Vehicle registration plates of Aruba

Last updated April 13, 2024

Aruba requires its residents to register their motor vehicles and display vehicle registration plates. The island is one of the last jurisdictions in the world to continue issuing new plates each year rather than showing re-validation through stickers or other documentation.^{[ citation needed ]}

The license plates have been changed annually since 1950. Only until 1958 the name "ARUBA N.A." was displayed on it. In 1976 the slogan "ISLA DI CARNAVAL" (English :"Island of Carnaval") was added. The slogan was changed again in 1983 to display "ONE HAPPY ISLAND". When Aruba became its own autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986, the name "ARUBA N.A." was changed to "ARUBA". Since 2011 the word "ARUBA" was changed to "aruba.com".^[1] The plate itself is valid for the first half of the year, and then a metal tab is added to indicate validity during the second half of the year.^[2] This tab is painted in the reverse color scheme as the plate and displays the same serial number as the plate.^[3]

From 2019 onwards the FE-Schrift or Fälschungserschwerende Schrift is used as the font for all vehicle registration plates of Aruba. Following this change in the font, the name "aruba.com" will be changed to "ARUBA.COM" in all capitals. This is the first time since 1993 that the licence plates have undergone a drastic change in the use of its font.

1931 to 1957

While license plates in Aruba may have been issued as early as 1924, few of these plates are known to exist. All plates issued through 1957 appear to have been 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in height by 36 centimetres (14 in) in width.

Image	Year	Plate colors	Slogan	Serial Format
1234-A	1931	pink on green	none	1234-A
A-1234	1932	white on dark blue	none	A-1234
1234-A	1933	black on white	none	1234-A
A-1234	1934	yellow on black	none	A-1234
A-1234	1935	white on blue	none	1234-A
A-1234	1936	red on white	none	A-1234
1234-A	1937	white on black	none	1234-A
A-1234	1938	black on orange	none	A-1234
1234-A	1939	white on dark blue	none	1234-A
A-1234	1940	black on white	none	A-1234
1234-A	1941	yellow on black	none	1234-A
A-1234	1942	black on white	none	A-1234
	1943		none	1234-A
A-1234	1944	white on blue	none	A-1234
1234-A	1945	black on white	none	1234-A
	1946		none	A-1234
A-1234	1947	yellow on black	none	A-1234
1234-A	1948	black on white	none	1234-A
A-1234	1949	orange on black	none	A-1234
1234-A	1950	black on golden yellow	none	1234-A
A-1234	1951	white on black	none	A-1234
1234-A	1952	black on white	none	1234-A
A-1234	1953	golden yellow on black	none	A-1234
A-1234	1954	black on golden yellow	none	A-1234
A-1234	1955	golden yellow on black	none	A-1234
A-1234	1956	black on orange	none	A-1234
A-1234	1957	golden yellow on black	none	A-1234

1958 to 1975

In 1958 Aruba changed their license plate size to the North American standard plate size of 152 × 300 mm (6 × 12 inches). At the same time the words "ARUBA N.A." appeared at the top of the plate. Prior to 1958 the country name had not appeared on the plates. The long bolt slots introduced in 1960 allowed the use of 1/2 year validation tabs. Whether these tabs were issued from 1960 to 1963 is not known, but tabs for 1964 and all years since are known to exist.

Image	Year	Plate colors	Slogan	Serial Format	Notes
A-1234	1958	black on orange	none	A-1234
A-1234	1959	golden yellow on black	none	A-1234
A-1234	1960	white on blue	none	A-1234	Plates modified with long bolt slots to accommodate 1/2 year validation tabs.
A-1234	1961	black on golden yellow	none	A-1234
A-1234	1962	black on white	none	A-1234
A-1234	1963	white on red	none	A-1234
A-1234	1964	red on white	none	A-1234
A-1234	1965	black on golden yellow	none	A-1234
	1966	white on royal blue	none	A-1234
	1967	golden yellow on black	none	A-1234
A-1234	1968	white on maroon	none	A-1234
	1969	maroon on white	none	A-12345	Longer serial format starting this year is based on earliest known 5-digit plate.
	1970	green on white	none	A-12345
A-12345	1971	white on maroon	none	A-12345
	1972	black on orange	none	A-12345
A-12345	1973	blue on white	none	A-12345
A-12345	1974	white on maroon	none	A-12345
	1975	white on blue	none	A-12345

1976 to 2003

In 1976 new license plates were introduced with the slogan "ISLA DI CARNIVAL" centered at the bottom. The year was simultaneously re-positioned vertically at the far right into two sets of numbers separated by a bolt hole. The slogan was changed again in 1983 to "ONE HAPPY ISLAND". After Aruba became a separate autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986, the N.A. in ″Aruba, N.A.″ (N.A. standing for Netherlands Antilles) was removed.

Year	Plate colors	Slogan	Serial Format	Notes
1976	black on off-white	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345
1977	red on golden yellow	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345
1978	golden yellow on red	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345
1979	red on white	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345
1980	white on brown	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345
1981	black on yellow	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345	Last year for wide dies for serial number.
1982	red on white	ISLA DI CARNIVAL	A-12345	New thinner style font for serial number introduced.
1983	yellow on light blue	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345	First year for new slogan.
1984	black on yellow	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345	Very thin style font introduced for serial numbers.
1985	black on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1986	red on yellow	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345	Last year for "Aruba N.A." at top of plate.
1987	white on mauve	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1988	black on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1989	white on red	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1990	white on blue	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1991	white on black	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1992	black on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1993	white on brown	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1994	white on blue	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1995	black on red	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1996	blue on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1997	white on pine green	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1998	black on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
1999	white on orange	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
2000	brown on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
2001	black on yellow	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
2002	white on black	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
2003	black on orange	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345

2004 to present

In 2004 the year of the license plate was moved to the left side, and it became hidden behind the semi-annual validation tab when the tab was placed onto the plate. This change allows the serial number to be moved farther to the right when five digit plates are used.

