Vehicle registration plates of the Republic of Ireland Vehicle registration plates of the Republic of Ireland In the Republic of Ireland, vehicle registration plates (commonly known as "number plates") are the visual indications of motor vehicle registration – officially termed "index marks" – which it has been mandatory since 1903 to display on most motor vehicles used on public roads in Ireland. The alphanumeric marks (or "registration numbers") themselves were issued by the local authority in which a vehicle is first registered. The current specification for number plates is the format YYY–CC–SSSSSS. Those issued from 1987 to 2012 had the format YY–CC–SSSSSS. The components are: Since 1991, the
Motor vehicle registration is not a mandatory register. Often some proof of entitlement or ownership is required to register a car. A "Certificate of Vehicle Registration" or similar is issued by the state or territory agency, this document can be used as a secondary identity document of the operator. Along with the certificate, the agency also issues vehicle registration number plates. The registration lasts generally for a maximum of a year, after which time the vehicle registration must be renewed. The registration certificate notes the model, make, year, shape, VIN Chasis number and Engine number, weights, engine capacity and number of passengers. A