For whom are interchangeable license plates useful?

If you have two cars, but only drive one at a time, you can save yourself a license plate and use an interchangeable license plate instead. This does not save on vehicle tax, but insurers take into account that only one of the two cars is driven at a time. This option is interesting for all those who own a motorhome, a convertible for the summer months or perhaps a classic car.

1. How many cars are allowed to share an interchangeable license plate?

Two vehicles can be registered on an interchangeable license plate. However, both vehicles must belong to the same EU vehicle class. This means that a car cannot share an interchangeable license plate with a trailer because they do not belong to the same class. Two motorcycles, on the other hand, can share a license plate.

2. Can a car share an interchangeable license plate with a motorcycle?

No, since cars and motorcycles belong to different vehicle classes, this is not possible. However, an interchangeable license plate can be applied for for a car and a classic car, a car and a motorhome or a motorcycle and a light motorcycle.

3. Which vehicles get the interchangeable license plate?

The license plates are issued for the following EU vehicle categories:

• M 1 (= cars up to 8 people + driver and motorhomes),
• L (= motorcycles) and
• Ø 1 (= trailer with a total weight of up to 750 kg).

These are vehicles that are usually used privately. In addition, classic cars that have a so-called "H license plate" can also be registered with an interchangeable license plate. An "H license plate" stands for historic and is awarded to motor vehicles that were first registered at least 30 years ago and are largely in their original condition (or professionally restored).

For seasonal license plates, red license plates, short-term license plates or export license plates, on the other hand, no interchangeable license plates may be assigned.

4. How are vehicles with such license plates insured?

Of course, insurance companies also offer car insurance for interchangeable number plates. Both vehicles must have their own insurance; for such interchangeable license plate fleets, insurance companies often offer their own insurance rates for each company, which take into account that both vehicles are not used at the same time. In Germany, how much a vehicle is used is sometimes already included in other tariff characteristics – such as the mileage or the type class.

5. What must be considered for admission?

The electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) required for the registration of a vehicle must be suitable for interchangeable license plates. Therefore, you should check with your insurer whether your eVB is valid for such a number plate if you have not received it expressly for an interchangeable number plate. A separate eVB is required for each vehicle in the swap fleet.

6. What does the license plate look like?

The interchangeable number plate consists of two parts: a part that is permanently attached to the vehicle and an interchangeable part that is common to both vehicles. This must be attached to the vehicle used in public traffic areas. Only both components together result in a complete interchangeable license plate.

7. Are vehicles registered with such a license plate allowed to be driven at the same time?

No, only the vehicle with the complete interchangeable license plate may be driven. Vehicles without complete interchangeable license plates are not allowed to actively participate in public road traffic. They must be parked on a private property or in a garage.

8. What happens if you are driving a vehicle with an incomplete interchangeable number plate and are involved in an accident?

If a driver causes an accident with a vehicle without an entire interchangeable license plate, this means a breach of duty in motor vehicle liability insurance. In this case, the insurer can reclaim the damage expenses up to the amount of 5,000 euros from the responsible driver/owner. However, the accident victim will of course be compensated in full.

9. Are there any fines or points if you drive a vehicle without an entire interchangeable license plate in the traffic area?

Yes, the prohibited operation of a vehicle without a complete interchangeable number plate is punishable by a fine of 50 euros and a point in Flensburg. If such a vehicle is only parked on a public road, the standard rate of the catalogue of fines is 40 euros plus one point.

10. How much does an interchangeable license plate cost?

Each registration application incurs one-time administrative fees of around 65 euros at the vehicle registration office. In addition, there are the costs for the production of the two signs, which are around 20 to 40 euros, depending on the provider.