The current Samoa license plates since 2011 use the Australian size but with the New Zealand font in black on a white background. Samoan number plates have a four-number serial number layout, with the national flag and name on the top and Penina ole Pasefika on the bottom.



Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, has been an independent country since January 1962 and is located in the South Pacific. The state is composed of two main islands: Upolu and Savai'i. As for vehicle license plates, the standard system in use since January 2011 consists of four serial numbers in black characters on a white background. The plate size and format are similar to those used in Australia, but with New Zealand-style typography. At the top of the plate, the name SAMOA appears alongside the national flag. At the bottom, the slogan Penina ole Pasefika (Pearl of the Pacific) is displayed.

Motorcycles use their own registration system, consisting of two letters and two numbers separated by a horizontal diamond placed at mid height. Initially, the letters MC were used instead of AA.

Samoa, like the rest of the countries of the world, and in a very similar way to American Samoa, uses a system of special license plates. Special license plates are characterized by starting with one or more letters that identify the type of vehicle. These are followed by a series of numbers. Some of the letter combinations and their meanings are: DC-Diplomatic Corps, MC-Motorcycle, POL-Police, P-Trailer, R-Rental vehicle, T-Taxi...

In the same way as the types described in the previous section, vehicles of the Diplomatic Corps use license plates that begin with the letters DC (Diplomatic Corps).

Samoa has used several license plate systems prior to the current one. The system immediately preceding the current one was used between 2000 and 2010 and was very similar to the one introduced in 2011, but with blue characters and border. These license plates were later replaced by the current design. They were composed of up to five serial numbers.

Until the year 2000, Samoa used a wide variety of different license plate types, although sharing the same numbering system from the beginning. Until 1980, a black background was used. This was followed by a green background with black and/or yellow characters, depending on the period, until 2000.


The code WS identifies Samoa. The license plates of Samoa may be used with the international registration code WS next to it on the back part of the car.
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Samoa which is WS.
The international code WS identifies Samoa, in Oceania.
The country that uses the code WS on its car license plate system is Samoa.. The letter or letters WS always identify Samoa. The international code WS must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inSamoaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Samoa was in 1930s.
In Samoa, you drive on the left side of the road.
Samoa 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
In English, license plate of Samoa is commonly called a license plate of Samoa in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Samoa. Another term, registration plate of Samoa, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Samoa, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Samoa can be used in more technical situations.
Yes, both license plate of Samoa and registration plate of Samoa can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Samoa.
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Samoa. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 16/02/2026 from https://
Map of the Samoa license plates
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All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Samoa 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 Samoa has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Samoa license plates.
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