Altogether, there are nearly 280 million different combinations. On top of that, the letters I, O, and U are not used at all because they could be confused with the numbers 1 and 0 and the letter V. One combination of letters is banned: SS (as it is taken as a reference to the Nazi SS). The system can go all the way up ZZ-999-ZZ. Initially, numbers were added (up to AA-999-AA), then came the turn of the letters. The very first registration number was AA-001-AA. This means that, unlike many other countries, the French system is completely independent of the departments and regions – which is also why drivers can choose between them at will. The system is sequential and common to all of France. Registration numbers are formatted as LL-DDD-LL (with L denoting a letter and D a digit). The best-known number is 75, as this is the code for Paris. On the right, there is another blue strip, at the top of which is the emblem or coat of arms of one of the 18 French regions, with a numerical combination denoting one of the relevant region’s departments underneath.

On the left, the traditional blue strip incorporates France’s international code (F) and the EU star. Both the front and rear plates have black lettering on a white background (the rear plate had previously used black lettering on a yellow background). It was introduced in an effort to simplify the entire system and make it more difficult to trade in stolen cars (in 2008, a year before the introduction of the new system, over 130,000 cars were stolen in France). The current number plate system, in place since 2009, was inspired by Italy. This colour combination remains available today, but such plates are issued only for vintage cars, whose owners need to apply for them. Until 1992, these iconic number plates featured white or silver lettering on a black background. Subsequently, in 1901, a nationwide number plate system was introduced in France. This was part of an effort to reduce crime in the streets of Paris. The first forerunner of modern number plates appeared in France way back in 1783, when King Louis XVI ordered Parisian coachmen to have a badge with their name and address on their carriages.

Light blue car tags