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.png){kind=small} NI regular front (top) and rear (bottom) number plates.
The national identifier is optional, and the distinguishing code for the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland is "UK".[1] Number plates including the code are valid in countries party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic if displayed on its own or together with the Union Jack. The "UK" code replaced the previous "GB" code from 28 September 2021.[2] | |
| Country | United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Country code | UK |
| Current series | |
| Size | 520 mm × 111 mm 20.5 in × 4.4 in |
| Serial format | AAA 1234 |
| Introduced | January 1966 |
| Availability | |
| Issued by | DVA (until 2014) DVLA (2014 - present) |
| History | |
| First issued | 1 January 1904 |
Vehicle registration plates in Northern Ireland use a modified version of the British national registration plate system that was initiated for the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1903. Originally, all counties in the UK were allocated two identification letters. At that time, the whole of Ireland was in the UK, and the letters I and Z were reserved for the Irish counties. The 'I' series was used first, but by the time it came to using the 'Z' series in 1926, the Irish Free State had already come into existence, and so it was agreed that the Northern Ireland would use the AZ – YZ series, while the Free State would use the ZA – ZZ series. In 1987, the Republic of Ireland broke away from the system altogether. As of 2002 there were reportedly 794,477 recorded registration plates in Northern Ireland, compared to only 50 for the island as a whole when the format was first introduced in 1903.[3]
The full list of codes used in Northern Ireland appears below.
- ^ "Distinguishing signs used on vehicles in international traffic notified to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in accordance with the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (article 45 (4)) and the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (annex 4)" (PDF). United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Convention on Road Traffic Vienna, 8 November 1968: UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND: NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 45 (4)" (PDF).
- ^ "Northern Ireland vehicle number plates could be set for biggest makeover in 45 years". Belfasttelegraph. Belfast Telegraph. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2020.