Registration plates in Italy have changed many times over the past century. Back in 1903, the first plates bore the name of the vehicle’s city of origin followed by a number, but this system only survived until 1905.

From 1905-1927, registration plates were white with a numeric province code displayed in red. This code was suffixed by a progressive number, specific to that province, which was displayed in black.

Between 1927 and 1976 Italian registration plates were black with white digits and there was a difference between the dimensions of the front and rear plates. The format of the registration mark was a two-letter province code followed by a numerical progressive code of six digits or less, unique to that province. The order of the province code and progressive code changed between 1927 and 1932.

The system was altered again, between 1976 and 1985, where the front played followed the same system as before, but the rear plate was split into three sections. The first contained the progressive code, while the last two portions, which had orange letters on a black background, contained the province code.

In 1985 Italian number plates changed colour, when black digits on a white background were introduced. The front plates were also enlarged and the province code followed the progressive code as per the rear plates.

The most recent amendment was introduced in 1994, when the indication of a vehicle’s place of origin was removed. An alphanumeric system was implemented in its place, following the format of two letters, three digits and a two-letter suffix.