AFRICAN 
STANDARD DARS
1375
First Edition 2023
 
 Reference No. ARS 1375:2022 (E)
ICS 03.120.20; 43.180
© ARSO 2023
 
 
    
 
   
 
 
 
Vehicle Standards – specificatio n for Vehicle Number Plates – 
Aluminium’  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 DARS 1375:2023  
ii © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
Table of contents 
 
0 Introduction ................................................ ............................................................... ...................... v 
1 Scope ....................................................... ............................................................... ....................... 1 
2 Normative references ........................................ ............................................................... .............. 1 
3 Terms and definitions ....................................... ............................................................... ............... 1 
3.1 Definitions ............................................... ............................................................... ................ 1 
3.2 Abbreviations ............................................. ............................................................... ............. 2 
4 Requirements ................................................ ............................................................... .................. 2 
4.1 Blank material and dimensions ............................. ............................................................... .. 2 
4.2 Retro-reflective and colour characteristics ............... ............................................................. 2  
4.2.1 General ................................................. ............................................................... ......... 2 
4.2.2 Colour and luminance factor (without graphics) .......... ................................................. 3 
4.2.3 Colour and luminance factor with graphics ............... .................................................... 3 
4.2.4 Coefficients of retro-reflection ........................ ...............................................................  4  
4.2.5 Certification of compliance of retro-reflective material .................................................. 4 
4.3 General characteristics ................................... ............................................................... ........ 5 
4.3.1 National legislation and conditioning.................... ......................................................... 5 
4.3.2 Border .................................................. ............................................................... .......... 5 
4.3.3 Temperature resistance and weathering ................... ................................................... 5 
4.3.4 Adhesion to the substrate ............................... .............................................................. 5 
4.3.5 Impact resistance ....................................... ............................................................... .... 5 
4.3.6 Bending resistance....................................... ............................................................... .. 6 
4.3.7 Water resistance ........................................ ............................................................... .... 6 
4.3.8 Cleanability ............................................................... ..................................................... 6 
4.3.9 Resistance to fuel ............................................................... ........................................... 6 
4.3.10 Resistance to abrasion ................................. ............................................................... . 6 
4.4 Requirements for alphanumeric characters ............................................................... ............ 6 
4.4.1 General ................................................. ............................................................... ......... 6 
4.4.2 Characters of a nominal height 75mm ..................... ..................................................... 6 
4.4.3 Characters of a nominal height of 60mm .................. .................................................... 7 
4.4.4 Layout of the characters ................................ ...............................................................  7  
4.5 Workmanship ............................................... ............................................................... ........... 7 
5 Consolidation of results .................................... ............................................................... ............... 7 
5.1 Mechanical and related requirements and tests ............. ....................................................... 7 
5.2 Photometric requirements and tests ........................ .............................................................. 8 
5.3 Alpha numeric characters .................................. ............................................................... ..... 8 
6 Packing ..................................................... ............................................................... ....................... 8 
7 Marking ..................................................... ............................................................... ....................... 8 
Annex A (normative)  Number Plate Layout ...................... ............................................................... .... 23 
Annex B (normative)  Location of holes on number plates ....... ............................................................ 25  
Annex C (normative)  Security Decal ........................... ............................................................... .......... 27 
Annex D (normative)  UN Country Sign .......................... ............................................................... ....... 28 
Bibliography .................................................. ............................................................... ......................... 30 
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved iii Foreword 
 
The African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) is an Afric an intergovernmental organization 
established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Afric a (UNECA) and the Organization of 
African Unity (AU) in 1977. One of the fundamental mandates of ARSO is to develop and harmonize 
African Standards (ARS) for the purpose of enhancing Africa’s i nternal trading capacity, increase 
Africa’s product and service competitiveness globally and uplif t the welfare of African communities. The 
work of preparing African Standards is normally carried out thr ough ARSO technical committees. Each 
Member State interested in a subject for which a technical comm ittee has been established has the 
right to be represented on that committee. International organi zations, Regional Economic Communities 
(RECs), governmental and non-governmental organizations, in lia ison with ARSO, also take part in the 
work.  
 ARSO Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given i n the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.  
 
