Vehicle registration plates of South Africa
South African number plates are unique in each of the provinces. Each province has their own number plate design and colours, as well as numbering scheme.
Material, shapes and availability and registration
Number plates are available in plastic or metal. Plastic is the preferred material used by the majority of the motorists. They are also more common than their metal counterpart and are issued as standard plates by car dealerships, except in Gauteng Province where, from 2013, newly issued plates must be metal.The most common size is identical to the European number plates' size . However, a shorter plate is also common. Most car dealerships now issue the former. Other shapes such as American and motorbike sizes are also available. Number plates can be made over the counter at registration/licensing stores in shopping centres, although the vehicle registration document may be required.
From 1 February 2000, a process started to replace all number plates in South Africa to an aluminium number plate with an RFID tag containing a unique identification code, including the ability to identify the number plate in a foreign nation. This is termed an Intelligent Number Plate system. The system has been implemented for additional and circumstantial use. The numbering structure on plates will also then change. Concerning the foreign identification system within South Africa,
foreigners are granted the permission to verify their number plate to the South African number plate system.
The Department of Roads and Transport in South Africa has set aside R25 million for the project during the 2015/2016 fiscal year. The Department of Transport in Kwa-Zulu Natal has set aside R1.5 million for vehicle registration plates for the province. A secure electronic mark will be used in the encryption of the code.
The system can automatically generate the details of driving offences committed by a driver.
As of July 2016, new vehicles are however still being fitted with plastic plates and the system has still not been implemented.
New legislation also requires that a new vehicle's number plate be fixed to the body of the vehicle with four 4mm rivets.
Provinces
| Province | Standard Plates | Personalised Plates | Example | Colouring | Graphics |
| Western Cape Province | Cab # | xzzzzz WP | CA 123-456 | Black on white | - |
| KwaZulu-Natal Province | Nab # | xzzzzz ZN | NN 21514 | Blue on white | - |
| Mpumalanga Province | aaa+++ MP | xzzzzz MP | BBC123 MP | Black on white | Stylised rising sun |
| Eastern Cape Province | aaa+++ EC | xzzzzz EC | BBC 123 EC | Black on graphic | Elephant and aloe |
| Limpopo Province | aaa+++ L | xzzzzz L | BBC 123 L | Black on white | baobab tree and provincial coat of arms |
| Gauteng Province | aaa+++ GP aa++aa GP | xzzzzz GP | BBC 123 GP BC 12 DF GP | Blue on white | Provincial coat of arms |
| Northern Cape Province | aaa+++ NC | xzzzzz NC | BBC 123 NC | Green on white | Gemsbok and sand dune |
| Free State Province | aaa+++ FS | xzzzzz FS | BBC 123 FS | Black on graphic | |
| North West Province | aaa+++ NW | xzzzzz NW | BBC 123 NW | Black on graphic | Maize cob, elephant, sunflower and mine headgear |
| Diplomatic vehicles | +++ +++D BBB +++D | - | 890D 000D | Black or Green on White | - |
| National government vehicles | Gaa+++ G | - | GBC 123 G | Black on yellow | - |
| Police vehicles | Baa+++ B | - | BCB 123 B | Black on white / blue on white | None / Gauteng provincial coat of arms |
| Military vehicles | aaa+++ M | - | BCB 123 M | Black on yellow | - |
- In the Eastern Cape, provincial government vehicles have red letters and a red frame on white.
- Limpopo was initially named Northern Province and used the code N. When the name changed, a new sequence of numbers began, ending in L.
- UPPER CASE LETTERS: Literal letters in the number plate
- a: compulsory letter
- b: letter or nothing
- x: compulsory character
- z: character or nothing
# : an integer number- +: a compulsory digit
- NB:Vowels are not used on private vehicles.
Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal
Western Cape Province
In 1994, the Cape Province was subdivided into three provinces.The Eastern and Northern Cape changed their licensing system so the Cape Province registration prefixes used there, like CB and CC, were dropped. The homeland states of Ciskei and Transkei became part of the Eastern Cape. The Stellaland district became part of North West Province. The current Western Cape Province list is essentially an abbreviation of the pre-1980 Cape Province list.
| Registration | Location |
| CA or CAA | Cape Town Afrikaans: Kaapstad. |
| CAM | Caledon & Kleinmond |
| CAR | Clanwilliam, Lambert's Bay, Citrusdal, Graafwater |
| CAW or CAG | George. |
| CBL | Ladismith |
| CBM | Laingsburg |
| CBR | Montagu |
| CBS | Mossel Bay & Hartenbos. Afrikaans: Mosselbaai. |
| CBT | Murraysburg |
| CBY | Piketberg |
| CCA | Prince Albert Afrikaans: Prins Albert. |
| CCC | Riversdale & Stilbaai. Afrikaans: Riversdal. |
| CCD | Robertson & McGregor |
| CCK | Swellendam & Barrydale |
| CCM | Tulbagh |
| CCO | Uniondale |
| CCP | Van Rhynsdorp, Klawer. Afrikaans: Vanrhynsdorp. |
| CEA | Moorreesburg |
| CEG | Heidelberg |
| CEM | Hermanus, Gansbaai, Onrus River & Stanford |
| CEO | Grabouw & Elgin |
| CER | Bonnievale |
| CES | Albertinia |
| CEX | Porterville |
| CEY | Strand & Gordon's Bay |
| CF | Kuils River, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein Afrikaans: Kuilsrivier. Now part of the City of Cape Town. |
| CFA | Wolseley |
| CFG | Vredenburg, Saldanha & St Helena Bay |
| CFM | Somerset West. Afrikaans: Somerset-Wes. |
| CFP | Velddrif & Laaiplek |
| CFR | Kuils River & Brackenfell Now part of the City of Cape Town. |
| CG | Oudtshoorn |
| CJ | Paarl |
| CK | Malmesbury & Darling |
| CL | Stellenbosch & Franschhoek |
| CN | Wellington |
| CO | Calitzdorp |
| CR | Hopefield, Langebaan & Langebaan Road |
| CS | Bredasdorp & Napier |
| CT | Ceres |
| CV | Vredendal |
| CW | Worcester, De Doorns & Touws River |
| CX | Knysna, Sedgefield & Plettenberg Bay |
| CY | Bellville, Durbanville, Parow, Goodwood. Now part of the City of Cape Town. |
| CZ | Beaufort West Also known as Beaufort-Wes |
| Local government | - |
| CCT | Cape Town municipal vehicles. Previously the code for Willowmore, Eastern Cape. |
KwaZulu-Natal Province
- NA – Harding
- NB – Bergville
- NBA – Babanango
- NC – Camperdown, Hammarsdale
- NCO – Colenso
- NCH - Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal
- NCW – Kokstad
- ND – Durban Now part of eThekwini.
