Vehicle registration plates of Trinidad and Tobago
Plates for each type are issued in alphabetical order, with the letters CG, DF, I, Q, and V excluded so as to avoid conflict with 1, O and diplomatic including the military and coast guard initials.
As a guide, military vehicles' registration plates include the battalion numeral (1-5) then the service initials then followed by a number (up to three digits).
When the number 9999 has been issued, the Licensing Authority then starts a new letter (usually in alphabetical order with few exceptions, see above) "series" beginning from 1.
Upon the exhaustion of Registration number (PZ 1- 9999), The authority then added another letter and began PAA, or TAA for a commercial vehicle, and HAA for a taxi.
With the noted exception of PCG and PCO, as this would have caused two main concerns, the first being the similarity to the Coast Guard's registration plate of TTCG when issued for a goods vehicle (TCG), and the second being the similarity to the previously issued PCC "series".
The DF series was omitted due to similarities to the defence force registration number when issued to a goods vehicle (TDF).
The current series which became effective in 2024 is "EH": Example PEH 1990, HEH 877, TEH 23, REH 9, etc.
The Licensing Authority is legally obligated to omit registration numbers as they see fit, with accordance to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 48:50.
There are many reasons why the Authority may choose to omit a series, however it is mainly done to prevent confusion and ambiguity when visually identifying a motor vehicle.
In both instances the regulations states that "every letter or figure shall be indelibly inscribed or so attached to such surface that it cannot readily be detached therefrom" .
Apart from the font and colour scheme, various styles of number plates can be bought such as: "Embossed" which are a machine stamped type metal plate that usually cost approximately TT$200 per pair, "Lenny's", a term derived based on the alleged inventor of the style,[6] or "Bones" which are the 3D, beveled letters that can be either black or white affixed to a white or black metal backing this usually costs approximately upwards of $600TT per pair or the regular plastic plates that are made with graphics these usually cost approx $80TT per pair.
Meaning therefore, to select a plate for a vehicle the owner has three different characteristics to consider before doing so such as: colour scheme, style and type.
The square plates have the letters and numbers in two rows as shown: In April 2014, transport Minister Stephen Cadiz announced that by September 2014, a newly designed license plate, drivers’ permit, and new centres for the registration and licensing of vehicles will become available.
He added, the public will see the introduction of new number plates, which will come in 18 designs, with security markings to be manufactured abroad.
New registration and validation certificates will be administered and each vehicle entering the country will be tagged with a radio frequency identification marker (RFID) for additional security.