The main task of technical committees is to prepare ARSO Standa rds. Draft ARSO Standards adopted 
by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies  for voting. Publication as an ARSO 
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodie s casting a vote. 
 Attention is drawn to the possib ility that some of the elements  of this document may be the subject of 
patent rights. ARSO shall not be held responsible for identifyi ng any or all such patent rights. 
 This African Standard was prepared by the ARSO Technical (Harmo nization) Committee Number 08-
4/59 on Automotive Technology and Engineering (ARSO/THC 08-4/AR SO/TC 59). 
  
 
© African Organisation for Stand ardisation 2023 — All rights re served* 
 
ARSO Central Secretariat 
International House 3rd Floor 
P. O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square NAIROBI, KENYA 
 
Tel. +254-20-2224561, +254-20-3311641, +254-20-3311608  
E-mail: arso@arso-oran.org  
Web: www.arso-oran.org  
  
 
* © 2022 ARSO — All rights of exploitation reserved worldwide fo r African Member States’ NSBs. DARS 1375:2023  
iv © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
Copyright notice  
 This ARSO document is copyright-protected by ARSO. While the re production of this document 
by participants in the ARSO standards development process is pe rmitted without prior permission 
from ARSO, neither this document nor any extract from it may be  reproduced, stored or 
transmitted in any form for an y other purpose without prior wri tten permission from ARSO. 
 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purp ose of selling it should be 
addressed as shown below or to ARSO’s member body in the countr y of the requester: 
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation 2023 — All rights re served 
 
ARSO Central Secretariat 
International House 3rd Floor P.O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square 
NAIROBI, KENYA 
 Tel: +254-20-2224561, +254-20-3311641, +254-20-3311608 
 
 E-mail: arso@arso-oran.org 
Web: www.arso-oran.org 
 Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payme nts or a licensing agreement. 
Violators may be prosecuted. 
 
  
  DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved v 0 Introduction 
0.1 Purpose 
 
This specification has been prepared to provide requirements fo r number plates for vehicles.  
 
0.2 Principles and background information 
 
The principles incorporated in this specification are to focus on items which are likely to be possible to 
harmonise across a wide range of countries so as to encourage a nd facilitate harmonisation in order to 
minimise costs rather than to attempt to standardize on the ide ntification of country. 
 
The number plates covered in this draft are limited to aluminiu m blanks, number plate sizes, reflective 
material quality and various tests to ensure a reasonable durab ility and good legibility of the alpha 
numeric characters by human eye and by automatic number plate r ecognition (ANPR). It is vital that 
the character style used is c onstant throughout the regions. 
 
It is understood that the painting versions of number plates an d the plastic types of number plates are 
more likely to suffer reduction in quality or deviation from a standard than the type specified in this 
standard. 
 
Opportunities to standardize on sizes to enhance the possibilit y of international trade appear to be 
evident from the large number of variations currently in use in  Africa and globally – see list for discussion 
and illustration of the need to harmonise in the Bibliography. 
 Acknowledgement is given to the following publications for the assistance derived from them: 
a) The South African Bureau of Standards - SANS 1116 – Retro-re flective number plates for motor 
vehicles - Parts 1 and 2: 2016 
b) The Malawi Bureau of Standards DMS 639-1:2011 – Draft Malawi  Standard – Retro reflective 
registration plates for motor veh icles – Specification Part 1: Blank Plates (Aluminium) 
c) The Zambia Bureau of Standards ZS 266: 2017 – Reflex-Reflect ing vehicle number plates – 
Specification 
d) International Standard ISO 7591, Road vehicles – Retro-refle ctive registration plates for motor 
vehicles and trailers 
 
    DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  1  
Vehicle Standards – specification for Vehicle Number Plates – A luminium 
1 Scope 
This standard specifies the requirements for the materials, siz es and retro-reflectivity of aluminium number 
plates, including tests for reflective performance, longevity a nd durability.  The type and size of number 
plates and characters to be embossed on number plates for count ries using Latin alphabet characters 
and Arabic numeral characters are also specified.  
 
