PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) has unveiled its financial achievements for the year 2025, revealing a strong performance in non-tax revenue collection. According to the annual report presented on February 5, 2026, by Minister H.E. Peng Ponea, the Ministry collected approximately $11.9 million USD from standard registration services and general license plate sales alone.
Revenue Breakdown: Registrations and Standard Plates
During the annual review meeting attended by over 500 officials, the Ministry detailed the specific income streams that contributed to the national budget in 2025:
- Standard License Plate Sales: Generated 26,655 million Riel.
- Vehicle & Watercraft Registration: Services for registering cars, motorcycles, and boats brought in 21,343 million Riel.
- Combined Total: These two categories alone totaled approximately $11.9 million USD.
It is important to note that this figure is separate from the high-value revenue generated by “Special” and “Personalized” license plates, which commanded even higher market interest.
The Demand for Special and Personalized Branding
The report highlighted a significant trend: Cambodians are increasingly willing to pay a premium for unique vehicle identifiers. In 2025:
- Special License Plates: 38,167 units were registered, earning the state 53,217 million Riel.
- Personalized License Plates: Despite a lower volume of 18,214 units, this category generated a staggering 64,207 million Riel, proving the high value of custom branding (including 8,308 motorcycles and 9,906 cars).
2025 Registration Milestones at a Glance
The year 2025 was a record-breaking period for vehicle volume in the Kingdom:
- Total New Registrations: 522,455 units (429,353 motorcycles and 93,102 cars/trucks).
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption: A historic 7,971 EVs were registered, signaling a successful shift toward green transport.
- Total Custom Plates: 56,381 vehicles were fitted with either special or personalized plates.
Driving Digital Efficiency
The successful collection of these funds is attributed to the Ministry’s automated digital platforms. By simplifying the process for citizens to register vehicles and purchase plates online, the MPWT has not only increased transparency but also significantly boosted the Royal Government’s revenue. This financial success provides the necessary capital to continue modernizing Cambodia’s road networks and public infrastructure, supporting the nation’s ongoing economic growth.
FAQ: Vehicle Registration Revenue 2025
No. The $11.9 million refers specifically to standard license plate sales and the registration fees for vehicles and watercraft. The revenue from Special and Personalized plates is additional, totaling over 117 billion Riel (approx. $28.6 million).
The MPWT is responsible for all public works and transport, which includes managing the registration of boats and ships to ensure maritime safety and legal compliance on Cambodia’s waterways.
The revenue is directed into the national budget, where it is used to fund infrastructure maintenance, road safety initiatives, and the development of new digital public services.