Argentina license plate (RA) in 2026 ✅
Since 2016, the license plates of the Republic of Argentina use the design of the Mercosur license plates. They are known as "patentes de autos" in Argentina. A blue stripe with the flag and the national name is displayed at the top. The configuration of the Argentinian plates is three groups of characters separated by a short space; two letters, three numbers and two letters.
Language: Spanish
International code: RA
In Argentina they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1904~.
There are 3 1 4 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: South America
Table of contents of Argentina license plates
Current Argentina car license plates
The current Argentina license plates, also known as car plates or vehicle registration plates, have been in use since April 1, 2016. They measure 400 x 130 millimeters and follow the AA 111 AA format. A blue band appears at the top with the standard Mercosur design. This vehicle registration system provides a total of 460 million possible combinations, ensuring long-term availability for cars across the country.
Plate configuration
The registration plate follows a sequence of two letters, three numbers and two letters. The order runs from AA000AA to AA000AZ, then AA001AA to AA001AZ, continuing up to AA999ZZ, followed by AB000AA and so on. This sequence differs slightly from other countries that use a similar alphanumeric configuration for vehicle registration plates.
In the center of the plate appears the country name; REPUBLICA ARGENTINA. On the right side is the national flag, and on the left the Mercosur logo (Southern Common Market). The objective of this design is to standardize the license plates of several South American countries, facilitating cross-border travel and international vehicle relations. The countries included in this system are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, although the latter was suspended at the end of 2016. In this new vehicle registration system, all letters are used except the letter Ñ. The motorcycle license plate format is A00 0AA.
Determine registration dates of new Argentina license plates
Below you can check all registration dates of the current Argentina license plate system according to the letters used or the year of registration. We show the first letter of each series (AA, AB, AC...) and the first registration plate issued each year.
| Plate | Date |
|---|---|
| AA 000 AA | April 2016 |
| AA 860 AA | January 2017 |
| AB 000 AA | February 2017 |
| AC 000 AA | October 2017 |
| AC 195 AA | January 2018 |
| AD 000 AA | July 2018 |
| AD 385 AA | January 2019 |
| AE 000 AA | October 2019 |
| AE 070 AA | January 2020 |
| AE 600 AA | January 2021 |
| AF 000 AA | August 2021 |
| AF 770 AA | January 2023 |
| AG 000 AA | May 2023 |
| AH 000 AA | December 2024 |
| AI 000 AA | December 2025 |
Old system
(1995-2016)
The system used between January 2, 1995 and 2016 featured a configuration of three letters and three numbers in white characters on a black background, bordered by a white line, wider at the top and bottom. This registration plate system allowed the registration of more than 17.5 million new cars. At the top, in light blue characters, the country name ARGENTINA was displayed. With the adoption of the new system, vehicles registered before 1995 were reassigned a new registration plate starting from series RAA through XZZ. This vehicle registration system had no geographical reference. The system was officially introduced nationwide on January 2, 1995, although one month earlier it was implemented experimentally in the province of Mendoza.
For new vehicles registered from 1995 onward, the series began with AAA, starting at AAA001 up to AAA999, followed by AAB001 to AAB999 and so on. The YAA to ZZZ series were never used. The last issued car plates began with the PQx series.
| Plate letters | Date |
|---|---|
| AAA | January 1995 |
| BAA | |
| CAA | March 1998 |
| DAA | November 1999 |
| EAA | May 2002 |
| FAA | June 2005 |
| GAA | December 2006 |
| HAA | February 2008 |
| IAA | April 2009 |
| JAA | July 2010 |
| KAA | May 2011 |
| LAA | February 2012 |
| MAA | December 2012 |
| NAA | August 2013 |
| OAA | July 2014 |
| PAA | July 2015 |
If a plate was lost or stolen, an additional letter or number was inserted between both groups of characters, which could be: D for duplicate plate, T for triplicate, C for quadruplicate, Q for quintuplicate, S for sextuplicate, 8 for octuplicate and 9 for nonuplicate. As a curiosity, the owner of the registration plate could reject a combination if the letters formed an offensive or inappropriate word. Some examples included combinations such as SEX or GIL.
