Automatic number plate recognition: Luxembourg prepares ANPR system and monitors counterfeiting risks

In the coming months, Luxembourg will take a step towards implementing an intelligent number plate recognition system (ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition). According to the joint response of the three ministries - Interior, Justice and Mobility - to parliamentary request No. 2120, a draft law on the ANPR system will be submitted to parliament before the summer recess of 2025.

This system is intended to facilitate the identification of suspicious vehicles and to increase the efficiency of law enforcement and traffic services. The technical and legal aspects will be presented in detail when the bill is filed.

The issue of strengthening sanctions for counterfeiting or theft of licence plates has arisen in the context of the future implementation of the ANPR. At present, such cases are recorded as theft in Luxembourg, as the illegal assignment of registration plates is not considered a separate criminal offence.

Ministers recognised that the phenomenon of number plate swapping exists and may increase following the introduction of ANPR. However, they stressed: final conclusions on the need to change the legislation will be made on the basis of an analysis after the launch of the system.

In response to a question about plans for increased monitoring of aggressive and dangerous drivers, the government said that the introduction of ANPR is not foreseen in this context in the near future.

Instead, the focus is on the National Road Safety Plan 2024-2028, presented in January 2025. It is organised around two main areas: awareness raising and prevention, and training and driving culture.