Ahead of the introduction of a new national vehicle plate number / format, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia is set to allow for the first time the use of personalized (unique) plate numbers as per the choice individuals and organizations.
This is indicated in an announcement the Ministry made inviting interested individuals and organization to register their interest of unique plate numbers. “…We respectfully request that individuals or institutions identify the number you need and come to the fifth floor of our ministry office and register within one week starting from today (Wednesday),” it said.
“…It is known that the Ministry of Transport and Logistics has been carrying out preliminary work for the replacement of a new license plate that is consistent nationwide, and will soon start issuing a new license plate number (license plate),” the Ministry said, inviting individuals and organization to apply for securing unique late numbers of their choice.
In Ethiopia it is estimated that there are about 1.8 million registered vehicles. As per the 2025 Reform (Directive No. 1050/2025), the new national vehicles plate number format is reported to have features like, uniformity, technology, design and international commence.
– Uniformity: Replaces regional identification with a national identifier (“ETH”).
– Technology: Plates now incorporate RFID chips and QR codes for tracking, reducing forgery, and easing identification by security bodies.
– Design: Features both Ge’ez and Latin (English) scripts, a map of Ethiopia, and specialized colors indicating vehicle ownership and purpose (e.g., public vs. private, electrical vs. fuel).
– International Compliance: Aligns with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
The vehicle plate number format system now in place in Ethiopia for over 23 years relied on regional states and city administrations. These plates, which reached over 16 different types, included 11 different abbreviations identifying the region or city where the license was issued.
