Papua New Guinea license plate (PNG) in 2026 ✅
Papua New Guinea license plates use black characters on a white background, in a configuration of three letters and three numbers in series. The internationally recognized PNG code is displayed at the top of the Papua New Guinea license plate. There is more than one type of design, although the Australian one is predominantly used.
Language: English
International code: PNG
In Papua New Guinea they drive on the left
First plate was registered on: 1920s.
There are - cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Oceania
Table of contents of Papua New Guinea license plates
Current license plate of Papua New Guinea
The current license plate of Papua New Guinea, in use since 1975, features black characters on a white background. The configuration consists of three letters and three serial numbers. At the top, the international recognition code PNG is displayed. The designs and types of license plates used can vary, with the most common being the Australian-style design and another using German typography. This second type does not display the PNG code at the top and sometimes shows the national flag on the left side of the plate. This version is more frequently seen in the city of Lae, using the letter L in the first position and the flag of Lae below the national flag. Motorcycle license plates use smaller plates and two letters instead of three in the initial position.
Current Bougainville license plate
Bougainville is an autonomous region made up of a group of islands at the eastern end of Papua New Guinea. In 2019, a referendum was held in which an overwhelming majority voted in favor of independence, although it has not yet been implemented. Since then, license plates have been issued with a configuration of three letters and three numbers, flanked by the flag of Papua New Guinea on the left and the Bougainville flag on the right. At the bottom, the text Draiv Wantaim Tingting is displayed (which can be translated as don’t drink and drive).
Special license plates currently in use
Papua New Guinea uses special license plates that vary in color and configuration depending on the type of vehicle they identify. Personalized license plates are allowed, with the option to choose three letters and three numbers or vice versa.
Below you can see the complete list of special license plates currently in use in Papua New Guinea. We show one example of each type. Generally, special license plates begin with a letter that identifies the type of vehicle. In addition to the types shown in the table below, consular vehicles use plates beginning with the letters CC.
| License plate type | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rental |  | black on yellow. Letter H |
| Dealer |  | red on white. Letters TT |
| Diplomatic Corps |  | white on maroon. Letters DC |
| Public service |  | black on yellow. Letter P |
| Rural public service |  | black on blue. Letter P |
| Trailer |  | black on green. Letters TR |
| Taxi |  | black on yellow. Letter T |
| Government vehicle |  | black on white. Letter Z in red |
Old license plates of Papua New Guinea
Older Papua New Guinea license plates used different plate types and designs. Between 1973 and 1975, license plates followed the Australian design with white characters on a black background, using a configuration of two numbers separated by a diamond from three numbers, forming a five-character number. On the left side of the plate, the letters PNG were displayed. The numeric sequence continued from the previously used system.
Papua New Guinea license plates from 1951 to 1973
Papua New Guinea license plates from 1951 to 1973 used the same numeric-only configuration as those used before and after this period. The plates featured white characters and border on a black background. On the left side of the plate, the letters TP&NG were shown in three different lines, identifying the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. These letters identified Papua New Guinea during its period as a United Nations Trust Territory under the administration of Australia. In 1972, the name of the territory changed to Papua New Guinea, and on September 15, 1975, it achieved independence.
Papua New Guinea license plates until 1951
At that time, the Territory of Papua and New Guinea was divided between the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea. Both used the same type of license plate and the same configuration, but displayed TP or TNG vertically on the left side of the plate. These license plates were used until 1951, when both territories were unified, giving rise to the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Papua New Guinea?
The code PNG identifies Papua New Guinea. The license plates of Papua New Guinea may be used with the international registration code PNG next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Papua New Guinea
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Papua New Guinea which is PNG.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Papua New Guinea 🥇
Where is the code PNG in a license plate from?
The international code PNG identifies Papua New Guinea, in Oceania.
Which country uses the code PNG on its license plate?
The country that uses the code PNG on its car license plate system is Papua New Guinea.. The letter or letters PNG always identify Papua New Guinea. The international code PNG must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inPapua New GuineaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Papua New Guinea have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Papua New Guinea was in 1920s.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Papua New Guinea?
In Papua New Guinea, you drive on the left side of the road.
On which continent is Papua New Guinea located?
Papua New Guinea is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Oceania following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Oceania
What are license plates from Papua New Guinea called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Papua New Guinea is commonly called a license plate of Papua New Guinea in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Papua New Guinea. Another term, registration plate of Papua New Guinea, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Papua New Guinea, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Papua New Guinea can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Papua New Guinea and a registration plate of Papua New Guinea?
Yes, both license plate of Papua New Guinea and registration plate of Papua New Guinea can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Papua New Guinea.
Cite this section about the license plates of Papua New Guinea
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Papua New Guinea. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 27/01/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Papua New Guinea license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Papua New Guinea
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Papua New Guinea license plates.
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