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Vehicle license plates; information
The vehicle registration number (vehicle license plate), also known colloquially as the license plate, is assigned to the vehicle by the registration authority (vehicle registration office).
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Landratsamt Würzburg
Street address
Zeppelinstraße 15
97074 Würzburg
Postal address
97067 Würzburg
Phone
Website
Opening hours
Standort im BayernAtlas
Route planner
Timetable for public transport
Procedure details
Description
The vehicle registration number consists of a distinguishing sign for the administrative district and an identification number. Vehicles belonging to federal and state authorities, the diplomatic corps and privileged international organizations are given special license plates.
The registration number can be written in the registration certificate with or without a hyphen. Both spellings are equally valid.
The distinguishing marks and identification numbers are applied to a license plate with black lettering on a white background with a black border ("normal" license plates).
The license plates must not be mirrored, covered or dirty. Furthermore, they may not be additionally covered with glass, foil or similar coverings. License plates must be reflective and bear the inspection and monitoring symbol with the corresponding registration number on the front.
The dimensions of the license plates are as follows
- single-line license plates: Maximum width: 520 mm, height: 110 mm,
- two-line license plates: Maximum width: 340 mm, for two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles 280 mm, height: 200 mm,
- Motorcycle license plates: Minimum/maximum width: 180 mm/220 mm, height: 200 mm and
- reduced two-line license plates: Maximum width: 255 mm, height: 130 mm.
Reduced two-line license plates are only intended for light motorcycles, as well as for lof tractors according to Directive 2003/37/EC or according to Regulation (EU) 167/2013 and their trailers. So-called quads do not receive reduced license plates, as they do not comply with Directive 2003/37/EC or Regulation (EU) 167/2013 even if they are coded as lof tractors.
License plates must be firmly attached to the front and rear of the motor vehicle. For single-axle tractors, the license plate on the front is sufficient, for trailers and motorcycles on the rear. Rear license plates must be illuminated.
Further information on special license plates (e.g. classic car license plates, short-term license plates, seasonal license plates, insurance license plates, interchangeable license plates, export license plates, red and green license plates) can be found under "Related topics".
Legal bases
Related issues
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Motor vehicle; application for deregistrationThe registration of a motor vehicle can be interrupted if it is taken out of service.
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Motor vehicle; application for new registrationYou must register motor vehicles to operate them on public roads. This is done for reasons of road safety and to collect vehicle tax, as well as to be able to identify the owner or driver.
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Motor vehicle; application for transfer or re-registrationIn the event of a change of keeper due to sale, inheritance, gift, etc., change of residence or registered office or after decommissioning, the vehicle must be transferred to its new keeper or re-registered in the name of the previous keeper or the keeper data must be corrected.
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Motor vehicle; application for national individual type approval
For vehicles that are subject to type approval and for which no type approval or general operating permit (ABE) is available, the operating permit must be issued by the registration authority before the vehicle is put into operation for the first time.
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Motor vehicle; information on vehicle registration
With a few exceptions, motor vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than six kilometers per hour and their trailers must have an official license plate as soon as they are used on public roads.
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Vehicle license plates; application for an export license plateIf you wish to export a vehicle previously registered in Germany or a vehicle that is not registered or has been taken out of service, you will need an export license plate.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for an e-license plate
With the e-license plate, you can use specially marked parking spaces or drive on streets approved for this purpose. The vehicle must be a purely electric vehicle or meet special requirements as a hybrid vehicle.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for a replacement in the event of theft, loss or illegibilityIf you have lost your vehicle's license plate, it has been stolen or it is illegible, you must apply for a new license plate.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for a green license plate
Green license plates are issued for tax-exempt vehicles.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for a short-term license plateTest drives and transfer journeys with motor vehicles can be carried out with short-term license plates.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for a classic car license plateHistoric vehicles are becoming more and more popular. But how do you get your beloved classic cars on the road? How this is done depends on the intended use and the number of vehicles.
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Vehicle license plates; application for a red license plate for test and transfer drivesTest drives and transfer journeys with motor vehicles can be carried out with red license plates.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for a seasonal license plateSome vehicles are often only driven on public roads for a certain period of the year. If this period remains unchanged every year, e.g. from April to October, it may be advisable to register the vehicle with a seasonal license plate.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for an interchangeable license plateUnder certain conditions, two vehicles can be registered with one license plate.
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Vehicle license plates; applying for and reserving a desired license plateWould you like a specific combination of letters or numbers for your license plate, e.g. your initials, the abbreviation of your company or your date of birth or even the license plates of a previous registration district?
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Vehicle license plates; obtaining an insurance license plate for small vehicles
Certain smaller motor vehicles do not require registration to be used on public roads, but only an operating license and an insurance plate.
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License plates; notification in the event of theft, loss or discovery
If you have lost one or both of your vehicle's license plates, if they have been stolen or if they are no longer legible, a new license plate must be issued.
Status: 16.07.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wohnen, Bau und Verkehr
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