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Private/Passenger

Private/Passenger license plates
Since 1961: In July of each year, plates are revalidated by a metal plate in reversed colors from the base plate. It bears the serial (top), the letter "A" for private vehicles (center) and the year (bottom).

(A) 2015 plates were revalidated by a windshield sticker in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

(B) 2020 plates are valid until 2024.

Plate History

Non-Passenger/Other

Non-Passenger/Other license plates
* Bus allowed to pick up passengers anywhere. Used with "B" (Bus), "DT" (Diesel Truck) and "T" (Tourist) plates

Automobile Agency

Automobile Agency license plates

Bus

Bus license plates

Dealer

Dealer license plates

Diesel Truck

Diesel Truck license plates

ESSO Refinery and Lago Colony

ESSO Refinery and Lago Colony license plates
Lago Colony was a community on the eastern end of Aruba in an area now called Seroe Colorado. The colony served, for the most part, as a company town for Lago Oil and Transport Company, Ltd., which owned and operated a refinery on the island.

Lago Oil was a subsidiary of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), later known as Exxon Corporation.

At its peak, Lago Colony included about 700 homes for employees and their families and included a school, a hospital, a church, and a variety of social and recreational opportunities. Residents of the colony were mostly Americans but other nationalities were also represented.

The refinery, which began operating in 1924 as a trans-shipping facility for crude oil from Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela), was at one time the largest refinery complex in the world. The facility remained in operation until 1985 when Exxon moved to shut down and dismantle the refinery and Lago Colony. Parts of the facility were sold to the Aruban government and later to Coastal Petroleum. Though a much smaller operation today, Valero Energy Corporation now operates the refinery.

An undated license plate was issued to vehicles that did not go outside the concession.

Source: See (6) Credits

Garage, Repair

Garage, Repair license plates

Government

Government license plates

Hire

Hire license plates
1950's and 1960's only, now discontinued and replaced by "TX" (Taxi)

Motorcycle (Private)

Motorcycle (Private) license plates

Motorcycle (Official, Rental)

Motorcycle (Official, Rental) license plates

Rental

Rental license plates

Special Event

Special Event license plates

Taxi

Taxi license plates

Tourist

Tourist license plates

Truck

Truck license plates

Vanity

Vanity license plates

Jurisdiction Information

Map of Aruba
LocationCaribbean
CapitalOranjestad
Main ReligionChristianity
Main LanguagesDutch, Papiamento
Political StatusAutonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Full autonomy in internal affairs. The government of the Netherlands is responsible for defense and foreign affairs.
HistoryDutch since 1634
International Oval(none)
ISO CodeAW

Credits

Photo & data contributors
(1) Jim Fox/Greg Gibson(2) Mark O'Neil(3) Michiel van der Veur(4) Ephraim Martina(5) Tom Hondong(6) Briscoe Center for American History