For years, there was no clear regulation as to which specific attachment option should be used to attach the license plate to the vehicle. That is why countless vehicle owners used options such as using Velcro or magnet. But now the concrete fastening method fixed. While using one's initials, date of birth (License plates) are further allowed and also the external appearance (Carbon look, Engschrift etc.) can still be designed individually, this no longer applies to the attachment.
Update 15.03.2023: at the end of the post
But now it has been determined that an alternative attachment using Velcro, magnet or suction cup not enough. In a traffic sheet announcement published on February 15, 2023, under the Section 10 paragraph 5 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinancethat number plates firmly attached have to be. This means that they must be attached in such a way that they can only be removed with great mechanical effort or special tools. This means that magnets, for example, are no longer permitted unless they have their own approval. At least that's our opinion.
What if the attachment is insufficient?
Then it can be counted as an offence. This will result in a fine of at least €60. In some cases, further travel may even be prohibited. There is a possibility that the Continuation solange is prohibited, until the License plate "fixed" mounted are. Whether the officials or the general inspection inspector even check how the license plates are attached to the vehicle is a completely different topic!
There is a Update on the subject:
Due to many inquiries, we have now dealt with the topic in more detail. In fact, in our opinion, it is that up-to-date save change in regulation has taken place. It is still only pointed out that "License plates must be present and firmly attached to the front and rear of the motor vehicle". The interpretation, "which means solid", is still, in our opinion, an undefined legal term, which, however, can also be interpreted in such a way that attachment with just a magnet is not permitted. However, a change is planned for September 2023. So before a new regulation comes into force, the current version continues to apply.
In the systematic context of Section 10 (5) sentence 2 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance, the following question remains unanswered: Citation - In the case of variable license plates within the meaning of Section 8 Paragraph 1a, the common license plate part and the vehicle-related part must each be permanently attached.
- In our opinion, this can now be interpreted in such a way that a number plate that can be changed quickly is also firmly attached as long as it lasts, even if it can be changed quickly. Alternatively, it can be interpreted in such a way that a license plate that is actually intended to be changed quickly must be attached using tools / license plate frames / screws etc.
We are currently of the opinion that the regulation is too vague! And that could probably remain so in the future, because after a first review (Page 31 of the new PDF shows the draft § 12 Para. 6 FZV, which will in future prescribe how the attachment has to look like, justification on page 301) only seems to regulate how the angle and the size of the license plates should look in relation to certain vehicle classes. To have the type of attachment with regard to screws, magnets or velcro we can't find anything!
This post is not legal advice! It only reflects our experience/assessment with this topic!
Maria Holler
Maria Holler - Maria has been contributing her expertise in the area of "Laws & Legal" to tuningblog.eu since 2014. As a lawyer with a passion for the automotive world, she combines her specialist knowledge with her interest in tuning and vehicle adaptations. She ensures that readers are always informed about the latest legal framework. In her free time, she is intensively involved with legal regulations in road traffic, which makes her an indispensable resource for the tuning community.
