CURRENT SERIES
(a) Since 14th November 2006 normal series two line plates for new registrations
have been 320×160 mm with a red band at the top having on it in white أبو ظبي (“Abu Dhabi”), a series number and الامارات (“Emirates”) above a number of up to five digits in black on reflective white and separated from it by a black horizontal divider.
At the left of the number is a square hologram with the Abu Dhabi police motif on it and at the right is a printed computer serial number. Single line plates are similar, measuring 520×110 mm, with the red band and series number to the left followed by الامارات (“Emirates”) over أبو ظبي (“Abu Dhabi”), the computer number over the hologram and the serial number.
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(b) Since 1986 private plates for vehicles being reregistered have been black on reflective white with
a western number of up to five digits
at the left and the Arabic equivalent at the right. On two line plates the Arabic number is above the western equivalent with a horizontal divider between. In the centre of single line plates and to the left of two line plates is اּعּم (“U.A.E.”) above أبو ظبي (“Abu Dhabi”) above A.D. on a coloured background
indicating the hundred thousands. Two line plates are 320×160 mm and single line plates are 520×110 mm; plates used on vehicles over about three tonnes gross weight are 400×200 mm.
In 2008 the square hologram was added at the bottom left of the plate with an etched computer serial number at the bottom right.
There are four colour bands in use, although harsh street lights and sun-faded colours often make it appear that there are more than four series:
red |
up to 99999 |
white |
400001 - 499999 (briefly, before the |
blue |
100001 - 199999 |
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introduction of the November 2006 |
green |
200001 - 299999 |
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series, a very few plates were issued) |
grey |
300001 - 399999 (from about 1996) |
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(c) Motorcycles
usually have a single 260×130 mm plate (203×117 mm until about 2002) in the same style as the 1986 series private plates but in black on reflective white throughout and have up to 5 digits. They are issued in pairs but it is very rare to see the front plate fitted, unlike four-wheel motorcycles (quads) that usually have the front plate fitted. In 2008 the square hologram was added at the bottom left of the plate with an etched computer serial number at the bottom right and plates became 260×140 mm.
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(d) Since 1986 vehicles for hire and reward have had plates with an Arabic
number above a dividing line and the western number in black on reflective green. At the left is an oval disc with الإمارات العربية المتحدة (“United Arab Emirates”) above أبو ظبي above ABU DHABI UAE in white on blue. Plates on vehicles over about three tonnes gross weight are 400×200 mm.
In 2008
the square hologram was added at the bottom left of the plate with an etched computer serial number at the bottom right. |
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(e) Since January 2008 taxis have had plates measuring 320×160 mm with a yellow band at the top having on it in black TAXI, أبو ظبي over A.D and ٲجرة (“taxi”) above a number of up to five digits in black on reflective white and separated from it by a black horizontal divider. At the left of the number is a square hologram with the Abu Dhabi police motif on it and at the right is
an etched computer serial number.
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(f) Since about April 2009 export plates have been reflective white on reflective blue
with اּعּم above أبو ظبي above a square hologram and A.D. above U.A.E. To the right of this is a vertical divider and EXPORT تصدير above a horizontal divider and a
western number. The year appears in full in small western numerals below EXPORT.
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(g) Members of the royal household have plates from any one of the
four normal series with coloured bands but with only a one or two digit serial number, including 0.
The Sheik (who is also president of the U.A.E.) has, on the front of his official cars, gold on polished metal plates with the U.A.E. falcon emblem in the centre. The rear plates are similar but have a number, up to about 25, in western script to the left of the emblem and Arabic to the right.
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(h) Since
probably April
2009 dealer plates have been red on reflective white with, to the left of a vertical
divider, اּعּم over أبو ظبي over
the square hologram
and A.D. To the right of the divider is تحت التجربة (“on test”) over
the year in full in western numerals above a horizontal divider above the western number. At the bottom right of the plate is an etched computer serial number.
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(j) Since probably the late 1990s imported vehicles have been issued
with plate sized stickers which are valid for one day only. They are white with three large blue boxes. The box on the left side has the Abu Dhabi customs emblem over جمرك (“customs”) over أبو ظبي (“Abu Dhabi”) with a sticker showing the date in western numerals at the top. The top box on the right side has لوحة جم ركية (“customs plate”) in white and the bottom box has the western number in white.
For police plates since 2002 see the unified series under United Arab Emirates, paragraph (e).
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FORMER SERIES
(p) From 1986 to December 2007 taxis had plates in the same series as vehicles for hire and reward (see paragraph (d)).
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