Video about unusual Argentina license plates
Funny Argentina car plates
Old Argentine License Plate System from 1972 to 1994
The Argentine license plates used between 1972 and 1994 featured a distinctive black background with white characters, a classic design in the history of car license plates in Argentina. The format consisted of one letter identifying the province followed by six serial numbers. The provincial letter was occasionally slightly smaller in size. In some cases, a thin white border was displayed. The configuration allowed numbering only up to 999999, and only two provinces reached one million registrations. These were the Federal Capital in 1980 and the Province of Buenos Aires, which reached one million registrations in 1973 and two million in 1984. To identify these cases, a small number was added below the provincial letter, indicating the million unit.
List of Provincial Codes on the Old License Plates
The first letter on the old Argentine license plates identified the province, even when a small-sized number appeared below it.
| Código | Provincia | Código | Provincia | Código | Provincia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Salta | B | Buenos Aires | C | Capital Federal |
| D | San Luis | E | Entre Ríos | F | La Rioja |
| G | Santiago del Estero | H | Chaco | J | San Juan |
| K | Catamarca | L | La Pampa | M | Mendoza |
| N | Misiones | P | Formosa | Q | Neuquén |
| R | Río Negro | S | Santa Fe | T | Tucumán |
| U | Chubut | V | Tierra del Fuego | W | Corrientes |
| X | Córdoba | Y | Jujuy | Z | Santa Cruz |
Why do some modern cars have old license plates that do not correspond?
Until the adoption of the new system in 2016, Argentina license plates were issued sequentially. However, some newly released cars used older registration plates. This is because since 1990, car manufacturers in the country were assigned 20 registration numbers exclusively for test models. These plates are interchangeable and are reused on different vehicles. For this reason, test units featured in magazines may display license plates that apparently do not match the actual registration year.
Other types in the previous system
Trailers had their own vehicle registration system different from the standard one, consisting of three numbers and three letters, but beginning with the numbers "101". Amateur radio operators had white plates on a light blue background, and school buses used white characters on an orange background.
Images of the current Argentina license plate system
Previous system
(1995-2016)
Previous system
(1964-1995)
City of Buenos Aires
Province of Perona
Falkland Islands license plates
To the southeast of Argentina are the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas in Spanish). This territory is currently administered by United Kingdom, and its sovereignty is claimed by Argentina. Pending any resolution by the United Nations, Falkland Islands license plates follow the British vehicle registration system. Registration plates begin with the letter F (identifying Falkland), followed by three numbers and a serial letter. Plate designs may vary, sometimes displaying the British flag or the Falkland Islands flag. The front license plate has a white background and the rear plate a yellow background. Until approximately the 1970s, Falkland Islands car plates featured white or grey characters on a black background, similar to the former system used in the United Kingdom.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Argentina?
The code RA identifies Argentina. The license plates of Argentina may be used with the international registration code RA next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Argentina
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Argentina which is RA.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Argentina 🥇
Where is the code RA in a license plate from?
The international code RA identifies Argentina, in South America.
Which country uses the code RA on its license plate?
The country that uses the code RA on its car license plate system is Argentina.. The letter or letters RA always identify Argentina. The international code RA must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inArgentinaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Argentina have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Argentina was in 1904~.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Argentina?
In Argentina, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Argentina located?
Argentina is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of South America following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in South America
What are license plates from Argentina called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Argentina is commonly called a license plate of Argentina in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Argentina. Another term, registration plate of Argentina, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Argentina, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Argentina can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Argentina and a registration plate of Argentina?
Yes, both license plate of Argentina and registration plate of Argentina can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Argentina.
Cite this section about the license plates of Argentina
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Argentina. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 13/03/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Argentina license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Argentina
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Argentina and vehicle plates shown here has been extracted from official state archives (such as the BOE and the DGT in Spain), from personal sightings, by contacting automobile clubs from other countries, or through media or files referenced in the text. This information on car and motorcycle plates in Argentina has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Argentina license plates.
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