The size of number plates and characters for countries using Ar abic alphabet characters as well as painted 
metal or plastic types of number plates are out of scope for th is standard. 
 
2 Normative references 
ASTM G154: Standard practice for operating fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) lamp apparatus for exposure 
of non-metallic materials  
CIE 15: Colorimetry, 3rd Edition  
CIE 54.2: Retro-reflection – Definition and measurement  
ISO 7591: Road vehicles – Retro reflective registration plates for motor vehicles and trailers  
3 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this docum ent, the following terms and defi nitions apply: 
 
3.1 Definitions 
3.1.1 background graphic 
graphic is in the background and the alpha numerics are on top of the graphic  
3.1.2 
blank 
number plate in its raw state before it has been processed and completed to become a number plate 
for attachment to a vehicle 
3.1.3 
chromaticity objective specification of the quality of a colour 
3.1.4 
embossing process to provide a border, a character or a set of characters  applied to the blank in relief on the retro-
reflective side of a number plate 
3.1.5 
face 
surface of the number plate which would face the reader 
3.1.6 
graphic 
pictorial image that is contained under the topcoat of the refl ective sheeting such that the alpha 
numerics may be positioned over the image, or positioned to eit her one or to both sides of the image 
3.1.7 
non-background graphic 
graphic and the alpha numerics are on the same level 
AFRICAN STANDARD DARS 1375:2023  
2 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved 3.1.8 
number plate 
plate that is intended to show the embossed number (registratio n number or licence number, as the 
case may be) assigned to the vehicle to which it is attached 
3.1.9 
retro-reflective 
light is reflected predominantly back towards its source 
3.1.10 
UN country sign 
Distinguishing Sign for the country communicated to the Secreta ry General of the United Nations in 
accordance with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic, comprised o f 1, 2 or 3 capital Latin alpha 
characters 
 
3.2 Abbreviations 
For the purpose of this standard, the following abbreviations a pply. 
 
ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition 
ASTM ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Test ing and Materials 
CIE International Commission on Illumination 
UN United Nations 
4 Requirements 
4.1 Blank material and dimensions 
 The blank shall be of aluminium free from unevenness, hard spo ts, hollows, holes and any 
blemishes or other deficiencies likely to cause problems during  further manufacturing processes. 
 The blank shall be of even thickness of not less than 0,9mm, f ree from sharp edges and burrs and 
be dimensioned according to one of the following sizes with a t olerance of ± 2mm on each 
dimension and the corners shall be rounded to a radius of 15mm ± 3mm: 
i) 520mm x 113mm 
ii) 440 mm x 120mm 
iii) 250mm x 205mm 
iv) 250mm x 165mm 
 No more than two types s hall be made available:  
i) Type A, where the retro-reflective material covers the whole  face, or  
ii) Type B, where the retro-reflective material covers only the  entire area inside of the embossed 
border. 
4.2 Retro-reflective and colour characteristics 
4.2.1 General 
 The retro-reflective material shall be applied in such a manne r as to provide a flat and smooth 
surface and form a durable bond with the substrate and yet to r esist impacts and bending.    DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  3 
 The material shall be able to be embossed and to a minimum hei ght of 1mm to form letters and 
digits in relief. 
 The retro-reflective material shall also bear the following ma rkings: 
i) The national flag 26 mm in height and 39 mm in width positio ned as specified in Annex A; 
ii) The country name in capital Latin characters using Arial fo nt not exceeding size 24 Bold (not 
exceeding 6 mm in height and 40 mm in width) and positioned as specified in Annex A; 
iii) The UN country sign as specified in Annex D in capital Lat in characters using Arial font not 
exceeding size 48 Black (not exceeding 12 mm in height and 40 m m in width) and positioned 
as specified in Annex A; and 
iv) A serial number and production batch identification for ref erence purposes as specified in 7. 
 A security decal specified in A nnex C shall be affixed to the retro-reflective material, positioned as 
specified in Error! Reference source not found. . 
 The markings and the security decal shall be centred in a vert ical banner aligned with the left 
vertical edge of the plate as specified in Annex A, the width o f which shall not exceed 57 ±1 mm 
from the edge of the plate.  The national flag shall be positio ned at least 17 ±1 mm from the top 
horizontal edge of the plate.  The vertical distance between ea ch of the markings and the security 
decal shall be at least 3 mm but not more than 10 mm as permitt ed by the vertical dimensions of 
the particular plate, provided that the positioning of the mark ings on the 250mm x 165mm plate 
shall allow for an embossed character with height of 60 ± 2 mm below the banner to accommodate 
the second row of 5 characters specified in 4.4.3. 
4.2.2 Colour and luminance factor (without graphics) 
 The colour of the retro-reflective material shall be yellow or  white. 
 When the colour and luminance factors are measured on samples without graphics applied to the 
substrate using a spectrophotometer (or other equally suitable colour measuring device) in 
accordance with CIE 15 and usi ng standard illuminant D65 and 45 /0 geometry: 
i) The chromaticity co-ordinates shall lie within the area of t he chromaticity diagram defined by 
the values in Table 1 for the colour yellow or white as appropr iate. 
ii) The luminance factor shall be at least the value in Table 1  for yellow or white as appropriate. 
iii) The ratio of the luminance factor values between the borde r colour and the adjacent retro-
reflective background colour, shall not be less than 5 to 1. 
Table 1: Chromaticity co-ordinat es and luminance factors (by da y) 
Colour Coordinate Value of Coordinate Minimum 
Luminance 
Factor 1 2 3 4 
White X 
Y 0.355 
0.355 0.305 
0.305 0.285 
0.325 0.335 
0.375 0.35 
Yellow X 
Y 0.545 
0.454 0.487 
0.423 0.427 
0.483 0.465 
0.534 0.27 
 
