Vehicle registration plates of Croatia

The standard licence plates in Croatia consist of a two-letter city code which is separated by the coat of arms of Croatia from three or four numbers and one or two letters.

Licence plate format issued since 2016 (DE = Delnice)
The pre-2016 Croatian licence plate format (RI = Rijeka)

Regular plates edit

The standard regular plate consists of three or four randomly assigned numbers, one or two randomly assigned letters, and the first two letters indicate the city, separated by the Croatian coat of arms, while the numbers and the last letters are separated by a dash (example; ZG 000-A, ZG 000-AA, ZG 0000-A or ZG 0000-AA). The letters Q, W, X and Y are not used in Croatian plates because they are not in Croatian alphabet. Since Croatia entered the European Union in 2013, there have been proposals to permanently change the design scheme (consisting of new letter font and ideas to replace the coat of arms with four red squares). However, in July 2016, it was determined to keep the original design and add the blue EU-issued sticker, applying the standard with EU member states and Vienna convention. The design of Croatian licence plates comes from old Yugoslavian licence plates from the 1980s, and it remained the same (with a notable difference of switching the red star, Yugoslavian national symbol, with the coat of arms).

Customized plates edit

 
Customized registration plate

There is also a possibility of having a customized plate for a fee. One type of customized plate looks exactly like the standard ones, with the exception that the combination of numbers and letters is personally chosen by the vehicle's owner. The other kind of customized plates can consist of a word with from four to seven letters or a combination of the word with four or five letters and one or two numbers. However, these plates are still quite rare in Croatia, mostly because they can only be used for five years after the first registration and they also require a fee of 2,000 kuna (cca. 270 euros).[1]

Special plates edit

 
Blue-on-white police registration plate
 
An example of the military plate
 
An export plate
 
Diplomatic Corps plate
 
A plate for oversized vehicles

There are also some special plates. While the numbers and letters on standard licence plates are colored black, plates for foreign citizens permanently living in Croatia, international organizations and temporary registered vehicles have green numbers and letters. On the plates used on bigger trucks and other vehicles that can be oversized for some of the smaller roads, the numbers and letters are red.[2]

The police vehicles are equipped with the plates consisting of six numbers divided in two groups and separated by the coat of arms of Croatia, blue numbers. The first group of numbers denote the police department to which the vehicle belongs. While the background on all of these plates is colored white, on those used on military vehicles it is yellow. However, the system of dividing numbers and letters is the same as on the standard plates, but instead of a city code there are letters HV for Hrvatska vojska (Croatian military). At the same time, specialized military vehicles have the letters VP for vojna policija or MP for military police (military police) as the final two letters. Plates for diplomatic representatives (embassies, consulates) are blue with yellow numbers and letters. The first three number denote the country, followed by letter A, C, or M, then serial number of the vehicle.

As opposed to all above mentioned plates that are made of metal, the dealer's test plates are stickers that are attached to the plate holder. These plates consist of a city code separated by the coat of arms from five numbers divided in two groups and they can be used for a limited number of days.

Starting from 2008 onwards, special plates with an additional two letters (PP or PV) were introduced, PP stands for prijenosne pločice (transferable plates) and PV stands for povijesno vozilo (historical vehicle) in a form CC-PV-NNN(N).[3]

Also from 2008 onwards, export plates are introduced, with RH standing for Republika Hrvatska, and a green background with yellow numbers and letters. Croatia's Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed new licence plates with the EU stars.[4]