- NDE – Dundee
- NDH – Dannhauser
- NDW – Ndwedwe
- NE – Estcourt
- NES – Eshowe
- NF – Msinga
- NGL – Glencoe
- NH – New Hanover
- NHL – Hlabisa, Mtubatuba,Hluhluwe
- NIM – Impendle
- NIN – Ingwavuma
- NIP – Polela
- NIX – Ixopo
- NJ – Inanda,Ntuzuma, Kwamashu, Verulam, Tongaat. Now part of EThekwini
- NK – Richmond
- NKA – Nkandla
- NKK – Kranskop
- NKR – Ladysmith
- NKU – Ulundi
- NM – Maphumulo
- NMA – Mahlabatini
- NMG – Magudu
- NMR – Mooi River
- NMZ – Umzimkhulu Previously part of the Cape and then of Transkei, as an enclave in Natal. Transferred to KwaZulu-Natal in 2006.
- NN – Newcastle
- NND – Nongoma
- NO – Melmoth Mthonjaneni district, Zululand.
- NP – Pietermaritzburg Capital of KwaZulu-Natal.
- NPG – Pongola This town, on the north bank of the Phongolo River, used to be part of the Transvaal panhandle between Swaziland and Natal, with its border on the Phongolo. It used the code TAG.
- NPN – Pinetown Now part of eThekwini.
- NPP – Paulpietersburg
- NPS – now NSC Port Shepstone, Margate
- NR – Lions River, Howick
- NRB – Richards Bay
- NS – Ngotshe
- NT – Stanger & Ballito
- NTU – Nquthu
- NU – New Germany, Hillcrest, Kloof, Pinetown. Now part of
- NUB – Ubombo
- NUD – Underberg
- NUF – Empangeni
- NUL – Umbumbulu
- NUM – Greytown
- NUR – Umhlanga Rocks, Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal. Now part of eThekwini.
- NUT – Utrecht
- NUZ – Umlazi. Now part of EThekwini
- NV – Vryheid
- NW – Weenen
- NX – Scottburgh
- NZ – Mtunzini, Gingindlovu
- NCS - KwaZulu-Natal Conservation Service
- NDM – eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
- NPC - Msunduzi Municipality, Pietermaritzburg
Free State Province
This is the only province in the country that has the same borders today as it did before the Boer War, although it has had three changes of name. It was the Oranje Vrijstaat, the Orange River Colony, the Orange Free State Province and is now simply the Free State.
North West Province
A new numbering system was announced in December 2015, which would be implemented in February 2016.Costs
The standard annual non-personalised licence fee is between R200 and R600, depending on the province in which the vehicle is registered and the weight of the vehicle. A large number of heavy vehicles are registered in Northern and Eastern Cape where the licence fees per vehicle mass are low. The Western Cape has the most expensive annual licence fees, but as with Northern and Eastern Cape, it has few toll roads.Vehicle owners can buy specific personalised registration numbers from registering authorities. The cost for a single digit registration e.g. CA 1 will be in the region of R6000 while a long number e.g. CA 12345 can be as low as R600.
Legal requirements
All vehicles in South Africa, excluding motorcycles, are required to display a number plate on the front and the rear of the vehicle. For vehicles that cannot accommodate a full size plate in front, a plate with smaller dimensions may be fitted with permission from the registering authority.The validation of a vehicle's registration number is indicated by a licence disc displayed inside the vehicle's windshield and must be visible from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle's registration number, VIN and engine number as well as the licence expiry date, vehicle weight and number of passengers the vehicle is allowed to carry is indicated on the disc.
In the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, where the registration number is indicative of the town of registration, the registration number will not change when the owner of the vehicle relocates to another town in the same province. It is required of the owner to inform the authorities of a change of address within 21 days. However, if the owner relocates to another province, the owner has to register the vehicle in that province within 21 days. Whenever a vehicle is registered in a new owner's name, the vehicle will receive the registration of the new owner's town. If the vehicle is registered in the same town as the current registration, no change of registration number takes place.
When a vehicle changes ownership it is required that the vehicle be taken for a roadworthy test. The new owner is allowed to use a vehicle for a period of 21 days on the previous owner's registration before the vehicle has to be registered in the new owner's name. If the roadworthy result cannot be obtained within this period, the owner may register the vehicle without being roadworthy, however a licence disc will not be issued and the vehicle may not be used on a public road. A temporary permit must be obtained from the registering authority to drive the vehicle to the testing station or repair shop. The permit is valid for three days.