4.2.3 Colour and luminanc e factor with graphics 
 The colour of the retro-reflective material shall be white wit h graphics. DARS 1375:2023  
4 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved 
 The graphics on the retro-reflective material shall not exceed  4 colours and shall be of such a 
design that the graphics cannot be mistaken for a letter or num eral. 
 Any graphic which is not a “background graphic” shall not exce ed a width of 65mm and a height of 
75mm. 
 When the colour and luminance are measured on samples with gra phics applied to the substrate 
using a spectrophotometer (or other equally suitable colour mea suring device) in accordance with 
CIE 15 and using sta ndard illuminate D65 and 45/0 geometry: 
i) The luminance factors of the colours black, blue, brown, gre en or red as available on areas of 
70mm x 50mm that may affect legibility shall not exceed 0.07  
ii) The ratio of the luminance factor values between the border  colour and the adjacent retro-
reflective background and the between the border colour and adj acent graphic background 
colour shall not be less than 5 to 1. 
4.2.4 Coefficients of retro-reflection 
 When the coefficients of retro-reflection are measured in acco rdance with CIE 54.2 using the 
observation and entrance angle values given in Table 2 and the results are recorded in cd/(lx-m2): 
i) In the case of a blank with no graphics the coefficient of r etro-reflection shall be at least equal 
to the values in Table 2. 
ii) In the case of a blank with graphics that has first been di vided into 3 equal sections the total 
retro-reflection of the three sections shall be at least equal to the values in Table 2. 
Table 2: Coefficients of retro-reflection 
Observation 
Angle (degrees) Entrance Angle 
(degrees) Minimum coefficient of retro-reflection when 
measured with standard illuminant A (cd/(lx-m2) 
Graphic b Yellow White 
0.33 a 5  a 35 35 50 
1.5 30 1.5 1.5 2.0 
a The coefficient of retro-reflection at an angle of observatio n and an entrance angle of 0.33 
and 5 degrees respectively shall not exceed 100cd/(lx.m2) for yellow material and 160 cd(lx.m2) for 
white material. 
b The total retro-reflection per unit area of a full number pla te, including graphics without 
characters printed on white retro-reflective material. 
 
