1. Motorcycle: two-line motorcycle plate with a height of 200 mm
For motorcycles, Anlage 4 (Annex 4) of the Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV, the German vehicle registration ordinance) provides for a separate two-line plate format. The height is 200 mm, the width 180 mm, 200 mm or 220 mm. The upper line carries the Unterscheidungszeichen (district code) and the identification letters, the lower line the digits and, where applicable, the season field or the additional letter E or H. The 180 × 200 mm size is the most compact and most frequently chosen format; longer combinations or seasonal plates require the wider variants.
Under § 10 FZV, a motorcycle only has to carry the license plate at the rear. A front plate is not provided for on motorcycles, which is why you always order exactly one plate for a motorcycle. The choice of custom combination follows the same rules as for cars: one or two identification letters, a one- to four-digit number, no umlauts, and no combinations that offend public decency under § 8 Abs. 1 FZV.
- 180 × 200 mm: compact standard size for short combinations
- 200 × 200 mm and 220 × 200 mm: for longer combinations as well as seasonal, E and H plates
- Only one license plate required at the rear (§ 10 FZV)
- No emissions sticker needed: two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles are exempt from the sticker requirement under the 35. BImSchV
2. Light motorcycle (125 cc): reduced-size two-line plate
Light motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc and a maximum power of 11 kW are registered in the regular way at the registration authority and receive an official license plate. For this vehicle class, Anlage 4 FZV permits a reduced-size two-line plate, which is often produced in the size 255 × 130 mm or 240 × 130 mm. A custom plate is possible here too, and the reservation runs through the same authority portals as for cars. Because of the smaller plate width, you should preferably choose short combinations for light motorcycles.
3. Distinction: insurance plates for scooters and mopeds up to 50 cc
Not every scooter receives an official license plate. Mopeds with an engine capacity of up to 50 cc and a design-related top speed of 45 km/h, low-powered mopeds (Mofas) and certain small electric vehicles are exempt from registration and instead carry a Versicherungskennzeichen (insurance plate) under the FZV. This plate is issued not by the registration authority but by the motor third-party liability insurer. It is valid for one traffic year from 1 March to the last day of February and changes colour every year.
A custom plate is not possible for insurance plates: the combination is assigned by the insurer and there is no reservation at the registration authority. DIN 74069 embossing also plays no role here, as insurance plates are issued in their own format. Anyone who wants a personal combination on their two-wheeler therefore needs a vehicle that is subject to registration – i.e. at least a light motorcycle.
4. Trailers: separate plate, separate custom combination
In Germany, trailers are registered independently and receive their own license plate, which does not have to match that of the towing vehicle. The plate is affixed only to the rear of the trailer. Single-line plates in the standard size 520 × 110 mm or two-line plates (e.g. 340 × 200 mm or 280 × 200 mm) are permitted if the mounting location on the trailer does not allow a single-line format. A custom plate can be reserved for trailers just as for cars – many keepers choose a combination that matches the towing vehicle.
Since trailers have no engine of their own, they do not need an emissions sticker. Please note, however, that depending on the type of construction, trailers are subject to their own periodic technical inspection.
5. Bike-rack plates: a third plate without a registration seal
If a rear-mounted carrier or bike rack covers the car's license plate, an additional plate matching the vehicle's official license plate must be affixed to the carrier. Under § 10 FZV, this third plate does not require an official registration seal, as it merely reproduces the covered original plate. However, like the original plate, it must be manufactured in accordance with DIN 74069. A bike-rack plate is therefore not an independent license plate and does not require a separate reservation at the registration authority.