Check its history before you commit.
Have you spotted a car with a pink number plate and are wondering what it means? Since 1 January 2026, this new colour indicates provisional WW and W garage registrations, as part of efforts to combat fraud and to make the work of law enforcement easier.
The letters and numbers are black, and the expiry date of the certificate remains visible on the right-hand side. This new format mainly concerns new cars awaiting a carte grise (French registration certificate) and imported vehicles. Here is what the regulations provide for, the mandatory information, the distinction from the red plate, and the penalties involved.
What is a pink number plate?
This is the type of plate that accompanies a temporary registration. It does not replace the permanent SIV format number: it only allows you to drive legally during the administrative process, until a definitive French registration is assigned.
A provisional registration for WW and W garage numbers
There are two series of numbers. The WW is obtained with a provisional registration certificate (CPI), while a file is being finalised. The W, also known as the garage plate, meets the specific needs of automotive professionals.
Since when has the pink plate been mandatory?
The new pink number plate has been required by a decree dated 21 November 2025, published in the Journal officiel on 2 December 2025. It has applied since the start of 2026 to every new WW or W registration, as specified by Service public.
The information shown on the plate
The dimensions remain the same. The number is displayed in black characters on a pink background. At the end, the usual territorial identifier (region logo and department number) is replaced by the expiry date (MM/YY). An officer can thus see at a glance whether the provisional registration is still valid.
Pink number plate
Why provisional registrations are changing colour
This change of colour serves two purposes: to reduce fraud and to simplify roadside checks. According to the Ministry of the Interior, more than 400,000 provisional WW and W garage registrations are issued each year. The reform is led by France Titres (ANTS).
Combating fraud with provisional plates
Until now, a WW number looked like a standard number and did not indicate any expiry date. Visually, an expired number was therefore indistinguishable from a valid one. The minister responsible for the matter acknowledges that fraud remains marginal compared to the 65 million records in the national database (SIV), but that it has increased recently. A dedicated colour and a visible expiry date make such abuse more difficult.
Making checks easier for law enforcement
During a roadside check, law enforcement officers can immediately spot and identify a temporary registration, then read its expiry date without consulting a database. This improved visibility also serves road safety: an expired number is immediately apparent.
Which vehicles use provisional WW or W garage registration?
There are three situations that lead to a provisional number plate.
New vehicles awaiting a carte grise
This is the most common case. The car is delivered, but the definitive certificate has not yet been issued. A CPI WW can also be issued when a document is missing to complete the file, such as a certificate of conformity or a tax certificate.
Imported vehicles before registration in France
A model bought abroad must be registered in France. Between its arrival and the allocation of the definitive number, it is driven with a WW plate. If you are considering buying a used car in Belgium or another country, bear in mind that its history has been recorded in its country of origin. Autorigin consolidates the official insurance and registration records of 16 European countries: you can check the vehicle's history before signing.
Automotive professionals and the W garage plate
Garages, dealerships, body shops or transporters use the W series for road tests, demonstrations and the transport of models not yet registered. These numbers have also adopted the new colour since 2026.
Pink plate or red plate: what is the difference?
Both indicate a registration with a limited duration, with an expiry date displayed, but they are not intended for the same users. The WW is for residents and garages, the TT for transit before export.
| Criteria | WW | TT |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Driving while awaiting definitive registration | Driving before export outside the European Union |
| Beneficiaries | Resident individuals, garages and dealerships (W series) | People not resident in the European Union |
| Tax status | French VAT paid | Purchase with tax suspension |
| Duration | 2 months, can be extended once | Limited duration, set at the time of issue |
| Display | Pink, with expiry MM/YY | Red, with expiry |
The red TT plate, reserved for temporary transit before export
The TT (temporary transit) scheme allows a person who does not reside in the European Union to buy a new model in France and use it before exporting it. The red number plate, sometimes called red transit, signals this status to police, gendarmes and customs officers.
The other number plate colours in France
White remains the standard for definitive registration. Green is reserved for diplomatic and consular staff, making it easier to identify diplomatic representations. Black is permitted for classic cars. For everything you need to know about number plates, the carte grise and the technical inspection before buying, see our dedicated guide.
Validity and penalties: the rules you need to know
The regulations cover both the duration of the CPI and the compliance of the plate itself.
Validity period of the provisional registration certificate
A CPI WW is generally valid for 2 months, and 3 months for an incomplete new model intended for bodywork. If the definitive document is delayed, it is automatically extended once only, for the same period.
What a driver risks if in breach
Driving with a non-compliant or expired provisional plate can result in a fine of up to €750, with the vehicle possibly being impounded until it is brought into compliance. In the event of proven fraud or identity theft, the law provides for up to 7 years' imprisonment and a €30,000 fine, as well as confiscation. The consequences can therefore far exceed the cost of a new set.
Vehicle with WW: check its history before buying
A pink number plate simply indicates that a car is awaiting its definitive number. It says nothing about its history. If you are buying an imported or recently registered model, take a few minutes to examine the data declared in the official registers of 16 European countries: accidents, mileage, successive owners, theft or outstanding finance. To find out its original specifications, use the VIN decoder: Identify my vehicle. Before committing, go through Autorigin: Check the history.
With Autorigin, access the essential information to better understand a car's past.
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