Ethiopia has officially launched a new vehicle license plate system, introducing a uniform design for all vehicles registered within the country. The reform, outlined in the Types of Vehicles Identification Number Plate and Symbols Determination and Service Delivery Directive No. 1050/2025, has been implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. It mandates that all vehicle plates will now feature the national identifier “ETH”, alongside the map of Ethiopia, inscriptions in both Ge’ez and Latin scripts, and advanced technological features.

The key aim of the reform is to standardise vehicle registration plates across the country, replacing the region-specific number plates previously used. This change comes in response to the operational inefficiencies, resource wastage, and fraud associated with the old system. According to the directive, the new plates will bring Ethiopia into line with international agreements and help curb forgery and corruption linked to vehicle registrations.

The directive further mandates that all newly registered vehicles and those already on the road must return their old plates and obtain the new ones. The ministry has outlined a scheduled timeline for this transition.

In line with the global trend for standardisation, all vehicle plates in Ethiopia will now include a map of the country, the national symbol “ETH” in Latin, and the corresponding Ge’ez characters “ኢት” — marking a significant step in aligning with international conventions. The plates will also feature a consecutive number format with three Latin letters and four digits, although under exceptional circumstances, motorcycles may use three digits.

Additionally, vehicles powered by electric or renewable energy will be distinctly marked with the phrase “Green Transport” to highlight their environmentally friendly credentials. Each plate will also contain specific markings to indicate the type of fuel used and the service provided by the vehicle, ensuring a more transparent system for tracking and regulation.

The directive introduces a system that includes coding features for better control, registration, and monitoring. This coding system aims to modernise the manufacturing, distribution, and disposal of vehicle plates, with a strong emphasis on using high-quality materials to avoid waste and misuse of public funds.

Importantly, the reform not only applies to future registrations but also to previously registered vehicles. These vehicles will be required to return their old number plates and replace them with the new design as part of the nationwide rollout of the directive.