 
 
 
 PRD/SZNS ARS 137 5: 202 3  
  
ICS                                    Edition 1  
   
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 ESWATINI NATIONAL STANDARD  
   
    
    
   
Vehicle Standards – Specification  for Vehicle Number Plates – 
Aluminium  
    
   
  
      
    
    
    
 
 
    
   
  
Published by: Eswatini Standards Authority  
Marble Construction Building, Plot 247 11th Street King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Eswatini   
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526   
Website: www.swasa.co.sz   
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz    
©Eswatini Standards Authority 202 3  
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© Eswatini Standards Authority 202 3   
All rights reserved   
   COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
This Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a National Public Review  Draft standard and is 
copyright  protected by SWASA. Neither this SWASA document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, 
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Requests for permission to reproduce shall be addressed to:  
The Information Officer  
Eswatini Standards Authority  
P.O. Box 1399, Matsapha   
Tel. + 268 2518 4633  
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Website: www.swasa.co.sz   
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All rights reserved  Table of changes  
Clause Changed   Date  Change   
      
NATIONAL FOREWORD  
This Eswatini National Public Review  Draft Standard was prepared by Technical Committee SWASA/TC 
17 Road Vehicles in accordance with procedures of the Eswatini Standards Authority, in compliance with 
Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement.  
  
  
  
  
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All rights reserved  Table of Contents  
0 Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  7 
0.1 Purpose  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  7 
0.2 Principles and background information  ................................ ................................ ...........  7 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  8 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  8 
3.1 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  8 
3.2 Abbreviati ons ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  9 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  10 
4.1 Blank material and dimensions  ................................ ................................ ......................  10 
4.2 Retro -reflective and colour characteristics  ................................ ................................ ..... 10 
4.2.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  10 
4.2.2  Colour and luminance factor (without graphics)  ................................ ....................  11 
4.2.3  Colour and luminance factor with graphics  ................................ ............................  12 
4.2.4  Coefficients of retro -reflection  ................................ ................................ ...............  12 
4.2.5  Certification of compliance of retro -reflective material  ................................ .........  13 
4.3 General characteristics  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 13 
4.3.1  National legislation and conditioning  ................................ ................................ ..... 13 
4.3.2  Border  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  13 
4.3.3  Temperature resistance and weathering  ................................ ................................ .. 13 
4.3.4  Adhesion to the substrate  ................................ ................................ ........................  14 
4.3.5  Impact resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 14 
4.3.6  Bending resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 14 
4.3.7  Water resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 14 
4.3.8  Cleanability  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  14 
4.3.9  Resistance to fuel  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 15 
4.3.10  Resistance to abrasion  ................................ ................................ .............................  15 
4.4 4.4 Requirements for alphanumeric characters  ................................ ..............................  15 
4.4.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  15 
4.4.2  Characters of a nominal height 75mm  ................................ ................................ .... 15 
4.4.3  Characters of a nominal height of 60mm  ................................ ................................  16 
4.4.4  Layout of the characters  ................................ ................................ ..........................  16 
4.5 Workmanship  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  16 
5 Consolidation of results  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  17 
5.1 Mechanical and related requirements and tests  ................................ ..............................  17 
5.2 Photometric requirements and tests ................................ ................................ ................  17 
5.3 Alpha numeric characters  ................................ ................................ ...............................  17 
6 Packing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 17 
7 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  17 
Annex A  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  32 
(normative)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  32 PRD/ SZNS ARS 13 75: 202 3 
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All rights reserved  Number Plate Layout  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  32 
Annex B  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  34 
Location of holes on  number plates  ................................ ................................ ..............................  34 
Annex C  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  36 
Security Decal  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  36 
Annex D  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  37 
UN Country Sign  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  37 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 39 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  0 Introduction  
0.1 Purpose   
This specification has been prepared to provide requirements for number plates for vehicles.    
0.2 Principles and background information   
The principles incorporated in this specification are to focus on items which are likely to be possible 
to harmonise acr oss a wide range of countries so as to encourage and facilitate harmonisation in order 
to minimise costs rather than to attempt to standardize on the identification of country.  
The number plates covered in this draft are limited to aluminium blanks, number plate sizes, 
reflective material quality and various tests to ensure a reasonable durability and good legibility of 
the alpha numeric characters by human eye and by automatic n umber plate recognition (ANPR). It 
is vital that the character style used is constant throughout the regions.  
It is understood that the painting versions of number plates and the plastic types of number plates are 
more likely to suffer reduction in qualit y or deviation from a standard than the type specified in this 
standard.  
Opportunities to standardize on sizes to enhance the possibility of international trade appear to be 
evident from the large number of variations currently in use in Africa and global ly – see list for 
discussion and illustration of the need to harmonise in the Bibliography.  
Acknowledgement is given to the following publications for the assistance derived from them:  
a) The South African Bureau of Standards - SANS 1116 – Retro -reflecti ve number plates for motor 
vehicles - Parts 1 and 2: 2016  
b) The Malawi Bureau of Standards DMS 639 -1:2011 – Draft Malawi Standard – Retro reflective 
registration plates for motor vehicles – Specification Part 1: Blank Plates (Aluminium)  
c) The Zambia Bu reau of Standards ZS 266: 2017 – Reflex -Reflecting vehicle number plates –  
Specification  
d) International Standard ISO 7591, Road vehicles – Retro -reflective registration plates for motor 
vehicles and trailers  
 
