How To Get A Luxembourg License Plate For Your Vehicle
If you are about to move to Luxembourg or if you are already staying there, after purchasing a car, you will need to register it. Vehicles registered in Luxembourg also require a Luxembourg license plate for identification.
This article will guide you on how to apply for Luxembourg number plates for your car.
How Does The Luxembourg Car Registration System Work?
When bringing your vehicle into Luxembourg, it needs to be fully registered and fitted with license plates within 6 months after you declare your arrival.
The National Society of Automotive Traffic (SNCA) is in charge of vehicle registrations in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The first step in vehicle registration is applying for a registration number with either the SNCA or Guichet.
You can opt for a customized registration number or simply choose one from the series in use. Once your registration number has been reserved, you need to apply to the SNCA using a vehicle registration certificate (Demande en obtention d`un certificat d’immatriculation).
The vehicle registration process can be carried out physically at any of the SNCA’s sites and you need to book an appointment beforehand. Here are some of the required documents to complete the registration process.
- Required tax stamp (Droit de Chancellerie).
- The vehicle’s original invoice (bill of sale).
- Valid ID.
- Foreign registration documents for used imported cars.
- A valid insurance certificate.
- Customs document – (Vignette 705).
- Technical inspection certificate from any of the government-approved technical inspection bodies.
- A European Certificate of Conformity can be used in place of a technical inspection certificate. It is a document that certifies that the vehicle meets the required European standards of specification.
This document is usually issued by the manufacturer of the vehicle. However, to fast-track the whole process, EUROCOC can help you order it and deliver it to you quickly.
- Photograph of the manufacturer or producer’s plate.
How To Apply For Luxembourg Number Plates?
Applying for a Luxembourg number plate involves reserving a number with either Guichet or the SNCA, as explained in the previous heading. The process of reserving a registration number is necessary before going ahead to complete the vehicle’s registration.
The number that will be displayed on your license plate can either be personalized or chosen from the current series of numbers.
After the number has been reserved on your behalf, you need to contact a government-approved manufacturer to make license plates containing the number.
What Are The Fees For Luxembourg Vehicle Registration?
When registering your vehicle in Luxembourg, you will need to pay a value-added tax (VAT) if it is a new vehicle or if it is brought in from outside the EU.
Tax stamps for the registration process cost €50, and you will need another €50 for a new customised registration number. You will also need to pay additional technical inspection and registration fees for vehicles from outside the EU.
Also, printing out new license plates will cost you some money.
What Do Luxembourg Car Number Plates Look Like?
The Luxembourg license plate has black lettering on a yellow background. Also, the EU flag on the left side of the plate, which is a circle of 12 yellow stars on a blue stripe, shows Luxembourg’s EU membership.
Below the flag is the letter ‘L’, which is the international vehicle registration code for Luxembourg. Luxembourg license plates have a maximum of 6 characters – which are 2 letters followed by 4 digits.
Most of the European countries, which includes Luxembourg, have a common license plate size of 520 mm x 110 mm (20.5 inches x 4.3 inches), including trucks and buses.
Format Of Luxembourg Number Plates
The Luxembourg license plate has a 2-letter/4-digit format that is different from most other countries. Zeros are allowed to lead the 4-digit section in standard Luxembourg plates (e.g, AB 000n).
The order in which plate numbers are issued is random, making the age of a car hard to know from its registration number.
What Types Of Luxembourg License Plates Exist?
Apart from the standard Luxembourg plate, there are special plates for government and military personnel, car dealers, and temporary plates. Special Luxembourg license plates either have a different format or special characters reserved for a particular group of owners.
Luxembourg Custom Number Plates
A custom Luxembourg plate (if the owner chooses the letter) consists of either a standard format or a 4 or 5-digit number. If there is no 4-digit number, this means there is a waiting list.
The purchase of a custom Luxembourg license plate costs €50. You can decide to transfer your custom registration number from one vehicle to the other, and this will cost you €24.
Can I Change My Luxembourg License Plate?
Changing the number on your Luxembourg license plate is illegal once your vehicle has been registered. The only case where getting new license plates is allowed is when the previous plates have been stolen.