Vehicle registration plates of Liechtenstein

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Liechtenstein vehicle registration plate style since 1972
High format rear license plate
Liechtenstein front license plate
Motorcycle plate

Vehicle registration plates of the Principality of Liechtenstein are composed of the letters FL, followed by a small version of the coat of arms of Liechtenstein and up to five digits. The letters FL stand for Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Standard plates have white writing on a black background, using the same type of font as Swiss license plates. Liechtenstein license plates are assigned to the vehicle owner, not to the vehicle. The numbers are usually assigned in ascending order. Due to the small size of the country (approx. 39,100 inhabitants), no geographical distinguishing codes are necessary. The system was introduced in 1920. On 30 June 2021, a total of 36,494 motor vehicles, 4,936 motorcycles and 4,192 trailers were registered in Liechtenstein.[1][2][3]

History[]

Liechtenstein license plate issued between 1920 and 1957
Liechtenstein license plate issued between 1957 and 1972
Motorcycle plate

Between 1852 and 1919 the Principality of Liechtenstein was closely linked to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy by a customs treaty.[4] In 1905, Austria first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates.

In 1906, it was decided that the few vehicles in Liechtenstein should also be provided with Austrian license plates. The plates showed black letters and numbers on a white plate and consisted of the letter W, which at that time was the assigned code letter for the neighboring Austrian state of Vorarlberg, and an individual evidence number, e.g. W 123.[5][6]

Prior to World War I, only two motor vehicles and two motorcycles were registered in Liechtenstein. The first known car owners in Liechtenstein were a businessman from Vaduz in 1902 and a doctor from Schaan in 1905.[7]

  • In 1915, Liechtenstein introduced its first own license plates. The Austrian license plates already in use remained valid and did not have to be replaced for the time being. The first vehicle registration plates of Liechtenstein already had a white on black design and the registration mark consisted of the letter L for Liechtenstein and an individual control number, e.g.   L 12  .[8]
  • In 1920, the currently still used system with the two letters FL, followed by the national coat of arms and up to five digits, issued in sequential order, was introduced.[9] In 1925, a total of 47 motor vehicles, 35 four- and 12 two-wheeled, were registered in Liechtenstein.[7] In 1936, the number of passenger cars in Liechtenstein was 150, increasing only hesitantly to 472 until 1950.[10]
  • In 1957, the blue-red national coat of arms was replaced by the yellow-red coat of arms of the Princely House. The format of the license plates and the type of font were slightly modified. The distribution of number ranges had to be adapted to the growing number of motor vehicles. In 1960, the number of passenger cars in Liechtenstein was 1,815, increasing to 6,210 until 1970.[11]
  • Since 1972, the size of the license plates and the type of font were aligned to the Swiss license plates. The size of the coat of arms was reduced to its present size.[9] Old license plates remained valid and were only replaced if necessary or due to poor legibility. Occasionally, old license plates from the time before 1972 can still be seen on vehicles today.

Liechtenstein is the last European country to issue black standard plates. In other countries, black license plates are only issued for specific vehicle groups (e.g. historical or army vehicles) or optionally alongside white and yellow license plates (e.g. in the Bailiwick of Guernsey). A change of colours is not planned in the near future and also not desired, because the Liechtensteiners like their black license plates.[12]

Current System[]

Motor vehicles in Liechtenstein must be equipped with a front and a rear plate made of corrosion-resistant metal (aluminium). Vehicle registration plates of Liechtenstein are assigned to the vehicle owner, not to the vehicle. They can also be used as interchangeable plates for a maximum of two vehicles. Rear license plates can be requested either in long or high format. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers. Only front plates are required for agricultural vehicles. They can be mounted on the front or rear of the vehicle.