When a person buys a vehicle from a dealer in another province or town other than the one they live in, a temporary permit valid for three weeks is issued by the registration authorities. A vehicle can only be registered in the town the owner lives in. It is also not possible to renew the licence in any other town than the town the registered owner lives in.
The temporary permit is a cardboard "number plate" to be displayed in either the front or rear window of the vehicle.
When a vehicle's engine is replaced or the VIN and engine number needs to be verified for some legal reason, the vehicle needs to obtain police clearance. Since September 2012, a vehicle can only obtain a clearance if it was marked with a micro dot, or data dot system. This is a process where about 10,000 micro dots with a serial number on is sprayed with a resin onto all components of the vehicle. This serial number is linked to the vehicle's VIN on the national registration database. These dots can be found with an ultraviolet light and when magnified the serial number can be traced. New vehicles are treated in the factory and the dots carry the vehicle's VIN. This is to assist the authorities in identifying a vehicle or any part thereof when VIN and engine numbers are not legible, or have been removed.
Legislation is also on the table to have micro dotting made compulsory for all vehicles changing owners as well as requiring a 2-yearly roadworthy status for vehicles older than 10 years. The downside of this is that it might cause many poorer South Africans not to register vehicles in their name or to let licences lapse and just pay the fine when getting caught.
It is illegal in South Africa to alter or tamper with a vehicle's VIN or the factory stamped number on an engine in any way. Evidence of tampering will lead to the vehicles being confiscated and possibly destroyed.
History
Before 1994, South Africa had only four provinces: Cape Province, Natal Province, Orange Free State and Transvaal. Each province had its own identifying lettering: Cape – C, Natal – N, Orange Free State – O and Transvaal – T.Pre 1980
White letters on a black background were used across the country, including the military. For example: CC 147Each town had a unique registration prefix followed by a number that was allocated sequentially from 1 onward to 999 999. For trade plates, the letters and numbers were swapped.
There were no personalised number plates.
Government
Government vehicles used the letters GG as a prefix, followed by a sequential number. For example: GG 4321- Three government services and a government agency used their own registration codes:
- DW – Department of Water Affairs.
- P – Post Office.
- SAS-R – South African Railways road motor service.
- BT – Bantu Trust.
Military
Examples: U 4321 R 54321 On armoured vehicles especially, the numbers were painted in white on the green paint of the bodywork, or in black on desert sand paint.
Police
Police vehicles used the letters SAP as a prefix, followed by a sequential number. For example: SAP 4321However, many police vehicles were registered locally and carried the registrations used in the four provinces.
Diplomatic corps
Diplomatic vehicles used the letters DC as a prefix, followed by a sequential number. For example: DC 4321Cape Province
The towns in the Cape Province were originally assigned two-letter prefixes for the principal cities and towns, with smaller centres allocated three-letter codes. CA represented the largest city, Cape Town, CB the second-largest, Port Elizabeth, CC was Kimberley, CD King William's Town, CE East London, CF Grahamstown, CG Oudtshoorn, CH Queenstown, CI Worcester, CJ Paarl, CK Malmesbury and CL Stellenbosch.By the middle of the 20th century it was realised that the letter I was easily confused with the figure 1 and Q with O and 0, while odd codes had been introduced with the small letter o tagged on. So the system was revised, eliminating the o codes, and extra two-letter codes were allocated: CM De Aar, CN Wellington, CO Calitzdorp, CR Hopefield, CS Bredasdorp, CT Ceres, CU Port Nolloth, CV Vredendal, CW Worcester, CX Knysna, CY Bellville and CZ Beaufort West.
The full list of Cape Province prefixes was:
| Registration | Location |
| CA | Cape Town, including the magisterial districts of Wynberg and Simon's Town Afrikaans: Kaapstad. |
| CAB | Aberdeen |
| CAC | Burgersdorp Dutch: Burghersdorp. Magisterial district of Albert. |
| CAD | Alexandria & Paterson |
| CAE | Aliwal North Afrikaans: Aliwal-Noord. |
| CAF | Barkly East Afrikaans: Barkly-Oos. |
| CAG | Barkly West Afrikaans: Barkly-Wes. |
| CAH | Port Alfred & Bathurst District of Lower Albany. |
| CAJ | Bedford |
| CAL | Britstown |
| CAM | Caledon & Kleinmond |
| CAN | Calvinia, Brandvlei & Loeriesfontein |
| CAO | Carnarvon |