4.2.5 Certification of complianc e of retro-reflective material 
 To avoid unnecessary testing, test costs and associated delays  in ensuring acceptability of 
materials, the test results from laboratories accredited to ISO  17025 to perform the above tests 
shall be accepted by all laboratories which are members of the I L A C  a n d  A P E C  p e e r  r e v i e w  
systems. 1 
 All outlets that have been approved and authorised to particip ate in the manufacturing or 
embossing of number plates shall hold copies of such test repor ts which relate to the reflective 
material types and batches they have purchased. 
 
1 To encourage the inter-regional and inter-national trade, consi deration may be given to the publication of such 
test results or test reports denoting the batch numbers, brand,  grade and manufacturers of such retro-reflective 
materials and the dates upon which they were tested.     DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  5 4.3 General characteristics 
4.3.1 National legisla tion and c onditioning 
 The plates shall comply with a ll aspects of national legislati on and regional agreements or 
legislation. 
 For standardised testing conditions despite different national  climatic conditions, all samples for 
test and inspection shall first be conditioned for at least 24h  at 23 ± 5°C and 50 ± 10% relative 
humidity before all tests and inspections. 
4.3.2 Border  
 The border shall be embossed around the periphery of the blank  to a height above the retro-
reflective surface of not less than 0.4mm nor more than 2mm. 
 The border shall be black, blue, brown, green or red, correspo nding to the colour of the embossed 
characters specified in 4.4. 
 The luminance factor of the colours black, blue, red, green or  brown determined in accordance with 
i) shall not exceed 0,07. 
4.3.3 Temperature resistance and weathering 
 When a test sample is subjected to the conditions in b) i) and  ii) in sequence, the reflective material 
and the letters and digits shall show no sign of peeling off th e substrate, no cracking, blistering or 
appreciable discoloration. 
 The plate is installed with the test surface facing the lamps,  and subject it to artificial weathering 
using the apparatus and method gi ven in ASTM G154 for 240h, usi ng a cycle of: 
i) 4h UV exposure at 60°C, and then 
ii) 4h condensation exposure at 50°C. 
 An alternative cycle is recommended in compliance with ISO 759 1: 
i) 7h consecutively at a temperature of 65 ± 2oC with a relative hum idity of 10 ± 5% 
ii) 1h at a temperature of 23 ± 5oC and 50 ± 10% relative humidity 
iii) 15h consecutively at a temperature of -20oC 
4.3.4 Adhesion to  the substrate 
After conditioning a test sample for 1h at -20oC and immediately taking the sample out of the cold store 
it shall not be possible to remove the retro-reflective materia l physically in one piece from the substrate 
at the adhesive/plate interface.  
4.3.5 Impact resistance 
After conditioning the test sample for 1h at -20
oC and immediately taking the sample out of the cold 
store, place the sample face upwards on a steel plate of minimu m thickness 12mm and allow a steel 
ball of 25mm diameter to drop from a height of 2m onto a flat s ection of the sample then examine the 
retro-reflective material to ensure there is no sign of crackin g or separation from the substrate outside 
a distance of 5mm from the impacted area. 
 DARS 1375:2023  
6 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved 4.3.6 Bending resistance 
After conditioning the material as specified in 4.3.1 facilitat e bending by cutting any embossed border 
from the top and bottom of the test plate then bend the flat ar ea around a mandrel of 50mm diameter 
to an included angle of 90o with the reflective material facing outwards there shall be no  sign of cracking. 
 
4.3.7 Water resistance 
After having immersed the test plate in de-ionized water for 24 h consecutively at 23 ± 5oC and having 
allowed it to dry for 48h at normal room temperature there shal l be no sign of deterioration that could 
impair its longevity or performance. 
 
4.3.8 Cleanability 
After smearing the face with a mixture of lubrication oil and g raphite ensure that it can be cleaned off 
easily without damage to the reflective surface when wiped with  a mild aliphatic solvent such as 
heptane, followed by washing with a neutral detergent.  
4.3.9 Resistance to fuel 
After immersion of a portion of a plate, including letters and numerals in a test fuel of 70% n-heptane 
and 30% toluol (by volume) for 1 minute there shall be no sign of deterioration that could impair its 
longevity or performance. 
 