 
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All rights reserved  Vehicle Standards – Specification  for Vehicle Number Plates – Aluminium  
1 Scope  
This standard specifies the requirements for the materials, sizes and retro -reflectivity of aluminium 
number plates, including tests for reflective performance, longevity and durability.  The type and size 
of number plates and characters to be embossed on number plates for countries using Latin alphabet 
characters and Arabic numeral characters are also specified.   
The size of number plates and characters for countries using Arabic alphabet characters as well as 
painted metal or plastic types of number plat es are out of scope for this standard.  
2  Normative references  
ASTM G154: Standard practice for operating fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) lamp apparatus for 
exposure of non -metallic materials  
CIE 15: Colorimetry, 3 Edition  
CIE 54.2: Retro -reflection – Defin ition and measurement  
ISO 7591: Road vehicles – Retro reflective registration plates for motor vehicles and trailers  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply:  
3.1 Definitions  
3.1.1 background graphic  
Graphic is in the background and the alpha numerics are on top of the graphic  
3.1.2 blank   
Number plate in its raw state before it has been processed and completed to become a number plate 
for attachment to a vehicle  
3.1.3 chromaticity  
Objective specification of the quality of a colour   
3.1.4 embossing  
process to provide a border, a character or a set of characters applied to the blank in relief on the 
retroreflective side of a number plate  
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All rights reserved  3.1.5 face   
surface of the number plate which would face the reader  
3.1.6 graphic  
pictorial image that is contained under the topcoat of the reflective sheeting such that the alpha 
numerics may be positioned over the image, or positioned to either one or to both side s of the 
image  
3.1.7 non -background graphic  
graphic and the alpha numerics are on the same level  
3.1.8 number plate  
plate that is intended to show the embossed number (registration number or licence number, as the 
case may be) assigned to the vehicle t o which it is attached  
3.1.9 retro -reflective  
light is reflected predominantly back towards its source  
3.1.10 UN country sign  
Distinguishing Sign for the country communicated to the Secretary General of the United Nations 
in accordance with the UN Conv entions on Road Traffic, comprised of 1, 2 or 3 capital Latin alpha 
characters  
3.2 Abbreviations  
For the purpose of this standard, the following abbreviations apply.   
ANPR  Automatic Number Plate Recognition  
ASTM  ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials  
CIE International Commission on Illumination  
UN  United Nations  
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  4 Requirements  
4.1 Blank material and dimensions  
a) The blank shall be of aluminum, free from unevenness, hard spots, hollows, holes, and any 
blemishes or other deficiencies likely to cause problems during further manufacturing processes.  
b) The blank shall be of even thickness of not less than 0,9mm, free from sharp edges and burrs and  
be dimensioned according to one of the following sizes with  a tolerance of ± 2mm on each  
dimension and the corners shall be rounded to a radius of 15mm ± 3mm:  
i) 520mm x 113mm  
ii)440 mm x 120mm  
iii)  250mm x 205mm  
iv) 305mm x 165mm  
c) No more than two types shall be made available:       
i) Type A, where the retro -reflective material covers the whole face, or   
ii) Type B, where the retro -reflective material covers only the entire area inside of the embossed 
border.  
4.2 Retro -reflective and colour characteristics  
4.2.1 General  
a) The retro -reflective material shall be applied in such a manner as to provide a flat and smooth 
surface and form a durable bond with the substrate and yet to resist impacts and bending.  
b) The material shall be able to be embossed and to a minimum height of 1mm to form letters and 
digits in relief.  
c) The retro -reflective material shall also bear the following markings:  
i)The national flag 26 mm in height and 39 mm in width positioned as specified in Annex A;  