| CAP | Cathcart |
| CAR | Clanwilliam & Lambert's Bay |
| CAS | Colesberg |
| CAT | Cradock |
| CAU | Fort Beaufort District of Victoria East. |
| CAV | Fraserburg |
| CAW | George |
| CAX | Lady Frere & Glen Grey district Became part of Transkei and used the code XR. |
| CAY | Upington Was part of British Bechuanaland. |
| CAZ | Graaff-Reinet & Nieu-Bethesda |
| CB | Port Elizabeth Now part of Nelson Mandela Bay. |
| CBA | Hanover |
| CBB | Griquatown Afrikaans: Griekwastad. Was part of Griqualand West. |
| CBC | Douglas Was part of Griqualand West. |
| CBD | Herschel Became part of Transkei and used the code XT. |
| CBE | Hopetown & Strydenburg |
| CBF | Humansdorp & Jeffreys Bay |
| CBG | Jansenville |
| CBH | Kenhardt |
| CBJ | Komga Dutch: Komgha; now called Qumra. |
| CBK | Kuruman Now Kudumane. |
| CBL | Ladismith |
| CBM | Laingsburg |
| CBN | Mafeking When it was part of Bophuthatswana, the town's name was spelt Mafikeng; today it is Mahikeng. It used the Molopo district code YBA. |
| CBO | Hofmeyr Magisterial district of Maraisburg. |
| CBP | Middelburg |
| CBR | Montagu |
| CBS | Mossel Bay & Hartenbos Afrikaans Mosselbaai. |
| CBT | Murraysburg |
| CBU | Springbok Namaqualand district. |
| CBV | Pearston |
| CBW | Peddie Was part of British Kaffraria; became part of Ciskei and used the code GCF. |
| CBX | Philipstown, with Petrusville & Vanderkloof |
| CBY | Piketberg |
| CBZ | Prieska |
| CC | Kimberley Was capital of Griqualand West. |
| CCA | Prince Albert Afrikaans: Prins Albert. |
| CCB | Richmond |
| CCC | Riversdale & Stilbaai Afrikaans: Riversdal. |
| CCD | Robertson & McGregor |
| CCE | Somerset East Afrikaans: Somerset-Oos. |
| CCF | Steynsburg |
| CCG | Steytlerville |
| CCH | Seymour Became part of Ciskei and used the code GCH. |
| CCJ | Sutherland |
| CCK | Swellendam & Barrydale |
| CCL | Tarkastad |
| CCM | Tulbagh |
| CCN | Uitenhage & Despatch Now part of Nelson Mandela Bay. |
| CCO | Uniondale |
| CCP | Van Rhynsdorp & Klawer Afrikaans: Vanrhynsdorp. |
| CCR | Victoria West, Loxton & Vosburg Afrikaans: Victoria-Wes. |
| CCS | Vryburg & Reivilo. This district was, in the 1880s, the short-lived Republic of Stellaland. It then became the capital of the colony of British Bechuanaland, and was annexed to the Cape Colony in 1895. |
| CCT | Willowmore |
| CCU | Dordrecht |
| CCV | Butterworth Became part of Transkei and used the code XB. |
| CCY | Umtata Now Mthatha. Became capital of Transkei with the code XA. |
| CCZ | Cala Became part of Transkei and used the code XAC. |
| CCW | Kokstad |
| CCX | Matatiele |
| CD | King William's Town “King”, as it is known, was the capital of the colony of British Kaffraria. It did not become part of Ciskei, but its satellite township Zwelitsha did, using the code GCJ, which also served Dimbaza and Bisho. Now part of Buffalo City. |
| CDA | Elliot |
| CDB | Engcobo Now Ngcobo. Became part of Transkei and used the code XE. |
| CDC | Idutywa Now Dutywa. Became part of Transkei and used the code XN. |
| CDD | Kentani Became part of Transkei as Centane and used the code XY. |
| CDE | Nqamakwe Became part of Transkei and used the code XAA. |
| CDF | Port St Johns Became part of Transkei and used the code XF. |
| CDG | Elliotdale Became part of Transkei and used the code XAD. |
| CDH | Mqanduli Became part of Transkei and used the code XAE. |
| CDJ | Bizana Now Mbizana. Became part of Transkei and used the code XAF. |
| CDK | Flagstaff Became part of Transkei as Gatyana, code XAG. |
| CDM | Cofimvaba Became part of Transkei, code XD. |
| CDN | Willowvale Became part of Transkei as Siphaqeni, code XAH. |
| CDL | Maclear |
| CDO | Lusikisiki Became part of Transkei and used the code XC. |
| CDP | Umzimkulu Now Umzimkhulu. Became part of Transkei and used the code XH. Transferred to KwaZulu-Natal in 2006 and uses the code NMZ. |
| CDR | Tabankulu Became part of Transkei and used the code XAB. |
| CDS | Mount Frere Became part of Transkei and used the code XK. |
| CDT | Mount Fletcher Became part of Transkei and used the code XW. |
| CDU | Libode Became part of Transkei and used the code XU. |
| CDV | Qumbu Became part of Transkei and used the code XV. |
| CDW | Mount Ayliff Became part of Transkei as Maxesibeni, code XJ. |
| CDY | Ngqeleni Became part of Transkei and used the code XZ. |
| CDX | Middledrift Became part of Ciskei and used the code GCD. |
| CDZ | Venterstad |
| CE | East London & Gonubie Afrikaans: Oos-Londen. East London was never part of British Kaffraria, being annexed directly to the Cape Colony. Mdantsane, a satellite township to East London, became part of Ciskei and used the code GCE. Now part of Buffalo City. |
| CEA | Moorreesburg |
| CEB | Kirkwood |
| CEC | Garies |
| CED | Hankey |
| CEE | Warrenton Was part of Griqualand West. |
