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Why are the plates red?

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6.7K views 22 replies 19 participants last post by  nquery  
#1 ·
In Lisbon on the way to Gothenburg. Hopefully we make the connection in Belgium. Never seen red plates. Why are the osd plates red? Ps it’s a pain to fly out from Lisbon. I would have skipped it but Lisbon was nice to visit.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Never seen red plates. Why are the osd plates red?
Because they are limited-purpose plates, sometimes referred to as "transfer plates." Their primary purpose is to allow cars to be lawfully driven on public roads during transfer from factory to dealer. For example, from one ship in a port to another, or from port customs to manufacturer's port prep facility. US-bound Volvos are transferred from the FDC to a ship in the port at Gothenburg. Then they are transferred again at the ports of Southhampton or Zeebrugge, Belgium, to transatlantic ships. I believe the west coast-bound cars are transferred again, at an East Coast US port, to a ship capable of negotiating the Panama Canal.
 
#7 ·
Our V60 was on the same ship from Zeebrugge to Port Hueneme in Ca. Dropped off in Antwerp and trucked (I think) back to Zeebrugge. After Zeebrugge ship stopped in Antwerp:)mad:) Southampton, Baltimore through the canal & Port Hueneme. I'll bet the logistics of loading cars in the correct order for unloading and keeping the ship balanced are quite extensive
 
#5 · (Edited)
Funny......

A friend of mine on an OSD adventure got lost out in the Swedish countryside. A nearby farmer strolled up to his XC90 and asked...."where are you going"? After hearing his reply, the farmer, without blinking an eye, says "well, you're up sh_ts creek!"..........sooooo funny!!! Had to share that story Glen!!!
 
#9 ·
seriously?

On another OSD thread that mentioned that red plates aren't supposed to be used for tourism, but only to transfer a car to a port or a dealership, and said that they had experienced warnings at borders between countries (presumably EU/non-EU borders), I expressed my curiosity as to why Volvo would allow the use of red plates for OSD tourism travel if it's technically illegal.
 
#11 ·
#12 ·
In most European countries red plates are / were traditionally used for CD (Corps Diplomatique). As such I actually didn't want these on my first OSD (as they definitely stand out).

Since most FDC OSD cars are NOT Eu spec cars Sweden uses the temporary plates (white letters on red background). Cars with these registrations must be exported; the temp plates and registration are free from the normal taxes that residents have to pay.
 
#16 ·
In most European countries red plates are / were traditionally used for CD (Corps Diplomatique). As such I actually didn't want these on my first OSD (as they definitely stand out).

Since most FDC OSD cars are NOT Eu spec cars Sweden uses the temporary plates (white letters on red background). Cars with these registrations must be exported; the temp plates and registration are free from the normal taxes that residents have to pay.
A friend who was career Navy was stationed in Belgium with NATO for a time in the late 80's. Their cars (one compact purchased there, another big Ford van that was shipped with them by the military) were issued white-on-red plates when Belgium's normal ones were red-on-white.

He observed during times of political tension driving vehicles with red plates distinctly labelled the occupants as non-native and very likely American military, which produced some anxiety in certain neighborhoods.
 
#13 ·
Just got my car today and the local dealer said some people affix these plates to their car permanently (in the USA) as a fun novelty thing, but not all police are cool with it. I think I'll probably just put it on my garage cabinet or something but I found that sort of a funny thing to say.
 
#14 ·
I've seen a few OSD cars around the greater Seattle area with the red plates mounted under the Washington state plate. Seems the cops around here don't care about the red plates, so my V90 still has one red plate mounted. The other is over my toolbox mounted next to one of my ex Ducati plates...DUCBIL.

Cheers!
Bill