Liechtenstein coat of arms
International vehicle registration code sticker
  • Rear plates for motor vehicles and trailers have a length of 50 cm and a height of 11 cm or a length of 30 cm and a height of 16 cm.
  • Front plates for motor cars, single-axle engines, agricultural vehicles and utility trailers have a length of 30 cm and a height of 8 cm.
  • License plates for motorcycles, small and light motor vehicles and electric vehicles have a length of 18 cm and a height of 14 cm.
  • License plates for mopeds and e-bikes have a length of 10 cm and a height of 14 cm.[13]

The coat of arms as well as the letters and numbers are embossed to 1,5 mm raised. The plates may be provided with a retroreflective or luminous coating. They must be mounted as vertical as possible (inclination upwards max. 30°, downwards max. 15°) and at a height between 0,20 m (lower edge) and 1,50 m (upper edge). The rear plate shall be legible in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and on both sides of it within an angle of 30°.[14]

Liechtenstein license plates are assigned to the vehicle owner, not to the vehicle. If the owner buys a new vehicle, the same license plates are attached to the new vehicle. They can also be used as interchangeable plates for a maximum of two vehicles. The rear license plates can be requested either in long or high format. If the holder no longer registers a new vehicle, the plates must be returned to the Road Traffic Office in Vaduz. Exceptions are temporary license plates. They do not have to be returned after the deadline, but they will be officially confiscated in the event of misuse. The holder may deposit his license plates for a fee. If the registration is cancelled, the plates will be destroyed and the number will be assigned to a new owner after a blocking period of one year.[15] Stolen or lost plates are blocked for 15 years.[16]

Returned license plates with very low numbers (4-digit motor car plates, 2-digit motorcycle plates) or eye-catching number combinations (e.g. FL 40000, FL 40404 etc.) are only available via license plate auctions at the Road Traffic Office in Vaduz. These auctions usually take place every 2 years.[17] Ordinary combinations of digits that are not already assigned to another holder can be reserved at the Road Traffic Office. Reservations are only possible within the currently available number range (up to FL 40300 for passenger car plates and up to FL 5899 for motorcycle license plates). The fee for a desired number is 500 Swiss francs.[18][19]

Colours[]

Blue license plates in Liechtenstein are issued for industrial and utility vehicles
  • License plates with white characters on a black base are issued for all vehicles for the transport of goods and persons, i.e. for passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers, buses, commercial tractors, motorcycles, three-wheeled motor vehicles and single-axle engines.
  • License plates with yellow characters on a black base are issued for vehicles with short-term registrations.
  • License plates with a light green background and black characters are issued for agricultural and forestry vehicles and their trailers.
  • License plates with a light blue background and black characters are issued for industrial and utility vehicles and trailers.
  • License plates with a light brown background and black characters are issued for exceptional vehicles and trailers.
  • License plates with a yellow background and black characters are issued for small motorcycles, light motor vehicles and electric vehicles.
  • License plates with a dark yellow background and black characters are issued for mopeds and e-bikes.
  • License plates with a red background and white characters will be introduced in March 2022 for attachment to rear load carriers[20]

Numbers[]

FL 1, assigned to the head of state, the Prince of Liechtenstein
FL 9, on a marked vehicle of the Liechtenstein National Police

The number series begin for motor cars and trailers on the one hand and motorcycles, small and three-wheel motor vehicles on the other hand separately and for each type of plate separated by background colour and special marking and takes place in ascending order. In the case of motor vehicles and trailers, the numbers are divided into several number ranges, which are reserved for certain vehicle groups or purposes:

  • FL 1, FL 2, FL 3, FL 4, FL 6, FL 8 and FL 10 are reserved for official vehicles of the Princely Family.
  • FL 5 is reserved for the official limousine of the Head of Government, the Prime minister of Liechtenstein.
  • FL 7, FL 9 and FL 11 to FL 20 are reserved for marked vehicles of the Liechtenstein Police.
  • FL 21 to FL 100 are only used for motorcycle plates and blue, green and brown license plates.
  • FL 101 to FL 300 for dealer plates on motor vehicles and trailers.
  • FL 301 to FL 1999 for the first issue series of trailer registration plates.
  • FL 2000 to FL 40200 for the first issue series of registrations on motor cars and trucks.
  • FL 40201 to FL 40250 for registration plates of public transport buses.
  • FL 40251 to FL 41440 for the current issue series for motor cars and trucks.
  • FL 41441 to FL 41449 for vehicles of the Liechtenstein Red Cross.
  • FL 41450 to FL 49999 for the future series for motor cars and trucks.
  • FL 50000 to FL 50299 for short-term license plates on motor vehicles and trailers.
  • FL 65100 to FL 68100 for the current issue series for trailers.
  • FL 90000 to FL 92999 for temporary registrations on motor cars and trucks.
  • FL 95000 to FL 95099 for temporary registrations on trailers.