| CEF | Whittlesea Became part of Ciskei and used the code GCB. |
| CEG | Heidelberg |
| CEH | Jamestown |
| CEJ | Lady Grey Became part of Transkei as Cacadu district, code ZR. |
| CEK | Pofadder |
| CEL | Noupoort Dutch: Naauwpoort. |
| CEM | Hermanus, Gansbaai, Onrus River & Stanford |
| CEN | Indwe |
| CEO | Grabouw & Elgin |
| CEP | Sterkstroom |
| CER | Bonnievale |
| CES | Albertinia |
| CET | Joubertina |
| CEU | Hartswater & Jan Kempdorp Jan Kempdorp was the only town in the country that fell into two provinces: the Cape and the Transvaal. It was treated administratively as being part of the Cape. |
| CEV | Postmasburg & Daniëlskuil Was part of British Bechuanaland. |
| CEW | Olifantshoek, Sishen & Kathu Was part of British Bechuanaland. |
| CEX | Porterville |
| CEY | Strand & Gordon's Bay Now part of Cape Town. |
| CEZ | Williston |
| CF | Grahamstown This code is now used for Kuils River. Grahamstown, seat of the Albany district, is now named Makhanda. |
| CFA | Wolseley |
| CFB | Molteno |
| CFC | Stutterheim Previously part of British Kaffraria. Earlier code CCI. |
| CFD | Alice, Victoria East district. Became part of Ciskei and used the code GCA. |
| CFE | Tsolo Became part of Transkei and used the code XO. |
| CFF | Tsomo Became part of Transkei and used the code XAC. |
| CFG | Vredenburg, Saldanha & St Helena Bay Previously CEI. |
| CFH | Kakamas |
| CFJ | Adelaide |
| CFK | Keiskammahoek Previously CDo. Became part of Ciskei and used the code GCC. |
| CFM | Somerset West Afrikaans: Somerset-Wes. Previously CFm. Now part of Cape Town. |
| CFN | Taung Historically written as Taungs. Previously CCSo. Was part of British Bechuanaland; became part of Bophuthatswana and used the code YBN. |
| CFO | Keimoes Was part of British Bechuanaland. |
| CFP | Velddrif |
| CFR | Kuils River, Durbanville, Brackenfell & Kraaifontein Afrikaans: Kuilsrivier. In the 21st century, the code for Kuils River became CF. Now part of Cape Town. |
| CFS | Groblershoop |
| CG | Oudtshoorn |
| CH | Queenstown Now called Komani. |
| CJ | Paarl & Franschhoek |
| CK | Malmesbury & Darling |
| CL | Stellenbosch |
| CM | De Aar Previously CALo. |
| CN | Wellington Previously CJo. |
| CO | Calitzdorp |
| CR | Hopefield, Langebaan & Langebaan Road |
| CS | Bredasdorp & Napier Previously CAK. |
| CT | Ceres Previously CAQ. |
| CU | Port Nolloth |
| CV | Vredendal Previously part of Van Rhynsdorp district. |
| CW | Worcester, De Doorns & Touws River Previously CI. |
| CWB | Walvis Bay Walvis Bay, although legally part of the Cape Province, was long administered as part of South West Africa and used the SWA registration Wb. In the 1970s South West Africa adopted a new system using codes starting with S; Walvis Bay was SV. CWB was used during the short period when the town and its surrounding territory was returned to the Cape in the 1980s. Afrikaans: Walvisbaai. The German name Walfischbucht was never official, as the town was never part of German South West Africa. |
| CX | Knysna, Sedgefield & Plettenberg Bay Previously CBI. |
| CY | Bellville, Goodwood, Parow, Durbanville & Kraaifontein Now part of Cape Town. |
| CZ | Beaufort West Afrikaans: Beaufort-Wes. Previously CAI. |
| PA | Provincial Administration Used on provincial traffic control and road construction vehicles, among others. |
Codes obsolete by 1950:
| Registration | Location |
| CAGo | Klipdam, near Windsorton; now a ghost town. Was part of Griqualand West. |
| CAK | Bredasdorp & Napier Now CS. |
| CALo | De Aar Later CM. |
| CAQ | Ceres Now CT. |
| CAUo | Adelaide Later CFJ. |
| CAVo | Williston Later CEZ. |
| CAI | Beaufort West Afrikaans: Beaufort-Wes. Now CZ. |
| CBI | Knysna, Sedgefield & Plettenberg Bay Now CX. |
| CBQ | Molteno Later CFB. |
| CDI | Tsolo Later CFE. |
| CCI | Stutterheim Later CFC. |
| CCQ | Alice Victoria East district. Later CFD. |
| CCSo | Taung Historically written as Taungs. Later CFN. |
| CDo | Keiskammahoek Later CFK. |
| CDQ | Tsomo Later CFF. |
| CEI | Vredenburg, Saldanha Bay & St Helena Bay Now CFG. |
| CFm | Somerset West Afrikaans: Somerset-Wes. Now CFM. |
| CGo | Calitzdorp Now CO. |
| CHo | Sterkstroom Later CEP. |
| CI | Worcester Now CW. |
| CJo | Wellington Now CN. |
| CKo | Hopefield Now CR. |
Transvaal Province
| Registration | Location |
| TA | Benoni Now part of Ekurhuleni. |
| TAA | Barberton |
| TAB | Bethal |
| TAC | Christiana |
| TAD | Lichtenburg |
| TAE | Lydenburg |
| TAF | Zeerust |
| TAG | Piet Retief |
| TAH | Nylstroom Now Modimolle. |
| TAI | Wolmaransstad Obsolete code. |
| TAJ | Louis Trichardt |
| TAK | Wolmaransstad district |
| TAL | Pietersburg Now Polokwane. |
| TAM | Wakkerstroom |
| TAN | Potgietersrus Now Mokopane. |
| TAO | Ottosdal |
| TAP | Graskop |
| TAQ | Balfour |
| TAR | Messina Now Musina. |
| TAS | Delmas |
| TAT | Greylingstad |