City codes edit

 
licence plate on a Croatian Police motorcycle
Code[5] Cities/Towns Municipalities
BJ Bjelovar, Čazma, Garešnica Berek, Hercegovac, Ivanska, Kapela, Nova Rača, Rovišće, Severin, Šandrovac, Štefanje, Velika Pisanica, Veliko Trojstvo, Velika Trnovitica, Zrinski Topolovac
BM Beli Manastir Bilje, Čeminac, Darda, Draž, Jagodnjak, Kneževi Vinogradi, Petlovac, Popovac
ČK Čakovec, Mursko Središće, Prelog Belica, Dekanovec, Domašinec, Donja Dubrava, Donji Kraljevec, Donji Vidovec, Goričan, Gornji Mihaljevec, Kotoriba, Mala Subotica, Nedelišće, Orehovica, Podturen, Pribislavec, Selnica, Strahoninec, Sveta Marija, Sveti Juraj na Bregu, Sveti Martin na Muri, Šenkovec, Štrigova, Vratišinec
DA Daruvar, Grubišno Polje, Lipik, Pakrac Dežanovac, Đulovac, Končanica, Sirač, Veliki Grđevac
DE Čabar, Delnice Brod Moravice, Fužine, Lokve, Mrkopalj, Ravna Gora, Skrad
DJ Đakovo Drenje, Gorjani, Levanjska Varoš, Punitovci, Satnica Đakovačka, Semeljci, Strizivojna, Trnava, Viškovci
DU Dubrovnik, Korčula, Metković, Opuzen, Ploče Blato, Dubrovačko Primorje, Janjina, Konavle, Kula Norinska, Lastovo, Lumbarda, Mljet, Orebić, Pojezerje, Slivno, Smokvica, Ston, Trpanj, Vela Luka, Zažablje, Župa Dubrovačka
GS Gospić, Novalja, Otočac, Senj Brinje, Donji Lapac, Karlobag, Lovinac, Perušić, Plitvička Jezera, Udbina, Vrhovine
IM Imotski Cista Provo, Lokvičići, Lovreć, Podbablje, Proložac, Runovići, Zagvozd, Zmijavci
KA Duga Resa, Karlovac, Slunj, Ozalj Barilovići, Bosiljevo, Cetingrad, Draganić, Generalski Stol, Krnjak, Lasinja, Netretić, Rakovica, Ribnik, Vojnić, Žakanje
KC Đurđevac, Koprivnica Drnje, Đelekovec, Ferdinandovac, Gola, Hlebine, Kalinovac, Kloštar Podravski, Koprivnički Bregi, Koprivnički Ivanec, Legrad, Molve, Novigrad Podravski, Novo Virje, Peteranec, Podravske Sesvete, Rasinja, Sokolovac, Virje
KR Donja Stubica, Klanjec, Krapina, Oroslavje, Pregrada, Zabok, Zlatar Bedekovčina, Budinščina, Desinić, Đurmanec, Gornja Stubica, Hrašćina, Hum na Sutli, Jesenje, Konjščina, Kraljevec na Sutli, Krapinske Toplice, Kumrovec, Lobor, Mače, Marija Bistrica, Mihovljan, Novi Golubovec, Petrovsko, Radoboj, Stubičke Toplice, Sveti Križ Začretje, Tuhelj, Veliko Trgovišće, Zagorska Sela, Zlatar-Bistrica
KT Kutina, Novska, Popovača Jasenovac, Lipovljani, Velika Ludina
Križevci Gornja Rijeka, Kalnik, Sveti Ivan Žabno, Sveti Petar Orehovec
MA Makarska, Vrgorac Baška Voda, Brela, Gradac, Podgora, Tučepi
NA Donji Miholjac, Našice Donja Motičina, Đurđenovac, Feričanci, Koška, Magadenovac, Marijanci, Podravska Moslavina, Podgorač, Viljevo
NG Nova Gradiška Cernik, Davor, Dragalić, Gornji Bogićevci, Nova Kapela, Okučani, Rešetari, Stara Gradiška, Staro Petrovo Selo, Vrbje
OG Ogulin Josipdol, Plaški, Saborsko, Tounj
OS Belišće, Osijek, Valpovo Antunovac, Bizovac, Čepin, Erdut, Ernestinovo, Petrijevci, Šodolovci, Vladislavci, Vuka
