The following is a list of special marks allocated to Diplomatic Embassy Heads in the UK.
These special Diplomatic Registrations have been taken from the normal series of marks, some of which are reinstated void marks from years earlier. Others outside of the normal sequence of issue, have used letters not normally issued in the UK registration system, and so contain I, Q or Z within them.
NZ1 was the first mark issued to the New Zealand High Commissioner in 1949.
Most of the marks issued contain the number one. A few of the number plates, spell out the country in full, e.g. SPA1N (SPAIN) and FIJ1 (FIJI). Malaysia has gained the very special 1M registration.
All of these registrations have to stay with the diplomatic embassies to which they have been issued.
Some countries are missing out on what would be the best combination for them, as the better combinations have been issued in the normal series of marks and are still in use. e.g. Benin has to make do with RPB1 rather than the much more appropriate BEN1N (BENIN) registration.
One Diplomatic Registration that does not conform to any of the normal UK series is EUR01 as this has a number begining with a zero (a database search has revealed, that, yes, it does exist!).
Interestingly, the registration, D1PLO (DIPLO) is not a diplomatic issue, but a DVLA personalised registrations issue and so can be assigned to any vehicle (registered on or after 1 Aug 1986), yet look just as convincing!
Please send us any photos you have of Diplomatic Number Plates!
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