Lebanon license plate (RL) in 2026 ✅
Lebanese car license plates since 2017 use a European-sized plate in black letters on a white background. On the left side of the Lebanese license plates there is a blue stripe that can vary depending on the type of vehicle, with the national emblem, the name of Lebanon in Arabic, and the type of vehicle in question. The configuration is one letter identifying the region followed by six numbers.
Language: Arab
International code: RL
In Lebanon they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1944 (Previamente Mandato Francés de Siria y Líbano).
There are 4 3 4 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Asia
Table of contents of Lebanon license plates
Current Lebanese License Plate System
Since December 2017 (*), Lebanon has used license plates with a European-style format, featuring black characters and borders on a white background. The registration combination consists of a letter identifying the region, followed by a number of up to six digits. On the left side of the plate, there is a strip whose color and characters vary according to the type of vehicle. Standard private vehicles use a blue strip. This strip displays the name of Lebanon in Arabic, لبنان, vertically, along with the national symbol—the cedar—and, at the bottom, the vehicle type in Arabic.
There are also license plates with dimensions similar to those used in the United States. On these plates, the strip is positioned at the top and displays the name of Lebanon, the national symbol, and the vehicle type vertically within a horizontal layout.
| Letter | Region |
|---|---|
| B | Beirut |
| G | Joûnié |
| N | Nabatîyé |
| O | Ouzahié |
| S | Soûr |
| T | Trâblous |
| Z | Zahlé |
| M | Special license plates Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, rental vehicles... |
| Strip Color | Vehicle Type | Arabic Text |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Private | خصوصي |
| Red | Public | عمومي |
| Brown | Temporary Entry | ﺇﺩﺧﺎﻝ ﻣﺆﻗﺖ |
| Pink | Tourist | ﺳﻴﺎﺣﻲ |
| Green | Temporary | ﺗﺮﺍﻧﺰﻳﺖ |
| Orange | Diplomatic Corps | ﻫﻴﺌﺔ ﺳﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ |
| Purple | Consular Corps | ﻫﻴﺌﺔ ﻗﻨﺼﻠﻴﺔ |
Lebanese License Plate System from 1998 to 2017
From 1998 to 2017, Lebanese license plates used either the European standard size of 520 × 110 millimeters (mm) or the North American standard of 300 × 150 mm, with black characters and borders on a white background. On the left side of the plate, there was a blue strip featuring the national symbol, a cedar, and below it, an Arabic word identifying the type of vehicle. Ordinary vehicles used black characters on a white background, while the blue strip displayed the text خصوصي (Private Vehicle).
The license plate was also divided into four sections. In the upper-left section, the registration number was displayed, consisting of a letter identifying the region, followed by a serial number in Latin characters. The same number was shown in Arabic numerals in the lower-right section. Therefore, the registration number appeared in both Latin and Arabic characters.
In the lower-left section, the name of Lebanon appeared in English as LIBAN, while the upper-right section displayed the Arabic name لبنان. Lebanese license plates were therefore designed to show vehicle registration information simultaneously in Latin and Arabic characters, allowing vehicles to circulate in European states that were signatories to international road traffic conventions.
Depending on the type of vehicle, the background color of the plate could also change, in addition to the Arabic text displayed on the blue strip. For example, red backgrounds were used for public transport, green for vehicles permitted to circulate everywhere, and yellow for dealer license plates.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Lebanon?
The code RL identifies Lebanon. The license plates of Lebanon may be used with the international registration code RL next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Lebanon
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Lebanon which is RL.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Lebanon 🥇
Where is the code RL in a license plate from?
The international code RL identifies Lebanon, in Asia.
Which country uses the code RL on its license plate?
The country that uses the code RL on its car license plate system is Lebanon.. The letter or letters RL always identify Lebanon. The international code RL must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inLebanonSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Lebanon have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Lebanon was in 1944 (Previamente Mandato Francés de Siria y Líbano).
Which side of the road do people drive on in Lebanon?
In Lebanon, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Lebanon located?
Lebanon is located in the continent Asia. You can check how are the license plates of Asia following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Asia
What are license plates from Lebanon called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Lebanon is commonly called a license plate of Lebanon in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Lebanon. Another term, registration plate of Lebanon, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Lebanon, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Lebanon can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Lebanon and a registration plate of Lebanon?
Yes, both license plate of Lebanon and registration plate of Lebanon can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Lebanon.
Cite this section about the license plates of Lebanon
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Lebanon. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 25/10/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Lebanon license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Lebanon
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Lebanon 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 Lebanon has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Lebanon license plates.
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