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
Vehicle registration plates of Israel and carry special registration plates, which in addition to the registration number contain the words (lit. "collectibles" vehicle). These vehicles, exempt from annual registration costs, may not be driven before 9am. Since February 2011, self-imported antique vehicles are allocated a number plate with the 55 suffix. <Br><Br> Police registration plates are rectangular with red background and embossed with white registration number. Police registration numbers consist of the letter Mem (מ), representing the word ""Mishtara"" (police) and the number, which is issued according to the seniority of the car holder. The number of the main car of the General commissioner of