Personalized car plates surge in popularity in Moldova
Custom license plates are becoming increasingly popular in Moldova. Since 2021, according to the Public Services Agency (ASP), 9,604 citizens have requested plates with their own chosen combinations.
These can feature a three-letter indicator followed by one, two, or three digits, depending on the applicant's preference. The cost for this service varies based on the requested combination, ranging from 1,400 to 63,800 Moldovan Lei (MDL).
While car owners can opt for plates featuring their own names or initials, requests for the most expensive combinations—those valued at 63,800 MDL—are quite rare. ASP data indicates that only one person so far this year has opted to pay this amount to personalize their plates. Most of these high-end requests were recorded in 2023 and 2024, with five and six individuals respectively, while in 2022, there was only one such request.
The priciest plates typically feature letter combinations like ION, ANA, ALA, INA, DAN, EVA, LEV, IRA, BMW, MAX, VIP, ADA, TEO, LEO, UNU, OPT, DOL, ADI, EMA, LIA, ELA, JAN, YAN, followed by a single digit.
However, not every combination can be approved. The ASP's Vehicle Registration Department stated to Teleradio-Moldova that combinations with obscene connotations or those that could be associated with state institutions are rejected. This includes terms such as ASS, IGP, GOD, GAD, GAY, BOG, KAL, and similar others. In such cases, the order isn't processed, and the combination becomes unavailable in the system.
To obtain a personalized license plate, applicants must submit a request at one of ASP's vehicle registration subdivisions. The service is processed within 3 business days.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
