Why are some license plates black?

[Silas]

Black license plates refer to plates with black background, white characters, and white borders. Black license plates include those for vehicles temporarily detained by customs, foreign vehicles entering the country, vehicles from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, vehicles purchased by foreigners in their private names for use in China, temporary plates for foreign and international organizations stationed in China, foreign enterprises, or confidential institutions. More related information is as follows: 1. License plate introduction: License plates are numbers assigned to vehicles, and their main function is to identify the province, city, or county to which the vehicle belongs. The vehicle management office can trace the owner of the vehicle based on the license plate. 2. License plate number: The first character of the license plate number is a Chinese character, representing the provincial-level administrative region where the vehicle is registered, which is the abbreviation of provinces, municipalities directly under the central government, and autonomous regions. For example, Hunan is abbreviated as Xiang, Chongqing as Yu, Beijing as Jing, Shanghai as Hu, and Shandong as Lu. The second character of the license plate number is a letter, representing the prefecture-level administrative region where the vehicle is registered, which is the letter code for prefecture-level cities, regions, autonomous prefectures, and leagues. The subsequent letters are not ranked in any particular order.

[OJaxon]

I've been driving for several years and often observe vehicles around me. Why are some license plates black? This is mainly because such plates are exclusively used by foreign institutions or enterprises in China, such as embassy vehicles or company cars assigned by large multinational corporations. I clearly remember that in China, license plate colors are categorized by vehicle type: blue background with white characters for regular private cars, yellow for large trucks, green for new energy vehicles, while black background with white characters symbolizes foreign-related status, facilitating management and identification of privileged vehicles. Tracing back to history, this system was introduced in the 1980s when, with the deepening of opening-up policies, a visual method was needed to distinguish domestic and international vehicles. The black-and-white combination offers high contrast, ensuring visibility day and night, thereby reducing traffic confusion risks. In fact, license plate design also considers safety, as color choices help police quickly identify vehicle origins to avoid potential disputes. I've also noticed in some old movies scenes featuring such plates, like black-plated cars commonly seen around embassy districts.

[MacRyder]

From the perspective of our country's traffic management history, the colors of license plates carry specific meanings. The emergence of black license plates originated from special treatment for foreign-related vehicles in the early days. I recall that after the reform and opening-up in the last century, when a large number of foreign enterprises entered China, the government introduced these black plates with white characters to identify them, aiming to facilitate customs and law enforcement in distinguishing them. Different colors represent different groups—blue for ordinary vehicles, white for military use, while black was specifically reserved for foreign institutions. In terms of color selection, the strong contrast between black and white makes them easily recognizable under various lighting conditions, a design likely inspired by international practices, as some European countries have similar systems. The size and font of the plates were standardized to enhance road order and prevent local vehicles from being mixed up in foreign-related incidents. Black also conveys a sense of formality, reflecting respect for international cooperation. Nowadays, such plates can occasionally be seen in cities, mostly concentrated in embassy districts or high-end business areas.

[Ted]

At the policy level, the color of license plates is clearly stipulated in China's traffic regulations. Black license plates are allocated exclusively to vehicles of foreign embassies, consulates, and foreign-funded enterprises. These plates feature a black background with white characters, designed primarily for ease of management and privilege identification. For instance, during border inspections or special passages, law enforcement officers can quickly distinguish the vehicle's attributes. The color system also includes other categories: blue for civilian vehicles, green for new energy vehicles, etc. The black plates ensure regulatory uniformity and reduce the risk of misjudgment. This color scheme was chosen because the black background provides high contrast in both sunlight and at night, offering strong practicality and resistance to stains. Overall, this system reflects the nation's emphasis on traffic safety, preventing accidents caused by vehicle category confusion.

[ValeriaAnn]

From a color design perspective, black license plates are not arbitrarily chosen. The combination of black background with white text stands out prominently on the road, enhancing visibility and safety. I understand this stems from scientific specifications in the license plate system—for instance, black absorbs more light under strong illumination, reducing glare and ensuring clear text readability. In contrast, white or blue backgrounds may appear blurred in certain environments. License plate colors are also linked to vehicle identity management, with black designated for vehicles of foreign institutions in China, facilitating quick identification by traffic authorities and preventing general vehicles from mistakenly entering restricted zones. On a practical level, the materials and printing are optimized, with black coatings being durable and fade-resistant, a design inspired by global trends. Compared to standard blue plates, black plates also offer advantages during nighttime driving, helping to reduce collision risks.