Vehicle registration plates of Germany

Germany
German number plate, current format (FE-style)
CountryGermany
Country codeD
Current series
Size520 mm × 110 mm
20+12 in × 4+38 in
Serial formatNot standard (max 8 characters)
Colour (front)Black on white
Colour (rear)Black on white
Introduced1956
History
First issued1906
1-letter area code Z for Zwickau
2-letter area code TR for Trier
3-letter area code CUX for Cuxhaven

Vehicle registration plates (German: Kraftfahrzeug-Kennzeichen or, more colloquially, Nummernschilder) are mandatory alphanumeric plates used to display the registration mark of a vehicle registered in Germany. They have existed in the country since 1906, with the current system in use since 1956. German registration plates are alphanumeric plates in a standardised format, issued officially by the district authorities.[1][2]

All motorised vehicles participating in road traffic on public space, whether moving or stationary, have to bear the plates allotted to them, displayed at the appropriate spaces at the front and rear. Additionally, the official seals on the plates show their validity which can also be proven by the documentation coming with them. Motorcycles and trailers carry only a rear plate.

A significant feature of German vehicle registration plates is the area code, which can be used to tell the district of registration. It has developed into a widespread habit in Germany, even a children's game when travelling, to guess "where that vehicle is from".[3][4]

  1. ^ "BMDV - Überblick über die Kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen". bmdv.bund.de. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Strassenverkehrsamt.de | STVA". www.strassenverkehrsamt.de. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Alle Autokennzeichen in Deutschland". bussgeldkatalog.org (in German). 18 November 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Auto Quiz: Kfz Kennzeichen raten" [Guess Car Plates]. Geo-Quiz (in German). Retrieved 30 December 2020.