PU Buje, Buzet, Labin, Novigrad, Pazin, Poreč, Pula, Rovinj, Umag, Vodnjan Bale, Barban, Brtonigla, Cerovlje, Fažana, Gračišće, Grožnjan, Kanfanar, Karojba, Kaštelir-Labinci, Kršan, Lanišće, Ližnjan, Lupoglav, Marčana, Medulin, Motovun, Oprtalj, Pićan, Raša, Sveta Nedelja, Sveti Lovreč, Sveti Petar u Šumi, Svetvinčenat, Tinjan, Višnjan, Vižinada, Vrsar, Žminj
Kutjevo, Pleternica, Požega Brestovac, Čaglin, Jakšić, Kaptol, Velika
RI Bakar, Cres, Crikvenica, Kastav, Kraljevica, Krk, Mali Lošinj, Novi Vinodolski, Opatija, Rab, Rijeka, Vrbovsko Baška, Čavle, Dobrinj, Jelenje, Klana, Kostrena, Lovran, Malinska-Dubašnica, Matulji, Mošćenička Draga, Omišalj, Punat, Vinodol, Viškovo, Vrbnik
SB Slavonski Brod Bebrina, Brodski Stupnik, Bukovlje, Donji Andrijevci, Garčin, Gornja Vrba, Gundinci, Klakar, Oprisavci, Oriovac, Podcrkavlje, Sibinj, Sikirevci, Slavonski Šamac, Velika Kopanica, Vrpolje
SK Glina, Hrvatska Kostajnica, Sisak, Petrinja Donji Kukuruzari, Dvor, Gvozd, Hrvatska Dubica, Lekenik, Majur, Martinska Ves, Sunja, Topusko
SL Orahovica, Slatina Crnac, Čačinci, Čađavica, Mikleuš, Nova Bukovica, Sopje, Voćin, Zdenci
ST Hvar, Kaštela, Komiža, Omiš, Sinj, Solin, Split, Stari Grad, Supetar, Trilj, Trogir, Vis, Vrlika Bol, Dicmo, Dugi Rat, Dugopolje, Hrvace, Jelsa, Klis, Lećevica, Marina, Milna, Muć, Nerežišća, Okrug, Otok, Podstrana, Postira, Prgomet, Primorski Dolac, Pučišća, Seget, Selca, Sućuraj, Sutivan, Šestanovac, Šolta, Zadvarje
ŠI Drniš, Knin, Skradin, Šibenik, Vodice Bilice, Biskupija, Civljane, Ervenik, Kijevo, Kistanje, Murter-Kornati, Promina, Pirovac, Primošten, Rogoznica, Ružić, Tisno, Unešić
VK Otok, Vinkovci Andrijaševci, Ivankovo, Jarmina, Markušica, Nijemci, Nuštar, Privlaka, Stari Jankovci, Stari Mikanovci, Tordinci, Vođinci
VT Virovitica Gradina, Lukač, Pitomača, Suhopolje, Špišić Bukovica
VU Ilok, Vukovar Bogdanovci, Borovo, Lovas, Negoslavci, Tompojevci, Tovarnik, Trpinja
Ivanec, Lepoglava, Ludbreg, Novi Marof, Varaždin, Varaždinske Toplice Bednja, Breznica, Breznički Hum, Beretinec, Cestica, Donja Voća, Martijanec, Gornji Kneginec, Jalžabet, Klenovnik, Ljubešćica, Mali Bukovec, Maruševec, Petrijanec, Sračinec, Sveti Đurđ, Sveti Ilija, Trnovec Bartolovečki, Veliki Bukovec, Vidovec, Vinica, Visoko
ZD Benkovac, Biograd na Moru, Nin, Obrovac, Pag, Zadar Bibinje, Galovac, Gračac, Jasenice, Kali, Kukljica, Lišane Ostrovičke, Novigrad, Pakoštane, Pašman, Polača, Poličnik, Posedarje, Povljana, Preko, Privlaka, Ražanac, Sali, Stankovci, Starigrad, Sukošan, Sveti Filip i Jakov, Škabrnja, Tkon, Vir, Zemunik Donji
ZG Dugo Selo, Ivanić-Grad, Jastrebarsko, Samobor, Sveta Nedelja, Sveti Ivan Zelina, Velika Gorica, Vrbovec, Zagreb, Zaprešić Bedenica, Bistra, Brckovljani, Brdovec, Dubrava, Dubravica, Farkaševac, Gradec, Jakovlje, Klinča Sela, Krašić, Kloštar Ivanić, Kravarsko, Križ, Luka, Marija Gorica, Orle, Pisarovina, Pokupsko, Preseka, Pušća, Rakovec, Rugvica, Stupnik, Žumberak
ŽU Županja Babina Greda, Bošnjaci, Cerna, Drenovci, Gradište, Gunja, Štitar, Vrbanja

