Abu Dhabi Police's Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department has announced the issuance of five new categories of vehicle number plates in the emirate.

This includes four categories that will replace the old number plates, which have red, blue, grey and green colours.

The new number plates will be distributed to licensing services centres in Abu Dhabi, Western Region and Al Ain.

Colonel Mohammed Maiouf Al Ketbi, Director of Abu Dhabi's Vehicles and Drivers Licensing, said the issuance of the new categories will be in the framework of a developmental strategy that aims to unify the shapes of vehicle number plates in Abu Dhabi and make them in line with most modern global specifications and standards.

In addition, the strategy aims to make the plates distinctive in terms of aesthetic aspects, clarify numbers and introduce security characteristics that protect them from robbery and forgery.

That will enhance security, protect the properties of individuals and give an opportunity for future planning to ensure the accommodation of growing numbers of cars in the long run without obstacles, as the digital categories, unlike the old colour types, allow a wide accommodation capacity.

He added that the old plates will be replaced with the new categories.

The red plates will be replaced with the fourth category, blue plates will be replaced with the seventh category, grey plates will be replaced with the eighth category and green plates will be replaced with the ninth category.

While the department did not reveal when the replacement of old plates will start, it confirmed this move serves the public interest in the medium and long term.