Curaçao license plate (CW) in 2026 ✅
Since 2010, Curaçao car license plates have used the North American format, featuring black characters on a white background. On the left side there is a blue vertical band with the letters CW and two stars. Along the bottom appears the slogan CURAÇAO FEEL IT FOR YOURSELF, accompanied by an illustration of a bridge and a mountain. The Curaçao vehicle registration plate format consists of a letter identifying the vehicle type, followed by a series of numbers separated by a hyphen.
Language: Dutch and Papiamento
International code: CW
In Curaçao they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1920~?.
There are cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Central America
Table of contents of Curaçao license plates
Current Curaçao License Plates
Curaçao became a constituent country after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on October 10, 2010, while remaining within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The new license plate design, introduced on January 1, 2026, features a blue vertical band on the left, with the letters CW at the bottom and two stars at the top. The lower section displays one of the island's most iconic bridges with one of Curaçao's mountains in the background. Along the bottom appears the slogan "CURAÇAO FEEL IT FOR YOURSELF". The vehicle registration format remains unchanged, with the first letter or letters identifying the type of vehicle.
Previous Curaçao Vehicle License Plates (Until 2026)
The previous Curaçao vehicle registration plates were issued until the end of December 2025. They used the same registration format as the current system but featured a significantly different design. In May 2009, the previous car license plate design was introduced, with black characters on a white background, the Curaçao flag and the country's name at the top, and an illustration of the iconic UNESCO-listed waterfront houses of Punda along the bottom. The license plate measures 305 × 112 mm. The registration format consists of one letter followed by two groups of two digits separated by a hyphen. The first letter or letters identify the type of vehicle.
What does the first letter on Curaçao license plates mean?
| Vehicle type code | ||
|---|---|---|
| D, F, H, K, L, S, T - Private cars | ||
| BUS - Bus | C - Government of Curaçao | MF - Motorcycle |
| NA - Government of the Netherlands Antilles | POLIS - Police | R - Rental vehicle |
| TX - Taxi | v, x - Commercial vehicle | Z - Heavy machinery |
In addition to the letters listed in the table above, other combinations are possible, including personalized plates. GAR is for vehicles under repair (valid between 6:00 and 18:00), the same as BR, which is used for temporary plates. TW is for tourist trailers, V and X for light trucks, WABI for historic vehicles, and Z for heavy machinery.
Previous License Plate Systems
2005 : On January 1, 2008, a new license plate design was introduced, featuring a large flag in the background and red characters, although with the same format as its predecessors. However, it was discontinued due to low popularity.
2003–2005 : Plates had a white (upper) and yellow-orange (lower) background, with a format very similar to the current one, including the word BON-BINI at the top. BON-BINI is written in Papiamento and means "Welcome".
1996–2003 : Plates featured a white background with black characters, starting with a letter followed by two and two numbers. The first letter referred to the vehicle type: N and Y for cars, BF for motorcycles, MNA for government motorcycles, and Z for heavy vehicles.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Curaçao?
The code CW identifies Curaçao. The license plates of Curaçao may be used with the international registration code CW next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Curaçao
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Curaçao which is CW.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Curaçao 🥇
Where is the code CW in a license plate from?
The international code CW identifies Curaçao, in Central America.
Which country uses the code CW on its license plate?
The country that uses the code CW on its car license plate system is Curaçao.. The letter or letters CW always identify Curaçao. The international code CW must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inCuraçaoSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Curaçao have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Curaçao was in 1920~?.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Curaçao?
In Curaçao, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Curaçao located?
Curaçao is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Central America following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Central America
What are license plates from Curaçao called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Curaçao is commonly called a license plate of Curaçao in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Curaçao. Another term, registration plate of Curaçao, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Curaçao, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Curaçao can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Curaçao and a registration plate of Curaçao?
Yes, both license plate of Curaçao and registration plate of Curaçao can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Curaçao.
Cite this section about the license plates of Curaçao
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Curaçao. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 21/08/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Curaçao license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Curaçao
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Curaçao 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 Curaçao has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Curaçao license plates.
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