plates of Somalia may be used with the international registration code SO next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Somalia
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Somalia which is SO.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Somalia 🥇
Where is the code SO in a license plate from?
The international code SO identifies Somalia, in Africa.
Which country uses the code SO on its license plate?
The country that uses the code SO on its car license plate system is Somalia.. The letter or letters SO always identify Somalia. The international code SO must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inSomaliaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Somalia have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Somalia was in 1960s.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Somalia?
In Somalia, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Somalia located?
Somalia is located in the continent Africa. You can check how are the license plates of Africa following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Africa
What are license plates from Somalia called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Somalia is commonly called a license plate of Somalia in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Somalia. Another term, registration plate of Somalia, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Somalia, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Somalia can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Somalia and a registration plate of Somalia?
Yes, both license plate of Somalia and registration plate of Somalia can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Somalia.
Cite this section about the license plates of Somalia
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Somalia. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 25/10/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Somalia license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Somalia
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Somalia 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 Somalia has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Somalia license plates.
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