The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has officially unveiled a new vehicle license plate identifier that incorporates symbols representing Ethiopia.

In a statement announcing the rollout, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Dr. Alemu Sime, disclosed that the Ministry prepared Directive No. 1050/2017 to govern the new types and symbols of vehicle identification plates and the related service delivery. This directive mandates the replacement of the current vehicle license plate identifier.

Dr. Alemu indicated that the existing plate system was deemed inadequate, as it did not align with the transport sectors recent growth or the international agreents signed by Ethiopia, necessitating the introduction of the new plate.

He further explained that the old plates posed challenges to the control system and were vulnerable to illegal activities. In contrast, the new plates are designed for operational convenience, as they will be managed by a technology-assisted system.

The Minister noted that the new identifier includes confidential, tech-readable information that provides full details about the vehicle, allowing regulatory bodies to identify them easily. This feature, he stressed, is expected to completely eliminate fraud.

The complete replacement of the old plates with the new vehicle identifiers is scheduled to be carried out during the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year (corresponding to 2025/2026 G.C.). Dr. Alemu urged all vehicle owners to ensure they register according to the forthcoming implementation schedule.