ii)The country name in capital Latin charact ers using Arial font not exceeding size 24 Bold (not 
exceeding 6 mm in height and 40 mm in width) and positioned as specified in Annex A;  
iii)The UN country sign as specified in Annex D in capital Latin characters using Arial font not 
exceeding size 48 Bl ack (not exceeding 12 mm in height and 40 mm in width) and positioned as 
specified in Annex A; and  
iv) A serial number and production batch identification for reference purposes as specified in 7.  PRD/ SZNS ARS 13 75: 202 3 
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All rights reserved  d) A security decal specified in Annex C shall be affixed  to the retro -reflective material, positioned 
as specified in 7  
e) The markings and the security decal shall be centred in a vertical banner aligned with the left 
vertical edge of the plate as specified in Annex A, the width of which shall not exceed 57 ± 1 mm 
from the edge of the plate. The national flag shall be positioned at least 17 ±1 mm from the top 
horizontal edge of the plate. The vertical distance between each of the markings and the security 
decal shall be at least 3 mm but not more than 10 mm as permitted by the vertical dimensions of the 
particular plate, provided that the positioning of the markings on the 250mm x 165mm plate shall 
allow for an embossed character with height of 60 ± 2 mm below the banner to accommodate the 
second row of 5 charac ters specified in 4.4.3.  
4.2.2 Colour and luminance factor (without graphics)  
a) The colour of the retro -reflective material shall be white.  
b) When the colour and luminance factors are measured on samples without graphics applied to the 
substrate using a spe ctrophotometer (or other equally suitable colour measuring  device) in 
accordance with CIE 15 and using standard illuminant D65 and 45/0 geometry:  
i)The chromaticity co -ordinates shall lie within the area of the chromaticity diagram defined by the 
values in Table 1 for the colour yellow or white as appropriate.  
ii)The luminance factor shall be at least the value in Table 1 for yellow or white as appr opriate.  
iii)The ratio of the luminance factor values between the border colour and the adjacent retro -
reflective background colour, shall not be less than 5 to 1.  
Table 1: Chromaticity co -ordinates and luminance factors (by day)  
Colour  Coordinate   Value  of Coordinate   Minimum  
Luminance 
Factor  
1 2 3 4 
White  X 
Y 0.355  
0.355  0.305  
0.305  0.285  
0.325  0.335  
0.375  0.35 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  4.2.3 Colour and luminance factor with graphics  
a)  The colour of the retro -reflective material shall be white with graphics.  
b) The graphics on the retro -reflective material shall not exceed 4 colours and shall be of such a 
design that the graphics cannot be mistaken for a letter or numeral.  
c) Any graphic which is not a “background graphic” shall not exceed a width of 65mm and a  height 
of 75mm.  
d) When the colour and luminance are measured on samples with graphics applied to the substrate 
using a spectrophotometer (or other equally suitable colour measuring device) in accordance with 
CIE 15 and using standard illuminate D65 and 45/0 geometry:  
i) The luminance factors of the colours black, blue, brown, green or red as available on areas of  
70mm x 50mm that may affect legibility shall not exceed 0.07   
ii)The ratio of the luminance factor values between the border colour and the a djacent retroreflective 
background and the between the border colour and adjacent graphic background colour shall not 
be less than 5 to 1.  
4.2.4 Coefficients of retro -reflection   
a) When the coefficients of retro -reflection are measured in accordance with CIE 5 4.2 using the 
observation and entrance angle values given in Table 2 and the results are recorded in cd/(lx -m2):  
i)In the case of a blank with no graphics the coefficient of retro -reflection shall be at least equal to 
the values in Table 2.  
ii)In the case of a blank with graphics that has first been divided into 3 equal sections the total retro -
reflection of the three sections shall be at least equal to the values in Table 2.                  
Table 2: Coefficients of retro -reflection  
Observation  Angle  
(degrees)  Entrance  Angle  
(degrees)  Minimum coefficient of retro -reflection when measured 
with standard illuminant A (cd/(lx -m2) 