Obsolete codes edit

Code Place Reason
KN Krapina Previously used on Yugoslav plates, but never on plates in independent Croatia, lest the code would be mistaken for Knin, capital of, at the time extant, separatist Republic of Serbian Krajina. Krapina was assigned the new code KR, previously (and currently) used for Kranj, Slovenia.
PS Slatina The town changed its name back from Podravska Slatina to Slatina in 1992. These plates were phased out in 2005. Slatina was assigned the new code SL.
SI Sisak Previously used on Yugoslav plates, but never on plates in independent Croatia, lest the code would be mistaken for Šibenik ŠI. Sisak was assigned the new code SK, previously (and currently) used for Skopje, North Macedonia.
SP Požega Previously used on Yugoslav plates, but never on plates in independent Croatia since the city changed its name back from Slavonska Požega to Požega in 1991. Požega was assigned the new code .
TK Korenica Previously used on Yugoslav plates, but never on plates in independent Croatia since the village changed its name back from Titova Korenica to Korenica in 1996. Korenica was assigned Gospić GS code.

Partial index of diplomatic, consular and foreign mission prefixes edit

Code Country or Organization
010 Holy See
011   Germany
012   Austria
013   Italy
014   Hungary
015   Sweden
016   Slovenia
017   Poland
018   France
019   Sudan
020   United Kingdom
021    Switzerland
022   China
023   Norway
024   United States
025   Bulgaria
026   Iran
027   Russia
028   Czech Republic
029   Slovakia
030   Bosnia and Herzegovina
031   Turkey
032   Romania
033   UNICEF
034   WHO
036 UNHCR
039   Spain
040   Malta
041   Belgium
043   Canada
047   Albania
048   Netherlands
049   Serbia
050   North Macedonia
051   Malaysia
053   Greece
054   Ukraine
055   Chile
056 IMF (International Monetary Fund)
057   India
058 UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
059   European Union
063 OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe)
064   South Korea
066   Finland
067   Egypt
069 World Bank
070   Japan
071   Israel
073   Portugal
074   Australia
077 RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation)
078   Libya
079   Denmark
081 International Sava River Basin Commission
082   Brazil
083   United Nations
084   Montenegro
085   Algeria
086   Kazakhstan
087   Kosovo
088   Azerbaijan
089   Indonesia
090   Morocco
091   Qatar
092   Lithuania
093 European Commission
094   Ireland
095   Iraq

Sources edit

  • "Pravilnik o registraciji vozila" (in Croatian). Ministry of Internal Affairs (Croatia). 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-07-02. Retrieved 2011-09-02.

References edit

  1. ^ Jutarnji.hr (1 July 2016). "Od ponedjeljka nove, jeftinije registarske pločice. Evo kako će izgledati i koliko će koštati". Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  2. ^ matriculasdelmundo.com. "License plates from Croatia. Special types". Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  3. ^ automotorsport.hr (26 November 2010). "PV tablice za oldtimere - Džinovski korak naprijed". Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  4. ^ New Licence Plates Coming for Croatians
  5. ^ "Popis registarskih oznaka za RH" (PDF). Retrieved 24 November 2019.

External links edit

  Media related to License plates of Croatia at Wikimedia Commons