Image	Year	Plate colors	Slogan	Serial Format
	2004	yellow on black	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2005	white on blue	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2006	white on red	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2007	black on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2008	white on green	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2009	black on yellow	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2010	white on blue	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2011	white on red	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
A-12345	2012	brown on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
A-12345	2013	white on orange	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
A-12345	2014	black on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
A-12345	2015	white on blue	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345
	2019	white on orange	ONE HAPPY ISLAND
A-12345	2020	maroon on white	ONE HAPPY ISLAND	A-12345

Type codes

The codes in the chart below are currently displayed as the first character in the serial number and identify the type of vehicle the license plate is registered to.

Prefix	Type	Prefix	Type
A	Private automobile	MFA	Motorcycle A
AG	Agent	MFD	Motorcycle D
B	Bus	MFV	Motorcycle V
BR	Company car	N	Vanity plate
D	Service vehicle	O	Non-scheduled transport
DT	Diesel Truck	T	Touring
GAR	Garage	TR	Truck
MBA	Private motorboat	TX	Taxi
MBD	Pilot boat	V	Rental car

Related Research Articles

A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate or license plate or licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle or vehicle owner within the issuing region's vehicle register. In some countries, the identifier is unique within the entire country, while in others it is unique within a state or province. Whether the identifier is associated with a vehicle or a person also varies by issuing agency. There are also electronic license plates.

Vehicles registered in Slovakia were generally assigned to one of the districts (okres) and from 1997 until 2022, the license plate coding generally consisted of seven characters and takes the form XX-NNNLL, where XX was a two letter code corresponding to the district, NNN was a three digit number and LL were two additional letters.

The Italian vehicle registration plates are the compulsory alphanumeric plates used to display the registration mark of motor vehicles registered in Italy. They have existed in the country since 1897.

In the United States, vehicle registration plates, known as license plates, are issued by a department of motor vehicles, an agency of the state or territorial government, or in the case of the District of Columbia, the district government. Some Native American tribes also issue plates. The U.S. federal government issues plates only for its own vehicle fleet and for vehicles owned by foreign diplomats. Until the 1980s, diplomatic plates were issued by the state in which the consulate or embassy was located.

<span title="German-language text"><i lang="de">FE-Schrift</i></span> Typeface designed for vehicle licence plates

The FE-Schrift or Fälschungserschwerende Schrift is a sans serif typeface introduced for use on licence plates. Its monospaced letters and numbers are slightly disproportionate to prevent easy modification and to improve machine readability. The typeface was developed in Germany, where it has been mandatory since November 2000.

In Albania, vehicle registration plates are issued by the General Directory of Road Transport Services.

Vehicle registration plates of Canada, also known as licence plates, are issued by provincial or territorial government agencies. Registration plates in Canada are typically attached to motor vehicles or trailers for official identification purposes. Some Canadian registration plates have unique designs, shapes, and slogans related to the issuing jurisdiction. For example, registration plates issued in the Northwest Territories are shaped like a polar bear. In Alberta, registration plates typically display the words "Wild Rose Country."

In the United States, the appearance of license plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols, colors, or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction, which are the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the five inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes, each of which independently registers motor vehicles. Regular-issue license plates for passenger vehicles typically have six or seven characters, with vanity plates having up to eight characters in a few states.

The U.S. state of New Jersey first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1908, when the state began to issue plates.

The U.S. state of Delaware first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1909, when the state began to issue plates. Beginning in 1910, plates were issued in sequential order from the number 1 upwards.

The U.S. state of Illinois first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates. As of 2023, plates are issued by the Illinois Secretary of State.

Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959.

The U.S. state of Pennsylvania first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1906, when the state began to issue plates.

The U.S. unincorporated territory of Guam first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1916.

The Canadian province of Ontario first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1911, when the province began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The location of plates is specified by the Highway Traffic Act and Regulation 628 under the Act.

The U.S. state of California first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

The U.S. state of Connecticut first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1905, when the state began to issue plates. Since then, Connecticut has used a variety of license plate designs, and has issued different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and, more recently, optional plate types that often require an additional fee. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

Philippine vehicle registration plates have a long history. The earliest license plates were introduced around 1912 with the introduction of Legislative Act No. 2159.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Paraguay</span> Paraguay vehicle license plates

Since the end of the year 2000 Paraguay has required its residents to register their motor vehicles with the National Register of Vehicles and to display vehicle registration plates; this system has replaced the former one whereby plates were issued by municipal authorities, who also kept local registers.

Vehicle registration plates, commonly known as number plates, are the mandatory alphanumeric or numeric plates used to display the registration mark of a vehicle.

References

↑ "Aruba Y2K".
↑ Marvin, Keith (1963). License Plates of the World. Albany, New York: Walter C. Harriman. p. 46.
↑ "License Plates of Aruba".

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] "Aruba Y2K".

[2] Marvin, Keith (1963). License Plates of the World. Albany, New York: Walter C. Harriman. p. 46.

[3] "License Plates of Aruba".

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Vehicle registration plates of North America
Sovereign states	Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Panama Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago United States
Dependencies and other territories	Anguilla Aruba Bermuda Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Curaçao Greenland Guadeloupe Martinique Montserrat Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saba Sint Eustatius Sint Maarten Turks and Caicos Islands United States Virgin Islands