a new format similar to the post-1994 italian and post-2009 french plate designs has been introduced since 16 february 2011. the plates start with a blue strip at the left with 'al' and redesigned double-headed eagle in white, 2 serial letters, security hologram, 3 digits, 2 serial letters on a rectangular white background, and end on the right with year of registration and regional code in white on a blue strip. it has been observed that the last two identification elements are de facto not included while the font is more emphasized than the post-2002 one. plates of all vehicles would experience a similar change. critics claim that the color of the double headed eagle and strip is not representative of red and black colors of the albanian flag.