| TAU | Fochville |
| TAV | Hercules Incorporated into Pretoria in 1948. |
| TAW | Bronkhorstspruit |
| TAX | Swartruggens |
| TAY | Randfontein |
| TAZ | Brits |
| TB | Boksburg Now part of Ekurhuleni. |
| TBA | Dullstroom |
| TBB | Leeudoringstad |
| TBC | Tzaneen |
| TBD | Duiwelskloof Now Modjadjiskloof. |
| TBE | Delareyville |
| TBF | Hendrina |
| TBG | Charl Cilliers |
| TBH | Nelspruit Now Mbombela. |
| TBI | Koster |
| TBJ | Trichardt |
| TBK | Morgenzon |
| TBL | Machadodorp Now eNtokozweni. |
| TBM | Breyten |
| TBS | Sabie |
| TBZ | Thabazimbi |
| TC | Carolina |
| TCA | Groblersdal |
| TCB | Belfast |
| TCC | Coligny |
| TCD | Kempton Park Afrikaans: Kemptonpark. |
| TCE | Westonaria |
| TCO | Carletonville |
| TCX | Makwassie |
| TDD | Pilgrim's Rest |
| TDG | Nigel |
| TDH | White River Afrikaans: Witrivier. |
| TDJ | Leslie |
| TDK | Alberton Now part of Ekurhuleni. |
| TDL | Edenvale Now part of Johannesburg. |
| TE | Ermelo |
| TEA | Amsterdam |
| TF | Amersfoort |
| TG | Germiston Now part of Ekurhuleni. |
| TH | Heidelberg |
| TJ | Johannesburg |
| TK | Krugersdorp Now part of Mogale City. |
| TL | Bloemhof |
| TLN | Lyttelton In 1967 the town of Lyttelton was named Verwoerdburg. The code TLN was retained until the introduction of the province-wide T registration system. Following the 1994 elections the name Verwoerdburg was dropped and the town was named Centurion, after the cricket stadium near the N1, Centurion Park. The stadium now bears a sponsor's name. |
| TM | Middelburg |
| TN | Ventersdorp |
| TNS | Naboomspruit Now Mookgophong. |
| TO | Brakpan Now part of Ekurhuleni. |
| TON | Meyerton Now part of Midvaal. |
| TOY | Orkney |
| TP | Pretoria Now part of Tshwane. |
| TQ | Standerton |
| TR | Schweizer-Reneke |
| TRB | Rustenburg |
| TRG | Randburg Now part of Johannesburg. |
| TS | Springs Now part of Ekurhuleni. |
| TSN | Sandton Now part of Johannesburg. |
| TT | Volksrust |
| TU | Roodepoort Long known as Roodepoort-Maraisburg; now part of Johannesburg. |
| TV | Vereeniging Now part of Midvaal. |
| TVB | Vanderbijl Park Afrikaans: Vanderbijlpark. Now part of Midvaal. |
| TW | Witbank |
| TWB | Warmbaths Afrikaans: Warmbad. Now Bela Bela. |
| TX | Potchefstroom |
| TY | Klerksdorp |
| TZ | Stilfontein |
| Province | - |
| TPA | Transvaal Provincial Administration Used on provincial vehicles. |
Natal Province
In many cases the districts of the province took their letters from the place names to determine the letters that are used to identify each region. Almost all of the areas remained unchanged since 1994, the Only province in South Africa not changing number plates or areas since 1994. This pattern does not always hold.| Natal | - |
| Registration | Location |
| NA | Harding |
| NAT | Amanzimtoti |
| NB | Bergville |
| NBA | Babanango |
| NC | Camperdown |
| NCO | Colenso |
| NCW | Kokstad |
| NCX | Matatiele |
| ND | Durban |
| NDE | Dundee |
| NDH | Dannhauser |
| NDW | Ndwedwe |
| NE | Estcourt |
| NES | Eshowe Zululand. |
| NF | Msinga |
| NGL | Glencoe |
| NH | New Hanover |
| NHL | Hlabisa Zululand. |
| NIM | Impendle |
| NIN | Ingwavuma Zululand. |
| NIP | Bulwer Now Polela. |
| NIX | Ixopo |
| NJ | Verulam, Inanda & Tongaat |
| NK | Richmond |
| NKA | Nkandla Zululand. |
| NKK | Kranskop |
| NKR | Ladysmith & Klip River |
| NKU | Ulundi Zululand. |
| NM | Maputo Zululand. |
| NMA | Mahlabatini Zululand. |
| NMG | Magudu |
| NMR | Mooi River & Nottingham Road |
| NN | Newcastle |
| NND | Nongoma Zululand. |
| NO | Melmoth |
| NP | Pietermaritzburg Capital of Natal. |
| NPN | Pinetown & Cowies Hill. |
| NPP | Paulpietersburg Was part of Nieuwe Republiek; annexed to Natal in 1903 |
| NPS | Port Shepstone |
| NR | Howick & Lions River |
| NRB | Richards Bay Afrikaans: Richardsbaai. Zululand. |
| NS | Louwsburg Now Ngotshe. |
| NT | Stanger & Ballito |
| NTU | Nqutu In Zululand. Now Nquthu. |
| NU | Queensburgh, New Germany, Waterfall, Hillcrest & Kloof |
| NUB | Ubombo Zululand. |
| NUD | Underberg |
| NUF | Empangeni |
| NUL | Umbumbulu |
| NUM | Greytown & Umvoti |
| NUR | Umhlanga Rocks |
| NUT | Utrecht Previously part of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek; annexed to Natal in 1903. |
| NUZ | Umlazi |
| NV | Vryheid This town was the capital of the Nieuwe Republiek, then became part of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek. It was annexed to Natal in 1903. |
| NW | Weenen |
| NX | Scottburgh & Umzinto |
| NZ | Mtunzini |
| Provincial & local government | - |
| NPA | Natal Provincial Administration |
| NPB | Natal Parks Board |
| NDC | Durban Corporation |
| NPC | Pietermaritzburg Corporation |
| NBB | Natal Bantu Affairs administration boards |
Orange Free State
The town of Sasolburg, where oil is produced out of coal, received the very appropriate prefix OIL.| Registration | Location |