Graphic b White  
0.33 a 5 a 35 50 
1.5 30 1.5 2.0 
a The  coefficient of retro -reflection at an angle of observation and an entrance angle of 0.33 and 5 degrees 
respectively shall not exceed 100cd/(lx.m2) for yellow material and 160 cd(lx.m2) for white material.  
b The total retro -reflection per unit area of a f ull number plate, including graphics without characters printed on 
white retro -reflective material.  
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All rights reserved  4.2.5 Certification of compliance of retro -reflective material  
a) To avoid unnecessary testing, test costs and associated delays in ensuring acceptability of 
materials, the test results from laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 to perform the above tests shall 
be accepted by all laboratories which are members of the ILAC  and APEC peer review systems.    
b) All outlets that have been approved and authorized  to participate in the manufacturing or 
embossing of number plates shall hold copies of such test reports which relate to the reflective 
material types and batches they have purchased.  
4.3  General characteristics  
4.3.1 National legislation and conditioning  
a) The plates shall comply with all aspects of national legislation and regional agreements or 
legislation.  
b) For standardised testing conditions despite different national climatic conditions, all samples for 
test and inspection shall first be conditioned for at least 24h at 23 ± 5°C and 50 ± 10% relative 
humidity before all tests and inspections.  
4.3.2 Border   
a) The border shall be embossed around the periphery of the blank to a height above the retroreflective 
surface of not less than 0.4mm nor more than 2mm.  
b) The border shall be black, blue, brown, green or red, corresponding to the colour of the embossed 
characters specified in 4.4.  
c) The luminance factor of the colors black, blue, red, green or brown determined in accordance with  
i)  Shall not exceed 0,07.   
4.3.3 Temperature resistance and weathering  
a) When a test sample is subjected to the conditions in b) i) and ii) in sequence, the reflective material 
and the letters and digits shall show no sign of peeling off the substrate, no cracking, blistering or 
appre ciable discoloration.  
 b) The plate is installed with the test surface facing the lamps, and subject it to artificial weathering 
using the apparatus and method given in ASTM G154 for 240h, using a cycle of:  
i) 4h UV exposure at 60°C, and then  
ii) 4h condensati on exposure at 50°C.  
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All rights reserved   c)  An alternative cycle is recommended in compliance with ISO 7591:  
i) 7h consecutively at a temperature of 65 ± 20C with a relative humidity of 10 ± 5%  
ii) 1h at a temperature of 23 ± 50C and 50 ± 10% relative humidity  
iii) 15h consecutively at a temperature of -200C  
4.3.4 Adhesion to the substrate  
After conditioning a test sample for 1h at -200C and immediately taking the sample out of the cold 
store it shall not be possible to remove the retro -reflective material physically in one piece from the 
substrate at the adhesive/plate interface.   
4.3.5 Impact resistance  
After conditioning the test sample for 1h at -200C and immediately taking the sample out of the cold 
store, place the sample face upwards on a steel plate of minimum thickness 1 2mm and allow a steel 
ball of 25mm diameter to drop from a height of 2m onto a flat section of the sample then examine 
the retro -reflective material to ensure there is no sign of cracking or separation from the substrate 
outside a distance of 5mm from the impacted area.   
4.3.6 Bending resistance  
After conditioning the material as specified in 4.3.1 facilitate bending by cutting any embossed border 
from the top and bottom of the test plate then bend the flat area around a mandrel of 50mm diameter 
to an included angle of 900 with the reflective material facing outwards there shall be no sign of 
cracking.   
4.3.7 Water resistance  
After having immersed the test plate in de -ionized water for 24h consecutively at 23 ± 50C and having 
allowed it to dry for 48h at normal room temperature there shall be no sign of deterioration that could 
impair its longevity or performance.   
4.3.8 Cleanability  
