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We often get asked what is legal and what is not when it comes to Irish Number plates. There is a lot of information out there on vehicles registered after 1987 but very difficult to find information on 1986 and earlier vehicles.

So in simple terms here it is:

1986 and older

Black on white plate, Black on red plate or silver on black plate

No other markings required such as the blue euro flag, county name or hyphens between the county letter(s) and numbers.

1987 to 1990

Black on white plate

No other markings required such as the blue euro flag, county name or hyphens between the county letter(s) and numbers.

1991 to present day

Black on white plate with blue IRL euro flag, county name in Irish corresponding to the county of registration and the hyphens between the county letter(s) and numbers. These are known as "Europlates" and if you want to buy some check out our shop here or here.

If you want to read the law then here is the Irish Statute Book on Road Vehicles (S.I. No. 287/1990). There was an update to this in the form of S.I. No. 318/1992 - Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations, 1992

Revenue have an abbreviated version of this at there Format of Registration Plates link.

The NCT manual can be found here also but only details post 1987 vehicles. 

Summary

So in practical terms an NCT tester or An Garda will only look for the Europlates on a post 1991 vehicle. Vehicles 1990 and older vehicles can display plates in black, white and red as there is nothing in current law stating that they can't. You will see some vehicles with yellow rear plates and again there is nothing in current law that states that you cannot.

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Eireplates articles where we write about all things number plates related. Eireplates was founded in 2009 by Trevor Flynn to provide great quality number plates at reasonable prices with quick delivery and a best in the industry customer service backup and guarantee. Eireplates has grown to be the number one provider of numberplates and accessories in Ireland and also has regular customers across Europe, Japan and US. Eireplates is a well known and trusted brand across both private and business trade customers. We sell NCT plates, pressed aluminium numberplates, gel 3D number plates, 4D number plates, Classic & Vintage number plates, Jap numberplates, motorbike numberplates, numberplates accessories like numberplate surrounds, numberplate adhesive sticky pads, numberplate screws and numberplate velcro kits just to name a few! In the future we will delve into these products and more to provide more information about them and their uses.