British motorists travelling in France may soon spot a new splash of colour on the roads, as the French government rolls out a distinctive pink licence plate in a major bid to tackle vehicle-related crime.
A Colourful Crackdown on Fraud
From 1 January 2026, a new bright pink registration plate will be introduced across France. This initiative, led by the French Government, directly targets the fraudulent use of temporary vehicle registrations. The new plates will replace the former 'WW' or 'W garage' plates, which are the French equivalent of British trade plates used by garages and dealers.
Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, minister delegate to the Minister of the Interior, highlighted that misuse of the old-style plates had become a 'growing problem'. It is estimated that around 400,000 vehicles per year use these provisional registrations while awaiting full documentation.
How the New System Will Work
The French Prefecture De Police explained that some drivers were exploiting a loophole, continuing to drive on plates long after their expiry. Traffic fines for any offences were then incorrectly sent to the original owners of the temporary registration, which had since been reassigned to another vehicle.
The new, highly recognisable pink plates are designed to make it far easier for law enforcement officers to identify and control these provisionally registered vehicles in traffic. The format will also clearly display the expiry date of the provisional certificate, providing immediate clarity for police checks.
Implications for UK Drivers
While the change is a domestic French law, it has direct relevance for UK residents driving in or through France. Drivers from England and the rest of Britain will increasingly see these pink plates on French roads from next year.
Vedrenne acknowledged that while fraud is marginal compared to the 65 million files in France's vehicle database (SIV), it has been growing. 'Many effective and operational actions are being taken to curb and reduce this scourge,' she stated, with the pink plate being a key visible measure.
This move underscores a broader European trend towards tightening vehicle registration systems to prevent crime and improve road safety. For British motorists, it serves as a reminder to ensure all vehicle documentation is correct and up-to-date when travelling abroad.