| OA | Bethlehem |
| OAB | Reitz |
| OAF | Kestell |
| OB | Bloemfontein Now part of Mangaung. |
| OBB | Brandfort |
| OBD | Dewetsdorp |
| OBG | Reddersburg |
| OBT | Botshabelo Satellite township of Bloemfontein, adjacent to Thaba Nchu. Now part of Mangaung. |
| OBW | Witsieshoek Phuthaditjhaba, which was the capital of Qwaqwa. |
| OC | Bethulie |
| OCC | Springfontein |
| OD | Boshof |
| ODB | Hertzogville |
| ODD | Dealesville |
| OE | Edenburg |
| OEB | Trompsburg |
| OF | Fauresmith |
| OFB | Jagersfontein |
| OFD | Koffiefontein |
| OFH | Petrusburg |
| OG | Ficksburg |
| OGB | Fouriesburg |
| OH | Frankfort |
| OHB | Villiers |
| OHS | Harrismith |
| OIC | Warden |
| OIL | Sasolburg |
| OJ | Heilbron |
| OK | Hoopstad |
| OKB | Bultfontein |
| OKC | Odendaalsrus |
| OKD | Wesselsbron |
| OKE | Welkom |
| OL | Jacobsdal |
| OM | Kroonstad |
| OMB | Bothaville |
| OMF | Viljoenskroon |
| OMG | Edenville |
| ON | Ladybrand |
| ONB | Hobhouse |
| OND | Clocolan Now Hlohloane. |
| OO | Lindley |
| OOD | Steynsrus |
| OOE | Petrus Steyn |
| OP | Philippolis |
| OQB | Zastron Obsolete code. Later OZ. |
| OR | Senekal |
| ORD | Marquard |
| ORE | Paul Roux |
| ORX | Rouxville |
| OS | Smithfield |
| OU | Vrede |
| OUB | Memel |
| OV | Parys |
| OVB | Vredefort |
| OVE | Koppies |
| OW | Wepener |
| OX | Winburg |
| OXD | Theunissen |
| OXF | Ventersburg |
| OXG | Excelsior & Tweespruit |
| OXH | Hennenman |
| OXV | Virginia |
| OZ | Zastron Previously OQB. |
| Province | - |
| PAO | Provincial Administration Used on provincial vehicles. |
Circa 1975 to 1994
A new numbering scheme had to be introduced in the Transvaal, after the Johannesburg series exceeded the number TJ 999-999 . An alphanumeric system was introduced in this province, which allowed more permutations with fewer characters. The reason given for this change was that it was necessary because the system was computerised, which was an argument only valid for a few years. Despite this, a trend towards centralisation of vehicle registries continued, despite its inconvenience to motorists. The series comprised three letters followed by three numbers and the letter T. All number plates used black text on a yellow background, for example: BCD 123 T .From this point onward, a Transvaal vehicle's origin could no longer be narrowed down to a specific town or city. However the first letter of the registration indicated the date of first registration of a vehicle, as the sequence grew alphabetically. However, because the Transvaal used codes that coincided with those used in other provinces, traffic officers failed to notice the T at the end, and issued fines to Cape motorists whose registrations matched those of T vehicles passing through the Cape. The use of C and N codes ought to have been barred. O was not used, since the new system avoided the use of vowels.
At this time black text on yellow background became mandatory throughout South Africa so the other three provinces also adopted the new black on yellow number plates, but kept their existing numbering systems. Example: CR 7822. At this stage government plates adopted the same system as Transvaal. Example: BCD 123 M.
Towards 1994 this numbering system for the Transvaal was rapidly running out of permutations. However, in 1994 the four provinces were dissolved and nine new provinces were created. All the new provinces apart from the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal adopted the alphanumeric system. Due to public demand at this time, different text colour on white background was also allowed. The different provinces could decide on text colour for their plates. A white background is used in all provinces although some provinces place graphics on this background relevant to their province.
Towards 2012 Gauteng Province was running out of permutations and had to adopt a new system. This system used two letters, two numbers, two letters and the province indicator GP.
Homeland number plates
Under apartheid South Africa, each of the homelands had its own department of vehicle licensing.Bophuthatswana
- YBA – Molopo, including Mafikeng and the Bophuthatswana capital, Mmabatho.
- YBB – Odi. Previously part of Brits district, code TAZ.
- YBC – Moretele. Previously part of Pretoria district, code TP.
- YBD – Bafokeng & Tlhabane. Previously part of Rustenburg district, code TRB.
- YBE – Ditsobotla. Previously part of Lichtenburg district, code TAB.
- YBF – Mogwase. Previously part of Rustenburg district, code TRB.
- YBG – Lehurutshe. Previously part of Zeerust district, TAF.
- YBH – Tlhaping-Tlharo. Previously Kuruman district, CBK.
- YBJ – Madikwe. Previously part of Zeerust district, TAF.
- YBK – Thaba Nchu. Previously part of Bloemfontein district, OB.