After smearing the face with a mixture of lubrication oil and graphite ensure that it can be cleaned 
off easily without damage to the reflective surface when wiped with a mild aliphatic solvent such as 
heptane, followed by washing with a neutral detergent.   PRD/ SZNS ARS 13 75: 202 3 
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All rights reserved  4.3.9 Resistance to fuel  
After immersion of a portion of a plate, including letters and numerals in a test fuel of 70% n -heptane 
and 30% toluol (by volume) for 1 minute there shall be no sign of deterioration that could impair its 
longevity or performance.   
4.3.10  Resistance to abrasion  
Various test procedures have been developed using brushes wit h stiff bristles, amongst others of a 
brush with stiff, black, butt -cut Chinese hog bristles securely wired into an aluminium brush block 
and a suitable drawing mechanism that does not exert a vertical force on the brush while allowing 
the brush to be move d back and forth over the test specimen while a supply of cleaning solution is 
so arranged as to drip onto the specimen as shown in Figure 4.  There shall be no sign of penetration 
of the coating  on the surfaces of the characters to the substrate that woul d affect the functionality of 
the number plate.   
4.4 4.4 Requirements for alphanumeric characters  
4.4.1 General  
a) The number, height, form, spacing and dimensions of the characters shall be as prescribed in 4.4.2 
for 75 mm high characters, and 4.4.3 for 60 mm hi gh characters and they shall be of the shape, style 
and appearance as shown in Figure 1.  
b) The embossed characters shall be black, blue, brown, green or red.  
c) The luminance factor of the colours black, blue, red, green or brown determined in accordanc e 
with i)  Shall not exceed 0,07.  
4.4.2 Characters of a nominal height 75mm  
a) The characters shall be of height 75 mm ± 2 mm and shall have shapes that conform to those of 
the appropriate characters given in Figure 1;  
b) Not more than nine characters shall appear in one line on a number plate of size 520 mm × 113 
mm (± 2 mm);     
c) Not more than eight characters shall appear in one line on a number plate of size 440 mm × 120 
mm (± 2 mm);   
d) Not more than nine characters shall appear in two lines on a number plate of size 250 mm × 205 
mm (± 2 mm); and   PRD/ SZNS ARS 137 5: 202 3 
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All rights reserved  e) In the case of a number plate bearing a single row of characters including six numerals, there shall 
be a dash of length between 10 mm and 25 mm ± 2 mm and a width of 10 mm ± 2 mm between the 
third and fourth numerals.  
4.4.3 Characters of a nominal height of 60mm  
a) The characters shall be of height 60 mm ± 2 mm and shall have shapes that conform to those of 
the appropriate characters given in Fi gure 2;  
b) Not more than nine characters shall appear in two lines on a number plate of size 250 mm × 165 
mm (± 2 mm).  
4.4.4 Layout of the characters  
a) Characters shall not encroach on a non -background graphic image;  
b) The width of spaces between outside e dges of the number plate and the first and last character 
shall be not less than 15 mm;  
c) The width of spaces between rows of characters on a number plate that bears a double row of 
characters shall be 10 mm ± 1 mm;   
d) The width of spaces that separate adjacent groups of letters and numerals shall be a minimum of 
10 mm; and   
e) The width of spaces between adjacent letters in groups of letters, and the width of spaces between 
adjacent numbers in groups of numbers shall be equal, subject to a tolerance of  ± 1 mm.   
f) The spacing of characters and numerals on personalized number plates shall comply with the 
requirements specified by the relevant standards organisation or government department which 
licences the production of number plates provided that the  characters are symmetrically placed.  
4.5  Workmanship  
a) When examined in accordance with 5.3, the retro -reflective material, licence number and border 
of a number plate shall be free of creases, chips, blisters, discoloration and spots.   
b) The licence nu mber shall be clearly defined.   
c) A number plate shall be of such flatness that, when it is laid face upwards on a flat surface, no part, 
except raised characters or a border, is more than 3 mm from the surface.  
 
