Saar Protectorate license plate (SA) in 2026 ✅
Las license plates of the Saar Protectorate from 1920 until the full incorporation into the German registration system in 1957 changed design several times. During the early protectorate period they had a red background beginning with SA. Later on, the French system was adopted using the letters OE and a regional code. The letters SA had to be displayed separately, outside the vehicle’s main license plate.
Language: German and French
International code: SA
In Saar Protectorate they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1920.
There are 30 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Europe
Table of contents of Saar Protectorate license plates
Historical context of the Saar Protectorate
The Saar Protectorate was a European territory administered by France between 1947 and 1956, created after the Second World War to control a strategic region rich in coal and heavy industry. Prior to this period, Saar had passed through different international administrations since 1920 due to its economic importance. Between 1920 and 1935 it was administered by the League of Nations. From 1935 to 1945 it was controlled by Nazi Germany. From 1945 to 1947 it was controlled by the Allies, specifically by France. From 1947 to 1955, although economically supported by France, it was not part of French territory and became an autonomous protectorate under French supervision. The Saar Protectorate had its own government, parliament, and administration from 1947. After the 1955 referendum, the population rejected maintaining autonomous status and the territory was officially reintegrated into the Federal Republic of Germany in 1957, regaining political and economic integration. This historical context explains the administrative, cultural, and regulatory uniqueness of Saar during the 20th century. With reintegration, the ordinary German license plate system also came into use. Name in German: Saarland — Name in French: Sarre
History of the Saar Protectorate license plates
The history of car license plates of the Saar Protectorate is quite complex. The license plates underwent several changes throughout the short period in which this territory issued its own registration systems. Depending on whether it was controlled by France, Nazi Germany, under self-government, or by Germany, the license plates were different. In this article we explain in detail how each of these systems worked.
International recognition code of Saar
As with its license plates, the international recognition code of Saar changed up to four times due to the many changes in territorial control. From 1920 the code was SA, which changed from 1935 to 1945 during the Nazi period to D, for Germany. When it came under Allied control, it returned to SA, and finally in 1957 it reverted to D. Therefore, it can be said that during the period of the Saar Protectorate as an independent entity between 1947 and 1957 the code was SA. Did you know that the code SA was later reused as the international code for Saudi Arabia?
Saar license plates between 1920 and 1945
Saar license plates between 1920 and 1945 maintained an unchanged system. During this period there were several changes in territorial control, but none of them affected the license plate system. The standard Saar license plate between 1920 and 1945 consisted of the letters SAAR followed by a series of up to five numbers. Example: SAAR 12345. On the rear, tall plates were commonly used instead of elongated ones, as was typical in Europe at the time. Plate dimensions were standard for the era in Europe, and the lettering changed from SAAR to Saar in 1935. In that year, Saar ceased to be controlled by the League of Nations and came under Nazi German control, with the international code changing from SA to D.
Saar license plates between 1945 and 1949
The Saar Protectorate license plates from December 1945 to 1949 featured a distinctive light red background with black characters. All vehicles were re-registered in order to maintain a complete and updated record of the number of vehicles after the Second World War. Saar license plates between 1945 and 1949 had a configuration consisting of the letters SA followed by a regional code (landskrei) of two digits ranging from 01 to 08. This was followed by a hyphen and a series of four numbers. In 1945, the oval international recognition code of the Saar Protectorate returned to SA. At that time, the number of vehicles on the roads was very low due to fuel shortages.
Saar license plates between 1949 and 1957
The Saar Protectorate license plates from 1949 to 1957 were the plates chosen by the autonomous protectorate under French supervision. These plates closely resembled French license plates of the period, with white characters on a black background, both in design and configuration. Saar license plates from 1949 until the end of December 1956 consisted of up to four numbers, the letters OE, and a one- or two-digit code that identified the Saar region (not France). When a one-digit regional code reached the number 9999, an additional number was added before the code. For example, upon reaching “9999 OE 1” it changed to “1 OE 11”. In 1949 it was necessary to re-register all vehicles under this new design and configuration, but with a curious detail: an already registered plate would be adapted to the new system whenever possible. For example, SA-02-1234 would become 1234-OE2. With the entry into Germany in 1957, this system disappeared permanently, as vehicles had to be registered again. The letters OE had no real meaning, or at least this information was never publicly disclosed. The letters OE were chosen because O was unused in the French license plate system, as was E.
Special VWS license plates between 1949 and 1957
The special VWS license plates of the Saar Protectorate between 1949 and 1957 used the same typography as the standard plates, but with different configurations explained below. License plates beginning with the letters VWS identified vehicles with a temporary driving authorization. VWS may stand for Vorführ-Wagen Saar. Five numbers followed the letters.
Diplomatic Corps license plates of the Saar Protectorate
The Diplomatic Corps license plates of the Saar Protectorate existed during the 1950s until its incorporation into Germany. These diplomatic license plates featured black characters on a yellow background. The configuration consisted of the letters CD followed by a number and the letters SA. There were very few diplomatic plates, and there were no embassies in the Saar Protectorate. These license plates were issued to foreign representatives or international organizations.
Saar license plates since 1957
After the political reintegration of Saarland into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), on January 2, 1957, standard German registration codes were introduced for all new registrations: HOM, IGB, MZG, OTW, SB, SLS, WND. The NK and VK codes were introduced later. Today, Saar is a German federal state, which issues the codes HOM<, IGB, MZG, NK, SAL, SB, SLS, VK and WND.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Saar Protectorate?
The code SA identifies Saar Protectorate. The license plates of Saar Protectorate may be used with the international registration code SA next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Saar Protectorate
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Saar Protectorate which is SA.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Saar Protectorate 🥇
Where is the code SA in a license plate from?
The international code SA identifies Saar Protectorate, in Europe.
Which country uses the code SA on its license plate?
The country that uses the code SA on its car license plate system is Saar Protectorate.. The letter or letters SA always identify Saar Protectorate. The international code SA must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inSaar ProtectorateSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Saar Protectorate have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Saar Protectorate was in 1920.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Saar Protectorate?
In Saar Protectorate, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Saar Protectorate located?
Saar Protectorate is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Europe following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Europe
What are license plates from Saar Protectorate called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Saar Protectorate is commonly called a license plate of Saar Protectorate in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Saar Protectorate. Another term, registration plate of Saar Protectorate, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Saar Protectorate, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Saar Protectorate can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Saar Protectorate and a registration plate of Saar Protectorate?
Yes, both license plate of Saar Protectorate and registration plate of Saar Protectorate can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Saar Protectorate.
Cite this section about the license plates of Saar Protectorate
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Saar Protectorate. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 03/03/2026 from https://
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Map of the Saar Protectorate license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Saar Protectorate
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Saar Protectorate 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 Saar Protectorate has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Saar Protectorate license plates.
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