- YBL – Mankwe. Previously part of Rustenburg district, code TRB.
- YBM – Ganyesa. Previously part of Stellaland, code CCS.
- YBN – Taung. Previously CFN.
- YBX – Mabopane. Previously part of Pretoria district, code TP.
- YB – Government vehicles
- YBP – Police vehicles
Ciskei
- GCA – Alice Previously CFD.
- GCB – Hewu & Whittlesea. Previously CEF.
- GCC – Keiskammahoek Previously CFK.
- GCD – Middledrift Previously CDX.
- GCE – Mdantsane Previously part of the East London district, code CE.
- GCF – Peddie Previously CBW.
- GCH – Mpofu & Seymour. Previously CCH.
- GCJ – Zwelitsha, Bisho & Dimbaza. Bisho was the capital of Ciskei; today it is the capital of the Eastern Cape. Previously part of the King William's Town district, code CD.
- GC – Ciskei government vehicles
- GCP – Ciskei police vehicles
Gazankulu
- GM – Malamulele district. Previously part of Louis Trichardt district. Now part of Limpopo province.
- GY – Giyani district. Previously part of Louis Trichardt district. Now part of Limpopo province.
- GR – Ritavi district. Previously part of Tzaneen district. Now part of Limpopo.
- GH – Mhala district. Previously part of White River district. Now part of Mpumalanga.
- GAZ – Gazankulu government
Lebowa
- LEB-1-NUMBER/S – Lebowakgomo & Mankweng Previously Pietersburg district.
- LEB-2-NUMBER/S – Schoonoord & surrounds. Previously Groblersdal district.
- LEB-3-NUMBER/S – Mahwelereng & surrounds Previously Potgietersrus district.
- LEB-4-NUMBER/S – Seshego, Moletji, Matlala & Mashashane. Previously Pietersburg district.
- LEB-5-NUMBER/S – Mapulaneng. Previously Graskop district.
- LEB-6-NUMBER/S – Nebo & surrounds. Previously Groblersdal district.
- LEB-7-NUMBER/S – Tzaneen & Bolobedu surrounds. Previously TBC)
- LEB-8-NUMBER/S – Tzaneen & Lenyenye. Previously TBC.
- LEB-9-NUMBER/S – Praktiseer & surrounds. Previously Lydenburg district.
- LEB-10-NUMBER/S – Botlokwa & Sekgosese. Previously Pietersburg district.
- LEB-11-NUMBER/SO – Bochum & surrounds. Previously Pietersburg district.
- LEB-13-NUMBER/S – Phalaborwa. Previously Graskop district.
- LG – Lebowa government
- LP – Lebowa police
Qwaqwa
- OBW – private vehicles
- WR – government vehicles
- WRP – police vehicles
KwaNdebele
- KNK – KwaMhlanga
- KNE – Enkangala
- KNA – Siyabuswa
- KNB – Kwaggafontein
- KNF – Vaalbank
- KNG – KwaNdebele government
- KNP – KwaNdebele police
Transkei
- XA – Umtata Transkei capital. Today Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Previously CCY.
- XAA – Nqamakwe Previously CDE.
- XAB – Tabankulu Previously CDR.
- XAC – Tsomo Previously CFF.
- XAD – Xhora & Elliotdale. Previously CDG. Now Xora.
- XAE – Mqanduli Previously CDH.
- XAF – Bizana Now Mbizana. Previously CDJ.
- XAG – Gatyana Formerly Flagstaff, CDK.
- XAH – Siphaqeni Formerly Willowvale, CDN.
- XB – Gcuwa Previously CCV.
- XC – Lusikisiki Previously CDO.
- XD – Cofimvaba Previously CDM.
- XE – Engcobo Now Ngcobo. Previously CDB.
- XF – Umzimvubu & Port St Johns. Previously CDF.
- XH – Umzimkulu Now Umzimkhulu. Previously CDP; since 2006 part of KwaZulu-Natal, code NMZ.
- XJ – Maxesibeni, previously Mount Ayliff, code CDW.
- XK – KwaBhaca & Mount Frere. Previously CDS.
- XL – Maloti New district at the foot of the Drakensberg range, home to many Sotho-speakers.
- XR – Cacadu Previously Glen Grey district, code CAX.
- XN – Idutywa Previously CDC. Now Dutywa.
- XO – Tsolo Previously CFE.
- XS – Xalanga, including Cala.
- XT – Herschel Previously CBD.
- XU – Libode Previously CDU.
- XV – Qumbu Previously CDV.
- XW – Mount Fletcher. Previously CDT.
- XY – Centane. Previously Kentani, code CCD.
- XZ – Ngqeleni Previously CDY.
- XG – Transkei government
- XGA – Agriculture & Forestry Department
- XGC – Commerce, Industry & Tourism Department
- XGH – Health & Welfare Department
- XGL – Local Government & Land Tenure Department
- XGW – Works & Energy Department
- XM – Transkei army
- XP – Transkei police
- XPT – Transkei traffic police
- XRT – Transkei Road Transport Service
Venda
Government- VM – Government vehicles
- VDF – Defence Force
- VP – Police
- VTA – Traffic administration
Zululand / KwaZulu
- ZG – Government
- ZK – Paramount Chief
- ZP – Police
- Z – private vehicles
KwaZulu was created to encompass the tribal territories of both Natal and Zululand, and also fell under the Paramount Chief of the amaZulu.
In 1994 KwaZulu and Natal were merged as KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Ulundi was the capital of KwaZulu and shared the status of KwaZulu-Natal capital with Pietermaritzburg until 2004.