4.3.10 Resistance to abrasion 
Various test procedures have been developed using brushes with stiff bristles, amongst others of a 
brush with stiff, black, butt-cut Chinese hog bristles securely  wired into an aluminium brush block and 
a suitable drawing mechanism that does not exert a vertical for ce on the brush while allowing the brush 
to be moved back and forth over the test specimen while a suppl y of cleaning solution is so arranged 
as to drip onto the specimen as shown in Figure 4.   There shal l be no sign of penetration of the coating 
on the surfaces of the characters to the substrate that would a ffect the functionality of the number plate.
2 
 
4.4 Requirements for alphanumeric characters 
4.4.1 General 
 The number, height, form, spacing and dimensions of the charac ters shall be as prescribed in 4.4.2 
for 75 mm high characters, and 4.4.3 for 60 mm high characters and they shall be of the shape, 
style and appearance as shown in Figure 1. 
 The embossed characters shall be black, blue, brown, green or red. 
 The luminance factor of the colours black, blue, red, green or  brown determined in accordance with 
i). shall not exceed 0,07. 
4.4.2 Characters of a nominal height 75mm 
 The characters shall be of height 75 mm ± 2 mm and shall have shapes that conform to those of 
the appropriate characters given in Figure 1; 
 Not more than nine characters shall appear in one line on a nu mber plate of size 520 mm × 113 
mm (± 2 mm);  
 
2 Regrettably these tests are not definitive enough to ensure tha t tests conducted in different countries will 
provide repeatable results.      DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  7 
 Not more than eight characters shall appear in one line on a n umber plate of size 440 mm × 120 
mm (± 2 mm);  
 Not more than nine characters shall appear in two lines on a n umber plate of size 250 mm × 205 
mm (± 2 mm); and  
 In the case of a number plate bearing a single row of characte rs including six numerals, there shall 
be a dash of length between 10 mm and 25 mm ± 2 mm and a width of 10 mm ± 2 mm between 
the third and fourth numerals. 
4.4.3 Characters of a nominal height of 60mm 
 The characters shall be of height 60 mm ± 2 mm and shall have shapes that conform to those of 
the appropriate characters given in Figure 2; 
 Not more than nine characters shall appear in two lines on a n umber plate of size 250 mm × 
165 mm (± 2 mm). 
4.4.4 Layout of the characters 
 Characters shall not encroach on a non-background graphic imag e; 
 The width of spaces between outside edges of the number plate and the first and last character 
shall be not less than 15 mm; 
 The width of spaces between rows of characters on a number pla te that bears a double row of 
characters shall be 10 mm ± 1 mm;  
 The width of spaces that separate adjacent groups of letters a nd numerals shall be a minimum of 
10 mm; and  
 The width of spaces between adjacent letters in groups of lett ers, and the width of spaces between 
adjacent numbers in groups of numbers shall be equal, subject t o a tolerance of ± 1 mm.  
 The spacing of characters and numerals on personalized number plates shall comply with the 
requirements specified by the relevant standards organisation o r government department which 
licences the production of number plates provided that the char acters are symmetrically placed. 
4.5 Workmanship 
 When examined in accordance with 5.3, the retro-reflective mat erial, licence number and border of 
a number plate shall be free of creases, chips, blisters, disco loration and spots.  
 The licence number shall be clearly defined.  
 A number plate shall be of such flatness that, when it is laid  face upwards on a flat surface, no part, 
except raised characters or a b order, is more t han 3 mm from th e surface. 
5 Consolidation of results 
5.1 Mechanical and related requirements and tests 
Examine the requirements and the results for compliance with th e mechanical and related tests and 
requirements specified in 4.1, c)i)a), 4.2.3a), 4.2.3b), 4.3, 4 .5, 6 and 7 and include values where relevant 
and any significant details in the report.  DARS 1375:2023  
8 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved 5.2 Photometric requirements and tests 
Examine the requirements and the results for compliance with th e photometric requirements and tests 
specified in c)i), 4.2.3a), 4.2.3c), 4.2.4, 4.2.5 and include v alues where relevant and any significant 
details in the report.  
5.3 Alpha numeric characters 
Examine the requirements and the results for compliance with th e number, height, form, spacing, style 
and dimensions of the characters specified in 4.4 and Figures 1  and 2 and include values obtained and 
any deviations from the requirements. 
6 Packing  
The blank plates shall be so packed as to ensure that they are not damaged during normal handling, 
transportation and storage.  
7 Marking  
 The retroreflective material shall bear a legible and indelibl e validation mark that forms an integral 
part of the material and which identifies the manufacturer of t he material, the manufacturer’s batch 
number and the year of manufacture. Such mark shall not interfe re with the legibility of the number 
plate 
 The front surface of each blank number plate shall bear only t he graphic, expiry decal (when 
applicable), the marking required in a) and c), and the border.  The marking shall not interfere with 
the legibility of the  licence number.  
 The front surface of each blank plate shall bear, in legible a nd indelible marking, the trade name or 
trademark and the batch number of the manufacturer of blank pla tes in the left front bottom corner, 
in a space of height approximately 5 mm and of length approxima tely 50 mm.  
    DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  9  
 
