Types and Sizes of License Plates in China
A Complete Guide with Standard Dimensions
In industries such as traffic management, license plate manufacturing, reflective materials, and intelligent recognition systems, understanding the types and standard sizes of license plates in China is a fundamental yet essential requirement. Whether for product selection, solution design, or introducing applications to end customers, a clear and systematic explanation of license plate dimensions can significantly reduce communication costs.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the main types of Chinese license plates and their corresponding standard sizes, helping readers quickly build a clear understanding of the system.
1. Main Categories of License Plates in China
According to current Chinese public security industry standards and real-world usage, vehicle license plates in China can be broadly classified into the following categories:
- Small vehicle license plates
- Large vehicle license plates
- New energy vehicle license plates (small & large)
- Trailer license plates
- Motorcycle license plates
- Special-purpose license plates (police vehicles, driving school vehicles, diplomatic vehicles, etc.)
Each category differs in size, layout, and application depending on the vehicle type and usage scenario.
2. Common License Plate Sizes
2.1 Small Vehicle License Plate
- Size:440 × 140 mm
- Applicable vehicles:Passenger cars, sedans, SUVs, small vans
- Features:
- Single-line characters
- Blue background with white characters (fuel vehicles)
This is the most widely used and highest-volume license plate type in China.
2.2 Large Vehicle License Plate
- Size: Front:440 × 140 mm Rear:440× 220 mm
- Applicable vehicles:Trucks, buses, commercial and engineering vehicles
- Features:
- Larger characters for long-distance recognition
- Commonly used on commercial and operating vehicles
2.3 New Energy Vehicle License Plates
(1) Small New Energy Vehicle Plate
- Size:480 × 140 mm
- Applicable vehicles:Electric and hybrid passenger cars
- Features:
- Longer than traditional small vehicle plates
- Green color scheme
(2) Large New Energy Vehicle Plate
- Size:480 × 140 mm
- Applicable vehicles:Electric buses, electric trucks
In terms of size, large new energy license plates are the same as standard large vehicle plates. The main differences lie in color and numbering rules.
2.4 Trailer License Plate
- Size:440 × 220 mm
- Applicable vehicles:Full trailers and semi-trailers
- Features:
- Two-line character layout
- Greater height than standard license plates
2.5 Motorcycle License Plates
(1) Standard Motorcycle Plate
- Size:220 × 140 mm
(2) Light Motorcycle Plate
- Size:220 × 140 mm
Motorcycle license plates generally share the same dimensions, with variations mainly in color and usage classification.
2.6 Special-Purpose License Plates
- Police vehicles:Same size as corresponding vehicle type, white background
- Driving school vehicles:Blue background with an additional “Learner” marking
- Diplomatic vehicles:Black background, size follows small or large vehicle standards
Conclusion
Although there are many types of license plates in China, the core standard sizes are highly concentrated, mainly including:
- 440 × 140 mm
- 480 × 140 mm
- 440 × 220 mm
- 220 × 140 mm
Once the vehicle type and application scenario are clearly identified, the correct license plate size can be quickly determined.
From an industry perspective, mastering license plate size standards is not only a reflection of professional expertise, but also a key factor in improving efficiency and reducing communication costs. For companies involved in license plate manufacturing, reflective materials, traffic facilities, or related supporting industries, these fundamental specifications are worth long-term reference and repeated use.
