Vatican license plate (V) in 2026 ✅
Vatican car license plates since 1930 use a license plate in black letters on a white background based on the Italian design. The configuration of Vatican license plates is the letters CV or SCV followed by a series of serially issued numbers.
Language: Italian
International code: V
In Vatican they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1930.
There are cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Europe
Table of contents of Vatican license plates
Current Vatican license plates
Current Vatican car license plates have the same size on both the rear and the front, measuring 486x109 millimeters. This size is slightly smaller than that of most European license plates. Vatican City car license plates can be of two types: official plates with the prefix SCV, or private vehicle plates with the prefix CV. SCV stands for "Status Civitatis Vaticanae" and CV for "Civitatis Vaticanae". Vatican SCV plates are official license plates, while CV plates are used by private vehicles. These prefixes are followed by 5 numbers for vehicles (cars, vans, etc.), which may start with 0 or even double 0, and 4 numbers for motorcycles or tractors, also starting with 0. See the history of Vatican City license plates.
Other types of Vatican car license plates
In addition to the standard license plates mentioned above, the Vatican has a system for exclusive use by the Pope. These vehicles are commonly known as the Popemobile. The Popemobile license plate features red characters on a white background, composed of the letters SCV and a number that is usually 1, but may range from 1 to 100. It is possible for several SCV1 plates to exist simultaneously around the world. During international trips, vehicles from other countries may display the SCV1 license plate with red characters on a white background.
Vatican motorcycle and tractor license plates
Since October 2008, Vatican motorcycle and tractor license plates use the standard system, but with a black separating line displayed between the letters and the numbers. Official motorcycle and tractor license plates (SCV) are numbered starting from SCV 0156, while private motorcycles and tractors (CV) start from CV 0400.
History of Vatican car license plates
Vatican City license plates began to be used in 1930 following the Lateran Treaty (which recognized the independence of the Vatican as a state). Since 1980, license plates have adopted a new format with the same size on both the front and rear. At some point between 2012 and 2016, the dot displayed after the SCV code on official license plates moved from the lower position to the middle height. This change occurred approximately with license plate SCV·01000.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Vatican?
The code V identifies Vatican. The license plates of Vatican may be used with the international registration code V next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Vatican
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Vatican which is V.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Vatican 🥇
Where is the code V in a license plate from?
The international code V identifies Vatican, in Europe.
Which country uses the code V on its license plate?
The country that uses the code V on its car license plate system is Vatican.. The letter or letters V always identify Vatican. The international code V must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inVaticanSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Vatican have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Vatican was in 1930.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Vatican?
In Vatican, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Vatican located?
Vatican is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Europe following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Europe
What are license plates from Vatican called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Vatican is commonly called a license plate of Vatican in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Vatican. Another term, registration plate of Vatican, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Vatican, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Vatican can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Vatican and a registration plate of Vatican?
Yes, both license plate of Vatican and registration plate of Vatican can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Vatican.
Cite this section about the license plates of Vatican
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Vatican. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 08/01/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Vatican license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Vatican
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Vatican 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 Vatican has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Vatican license plates.
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