What is the last license plate number issued?

The license plate system for cars dates back to 1898. At that time, there were still very few cars, so the license plates consisted of numbers ranging from 1 to 2,065. In 1906, provincial license plates were introduced. The license plate began with a letter followed by a number. For example, the letter “L” stood for Utrecht and “P” for Limburg. In 1951, the license plate as we know it today was introduced. The license plate now consists of a combination of numbers and letters, arranged in three groups. This system is also known as the “sidecode.” The first sidecode was: 2 letters – 2 numbers – 2 numbers. Once the available combinations had been exhausted, the RDW switched to sidecode 2 (2 numbers – 2 numbers – 2 letters). We are now on sidecode 9 for cars. This began with GB-001-B.

Side code 7 consisted, among other things, of 3 letters. This could result in undesirable combinations. Not all possible letters are used; for example, the letters “Q” and “C” never appear in license plates because they look too much like the number zero. These letters are, however, permitted for semi-trailers. Certain combinations are also excluded. For example, you will not encounter a license plate with the combinations “GVD,” “KKK,” or “NSB.”

In some countries, license plate numbers (within certain combinations) can be chosen by the owner. That is not possible in the Netherlands. The combinations are issued sequentially. By checking which license plate number was issued most recently, you can exert a limited amount of influence on the process. When switching to the next side code, some people postpone buying a new car until the new license plate numbers become available. There are theories that the newest license plate combination has a positive effect on future resale value, but in practice, this remains to be seen. For the same reason, buying a new car is often postponed until the new year. This theory makes more sense: a 2018 model sells better than a 2017 model.

You may sometimes see vehicles with a license plate that has a number above the horizontal lines. This is known as a duplicate code. It is added to the license plate when a new one is issued because the old one was stolen or lost. This added code distinguishes the originally issued license plate from the new replacement plate. Have your license plates—or one of them—been stolen? Report the theft to the police. This will help prevent misuse of your license plate number.

Only the owner of a motor vehicle can apply for new license plates. This can be done through a license plate manufacturer recognized by the RDW. You can find a list of these manufacturers on the RDW website. Your identity as the actual owner of the motor vehicle will be verified. You must present a valid form of identification for this purpose. Also bring the original vehicle registration certificate (Part 1A) or the registration card. The cost of the new license plates varies by manufacturer. The duplicate code is printed on the new license plates.