Green plates, do you know what they mean?

On Spanish roads and city streets there are many types of vehicles. Almost all of them have a similar plate, although there are special vehicles that have a different plate from most. Each type of plate has different characteristics and means that the vehicle has special permits.

The one we are probably most familiar with is the blue plate. It has become mandatory for vehicles used to transport people. Taxis and VTCs (private hire vehicles) are required to display this type of plate, thus showing their users that they are fully authorised to provide that service.

Other plates indicate that a vehicle belongs to a group considered special, such as historic or classic vehicles. In this case the plate does not differ much from the normal ones, although it has the structure H 0000 BBB. There are also plates that identify vehicles belonging to the State, such as those of the military, security forces and official cars. Others identify trailers and semi-trailers.

But you may have noticed that some cars are circulating with a green plate. Do you know what this type of plate means?

Green plates

These identify several vehicles with special circumstances. Let’s look at which vehicles need this green plate and the reason it can be requested.

The vehicles that may carry this green plate are the following:

Vehicles whose definitive registration is pending. These vehicles may circulate even though the definitive registration in Spain has not yet been carried out. For example, it can be requested if the car was bought abroad unregistered and has to travel around Spain.

It also applies to vehicles acquired at a public auction and not registered. Vehicles acquired without bodywork may also carry this special plate, as well as those acquired with a non-Spanish registration, whether in the country or abroad.

These plates are valid for 60 days.

In the second case, cars destined for Ceuta, Melilla or the Canary Islands that have been acquired unregistered in another province and have to travel to these locations may carry this plate. In this case, the plate is valid for ten days.

A third case contemplated for use on roads heading to other countries is when the vehicle has been deregistered for export. This plate can be obtained in person or online and has a cost of 20.61 euros. The plates are purchased from a shop authorised to make number plates and are used for the duration of their validity.