Purpose and Function: Diplomatic License Plates are used on vehicles which are owned or used by Embassies and Consulates. They are issued by the U.S. State Department Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) and allow diplomats to drive in the United States without having to obtain a US Driver's License and in some cases a vehicle approved for use on American roads.

Rank and Diplomatic Status: In Diplomacy, some members of a Diplomatic mission have lower status and thus lower immunity and protections, these individuals are issued license plates by the State Department as well however they look different.

Diplomat: OFM plates issued with the title "Diplomat" are given to representatives of Foreign Embassies. These individuals have the highest diplomatic rank and immunity protections. The majority of these license plates remain in Washington DC.

Consul: OFM plates which read "Consul" are given to individuals with Consular status. Consul's do not directly represent an Embassy, but they do represent their respective nation at a Consulate. They have some diplomatic immunity.

Staff: OFM issues license plates to vehicles used by the Staff who work at foreign embassies and consulates. These license plates look similar to the other two, however have no title written on them. These individuals usually haven no diplomatic immunity and protections and are subject to the same laws as the rest of the motoring public.

Abuse: The U.S. State Department issued a manual to Police Departments which may come into contact with vehicles using these license plates. They specifically outline the protections given to individuals using them. It was once a frequent occurrence where diplomats were pulled over for traffic violations and police officers were unaware of diplomatic immunity. Because Diplomatic Immunity is covered under International Law, and the complex nature surrounding it Police Officers are unlikely to pull over or ticket vehicles using OFM License Plates. This has led to a abuse in some cities where, Diplomats have been found parking in handicap spaces, in front of fire hydrants and in tow away zones. Some have even been found to disregard common moving violations such as running red lights and speeding. An Officer reporting abuse of OFM plates could very well be putting his/her career on the line. Diplomatic Immunity can be revoked and Diplomats can be sent back to their home countries for abusing this privilege but it is often a long process that requires a joint inquiry by a Police Department and the OFM.

Vehicle Immunity: Sometimes Diplomats bring over their personal cars from their home country for use here in the US. These vehicles because they were not built to US specifications are not allowed for import by US citizens but are allowed to be used if attached to a person with immunity.