Are the license plate holders legal?
The legal situation in Germany simply explained
(As of: February 2026)
You want to give your car a clean look and are asking yourself one specific question: What makes license plate holders legal?
If you Google it, you’ll get everything from “it doesn’t matter at all” to “you need a certificate.” The reality is much more relaxed and, above all, much easier to understand. This article explains the legal situation surrounding license plate holders clearly and without internet myths. Many drivers are surprised by how simple the answer is to whether a license plate holder is legal.
Summary for the impatient
In principle, all license plate holders are legal if they fulfill the correct mounting requirements according to §12 FZV and the associated transport gazettes. You don’t need an ABE, a certificate, or an entry in your vehicle documents. Now let’s look at what that means exactly.
“A license plate mounting fulfills the requirement of fixed attachment if the license plate can only be removed using a tool or only with increased mechanical effort. Screwing is not mandatory for this.“
BMDV in Transport Gazette 2024 under number 38
Why there is so much confusion
Many people think license plate holders are a component requiring approval, like suspension or rims. That’s not true. The legislator isn’t interested in the holder itself. They are interested in whether the license plate is correctly attached. The rules for this result from §12 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) and the associated transport gazettes. At its core, it’s about secure mounting, not a specific look or design of the holder.
What the law actually requires
A license plate must be attached so that it sits firmly on the vehicle, cannot be lost while driving, and is not easily removable. The decisive point is: the license plate must only be detachable with increased mechanical effort or with a tool. This is the core of the legal requirements.
Does a license plate holder need an ABE or a certificate
This question comes up often. The answer is no. In principle, there is no obligation for an ABE, certificate, or registration for license plate holders. What matters is that the mounting meets the legal requirements and the license plate is correctly attached. The focus is on the result, not on whether a frame, screws, or another mounting method is used.
Why many still believe a certificate is needed
Many inspectors and workshops usually see classic solutions with screws and frames in their daily work. Anything that deviates from that quickly seems unusual. On the web, “unusual” then often becomes “illegal.” In fact, the regulation does not prescribe a specific technique like screws or a certain frame, but only that the license plate is securely attached and cannot be easily removed. This is exactly where the frequent Google search for “license plate holder legal” comes from.
When is a license plate holder LEGALLY attached
A license plate is correctly attached when it sits firmly on the vehicle, does not rattle or wobble, cannot be lost while driving, is not covered or altered, and cannot be removed without increased mechanical effort or a tool. If these points are met, the mounting is legally compliant.
What you should look for in a license plate holder
If you want to change your license plate holder, you should primarily pay attention to the mounting. The key is that the license plate sits firmly, doesn’t rattle, and cannot be removed without increased mechanical effort or a tool. This is exactly what modern mounting systems are designed for. They combine a secure mechanical connection with a clean look without advertising frames.
You can find out more about our minimalist license plate holders here:
Are license plates without frames allowed
Yes. The legislator does not prescribe license plate frames. Secure and correct mounting of the license plate remains the decisive factor. Therefore, frameless solutions are also generally permitted as long as all mounting requirements are met.
Are glued license plates allowed?
Yes, glued license plates can also be permitted. Again, the method is not decisive, but the result. Since the license plate is permanently and securely attached and cannot be removed without increased mechanical effort or a tool, an adhesive connection also meets the requirements. Adhesive systems have been used in the automotive sector for various components for years. For license plates, the connection must also be permanent, secure, and suitable for everyday use.
Screws are not mandatory
A common misconception is that license plates must be screwed on. That is not correct. Screws are just one possible method of attachment. The decisive factor is always that the license plate sits firmly and cannot be removed without increased mechanical effort or a tool. Here too, the rule is: a license plate holder is legal if the mounting corresponds to the legal requirements.
Do you want to mount your license plate without a frame and without advertising? Learn more about our frameless solutions here:
👉 View frameless license plate holders
Why this question is asked so often
License plate holders are an inconspicuous component, but are quickly overestimated legally. Many assume that a permit, a certificate, or an entry in the vehicle documents is necessary for everything on the car. At the same time, contradictory statements circulate on the internet, which further increase this uncertainty. So that you don’t have to worry about problems with the TÃœV or police, we have compiled all the information for you. In fact, the legal requirements for license plate holders are clearly regulated and much simpler than many often claim.
Conclusion: What really matters
There is no separate approval requirement and no prescribed design for license plate holders. The only thing that matters is how the license plate is attached to the vehicle.
The license plate must sit firmly, must not come loose while driving, and must not be removable without increased mechanical effort or a tool. If this requirement is met, the mounting is legally compliant, regardless of whether it is implemented with screws, frames, adhesive systems, or a mechanical solution.
Much uncertainty arises from myths, habit, and contradictory statements on the internet. In fact, the legal requirements are clear and focus on the result, not the method. This is exactly why more and more drivers are opting for modern and minimalist mounting solutions without advertising frames.