Switzerland

Current plate formats

• StandardCurrent
  ZH 123456

  The two-letter code of the canton, then a number of up to six digits. The rear plate shows the coats of arms of Switzerland and of the canton; since 1987 the optional long format for rear plates, abolished in 1972, is available again. The plate is assigned to the owner, not the vehicle, so it moves to a new vehicle when the owner changes cars, and one owner can share the plate between several vehicles. In some cantons returned plates are issued again after a waiting period. Mopeds, agricultural, dealer and temporary plates use the same canton code with other colours or markings.

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• DiplomaticCurrent
  CD GE 12 345

  The prefix CD (diplomatic mission staff), CC (consular posts headed by a career official) or AT (administrative and technical staff of missions), then the canton code of the registration office, a serial number and a code for the country or organisation. Low serial numbers are for ambassadors, heads of organisations and their deputies. Search does not decode the canton.

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Cantons (26)

• Aargau
• Appenzell Innerrhoden
• Appenzell Ausserrhoden
• Bern
• Basel-Landschaft
• Basel-Stadt
• Fribourg
• Geneva
• Glarus
• Grisons
• Jura
• Lucerne
• Neuchâtel
• Nidwalden
• Obwalden
• St. Gallen
• Schaffhausen
• Solothurn
• Schwyz
• Thurgau
• Ticino
• Uri
• Vaud
• Valais
• Zug
• Zurich

Older formats

No longer issued, but some may still be on the road.

• GovernmentUntil 2003
  A 12345

  Civilian federal vehicles had the Swiss shield, the letter A (Administration) and up to five digits, the first of which gave the federal department (1 Foreign Affairs, 2 Home Affairs, 3 Justice and Police, 4 Defence, 5 Finance, 6 Economy, 7 Environment, Transport and Communication). P plates (Post) went to the PTT (P 1 to 7) and the Federal Railways SBB (P 8 and 9) until they became independent companies in 1997 and 1998. Both kinds were replaced with cantonal plates in 2004.

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History

1. 1972

   The long format for rear plates is abolished.

2. 1987

   The long format for rear plates is reintroduced as an option.

3. 2004

   Federal (A) and PTT/SBB (P) plates are replaced with ordinary cantonal plates.

4. 2020

   The Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia, until then registered in Ticino, moves to Italian plates (Como).