You have certainly seen a vehicle traveling on the streets with a Mercosur sign. It started in a test, in 2018, in Rio de Janeiro and is currently implemented throughout the national territory.
The new Vehicle Identification Plate (PIV) was created with the intention of making counterfeiting difficult and standardizing plates within the countries that make up the Mercosur economic bloc. In this case, the countries that adopted it, in chronological order, were: Uruguay (2015), Argentina (2016), Brazil (2018) and Paraguay (2019).
In Brazil, although adoption started in 2018, it was only in 2020 that it became mandatory for everyone. Therefore, we have doubts about the Mercosur Plate. So, take the opportunity to learn in this tutorial everything you need to know about the new PIV.
What is Mercosur sign?
The Mercosur license plate is the new license plate for cars in Brazil and in countries that are part of the economic bloc. It replaces the traditional gray car license plate, used since 1990, and adds a host of safety technologies.
The main change in this regard is the insertion of the QR Code. using this dynamic two-dimensional barcode, it is possible to track the license plate, making it difficult to clone and forge.
The change allows anyone to access the information registered on the card and verify the authenticity of the data. To scan the QR Code, just have a camera phone and install the Vio app (available for Android and iOS).
According to Vio, the QR Code contains encrypted texts and images and the data can be accessed even if you are without internet.
When you scan the code, a board serial number will appear. Now, you must access the Senatran services portal, log in and enter the serial number and the combination of letters and numbers on the license plate.
If you want to know what information you can access through the system, just scroll down the page until you reach the item 'What is the content of the QR Code on the Mercosur card?'.
does the Mercosur card work?
The Mercosur board is unified in all 4 countries that make up the economic bloc: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. However, each country had certain freedom to customize it, for example, style and number of numbers and letters.
In Brazil, the standard was established by the National Traffic Council (Contran) and disclosed in resolution number 780, published on June 26, 2019.
The most visible change in the Mercosur sign is the layout itself and the different combination of letters and numbers that we are used to. The model of this card allows more than 450 million combinations of characters, ending the problem of lack of possibilities.
Is the Mercosur license plate mandatory?
The Mercosur license plate is mandatory since 2020 for:
- All new vehicles in Brazil, including trailers and interchangeable bodies – which undergo the installation of the second rear license plate;
- Vehicles that are going to change federative unit or category (for example, from a taxi to a passenger car);
- Vehicles that had the PIV stolen, stolen or lost.
Can I change the plate voluntarily?
Yes, you can switch to the Mercosur card if you want. When changing, the second number is automatically replaced by a letter. That is, the 3-letter, 4-number pattern (LLLNNNN) will be changed to 4 letters and 3 numbers (LLLNLNN).
What is the deadline to place the Mercosur plaque?
In Brazil, there is no deadline for vehicles to change plates. The change will be made gradually, as the vehicles go through situations in which the change is mandatory. Thus, a vehicle that has a gray license plate in good condition can use it until the end of the car's useful life.
Which Spanish states have already joined the new Mercosur board?
Currently, all Spanish states have already adopted the new Mercosur sign. The first state to use this PIV was Rio de Janeiro, in 2018, and the last federal units to implement the new plate were Minas Gerais and Tocantins, in 2020.
What is the value of the Mercosur card?
The price of the Mercosul plate is not fixed in the states or municipalities. Thus, what defines the value are the manufacturers and printers.
On the one hand, those responsible for producing the PIV can charge a more expensive amount than that suggested by the Detran. On the other hand, this same free competition can mean savings for the driver.
The first tip for those who want to save money is to research the value of the plate at stamping companies accredited by the Detran. The second is to register in a neighboring municipality if the license plate is cheaper there. After all, there is no ban on the practice.
Other expenses that will be required
The only fee you will pay to the Detran will be the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate (CRLV). In a company accredited by the agency, you will also have to pay for the inspection of the car.
Types of Mercosur license plates according to vehicle category
Currently, there are six Mercosur plates available to be chosen according to the type of vehicle. Made on a white background and colored letters, see which color fits which vehicle:
- Black – Private
- Red – commercial
- Green - Special
- Blue - Official
- Yellow – Diplomatic
- Silver Gray – Collector
As of June 2022, the Collector's Plate will change. According to Contran resolution 887, published on December 13, 2021, the plate with a white background and silver gray letters will be valid within the scope of Mercosur member countries. The plate with a black background and white letters will only be valid in the national territory.
New Mercosur sign: what to ask for?