 
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All rights reserved  5 Consolidation of results  
5.1 Mechanical and related requirements and tests  
Examine the requirements and the results for compliance with the mechanical and related tests and 
requirements specified in 4.1, c)  i) a), 4.2.3a), 4.2.3b), 4.3, 4.5, 6 and 7 and include values where 
relevant and any sig nificant details in the report.   
5.2 Photometric requirements and tests  
Examine the requirements and the results for compliance with the photometric requirements and tests 
specified in c)  i), 4.2.3a), 4.2.3c), 4.2.4, 4.2.5 and include values where relevant a nd any significant 
details in the report.   
5.3 Alpha numeric characters  
Examine the requirements and the results for compliance with the number, height, form, spacing, 
style and dimensions of the characters specified in 4.4 and Figures 1 and 2 and include va lues 
obtained and any deviations from the requirements.  
6 Packing   
The blank plates shall be so packed as to ensure that they are not damaged during normal handling, 
transportation and storage.   
7 Marking   
a) The retroreflective material shall bear a legible and indelible validation mark that forms an integral  
part of the material and which identifies the manufacturer of the material, the manufacturer’s batch  
number and the year of manufacture. Such mark shall not interfere with the legibility of the n umber  
plate  
b) The front surface of each blank number plate shall bear only the graphic, expiry decal (when  
applicable), the marking required in a) and c), and the border. The marking shall not interfere with  
the legibility of the licence number.  
c) The front surface of each blank plate shall bear, in legible and indelible marking, the trade name 
or trademark and the batch number of the manufacturer of blank plates in the left front bottom corner,  
in a space of height approximately 5 mm and of length appr oximately 50 mm.  PRD/ SZNS ARS 137 5: 202 3 
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All rights reserved  Figure 1a): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: A to F 
(dimensions in mm)  
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Figure 2b): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: G to L 
(dimensions in mm)  
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Figure 3c) : Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: M to R 
(dimensions in mm)  
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Figure 4d): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: S to X 
(dimensions in mm)  
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Figure 5e): Sizes, shapes and styles o f alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: Y to Z 
and 0 to 3 (dimensions in mm)  
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Figure 6f): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: 4 to 9 
(dimensions in mm)  
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Figure 7a): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric c haracters for 60 mm characters: A to F 
(dimensions in mm)  
 