Figure 1a): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: A to F (dimensions in mm) 
DARS 1375:2023  
10 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
Figure 2b): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: G to L (dimensions in mm) 
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  11  
 
Figure 3c): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: M to R (dimensions in mm) 
DARS 1375:2023  
12 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
Figure 4d): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: S to X (dimensions in mm) 
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  13  
 
Figure 5e): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 75mm characters: Y to Z and 0 to 3 (dimensions in mm) 
DARS 1375:2023  
14 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
Figure 6f): Sizes, shapes and styles of  alpha numeric characters for 75mm ch aracters: 4 to 9 (dimensions in mm) 
 
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  15  
 
Figure 7a): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: A to F (dimensions in mm) 
DARS 1375:2023  
16 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
Figure 8b): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: G to L (dimensions in mm) 
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  17  
 
Figure 9c): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: M to R (dimensions in mm) 
DARS 1375:2023  
18 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
Figure 10d): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: S to X (dimensions in mm) 
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  19  
 
Figure 11e): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: Y to Z and 0 to 3 (dimensions 
in mm) 
DARS 1375:2023  
20 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
Figure 12f): Sizes, shapes and styles of alpha numeric characters for 60 mm characters: 4 to 9 (dimensions in mm) 
 
  
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  21  
a) Embossed border for Type A b) Alternate embossed border for Type A 
 
 
 
c) Embossed border for Type A d) Alternate embossed border for Type A 
 
 
 
e) Embossed border for Type B 
 
Figure 3: Borders of number plates 
  
DARS 1375:2023  
22 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
 
 
 
Figure 4: Apparatus for resistance to abrasion testing 
 
  
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  23 Annex A 
(normative) 
 
Number Plate Layout 
 
 
Figure 5a): 520 ±2 mm x 113 ±2 mm plate 
 
 
Figure 5b): 440 ±2 mm x 120 ±2 mm plate 
 
 
Figure 5c): 250 ±2 mm x 205 ±2 mm plate 
 520 ±2 mm
113 ±2 mm
Security 
Decal 
(NSB logo)National 
Flag
COUNTRY
UN Country 
Sign 
440 ±2 mm
120 ±2 mm
Security 
Decal 
(NSB logo)National 
Flag
COUNTRY
UN Country 
Sign 
250 ±2 mm
Security 
Decal 
(NSB logo)National 
Flag
COUNTRY
UN Country 
Sign DARS 1375:2023  
24 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
Figure 5d): 250 ±2 mm x 165 ±2 mm plate 
 
 
  250 ±2 mm
Security 
Decal 
(NSB logo)National 
Flag
COUNTRY
UN Country 
Sign    DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  25 Annex B 
(normative) 
 
