How to distinguish between 1 and l in license plates?

[DelChloe]

Each digit in the sequential number of a motor vehicle license plate can use English letters individually, but among the 26 English letters, O and l cannot be used to avoid confusion with the numbers 0 and 1. Therefore, if you see a license plate number with only l, it is actually the Arabic numeral 1. Related information: 1. Motor vehicle license plate: Refers to the legal sign registered by the statutory authority, permitting the motor vehicle to drive on the roads within the territory of the People's Republic of China. 2. License plate composition: Uses Chinese characters to represent the abbreviations of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, English letters to represent the issuing authority code, and a sequential number composed of Arabic numerals and English letters.

[DePiper]

I often observe license plates when driving, and the number 1 and the letter L look very similar on plates, but there's a little trick: position is key. Chinese license plates are divided into three parts: the left side has the provincial abbreviation letter, the middle is a combination of numbers or letters, and the right side is letters or numbers. The number 1 usually appears in the numeric section, while L is in the alphabetic section. For example, when I park, I can tell it's the letter position just by looking at the left side. Additionally, in terms of font design, the number 1 is a straight vertical line with a small dot at the bottom, whereas the letter L has a straight top and a small hook or curve at the bottom, making it more curved. Once, I misread them and reported the wrong ticket number, but after learning this method, I avoided such mistakes. The anti-confusion design on license plates is very thoughtful, and the DMV standards emphasize this point. Beginners can distinguish them by looking at more examples. Paying attention to such details in daily life helps improve driving recognition skills.

[OMason]

As a car enthusiast, I've studied the differences in license plate fonts across countries. The distinction between the number 1 and the letter L is carefully handled in license plate design. For example, Chinese plates use the Song typeface, where 1 has a flat top and a slightly pointed bottom, while L has a straight top and curved bottom, resembling a modified 7. U.S. plates use uppercase letters, with L having a more pronounced curve and 1 appearing slimmer and taller. Designers often add small dots or vary stroke lengths to prevent misreading, which is crucial for camera recognition to avoid ETC system errors. With advanced technology, AI scanning relies on these features, but manual checks are more reliable. I often watch documentaries to learn about these details, as safe driving starts with the little things.

[VanLeah]

When I first got my driver's license, I often confused the number 1 and the letter L on license plates. Later, my driving instructor taught me a trick: look at the position combination. The license plate starts with a provincial abbreviation letter, and the end might be mixed, but the numeric area is mostly in the middle. L is a letter and only appears in letter positions, while 1 is a number and always stays in the numeric section. In terms of font, the number 1 looks like a straight stick, while the letter L has a curved tail like a hook. During driving practice, I stared at several real license plates to practice and quickly became proficient. To avoid misidentification, don't rush—take your time to look carefully.

[OJordan]

Having driven for decades, I've witnessed the evolution of license plates from simple to complex. In my youth, the numbers 1 and the letter L were often confused due to crude designs. Nowadays, standards are strict: the number 1 is mostly straight, while the letter L has a small hook for easy distinction. The layout is also clear, with distinct areas for letters and numbers. We old-timers used to rely on stroke recognition: the number 1 is a steady vertical line, while the letter L has a turn at the bottom. Technological advancements have made things much clearer, but when driving, you still need to rely on your own eyes to look carefully. Remember this, and you'll make fewer mistakes.