Vehicle registration plates of Hungary

The first registration plates were handed out in 1901, when Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This contained numbers only and just a couple of hundred vehicles were registered until 1910.[1] In 1910 a new system was introduced which divided the country into 15 districts. Regional codes were followed by numbers on the plates. Due to the larger amount of vehicles, from 1922, plates also included the year of issue next to the regional code. The same regional system was maintained until 1933, even though the territory of Hungary was significantly reduced after the Treaty of Trianon.[2] In 1933 the regional system was changed to a two letter - three number format. Front plates were rectangle, rear plates were square shaped. In the 1940s, in and shortly after the years of the World War II the format was temporarily changed to one letter - four number. From 1948 the previous two letter - three number format returned. In the years of the harsh communism there were only a few private cars, most of the vehicles were owned by the state, there was no need of expanding the number of characters.[2]

1958-1990 plate

From 1958 citizens were allowed to buy a vehicle for private purposes, the format was changed to two letter and four number, with small dashes between them (eg.: AB▪12▪34). The letters were in connection with the type/nature/owner of the vehicle. Standard plates had black characters on white background, commercial vehicles had so called "inverse" plates, white characters on black background. Diplomatic plates had blue background (just as nowadays).[1]

There were almost 2 million cars in traffic in 1990 which required the introduction of a new system. The current three letter - three number format was introduced in 1990 with the Hungarian flag above ‘H’ on the left side of the plate, separated by a black vertical line. This was slightly modified from May 1, 2004 (when Hungary joined the European Union ) the EU stars are shown above the ‘H’ on a blue stripe. However, some plate types are still issued in the pre-2004 format.[1]

In 2012 the Hungarian government wanted to replace the current license plates with a new system that would indicate the geographical area where the car was registered.[3] The introduction date for this or any other new system has not been announced yet. Based on the number of license plates issued in a year, the current system has enough combinations approximately until 2025.[4]

The plate consists of three letters and three numbers, separated with a hyphen. It has a reflective white background, black frame and black characters. The series are given out in alphabetical order, so the approximate age of the license plate (and sometimes of the car, if it was registered for the first time) can be determined.

• Note, that the series starting with ‘O’ is not given out as it can be confused with 0.[9] For similar reasons ‘I’ and ‘O’ cannot be the last letter (the last one given out in normal series was ACO and ACI), ‘Q’ cannot be at all (last one within the normal series was AWQ). This rule is also valid for commercial, taxi, trailer and motorcycle plates. Nevertheless, ‘I’, 'O’ and ‘Q’ can be at any position in case of personalised plates.
• Personalised plates can be bought in the format of three letter-three number (~350 €) and four letter-two number or five letter-one number (~1300 €).[10] Plates are linked to the buyer and may be transferred to a new vehicle. Offensive or misleading texts are not allowed.
• Since October, 2015 it is possible to ask for green backgrounded plates for plug-in hybrids and electric cars which meet certain criteria.[11] Owners of these cars enjoy some benefits (e.g.: free parking in Budapest and some other cities).[12] Usually certain letter combinations are dedicated from the normal series which are all green plates from 001 to 999. These letter combinations are: NLE, NNB, PAV, PDA, PMY, PPZ, PUL, PXA, PYA, REW, RIA, RKZ, RMY, RMZ, RNY, RPZ, RVZ, RZZ, SAA, SAB, SDZ and SEA as of 2020. White plates from the normal series can be requested to be remade as a green plate, if the car meets the requirements.
• In April, 2017 gray plates were introduced.[13] The plate is identical with the car's original plates, but the background color is gray and with EU stripe in all cases. The aim was to create a 3rd plate for bike rack users, as the law did not allow the rear plate to be moved to the bike rack. The process of getting a gray plate was quite complicated and expensive, thus the system was simplified just after 2 months of its introduction. Since June 2017 the rear plate can be transferred to the bike rack, which makes gray plates practically unnecessary, can be still requested though.[14]

The system is similar to the normal series, but the background colour is yellow. Taxi plates are ranging from EAA to EDZ. Sometimes plates from the normal series are remade as a yellow taxi plate. Commercial plates are ranging from FIA to FZZ. Changing normal white plate to yellow commercial could be requested before 2004 (yellow plates with for instance G, H or I first letters often occur). Since 2008 yellow plates are not a requirement for trucks and buses, new yellow plates starting with 'F' are rare nowadays.

Similar to normal plates, but small size and two-line format is used. Also consisting of three letters and three numbers, but without a hyphen and the first letter is ‘U’. Some cars can have plates from the ‘U’ series, where there is only room for motorcycle-sized plates both on the front and the back (typically American cars).

Same format as the normal series, but the first letter is X (all combinations were used up in 2014) or W (currently issued).

Since May 2017 diplomatic corps plates carry the letters CD and six numbers, separated with a hyphen. The plate has white characters on light blue background. First three numbers are matched to countries, numbers are arranged in chronological order of the first diplomatic contact with each country. 001 belongs to Vatican City, 020 belongs to the United States.[15] The complete code list is not known yet. Last three numbers are in connection with the diplomatic person's working position (ambassador, consul, embassy staff, etc.). Before 2017 plates starting with CD were for diplomats, who are leaving the country permanently, valid for 30 days. This plate has black letters (2 letters, 4 numbers) on white background, and the Hungarian tricolor on the left, still issued.

The plate starts with OT, followed by four numerals. There is no EU version of this plate. The vehicle has to be at least 30 years old, still has its original technical specifications.[16]

Military plates start with H followed by one letter and four numbers. Mostly tricolor plates, with some euroband exceptions. Letters seen in use: A (cars), B (buses, minibuses), E, F (minibuses), I, K (minibuses, jeeps), M, N (motorcycles), P, R, S (military ambulance), T (trucks), V, X (trailers).

It starts with R, next to one letter and four numerals. Most common for police is RB, but nowadays plates from the normal series are generally used. Letters seen in use: A (cars), B (cars), F (trucks), K (motorcycles). RR 00-01 to 49-99 is used by law enforcement and RR 50-00 to 99-99 is used by National Tax and Customs Administration.

Ambulance vehicles’ plates start with MA, then four numbers. This type was introduced in 2006, before that normal plates were in use.

Vehicles used for motorsport purposes can ask for SP plates since October, 2012. The format is same as the others above. No euroband version. This plate cannot be used to drive in regular traffic on an everyday basis.[17] From 2021 SP plates will be replaced with general temporary I plates according to a new Ordinance, accepted in 2019.[18]

• Mopeds have license plate since 2014, starts with S, followed by three letters and two numbers.
• Agricultural vehicles plates start with M, then six numerals. Characters are green on white background, no europlate version. Expires after 3 years and cannot be renewed. May only be used in Hungary.
• Slow vehicles plate has the same style as the normal series, but starts with ‘Y’ and the characters are red on white background.

From 2021 plates from the normal series will be issued instead of 'Y' plates. 'M' plates will be replaced by 'I', general temporary plates.[18]