Location of holes on number plates 
 
 
Figure 6a): 520 ±2 mm x 113 ±2 mm plate 
 
Figure 6b): 440 ±2 mm x 120 ±2 mm plate 
 
Figure 6c): 250 ±2 mm x 205 ±2 mm plate 
DARS 1375:2023  
26 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  
Figure 6d): 250 ±2 mm x 165 ±2 mm plate 
 
 
  
   DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  27 Annex C 
(normative) 
 
Security Decal 
 
 A tamper-proof security decal is issued to a manufacturer of b lank plates for each number plate 
the material of which have been approved as compliant by the re levant approving authority. 
 Each security decal issued shall contain at least the followin g: 
i) the logo of the approving body symbolising the certification  of compliance of each number 
plate to allow visible recognition of compliance to this standa rd, and 
ii) reference number of such manufacturer for traceability. 
 Such manufacturer then supplies a decal for each blank number plate sold to an embosser and 
prints the reference number of the relevant embosser on the sec urity decal. 
 The manufacturer and/or embosser reference number should be ma chine readable without the 
need for proprietary equipment. 
 The security decal affixed to a number plate shall comply with  similar test conditions than the retro-
reflection material upon application to the aluminium plate, bu t for the colour, luminance and retro-
reflection properties to enable resistance to the heat, UV radi ation, moisture and abrasion that 
number plates are exposed to under normal wear and tear conditi ons. 
 The tamper proof nature of the security decal shall render it impossible to remove the decal intact 
from any number plate or to app ly the decal to another number p late. 
 
  DARS 1375:2023  
28 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved Annex D 
(normative) 
 
UN Country Sign 
 
The distinguishing sign of the issuing country in Africa, as no tified to the UN Secretary General in accordance 
with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic (1949 and/or 1968) on 7  July 2023, is provided in Table D.1. 
Table D.1 — Dist inguishing signs notified in accor dance with UN  Conventions on Road Traffic 
Country Distinguishing 
sign Country Distinguishing 
sign 
Algeria DZ Morocco MA 
Benin DY Namibia NAM 
Botswana BW Niger RN 
Central African Republic RCA Nigeria WAN 
Congo RCB Rwanda RWA 
Côte d’Ivoire CI Senegal SN 
Democratic Republic of the Congo ZRE Seychelles SY 
Egypt ET Sierra Leone WAL 
Eswatini SD South Africa ZA 
Gambia WAG Togo TG 
Ghana GH Tunisia TN 
Kenya EAK Uganda EAU 
Lesotho LS United Republic of Tanzania: TZA 
Liberia LB Tanganyika EAT 
Madagascar RM Zanzibar EAZ 
Malawi MW Zambia RNR 
Mali RMM Zimbabwe ZW 
Mauritius MS   
    DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved  29 Other distinguishing signs used by United Nations Member States , not Contracting Parties to the 1968 
Convention on Road Traffic and/or the 1949 Convention on Road T raffic on 7 July 2023, are provided in Table 
D.2. 
Table D.2 — Distinguish ing signs of countries 
Country Distinguishing 
sign Country Distinguishing 
sign 
Angola AO Gabon  G 
Burkina Faso  BF Guinea RG 
Burundi RU Libyan Arab Jamahiriya LAR 
Cameroon CAM Mauritania RIM 
Chad TCH/TD Mozambique MOC 
Eritrea ER Somalia SO 
Ethiopia  ETH Sudan SUD 
 
  DARS 1375:2023  
30 © ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved Bibliography 
 
 
Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles, United Nations, Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles | UNECE  
 
DMS 639-1:2011 – Retro reflective  registration plates for motor  vehicles – Blank plates (Aluminium) 
 SANS 1116-1: 2016 – Retro-reflective number plates for motor ve hicles – Blank plates (aluminium) 
 
SANS 1116-2: 2016 – Retro-reflective number plates for motor ve hicles – Number plates (aluminium) 
 ZS 266: 2017 – Reflex-Reflecting vehicle number plates – Specif ication 
 
  DARS 1375:2023  
© ARSO 2023 — All rights reserved