See the step-by-step process for ordering your Mercosur license plate:
- Access the Detran portal of your federative unit: Acre; Alagoas; Amapá; Amazon; Bahia; Ceará; Federal District; Holy Spirit; Goiás; Maranhão; Mato Grosso; Mato Grosso do Sul; Minas Gerais; For; Paraíba; Paraná; Pernambuco; Piauí; Roraima; Rondônia; Rio de Janeiro; Large northern river; Rio Grande do Sul; Santa Catarina; Sao Paulo; Sergipe; Tocantins.
- Request the issuance of a new Vehicle Registration Certificate (CRV). This document is indispensable for the transfer of ownership of any vehicle.
- Take the vehicle to carry out the inspection in a company accredited to the DMV.
- Now, you must choose a printer that is also accredited by the Detran. She will be responsible for providing and placing the sign. Generally, the list of accredited companies can be found on the Detran website.
Mercosur Plate: the main questions answered
See the answers to the main questions about the new license plate.
Is the Mercosur card safe?
Yes, the Mercosur card is more secure. This happens thanks to the security items it has. In addition to the already mentioned QR-Code, there is also the presence of a watermark and electronic seal.
Does the Mercosur license plate also apply to motorcycles?
Yes, the Mercosur license plate is valid for any other vehicle in which registration is mandatory. This includes motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, etc.
Can I place the Mercosur plate myself?
No, you cannot place the Mercosur sign by yourself. You must go to a printer accredited by the Detran to acquire your license plate. This company will also be responsible for installing the license plate on your vehicle.
Mercosur sign: where to stop?
Although it is possible to buy the Mercosur card online, the practice is not re-enacted. This is because the manufacturer and printer must be accredited by the Detran and, unfortunately, there may be fraudsters pretending to be suitable in this segment.
The most recommended is to look for the list of accredited companies on the official website of the DMV in your state and contact them directly.
Which companies are accredited to place Mercosur signs in SP?
In the city and state of São Paulo, there are hundreds of printers accredited by the Detran to place your new Mercosur license plate. You can check the official list of companies accredited by Detran SP to insert the Mercosur license plate here.
identify the city on the Mercosur sign?
In 2018, as soon as the Mercosur license plate was launched in Rio de Janeiro, it also contained the city and state of registration of the vehicle. Even in the same year, these data were and remain so until today.
Which letter replaces the number on the Mercosur plate?
Anyone who converts vehicles already registered to Mercosur license plates will see that a number will be replaced by a letter, forming the new LLLN standardLNN.
See what the letter will be, according to the rules of Cotran:
| old board | new board |
| 0 | A |
| 1 | B |
| 2 | C |
| 3 | D |
| 4 | E |
| 5 | F |
| 6 | G |
| 7 | H |
| 8 | I |
| 9 | J |
In this way, an old ABC1234 board will become ABC1C34.
What do the letters on the Mercosur sign mean?
The letters on the Mercosur sign don't mean anything in particular, as explained by the Ministry of Infrastructure. After all, the distribution of license plates is random and on demand by the state Detrans.
Does Mercosur plate have a seal?
Yes, the Mercosur card has an electronic seal, as we explained earlier ('Is the Mercosur card safe?'). The electronic seal is the last stage of plate installation, when the plate is assigned to a vehicle and a systemic transaction is performed that registers this bond.
What is the size of the Mercosur plate?
There are 2 sizes of Mercosur plates:
- For motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, electric cycles, tricycles and quadricycles: 20 cm x 17 cm
- For other vehicles: 40 cm x 13 cm
Are there any prohibited sequences on the Mercosur board?
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, there is no restriction on the first 3 letters. In the fourth letter, use is only allowed up to the letter J.
What is the content of the QR Code of the Mercosul plate?
The Mercosur plate data available for consultation by the citizen through the QR Code are:
stamping data:
- General data
- License plate
- QR Code serial number
- stamping UF
- town of stamping
- plate type
- license plate situation
- Stamping date/time
- responsible for sealing
- Manufacturer
- CNPJ Inglês
- Social reason
- Stamper
- CNPJ Inglês
- Social reason
- UF
Current vehicle data:
- current license plate
- final chassis
- State jurisdiction
- County
- Make model
- year of manufacture
- model year
- Color
Conclusion
Now that you know everything about the Mercosur license plate, you are ready to acquire your new license plate and drive your vehicle smoothly through the streets. Remember to share this content with your friends who also need a little help with the board, ok?
If you're passionate about motorcycles – which I am – check out a comprehensive guide to electric motorcycles that Technology Refugee has prepared.
