Car license plates by region - how to find out where the car is from

Every owner of a prepared jeep or pickup, traveling between regions, is faced with the need to identify cars in traffic. Deciphering license plates by region has become more difficult in 2026 due to the introduction of online registration services, but the basic code grid remains the foundation.

In this article, we will analyze how to find out where the SUV came from, what the new letters mean ED, DI, PD and which special numbers are relevant for volunteers and military personnel.

How to read a Ukrainian license plate in 2026

The modern standard (DSTU 4278:2019 and later amendments) divides the room into several zones. If you want to buy a car with mileage or check the car through the bases, it is important to understand the structure:

1. The first two letters — regional code (classic binding to the region).
2. Four numbers — unique registration number.
3. The last two letters — a series that indicates the type of registration or simply expands the database.

Key update 2024-2026: If you see letters instead of an area code ED, DC, DI, PD are "digital" numbers. They are issued when registering a car through the Diya application or the Driver's Electronic Cabinet. They are not geographically bound.

Vehicle license plates by region of Ukraine (Current for 2026)

Below is the most complete table, including 2004 model codes and extended 2013-2025 series.

Special types of numbers: what a jeeper needs to know

Off-road and in areas of active activities, "non-standard" plates are often found. Here's a quick guide:

• Red (transit): temporary numbers for driving a car from the salon or from abroad.
• Yellow: are issued for buses and shuttle taxis.
• Blue: installed on a police car.
• White without country identification and region index: license plates of diplomatic services.
• Black numbers (Armed Forces of Ukraine): are used by military equipment. In 2026, they remain the standard for the army, as well as for the Border Service and the National Guard.
• Green numbers: is not officially a state standard, but is widely used by volunteer organizations for machines transferred to the front. Often these are right-hand drive SUVs from Britain.
• Electric cars (green font): have series Y (from 2022) or Z (old). In 2026, more and more hybrid SUVs will switch to this format.

You can also meetstandard format license plates with a difference in the last 3 characters. The following numbers have been accepted since 2020 and are issued:

• (to rescuers) civil defense service of the State Emergency Service (orange cross and letter E);
• border service (green cross and letter B);
• national guard (yellow emblem with trident and letter G).

Name and souvenir numbers

You can order an individual number (for example, BEAST, TANK, OTR-1). This is a great way to make your tuned SUV stand out. But remember: such numbers are valid only within Ukraine. To travel abroad, you need to have the main state signs specified in the technical passport.

Why it is important to monitor the condition of the numbers on the road

For customers Vnedorognik.ua the issue of fastening is relevant. When crossing a ford or driving through deep mud, license plates are often lost.

Advice: use metal anti-vandal frames or attach the number to the power bumper with bolts. The penalty for the absence of a number plate or its illegibility (if it is smeared with dirt at a distance of more than 20 meters) in 2026 is quite high.

No matter what letters are on your number — AA, KA or the latest DI — the main thing is that your SUV is technically sound. And for high-quality spare parts, springs and winches, contact us!