On 30 June 2021, 30,538 passenger cars and 494 passenger transport vehicles were registered in Liechtenstein. 3,089 vans, 290 trucks and 251 semi-trailers were registered in the category of transport vehicles. In the trailer category, 3,125 transport trailers, 332 semi-trailers and 202 caravans were registered in Liechtenstein.[3]

Temporary plates[]

Control mark for temporary registrations

Provisional license plates are available for motor vehicles that are temporarily registered in Liechtenstein. The plates are valid for a maximum of one year and all taxes and fees must be collected in advance. The plates show a control mark bearing the number of the month of expiry and the last two digits of the expiry year. Front plates show a dot instead of the coat of arms. Temporary license plates are continuously being reissued and always receive numbers from the same defined number range. The numbering process is usually restarted after 2 years with the lowest available number.

Temporary registration plates of duty unpaid vehicles show the additional letter Z, which stands for customs (German: Zoll). Provisional license plates do not have to be returned after the deadline, but must be officially confiscated in the event of misuse. Persons with short-term residence permits or persons with a foreign residence and a location address (for the vehicle) in Liechtenstein, for example, may receive these provisional license plates.[21]

Example Numbers Category
from to
Liechtenstein temporary registration front plate.jpg 90000 92999 Cars, Trucks
95008 - Temporary trailer plate detail.jpg 95000 95099 Trailers
Example Numbers Category
from to
FL 612 Z Liechtenstein temporary license plate Z=duty unpaid.jpg

Temp reg plate duty unpaid Liechtenstein.jpg

600 Z → duty unpaid

Cars, Trucks
and Trailers

Short-term license plates[]

Short-term license plate

Short-term license plates have yellow characters on a black base and numbers between FL 50000 and FL 50299. They can be issued for a validity period of 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours. After expiry of the validity, the license plates must be returned immediately. Short-term plates are only valid in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The costs for a short-term registration, including a liability insurance, are: 30 Swiss francs (CHF) per day for trailers, 40 CHF for motorcycles, 50 CHF for passenger cars and 60 CHF per day for trucks. In addition, a deposit of 200 CHF must be paid. A vehicle with short-term plates may not be rented out and a maximum of 8 persons may be in such a vehicle. Vehicles subject to the heavy vehicle tax may not be used to transport goods. The vehicle must be operationally safe and meet the technical requirements for road vehicles. The steering, lighting and brakes must function properly. The tread depth of the tyres must be at least 1,6 mm and the vehicle must not have any defects essential for road safety. If the last test date is outside the statutory periodicity, the vehicle must be subjected to a road safety test before the short-term plates are issued.[22]

Dealer license plates[]

Dealer license plate

Dealer plates are special license plates for the motor vehicle industry, colloquially also called "garage numbers". They are available for registered vehicle dealers and repair shops in conjunction with a collective vehicle registration document. The number range starts with FL 101 U. The additional letter U stands for companies (German: Unternehmen). Dealer plates may be used for all motor vehicles, e.g. for inspection and transfer trips, regardless of their engine performance and emissions. The use of the motorway without a motorway vignette is also permitted for vehicles suitable for motorways, but not the journey abroad (not even to the neighbouring countries), as these plates do not have to be recognised due to the Vienna Convention. In addition to attaching them to the proper car number holders of the vehicles, it is also permissible to attach these "U-numbers" by means of a magnet on the bonnet and attached to the rear or in a plastic bag. Vehicles with dealer plates may be provided to prospective buyers for unaccompanied journeys if the vehicles are operationally safe and comply with the regulations.[9]

