The indicator

License plates make it possible to identify a vehicle in road traffic.

They must therefore always be legible, clean and placed in the appropriate places. In addition, the rear license plate must be illuminated in the dark.

Indicators provide information:

  • national origin
  • the registration district and the federal state
  • the date of the next general inspection
  • the valid approval

[Translate to English:] Welche Kennzeichen gibt es?

[Translate to English:]

Du warst auf der Autobahn unterwegs und darüber nachgedacht, welche Buchstaben-Kombination auf den Kennzeichen für welchen Ort in Deutschland steht? Eine Übersicht zu den Kennzeichen aller Städte und Gemeinden in Deutschland haben wir hier für dich verlinkt. 

Einen Überlick über die verschiedenen Arten von Kennzeichen - von Saisonkennzeichen bis Kurzzeit-Kennzeichen - kannst du dir verschaffen, wenn du dich durch die Gallerie klickst. 

License plate number
License plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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License plate number:
They make it possible to identify a vehicle in road traffic. The "number" is assigned by the accreditation body. Their design and shaping is mandatory.
Interchangeable plate number
Interchangeable plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Interchangeable plate number:
Since 2012 you can apply for the change license plate. You can have two cars with the same license plate. The small right part of the license plate remains fixed to the vehicle while you change the large part.
Seasonal plate number
Seasonal plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Seasonal plate number:
For vehicles that are not operated throughout the year, you can apply for a seasonal license plate. You decide for yourself for which period (at least two and at most eleven months) the season indicator is to apply.
Historical plate number
Historical plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Historical plate number:
A vehicle registered for the first time 30 years or more ago may, upon request, be assigned a historical registration number. The vehicle will then be taxed at a flat rate.
Green plate number
Green plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Green plate number:
Vehicles that are exempt from motor vehicle tax, e.g. working machines, receive green license plates.
Red plate number
Red plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Short-term plate number
Short-term plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Short-term plate number:
Short-term plate numbers lose their validity simply because they expire (expiration date in yellow field). They are allocated on request if you wish to make a test drive or transfer within the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany with a non-registered vehicle.
Export plate number
Export plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Export plate number:
These licence plates are used for the export abroad of vehicles no longer registered with their own motive power.
Insurance plate number
Insurance plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Insurance plate number:
Small motorcycles, light motor vehicles, mopeds or patient elevators which do not bear a registration number but are subject to insurance require an insurance plate number.
Electrical plate number
Electrical plate number © Verlag Heinrich Vogel
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Electrical plate number:
This is the registration number for electrically operated vehicles.

What do the respective license plates mean?

Since the year 2012 you can apply for a so-called change number plate. This makes it possible to register two cars with the same number plate. In some cases, motor insurers offer special conditions for this procedure.
The small, separate part, on the right side, of the license plate remains firmly on the vehicle, while you change the large part, depending on which car you want to drive. 
It goes without saying that the car "without" license plates is not allowed to drive on public roads, but must be parked in your yard, garage or similar.

For vehicles that are not operated all year round, you can apply for a seasonal license plate. You decide for yourself for which period - at least two and at most eleven months - the seasonal license plate should be valid. It is valid from the first day of the above month until the last day of the month below. The season license plate saves you the otherwise necessary annual registration and deregistration of the vehicle and the associated costs.

A vehicle registered for the first time 30 years or more ago may, upon request, be assigned a historical registration number. The vehicle will then be taxed at a flat rate.

Vehicles that are exempt from motor vehicle tax, e.g. working machines, receive green license plates.

Red number plates are used by motor vehicle manufacturers with non-approved motor vehicles for

  • test runs
  • ferry crossings
  • test drives

Short-term license plates lose their validity merely because of the passage of time (see expiration date in the yellow field on the right). They are allocated on request if you wish to make a test drive or transfer within the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany with a non-registered vehicle.

These licence plates are used for the export abroad of vehicles no longer registered with their own motive power.

Small motorcycles, light motor vehicles, mopeds or patient elevators which do not have a registration number but are subject to insurance require an insurance number plate. It shall apply for one year from 1 March in each case.

In the case of a custom license plate, you can influence your "number" against payment in order to personalize the license plate. Please note that some combinations of letters or numbers are prohibited in Germany. A list can be found under Spiegel Online.

Driving school sign on car roof

Find your driving school

But before you start looking for your first own car, you can first search for the perfect driving school that will make you fit for traffic.
 

Find a driving school