Truth about bizarre number plates causing confusion on Aussie streets

They look a bit like they shouldn't be there. But in fact, they serve an important purpose.

Number plates in Melbourne sporting the St Edward's Crown.
Curious plates were spotted on a BMW in Melbourne. But what do they mean? Source: Reddit

A curious set of number plates spotted on a vehicle passing through a busy east coast shopping district has left locals stumped.

The plates, photographed in Melbourne's CBD, are attached to a white BMV SUV, but show no numbers or letters, and instead only feature a single crown on the front and rear.

"Anyone know what this plate means?" a confused local wrote online, sharing the image.

Unsurprisingly, people were quick to flock to the comments with sarcastic responses. "It means get out of the way, peasants," one person joked. "It means I'm kind of a big deal," quipped a second.

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But eventually, it was determined the plates are in fact legitimate and serve an important purpose. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokeswoman for VicRoads, the state's transport division, revealed the plates reflect the presence of high-ranking dignitaries.

They are in place on vehicles driven by important members of the Commonwealth, such as the Governor-General and State Governors. It might seem like an odd tradition to some, but it goes back decades and typically reflects the driver's vice-regal status, representing the British monarchy in Australia.

The crown on the number plate signifies the vehicle's official government use and the occupant’s role as the monarch’s representative. It serves as a symbol of authority, similar to how royal insignia are used on official government documents, seals, and uniforms.

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The number plates are typically unique, often displaying just the St Edward's Crown (the same crown used in official Commonwealth emblems) and sometimes a simple number for example a "1" for the Governor-General's car.

The exact start date is unclear, but this practice likely dates back to the early 20th century, aligning with Australia's Federation in 1901 and the establishment of the Governor-General's role.

The tradition follows British and Commonwealth vice-regal customs, where royal representatives are given distinct identifiers, such as special flags and licence plates, to mark their official capacity.

In recent times, we've also seen plates that have been unlawfully painted or drawn on, sets that you have to read upside down to discover the "naughty" hidden meaning, plates that reference Australia's quintessential dry humour and some that take a darker tone.

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