Bahrain Lost Number Plate: Report and Replacement Steps

If the plate is lost or stolen

1. Attend a police station in person and request a vehicle registration plate loss report.
2. Take the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle ownership certificate. A company vehicle also needs an authorisation letter.
3. Complete the official GDT Vehicle Licensing Division form and select the replacement service.
4. Visit GDT Vehicle Licensing or an external service centre, clear any blocking fines or accident records, and pay the plate fee.
5. Collect the metal plate from Bahrain Logistics Company when instructed.

The police loss-report service takes one working day. The GDT replacement-plate service also publishes a one-working-day process time.

If the plate is damaged but still in your possession

Keep the damaged plate. The official replacement service requires old plates to be returned when the request is for damage. Bahrain also publishes an online Replacement of Damaged Plate Numbers Request inside General Directorate of Traffic Services.

The online damaged-plate manual lists additional business rules, including no active replacement request, a valid or precautionary-hold vehicle status, and valid residency for a foreign applicant. Follow the rules shown for your record when the service opens.

What you need

• Valid ID card of the vehicle owner.
• The official vehicle licensing form, completed and signed by the owner.
• Vehicle ownership certificate for the police loss report and to identify the vehicle.
• For a company: CR copy, company-stamped form, and a letter signed by the authorised person.
• The damaged plate, when the replacement is for damage.

The vehicle registration must be valid, and fines, contraventions and accidents must be cleared. The official page also requires payment of the applicable fee.

How to request the replacement plate

1. Document the loss

For a missing plate, use the Police Directorate's official Loss report service. It specifically includes a vehicle registration plate loss report. Attend the station with the owner's ID and ownership certificate. Keep the report for the GDT visit even though the replacement service's public attachment list does not separately name it.

2. Complete the GDT form

Use the official bilingual Vehicle Licensing Division form. Select Replacement Copy, enter the owner and vehicle details, and sign in the owner section. Do not publish or message a completed form without hiding the CPR, address, phone, chassis and plate details.

3. Visit the service centre

Go to the GDT Vehicle Licensing Division or an external service centre. The officer checks the documents, vehicle status and conditions. Return the old plate if the replacement is for damage.

4. Pay the correct plate fee

The amount depends on the plate category and whether one or more metal plates are issued. Pay by debit card, credit card or cash through a TAM kiosk, as offered by the official service.

5. Collect the replacement

The official process directs applicants to collect the metal plate from Bahrain Logistics Company. Keep the receipt and collection instruction.

Official plate fees and timing

The service page gives an overall range of BHD 3.5 to BHD 24 according to plate type. A two-plate issue can therefore differ from the single-copy figures. The published replacement process time is one working day.

Before driving the vehicle again

Do not treat a police report or payment receipt as a replacement plate. Confirm with GDT when and how the vehicle may be moved, and fit the issued plate securely before normal road use. Keep the loss report and replacement receipt in case the missing plate is later found or misused.

If registration renewal is also due, use the vehicle registration renewal guide. If the ownership certificate is missing too, the separate lost or damaged vehicle ownership service charges BHD 10.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a police report for a lost Bahrain plate?

Bahrain's official Loss report service explicitly covers vehicle registration plate loss. Report the loss in person and retain the report for the GDT process.

What if only one of two plates is missing?

Report exactly what is missing and let GDT determine the metal-plate issue required for your category. Do not order or fit an unofficial copy.

Can I replace a damaged plate online?

The GDT services portal publishes a Replacement of Damaged Plate Numbers Request. Return the damaged plate and follow the eligibility rules shown for your record.

Is plate replacement the same as buying the number?

No. Replacement reissues a lost or damaged metal plate. Plate-number ownership, reservation and transfer are separate services.