Agricultural vehicles[]

Agricultural vehicle plate

Registration plates with green base colour and numbers between FL 21 and FL 2000 are issued for agricultural and forestry vehicles and trailers that are not used for commercial journeys and allow a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Only one front plate is required, which can be mounted either at the front or rear of the vehicle. On 30 June 2021, 1,023 agricultural vehicles and 142 trailers were registered in Liechtenstein.[9][3]

Utility vehicles[]

Utility vehicle plate

Registration plates with blue base colour and numbers between FL 21 and FL 2000 are available for vehicles and trailers that do not transport things, but are used exclusively for carrying out work, e.g. fire engines, vehicles and trailers in building and civil engineering, forestry or road maintenance, e.g. Winter service vehicles, cleaning vehicles etc. On 30 June 2021, 799 industrial and work vehicles and 268 work trailers were registered in Liechtenstein.[9][3]

Exceptional vehicles[]

Exceptional vehicle plate

Registration plates with light brown base colour and number series either starting from FL 21 or from FL 5000 (for trailer plates) are available for exceptional vehicles and trailers that do not comply with the general regulations regarding weight and size due to their design or intended use. These vehicles may only operate with a special written permit. This category includes, for example, mobile cranes, heavy excavators, extra-wide tractors, heavy transport vehicles or heavy-duty trailers etc.[9]

Repeater plates[]

Repeater license plate

Beginning in March 2022, motor vehicle owners will have the possibility to obtain a third license plate, with white characters on a red base, for attachment to the rear load carrier. Until then, the black rear license plate must be mounted on the load carrier if the load carrier conceals the license plate on the rear of the vehicle. This new repeater plate will be issued exclusively in long format and it may only be used in combination with the regular pair of black license plates. Liechtenstein will introduce the third license plate parallel to Switzerland on 1 March 2022.[20]

Motorcycle license plates[]

Moped and E-Bike plate
  • Registration plates for motorcycles, scooters, quad bikes, small and three-wheel motor vehicles, electric vehicles and light motor vehicles as well as for their trailers have a length of 18 cm and a height of 14 cm. On 30 June 2021, a total of 4,936 vehicles were registered in the motorcycle category. With 4,561 vehicles, conventional motorcycles are the most important segment in this group. Of these, 2,990 were standard motorcycles and 1,571 scooters.[3]
  • The numbers on motorcycle plates are usually assigned in ascending order. The only exceptions are the yellow license plates for light motorcycles and electric vehicles, they are issued with random numbers from all areas of the specified number range from FL 7000 to FL 7999.
  • License plates for mopeds and e-bikes have a length of 10 cm and a height of 14 cm. Until 1985, they were issued annually and the plates were replaced each year. The number series then jumped from FL 31xxx to FL 80000 and the plates were issued for permanent use. Since then, moped plates must be equipped with an annually renewed insurance control mark, which is valid from 1 January of the printed submission year to 31 May of the following year.[9]
Example Numbers Categories
from to
Liechtenstein motorcycle registration plate.jpg 21 → Motorcycles, Scooters, Quad bikes,

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles etc.

Scooter license plate Liechtenstein.jpg 7000 7999 Light motorcycles, Electric vehicles
Liechtenstein trailer small (motorcycle-trailer).jpg 60000 → Motorcycle trailers
Example Numbers Category
from to
Liechtentein motorcycle plate.jpg 500 U → Dealer plates
Liechtenstein temporary registration plate.jpg 1800 → Temporary plates
50103 short term temporary motorcyle plate.jpg 50100 → Short-term plates

Former license plates[]

