Licence plateIceland

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


13. Licence plate

A licence plate, also called a registration plate or number plate, is a plate displaying a unique registration identifier assigned to a vehicle by the competent registration authority. It allows the vehicle to be identified for purposes such as registration, traffic enforcement, taxation, insurance and parking control.

The appearance, format, placement and number of plates required vary between countries and vehicle categories. Drivers must ensure that required licence plates are correctly fitted, clearly visible and legible and must follow the local rules when a plate is lost, stolen, damaged or replaced.

Licence plate
What is a licence plate?

A licence plate is a plate displaying the registration identifier assigned to a vehicle. It allows authorities and other authorised systems to identify the vehicle's registration.

Is a licence plate the same as a registration plate?

Yes. Licence plate, registration plate and number plate are different terms commonly used for the plate displaying a vehicle's official registration number.

Does every vehicle need a licence plate?

Most motor vehicles used on public roads must display one or more registration plates, but requirements differ for motorcycles, trailers, agricultural vehicles and other special vehicle categories.

Do vehicles need both front and rear licence plates?

This depends on the country and vehicle type. Cars commonly require front and rear plates, while motorcycles and certain other vehicles may require only a rear plate.

Must a licence plate remain visible?

Yes. A required registration plate must normally remain clearly visible and readable. It should not be hidden by luggage, dirt, accessories or other objects.

Can you modify a licence plate?

Generally no. Changing the characters, colours, dimensions or appearance of an official plate may make it invalid or illegal. Plates and authorised reproductions must comply with local specifications.

What should you do if a licence plate is lost or stolen?

Follow the local reporting and replacement procedure. Many countries require the loss or theft to be reported to the police or vehicle-registration authority before a replacement plate can be issued.

Can you drive with a damaged licence plate?

A plate must remain legible and compliant with local requirements. If damage prevents it from being read or makes it invalid, it should be replaced according to the local registration procedure.

Can a licence plate be personalised?

Some countries allow motorists to request a personalised registration combination. The available characters, formats and prohibited combinations are determined by the registration authority.

Does a licence plate stay with the vehicle when it is sold?

This varies between countries. In some systems the plate remains with the vehicle, while in others it remains associated with the registered holder and may be retained or returned when the vehicle is sold.

1 Iceland 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bridge 5 Give way 6 Priority road 7 Overtaking 8 Crossing animals 9 Curve 10 Traffic lights 11 Driving licence 12 Reversing 13 Licence plate 14 Dangers 15 Blind summit 16 Bus 17 Police 18 Ambulance 19 European emission standard 20 Pothole 21 Path 22 Particulates 23 Air pollution 24 Rush hour 25 Road code 26 Street gutter 27 Cargo bike 28 Forestry vehicle 29 Construction vehicle 30 Semi-trailer truck 31 Trolleybus 32 Speed pedelec 33 Delivery vehicle 34 Idling 35 Tow truck 36 Four-wheel drive 37 Bicycle 38 Motorcycle equipment 39 Rail track 40 Caravan 41 Trailer 42 Tow hitch 43 Fire truck 44 Siren 45 Convoy 46 Emergency vehicle lighting 47 Agricultural machinery 48 Electric bicycle 49 Electric vehicle 50 Pedelec 51 Quadricycle 52 Microcar 53 All-terrain vehicle 54 Van 55 Recreational vehicle 56 Scooter 57 Trikke 58 Personal mobility device 59 Skateboard 60 Segway 61 Kick scooter 62 Roller skates 63 Mailman 64 Hitchhiker 65 Toddler 66 Child 67 Disability 68 Motorail 69 km/h 70 mph 71 Speedometer 72 Ride height 73 Dirt road 74 Driving 75 Start-stop system 76 Manual transmission 77 Automatic transmission 78 Throttle 79 Tachometer 80 Steering wheel 81 Power steering 82 Visual scanning 83 Mirror 84 Fuel 85 Fuel gauge 86 Petrol 87 Diesel 88 Diesel exhaust fluid 89 Car insurance 90 First aid kit 91 Fire extinguisher 92 High-visibility clothing 93 First aid 94 Concrete step barrier 95 Barriers 96 Vehicle lights 97 Street lights 98 Dipped beam 99 High beam 100 Fog lights ...