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Samoa license plate (WS) in 2026 ✅



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.

Car license plate from Samoa


Image of the current flag of Samoa
The international code of Samoa is WS.

Updated political map of Samoa

Capital city: Apia
Language: Samoan and English
International code: WS
In Samoa they drive on the left
First plate was registered on: 1930s.
There are cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Oceania


Please, check matriculasdelmundo.com in Spanish here for all the updated information about license plates of Samoa.


Current Samoa license plates


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.


Current Samoa license plate 9999
Current Samoa license plate

Motorcycle license plate


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 motorcycle license plate AA01
Samoa motorcycle license plate

Special license plates of Samoa


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...


Samoa police license plate POL1
Samoa police license plate

Diplomatic Corps license plate


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 Diplomatic Corps license plate DC999
Samoa Diplomatic Corps license plate

Previous Samoa license plate systems


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.


Samoa license plate used until 2010
Samoa license plate until 2010

History of Samoa license plates until 2000


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.


Old Samoa license plate with black background
Samoa license plate until 1980

Old Samoa license plate with green background
Samoa license plate from 1980 to 2000


☛ Which code identifies cars from Samoa?

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.

international oval code WS from Samoa

Example of a car with the international recognition code of Samoa


Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Samoa which is WS.

Red Porsche with the WS code from Samoa


Questions and answers about car license plates in Samoa 🥇

Small falg of Samoa

Where is the code WS in a license plate from?

The international code WS identifies Samoa, in Oceania.


Which country uses the code WS on its license plate?

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.


When did Samoa have its first ordinary car license plate?

The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Samoa was in 1930s.


Which side of the road do people drive on in Samoa?

In Samoa, you drive on the left side of the road.


On which continent is Samoa located?

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


What are license plates from Samoa called in other English-speaking couuntries?

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.


Is it the same a license plate of Samoa and a registration plate of Samoa?

Yes, both license plate of Samoa and registration plate of Samoa can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Samoa.


Cite this section about the license plates of Samoa


Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Samoa. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 16/02/2026 from https://matriculasdelmundo.com/en/samoa.html.



License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:

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Big map of Samoa

Map of the Samoa license plates


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Official Sources on License Plates of Samoa


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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Please, check matriculasdelmundo.com in Spanish here for all the updated information about license plates of Samoa.

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