Used by private and company cars, all government vehicles and the military. Beacause of terrorism no distinction is made between government and civil plates. The left tax sticker is federal road tax, the right tax sticker is of the Sheikhdom government. The owner of the vehicle must get new ones every six months. The police has special laser guns that can read the bar code on the plate. The laser guns are connected to computers of the police (outstanding traffic fines, criminal offenses, stolen vehicle) and of the civil registry office (Who owns the car, who are his family members, where does he live, has he paid txes, etc.)The bar code appears twice on the plate to make it easier for the laser guns to spot them.

Exempt vehicle plate

Special plates. Owners don�t pay road taxes, tolls and can use special lanes on motorways, and are in general not bothered by the police.

Corps Diplomatique plates

Foreign embassy and consulate vehicles. No taxation or insurence necessary and not to be touched by police, no customs inspection. In effect, cars with these plates fall under the diplomatic inmunity laws of the Saraphian Emirate, and are de facto considered a (mobile) piece of 'soil' of a foreign nation. The bar codes don�t provide much information for diplomatic reasons. The nationality of the owner can�t be read from the plates, only by use of laser gun.

Emergency services

Used on emergency vehicles (Fire brigade, Ambulances, physicians) and on private vehicles of medical staff. Makes it easier for the police and general public to spot a medic in case of emergency. Private cars usually have a sirene and clip-on (red) flashlight as well. Cars with these plates ALWAYS have right of way.

Heavy, long and special vehicles

Vehilces above a certain tonnage (heavy trucks), very long vehicles and vehicles with special dimensions carry these plates.

Royal plates

The Royal family uses these plates on vehicles used by them for official business. In all other cases royal vehicles have civil plates for security and privacy reasons. Pictured is the plate of the RP 01, the state limousine of HRM the Emir.