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Frequently Asked Questions
Did you ever play that game while driving in the country? The one where the number plate letters are an acronym or a short sentence. Western Cape number plates include CA ( Cape Town)… Cape Ape. CAW ( George) Cold and wet, or CCM (Tulbagh) Cannot create money.
In South Africa, vehicle registration plates, known as number plates, are issued by the Department of Transport in each of its provinces. [1] Each province has plates with unique designs, colour schemes, and alphanumeric patterns. The plates display combinations like AB 12 CD GP or CA 123-456
In the Cape, the prefixes were mostly assigned in order of the size of the municipality. Cape Town got CA, as it is the largest city in Cape Province, and Port Elizabeth got CB. Some smaller towns were given three-letter prefixes. The way our cars are licensed changes from time to time. The Western Cape system is poised to change again soon, but on this page, you can find where the cars with these licence plates come from. If you click on the name, the site will take you to the page where there is a short history and information about each place
Quick Finder
Identify a number plate you saw
Western Cape number plate prefixes show where a vehicle was first registered, not necessarily where the driver currently lives. You’ll see these plates across the province. “This page explains all Western Cape number plate prefixes and links to the towns’ histories.
- “Looking for a town-by-town breakdown? View the Number plate Prefixes ,by town Alphabetical list, a list of Western Cape towns and their corresponding number plate prefixes.
CA: This is the foundational prefix for Cape Town central. Click to explore the city, featuring local history, interesting things to see and do and a list of useful contact numbers
CAA: This prefix is primarily used in the city bowl of Greater Cape Town. Click to open a list of Cape Town suburbs and find more fascinating stories, local pet-friendly beaches, shipwreck stories and local thrift shopping
CAM Click our town hubs to find hidden hot springs, coastal walks, farm stalls and local history in Caledon, Kleinmond, Villiersdorp and Riviersonderend
CAR is assigned to towns and farming communities. Find museums, farm stalls and stories of these West Coast towns of Clanwilliam, Lamberts Bay, Citrusdal, & Graafwater.
CAW .Covers the main Garden Route hub. Click here for our George guide, including interesting facts, ways to get around, and historic Bains Pass routes
CBL This prefix covers Ladismith and the surrounding Klein Karoo farms. Find out about Stanley se liggie and some Klein Karoo wine farms.
CBM Find out more about this Central Karoo town, Boer War history and the devastating Laingsburg flood of 1981
CBR This prefix is assigned to Breede River Valley settlements around Montagu. Find out about healing springs and fruit farms
CBS covers the popular coastal Garden Route towns of Mossel Bay & Hartenbos. Find local information about beaches and museums, or use our handy Seashell Identification Guide next time you walk the shoreline
CBT: Find out about the “Rebel Town” of Murraysburg in the Central Karoo, famous for sheep farming and historic architecture
CBY covers farmlands surrounding Piketberg. Find wine farms and wheat fields near this historic town.
CCA is used in the Klein Karoo town of Prince Albert, famous for Boer War connections and a short-lived gold rush.
CCC covers southern Overberg towns of Riversdale & Stillbaai along the coast. Find out about mountain passes and shipwrecks, or feed tame eels.
CCD Issued for Breede River Valley towns of Robertson & McGregor, famous for wine farms and poetry.
CCK Explore the Route62, find out about Swellendam & Barrydale. Read about the Swellendam revolt and the creative little town of Barrydale
CCO Covers Uniondale in the Langkloof region. Read about the local Riel dane and about how the Boers locked up the magistrate
CCP Vanrhynsdorp & Klawer is issued for small West Coast towns and farming areas with ancient rock art and organic wine.
CEA covers the Swartland town of Moorreesburg and the surrounding farms. The bread basket of South Africa, featuring one of the only wheat museums in the world
CEG is assigned to the historic Overberg town of Heidelberg. Site of the famous pumpkin festival
CEM covers the whale-watching towns along Walker Bay of Hermanus, Gansbaai, Onrus River & Stanford and nearby villages.
CEO is issued for the Elgin Valley towns of Grabouw & Elgin, known for apple orchards. Home of Appletizer and wine farms
CER is issued for the Breede River farming community of Bonnievale and nearby farmland. Click to find out more about the “Beautiful Valley”
CES is used in the Little Karoo town of Albertinia, the aloe capital of the Western Cape.
CEX is assigned to the Swartland town of Porterville and the surrounding farmlands. It is the hang-gliding capital of the Western Cape for its geography and wind patterns
CEY covers the coastal Helderberg towns of Strand & Gordon’s Bay on the Eastern False Bay coast, known for safe, family-friendly beaches
CFA is issued for the wine-growing areas around Wolseley
CFG covers towns along the West Coast bay and harbour region. Vredenburg & St Helena Bay & Saldanha Bay
CFM is assigned to the Helderberg town of Somerset West at the foot of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
CFP (formerly used for Laaiplek): this prefix covers Velddrif and nearby fishing communities along the Berg River.
CFR is used in these northern suburbs of Kuilsrivier & Brackenfell at the start of the winelands.
CF covers the suburbs of Kraaifontein and the surrounding residential areas north of the City of Cape Town.
CG is issued for the feather palace town of Oudtshoorn, and the surrounding Klein Karoo and Cango Caves country.
