Here is some information on plates used in countries where BMW has a web site. Click on the links to learn more!

Australia. Plates are issued by the state or territory. Most locales have colorful, special issue plates. In some areas you can have personalized plates, even plates to advertise your business!

Austria. The current Austrian license plates were introduced in 1990. The size is the European standard. The colors are black on reflective white with two red lines along the upper and lower edges. Personalized plates of up to six characters are permitted.

Belgium. The current license plates were introduced in 1973. The color is red on a reflective white, red border.

Brazil. The current license plates were introduced in 1990. The colors are black on gray.

Canada. Plates are issued by the state or territory. There are some special issue plates.

Colombia. The current license plates were introduced in 1991. The colors are black on yellow.

Czechoslovakia. The current license plates were introduced in 1985. The colors are black on white.

Denmark. The current license plates were introduced in 1976. The colors are black on reflective white, although some plates use a red border. Personalized plates of up to seven characters are permitted.

France. The current license plates were introduced in 1996. The colors are black on reflective white in the front, and black on reflective yellow in the rear. The French style is used by many countries associated with France. For example: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Senegal, Comoros, Martinique, St. Pierre & Miquelon, and Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Germany. The current German license plates were introduced in 1994. The plates have a blue field on the left with the European flag and the country abbreviation D (Deutschland). The size is the European standard.

Greece. The current license plates were introduced in 1983. The colors are black on reflective white.

Guam. The current license plates were introduced in 1993. The size is the American standard. The colors are black on reflective white with the outline of the island in yellow. Personalized plates of up to seven characters are permitted.

Indonesia. The current license plates were introduced in 1977. The colors are white on black for private cars and motorcycles.

Ireland. The current license plates were introduced in 1987. The size is the European standard. Previous series plates are also still in use. See UK for Northern Ireland.

Israel. The current license plates were introduced in 1999.

Italy. The current license plates were introduced in 1999. The size is the European standard. The colors are black on reflective white. Previous series plates are also still in use.

Japan. The current license plates were introduced in 1962. The colors are dark green on white.

Mexico. The current license plates were introduced in 1998. The size is the American standard. The colors are green on reflective white with various graphics which differ by state.

Netherlands. The current license plates were introduced in 1999. The size is the European standard. The colors are black on reflective yellow.

New Zealand. The current license plates were introduced in 1986. The colors are black on white.

Norway. The current license plates were introduced in 1971. The size is the European standard. The colors are black on white or silver (older plates).

Panama. The current license plates were introduced in 1992. The size is the American standard. The colors are blue on white.

Peru. The current license plates were introduced in 1974. The size is the American standard. The colors are black on white.

Philippines. The current license plates were introduced in 1981. The colors are green on reflective white.

Portugal. The current license plates were introduced in 1992. The size is the European standard. The colors are black on a reflective white and black border.

Russia. The current license plates were introduced in 1993. The size is the European standard. The colors are black on white.

South Africa. The current license plates were introduced in 1998. The colors vary by province. Since 1998, the provinces of North West and Northern Cape began issuing license plates with colorful graphics.

Spain. The current license plates were introduced in 1972. The colors are black on reflective white.

Sweden. The current license plates were introduced in 1972. The colors are black on reflective white. Since 1988, personalized plates are allowed, which must be between two and six characters long.

Switzerland. The current license plates were introduced in 1973. The colors are black on white.

Taiwan. The current license plates were introduced in 1992. The colors are black on white.

UK. The current license plates were introduced in 1983. The British standard plates are issued in England, the Isles of Scilly, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

USA. Except for certain federal government use, license plates are issued by US States, and they vary widely from state to state.