 
 
 
 
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Figure 8b): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: G to 
L (dimensions in mm)  
 
 
 
 
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Figure 9c): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60  mm characters: M to 
R (dimensions in mm)  
 
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Figure 10d): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: S to 
X (dimensions in mm)  
 
 
 
 
 
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Figure 11e): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: Y to 
Z and 0 to 3 (dimensions in mm)  
 
 
 
 
 
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Figure 12f): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: 4 to 9 
(dimensions in mm)  
 
 
 
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a) Embossed border for Type A                   b) Alternate embossed body border for Type A  
 
 
c) Embossed border for Type A                    d) Alternate embossed border for Type A  
 
 
e) Embossed border for Type B  
 
Figure 3: Borders of Number Plates  
  
 
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Figure 4: Apparatus for resistance to abrasion testing  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  Annex A  
(normative)  
Number Plate Layout  
 
Figure 5a): 520 ±2 mm x 113 ±2 mm plate  
 
Figure 5b): 440 ±2 mm x 120 ±2 mm plate  
 
 
Figure 5c): 250 ±2 mm x 205 ±2 mm plate  
 
 
 
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Figure 5d): 250 ±2 mm x 165 ±2 mm plate  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  Annex B  
(normative)  
Location of holes on number  plates  
 
Figure 6a): 520 ±2 mm x 113 ±2 mm plate  
 
Figure 6b): 440 ±2 mm x 120 ±2 mm plate  
 
Figure 6c): 250 ±2 mm x 205 ±2 mm plate  
 
 
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Figure 6d): 250 ±2 mm x 165 ±2 mm plate  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  Annex C  
(normative)  
Security Decal  
a) A tamper -proof security decal is issued to a manufacturer of blank plates for each number plate 
the material of which have been approved as compliant by the relevant approving authority.  
b)  Each security decal issued shall contain at least the following:  
i) the logo of the approving body symbolising the certification of compliance of each number plate 
to allow visible recognition of compliance to this standard, and  
ii) reference number of such manufacturer for traceability.  
c)  Such manufacturer then supplies a decal for each blank number plate sold to an embosser and 
prints the  reference number of the relevant embosser on the security decal.  
d) The manufacturer and/or embosser reference nu mber should be machine readable without the  
need for proprietary equipment.  
e) The security decal affixed to a number plate shall comply with similar test conditions than the 
retroreflection  material upon application to the aluminium plate, but for the col our, luminance and 
retroreflection  properties to enable resistance to the heat, UV radiation, moisture and abrasion that  
number plates are exposed to under normal wear and tear conditions.  
f) The tamper proof nature of the security decal shall render it im possible to remove the decal intact  
from any number plate or to apply the decal to another number plate.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  Annex D  
(normative)  
UN Country Sign  
The distinguishing sign of the issuing country in Africa, as notified to the UN Secretary General in 
accordance with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic (1949 and/or 1968) on 7 July 2023, is  
provided in Table D.1.  
Table D.1 — Distinguishing signs notified in accordance with UN Conventions on Road Traffic  
Country  Distinguishing 
sign Country  Distinguishing 
sign 
Algeria  DZ Morocco  MA 
Benin  DY Namibia  NAM 
Botswana  BW Niger  RN 
Central African Republic  RCA  Nigeria  WAN  
Congo  RCB  Rwanda  RWA  
Côte d’Ivoire  CI Senegal  SN 
Democratic Republic of the Congo  ZRE Seychelles  SY 
Egypt  ET Sierra Leone  WAL  
Eswatini  SD South Africa  ZA 
Gambia  WAG  Togo  TG 
Ghana  GH Tunisia  TN 
Kenya  EAK Uganda  EAU 
Lesotho  LS United Republic of Tanzania  TZA 
Liberia  LB Tanganyika  EAT 
Madagascar  RM Zanzibar  EAZ 
Malawi  MW Zambia  RNR  
Mali RMM  Zimbabwe  ZW 
Mauritius  MS   
  
 
 
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All rights reserved  Other distinguishing signs used by United Nations Member States, not Contracting Parties to the 
1968 Convention on Road Traffic and/or the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic on 7 July 2023, are 
provided in Table D.2.  
Table D.2 — Distinguishing signs of countries  
Country  Distinguishing 
sign Country  Distinguishing 
sign 
Angola  AO Gabon   G 
Burkina Faso   BF Guinea  RG 
Burundi  RU Libyan Arab Jamahiriya  LAR 
Cameroon  CAM  Mauritania  RIM 
Chad  TCH/TD  Mozambique  MOC  
Eritrea  ER Somalia  SO 
Ethiopia   ETH Sudan  SUD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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All rights reserved  Bibliography  
Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles, United Nations, Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles | UNECE   
DMS 639 -1:2011 – Retro reflective registration plates for motor vehicles – Blank plates (Aluminium)   
SANS 1116 -1: 2016 – Retro -reflective  number plates for motor vehicles – Blank plates (aluminium)   
SANS 1116 -2: 2016 – Retro -reflective number plates for motor vehicles – Number plates 
(aluminium)   
ZS 266: 2017 – Reflex -Reflecting vehicle number plates – Specification  
  
 