Car registration plates in Luxembourg
Before you can drive a car on Luxembourg's roads, or even before you can officially register it, you’ll need to obtain a registration number and a license plate. If the thought of navigating through paperwork, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Unlike many other countries' registration systems, acquiring a registration number and license plates in Luxembourg doesn’t automatically mean your vehicle is registered or approved for the road. This process simply reserves your chosen number for future use, with additional steps required to fully register the vehicle.
How Luxembourg license plates differ from other countries
The design of Luxembourg license plates is simple yet distinctive. Featuring a bright yellow background with black characters, they offer high visibility on the road. The plates typically consist of an alphanumeric combination, usually two letters followed by four digits, though they can sometimes be composed solely of digits.
Additionally, a small blue band on the left side displays the European Union stars and the letter "L" in white, representing Luxembourg. This minimalist and clear design is not only functional but also easily recognisable throughout Europe. However, not all plates are the same; there are special plates with some variations. Let's take a closer look at the different types of license plates in Luxembourg:
Citizen plates
Special plates for the Grand Ducal family
Deputies’ plates
Diplomatic plates
Plates for official purposes
Military plates
Dealer plates
Moving on to the civilian plates, which are the most common ones, they can be of two types, with standard serial numbers or with personalised numbers.
These plates are affixed to vehicles and remain with them throughout their lifespan. They are composed of two letters and four digits, assigned sequentially.
These numbers are retained by their owners unless surrendered and can be composed in one of three ways: five freely chosen digits, two letters followed by four freely chosen digits, or four digits assigned based on availability.
Sometimes, custom license plates cost more than standard ones. How much more it costs depends on how long the plate is, the characters you choose, and how many people want that combination. Even though it costs more, many people chose paying extra to get their specific license plate.
Recieving car plates in Luxembourg
Securing Luxembourg car registration plates is only the first step. To complete the registration process, you will need to follow additional steps, which we will briefly review.
First, secure a Luxembourg number plate, and second, have the plates manufactured. Let’s go through these steps one by one.
Getting the registration number
You have two options for choosing your Luxembourg number plate: opting for a current series number or selecting a personalised number.
In both cases, the process for obtaining a registration number is the same, with three alternatives available.
- Through the MyGuichet.lu platform.
- Using the MyGuichet.lu mobile app.
- Contacting the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA) via email (nplaques@snca.lu).
The processing time is typically 1 to 2 business days. Once the process is complete, you will receive a letter at your official address informing you of the assigned number.
Getting the license plates
After receiving confirmation of your number plate reservation, the next step is to order the physical Luxembourg car plate from an authorized manufacturer.
The SNCA website provides a list of authorized manufacturers. You simply need to contact one of these manufacturers to have your plates made.
This document proves that the vehicle meets the European Union’s technical and environmental standards. If the car is new, the dealership will provide it. For used cars, you may need to request it from the manufacturer. This document is required by the SNCA for vehicle registration.
Before registering the car, you must obtain vehicle civil liability insurance. This is mandatory and covers damages to third parties in case of an accident. The insurance policy must be in effect before you can register the vehicle.
If the car is imported into Luxembourg from another country, you’ll need to obtain a 705 sticker. This certifies that the vehicle has been legally imported, complies with all customs regulations, and that the applicable VAT has been paid. To complete this step, you must personally visit one of the customs offices of the Customs and Excise Agency.
If the vehicle is from outside the European Union, it must undergo a rigorous technical inspection to ensure it complies with EU safety and emission standards. This inspection is conducted at an authorized technical control center.
Before finalizing the registration, you must pay the stamp duty, an administrative fee for the vehicle registration process. This payment amounts to 50 euros for a regular registration or 24 euros if reusing a personalized number plate.
Finally, with all the necessary documents in hand (including the COC, insurance, 705 sticker if applicable, and proof of stamp duty payment), you can register the car at the SNCA. You’ll then receive the registration certificate, completing the process.
How to register a car in Luxembourg
While we have described the basic steps for obtaining license plates and touched on the general steps for registering a vehicle, we are aware that there are other details to the registration process. To make sure that all requirements are met, find the professional assistance for complete information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many types of license plates are there in Luxembourg?
Are there any special plates for government officials or the Grand Ducal family?
Where can I find authorized manufacturers for Luxembourg license plates?
Can I obtain a license plate with personalized numbers in Luxembourg?
How often do Luxembourg license plate designs change?
Source: courtage-expertise-auto.fr, en.wikipedia.org, fr.wikipedia.org, snca.public.lu, snca.public.lu, licenseplatemania.com, guichet.public.lu, guichet.public.lu, snca.public.lu, snca.public.lu, snca.public.lu
We took photos from these sources: Sven D, Unsplash