Former rental car license plate
  • From 1977 to 2001, Liechtenstein issued special license plates for rental vehicles, showing the additional letter V, which stands for rental (German: Vermietung), to the right of the number. Since 2001, rental vehicles in Liechtenstein are using normal standard license plates again, as they did before 1977.[9]
  • From 1933 to 1977, Liechtenstein issued so-called "test plates" for motor cars and motorcycles. They were then replaced by the current dealer plates. These plates were only available for the motor vehicle industry, in combination with a collective vehicle document, for test drives of vehicles, etc. The plates had normal serials (without the "U") on regular plates with a black base colour, but the letters and numbers were written in red colour.[23]

Souvenir plates[]

Example Number Notes
FL 00000 sample plate rear.jpg

Sample plate FL 00000 (front).jpg

Sample license plate Liechtenstein.jpg

00000 Souvenir plates are brand new license plates which are always labeled with the number FL 00000. Material, colour and format of these plates correspond to the regular registration plates. The price for a single plate is CHF 25.00, a pair of plates costs CHF 40.00.[24] Souvenir plates are available in all regular formats at the counter of the Road Traffic Office in Vaduz:
  • High format: 300 x 160 mm
  • Long format: 500 x 110 mm
  • Front plate: 300 x 80 mm
  • Motorcycle plate: 180 x 140 mm

External links[]

Media related to License plates of Liechtenstein at Wikimedia Commons

References[]

  1. ^ "Population in Liechtenstein". Statistical Office.
  2. ^ "Types of plates and formats". Road Traffic Office.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Vehicle statistics, 30 June 2021" (PDF). Statistical Office. (PDF; 88 pages)
  4. ^ "Relations to Austria until 1919". fuerstundvolk.li.
  5. ^ Reichsgesetzblatt für die im Reichsrate vertretenen Königreiche und Länder, No. 156, issued on 7 October 1905, p. 391: Decree of the Ministry of the Interior, in agreement with the Ministry of Finance, of 27 September 1905, concerning the adoption of security police regulations for the operation of automobiles and motorcycles, Section V, identification marks of motor vehicles, §§ 26-37, pp. 395-398.
  6. ^ Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt of 1906, No. 2, issued on 18 June 1906 Ordinance of 18 June 1906, concerning the operation of automobiles and motorcycles, Section V, Identification marks of motor vehicles, §§ 14–16.
  7. ^ a b "Vehicle statistics 1925". historisches-lexikon.li.
  8. ^ LiechtensteinIsches Landesgesetzblatt of 1915, No. 13, issued on 18 August 1915 Ordinance of 12 August 1915, concerning the steering and marking of motor vehicles, §§ 2.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "License plates in Switzerland and Liechtenstein". license-plates.ch.
  10. ^ "Vehicle statistics 1936 & 1950". historisches-lexikon.li.
  11. ^ "Motorization 1936 to 1980". historisches-lexikon.li.
  12. ^ "«Changing colours? No way!»". Newspaper article in the Liechtensteiner Vaterland.
  13. ^ Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt of 1978, No. 20, issued on August 31, 1978 Traffic Licensing Ordinance (VZV), Ordinance of 1 August 1978, concerning registration plates of motor vehicles, Articles 71-76
  14. ^ Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt of 1996, No. 143, issued on 27 September 1996 Ordinance of 16 July 1996 on the technical requirements for road vehicles (VTS) concerning registration plates, Article 45
  15. ^ "Vehicle deregistration". Road Traffic Office.
  16. ^ "Lost plates". Road Traffic Office.
  17. ^ "License plate auctions". Road Traffic Office.
  18. ^ "Number reservations". Road Traffic Office.
  19. ^ "Instructions on number reservations" (PDF). Road Traffic Office.
  20. ^ a b "Repeater plates for load carriers". Road Traffic Office.
  21. ^ "Temporary license plates". Road Traffic Office.
  22. ^ "Short term registrations". Road Traffic Office.
  23. ^ Red writing on collective numbers Archive of the Liechtenstein National Library, newspaper article in the Liechtensteiner Nachrichten, issue of 22 June 1933, Laws concerning traffic regulations, Article 16
  24. ^ "Souvenir plates". Road Traffic Office.
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