Number Plates News

Vive la Différence

16 April 2009

A quite drastic change in the French vehicle registration system has finally come into force. After much controversy, the new numbering convention will no longer end with the familiar two digit regional identifier.

Many were opposed to this 'loss of identity' - although Parisians are largely glad to see the back of the '75' mark which commonly singled them out for abuse when motoring out into remoter parts of the country. Some even claimed that the plans were the beginning of a far more sinister exercise in abolishing altogether the 96 individual regions or départements which date back to the aftermath of the revolution.

Concessions have been won, however, and the regional supporters can at least have their beloved two numbers and an appropriate regional emblem on the right hand panel. Of course, this has no real validity since you can choose whatever icon you want - regardless of any real or sentimental attachment to the place represented. Interestingly, across the water, an increasing number of New Yorkers are sporting provincial US plates these days as yet another way of escaping the drudgery of bureaucratic uniformity.

The new French regime involves a standard two letters/three numbers/two letters format and there does not seem to be any provision for transferring registrations between vehicles. Consequently, both commercial and private trade in 'personal' number plates has, effectively, been ended.

The French were, of course, the first to employ licence plates and the earliest examples date back to 1901. So, whilst those proud of their heritage can still demonstrate their regional identity to a small, if meaningless, degree, all are obliged to display the all-encompassing European Union flag on the left of their plates.