License plates

Verified 20 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The registration plate shall be a plate bearing the registration number of a vehicle. It identifies a vehicle and its owner. A motor vehicle shall have 1 or 2 number plates approved and visibly affixed to the vehicle. We're doing an update on the regulations.

The plate must be placed visible manner. It must not be detachable.

It bears the number which is inscribed on the certificate of registration (previously called carte grise) or on the provisional certificate of registration (PIC).

The plate shall conform to a model approved. The approval number shall be included.

The plate must comply with rules on the size and arrangement of the elements constituting it. These rules concern in particular the height, the spacing of letters and numbers and the shape of dashes.

The registration number can be arranged on 1 or 2 lines.

The plate must remain in good condition. The registration number must be legible.

Removable registration plates are permitted in the case of a vehicle traveling under cover of a garage W certificate or in the case of a trailer rear of an assembly not subject to registration requirements.

Every motor vehicle or trailer shall be fitted with a lighting device capable of making the number shown on its rear registration plate legible at night in clear weather at a minimum distance of 20 meters.

The license plate must be made by a professional automobile or by a manufacturer of your choice.

There are 2 types of license plates:

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SIV plate of type "AB-123-CD"

The plate begins with the European symbol supplemented by the letter F on a blue background. One territorial identifier is positioned symmetrically to these elements.

This identifier consists of an official logo of a region and the number of one of the departments of that region.

You have no no right to modify your plate or add an element to it, in particular in place of the territorial identifier.

If your plaque is damaged or if you wish to change it voluntarily, you must contact a professional to redo it. At this time, you will be able to change the territorial identifier. If your vehicle has a plate on the front and a plate on the rear, the identifiers must be the same on each.

FYI  

The choice of the territorial identifier is free. You do not have to indicate your department of residence.

FNI plate of type "123 AB 45"

The plate shall bear the European symbol supplemented by the letter F.

If your plaque is damaged or you want to change it deliberately, you should contact a professional to redo it.

She won't territorial identifier.

The registration plates differ according to the type of vehicle:

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Car or utility vehicle

A car or utility vehicle must have 2 plates, one at the front and one at the back.

These 2 plates must be identical, including the territorial identifier.

The registration number shall be reproduced on each plate in non-reflecting black characters on a reflecting white background.

Collection vehicle

The collector vehicle may have a plate with non-reflective black characters on a reflective white background

Please note

It is not necessary for the registration plate to include the European symbol supplemented by the letter ‘F’ and a territorial identifier.

To take account of the historical character of the vehicle, the registration plate may be white on a black background

Motor moped, motor tricycle or quadricycle

A moped, motor tricycle or motor quadricycle must have one license plate, arranged in an obvious way at the back. It must not be detachable.

The plate of a 2 wheels less than 50 cm3 has no territorial identifier. On the other hand, the European symbol and the letter F are present.

The plate must have black characters on a white background.

Please note

One electric bicycle shall be considered as moped when the engine power is greater than 250 watts or the maximum speed is 45 km/h.

Trailer

One trailer must have a plate in the back. It is identical to or different from the vehicle which pulls it according to the PTAC: titleContent. The plaque differs by PTAC: titleContent of the trailer or in the case of a forestry or agricultural vehicle:

PTAC over 500 kg

She must have a plaque with its own registration number (different from that of the towing vehicle).

PTAC less than 500 kg

She must have a plaque reproducing the number of the vehicle pulling it. In this case, the plate may be detachable.

Warning  

The trailer coupled to a 2-wheel does not need a plate if it leaves visible the plate of the vehicle pulling it. If this plate is not visible, the trailer must have a plate with the registration of the 2 wheels.

Agricultural or forestry vehicle

One agricultural or forestry vehicle motor-driven may have thatone license plate.

The plate must be clearly arranged at the back. It must not be detachable.

It must have black characters on a white background.

If you drive a vehicle without a license plate, you can be fined up to €750.

The same penalty applies if the plate does not conform.