CJ Registered in the Drakenstein area for Paarl & Franschhoek .Seen throughout the Cape Winelands. Click our hub for local history, or explore our massive directory of over 750 Western Cape Wine Farms to plan your next weekend tasting route.
CK Covers northern Swartland towns of Malmesbury, Darling, the surrounding farmlands and vineyards.
CL is assigned to the famous wine town of Stellenbosch and the nearby suburbs. Find a list of wine farms in Stellenbosch
CN covers the town of Wellington and adjacent wine-producing areas where French Huguenots settled and are now reached via the Bain’s Kloof Pass, built mainly by convicts.
CO is issued for the Klein Karoo town of Calitzdorp. Port capital of South Africa
CR covers Hopefield, the oldest West Coast town & Langebaan, a fishing village where no industrial activity is allowed. The lagoon is a RAMSAR site
CS is issued for Bredasdorp, Napier, Struisbaai, and Arniston, including the area around Cape Agulhas, and the southernmost Overberg towns, the most notorious coast in the Country for shipwrecks.
CT covers Cherry Country, Ceres, and the surrounding Koue Bokkeveld farms, which are well known for fruit orchards
CV Issued for the West Coast town of Vredendal, home of South Africa’s largest wine cellar and the most diverse examples of succulent plant species
CW covers the Breede River Valley towns of Worcester, De Doorns & Touwsrivier in the Boland region. Worcester is known for its focus on enabling blind people to live independently
CX is assigned to the Garden Route coastal towns. of Knysna, Sedgefield & Plettenberg Bay. Read about forestry and a gold rush in Knysna. Find out about shipwrecks on the southern coast
CY is issued in the northern suburbs. Durbanville that was well known for wagon building; Kraaifontein has been farmed since the late 1800s, while Bellville was the halfway post between Cape Town and Stellenbosch where farmers rested their oxen.
CZ covers the central Karoo town of Beaufort West and surrounds; find out about the birthplace of South Africa’s heart transplant pioneer, and the uranium mine
Map citation: Adrian Frith – adrian@adrianfrith.com
Personalised Plates
If you want to apply for a special number plate, you’ll need to complete and return the application form SLN1, along with a copy of your South African identity document. Email your application forms to tal.numberplates@westerncape.gov.za.
See prices and regulations HERE
Government and Special Vehicle Plates
Vehicle Prefixes
South Africa has also used special registration prefixes for government departments, the military, police and diplomatic vehicles.
Older government vehicles often carried the prefix GG, standing for “Government Garage”. Some departments used their own markings, including DW for the Department of Water Affairs, P for the Post Office and SAS-R for South African Railways road services.
Military vehicles historically used the prefix U for the former Union Defence Force before changing to R after South Africa became a republic in 1961. Currently, they have an M after the number. Police vehicles commonly used the prefix SAP, while diplomatic vehicles used DC, standing for Diplomatic Corps. Numbers ending with D are used on diplomatic vehicles
In recent years, government, diplomatic, and public transport vehicles have sometimes been identified by different-coloured lettering on their number plates. Proposed national standards suggested red lettering for government vehicles, green for diplomatic vehicles and black for public transport.
- Government vehicles: Gaa+++ G Black on yellow
Example: GBC 123 G
- South African Police Service vehicles Baa+++ B Black on white/blue on white
- Defence force/ Military aaa+++ M Black on yellow
Example BCB 123 M
- Diplomatic vehicles +++(D or C or X or S) +++D [Old] (D or C or X or S) BBa +++ D Red (for D plates) or Green (for C, X and S plates) on White
Example C BBN 385 D
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You may also be interested in “Mountain passes built by Thomas Bain”
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See listings of “Bridges, tunnels and mountain passes”
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Map-making and the Mapping Museum
- Explore our Western Cape Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply for a new number plate in the Western Cape?
You can apply at your nearest traffic department. ( Find the contact numbers on Colourdots Towns and suburbs pages) Bring your ID, vehicle registration documents, and payment for fees.
2. Can I order personalised number plates?
Yes. Some traffic offices and authorised vendors offer personalised plates. Requirements and fees vary.
If you want to apply for a special number plate, you’ll need to complete and return the application form SLN1, along with a copy of your South African identity document. Email your application forms to tal.numberplates@westerncape.gov.za.
3. How long does it take to get a new number plate?
Typically, 3–10 working days, depending on stock availability and processing at the traffic office.
4. Can I replace a damaged or stolen number plate?
Yes. Visit your local traffic department with your ID and vehicle registration certificate to request a replacement.
5. What documents are needed for number plate registration?
You’ll need: ID or passport, vehicle registration certificate, proof of address, and payment for applicable fees.
6. Where do I go to pay number plate fees?
Fees can usually be paid at the traffic office, some municipal offices, or via authorised online portals.
7. Can I transfer number plates from one vehicle to another?
Yes, if the plates are still valid. Visit the traffic department with the registration documents of both vehicles.
8. Are there restrictions on number plate styles or colours?
Yes. South African plates must follow standard dimensions, font, and colour regulations. Custom designs must be approved.
9. Can I book a number plate appointment online?
Some traffic offices offer online booking. Check the provincial or municipal traffic department website.
10. What should I do if my number plate is lost or stolen?
Report it to the police immediately, then visit your local traffic department to request a replacement plate.
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