View source for Vehicle registration plates of Germany

{{short description|Germany vehicle licence plates}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox vehicle registration plate
| name = Germany
| image = 2007 Baden-Württemberg license plate (RAKL8136).png
| country = Germany
| countrycode = D
| colour front = Black on white
| colour rear = Black on white
| size = {{cvt|520|x|110|mm|in|frac=8|abbr=on|disp=br}}
| serial_format = Not standard (max 8 characters)
| current_start_date = 1956
| start_date = 1906
| caption = German number plate, current format (FE-style)
}}
[[File:Zwickau license plate.JPG|thumb|right|1-letter area code Z for [[Zwickau]] ]]
[[File:Deutsches KFZ-Kennzeichen TR-XB32.jpg|thumb|right|2-letter area code TR for [[Trier]] ]]
[[File:Germany Cuxhaven license plate Lower Saxony.jpg|thumb|right|3-letter area code CUX for [[Cuxhaven]] ]]
'''Vehicle registration plates''' ({{langx|de|Kraftfahrzeug-Kennzeichen}} or, more colloquially, {{lang|de|Nummernschilder}}) are mandatory [[Number plates|alphanumeric plates]] used to display the ''registration mark'' of a vehicle registered in [[Germany]]. They have existed in the country since 1906, with the current system in use since 1956. German registration plates are alphanumeric plates in a standardised format, issued officially by the district authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMDV – Überblick über die Kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen |url=https://bmdv.bund.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/StV/Strassenverkehr/ueberblick-ueber-die-kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen.html#:~:text=Das%20Kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen%20(%20Kfz%20-Kennzeichen),den%20Verwaltungsbezirk%20und%20einer%20Erkennungsnummer. |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=bmdv.bund.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Strassenverkehrsamt.de {{!}} STVA |url=https://www.strassenverkehrsamt.de/kfz-zulassungsstelle |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=www.strassenverkehrsamt.de}}</ref>

All motorised vehicles participating in road traffic on public space, whether moving or stationary, have to bear the plates allotted to them, displayed at the appropriate spaces at the front and rear. Additionally, the official seals on the plates show their validity which can also be proven by the documentation coming with them. Motorcycles and trailers carry only a rear plate.

A significant feature of German vehicle registration plates is the area code, which can be used to tell the district of registration. It has developed into a widespread habit in Germany, even a children's game when travelling, to guess "where that vehicle is from".<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-11-18 |title=Alle Autokennzeichen in Deutschland |url=https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/autokennzeichen/deutschland/ |access-date=2021-01-01 |website=bussgeldkatalog.org |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Auto Quiz: Kfz Kennzeichen raten |trans-title=Guess Car Plates |url=http://www.geo-quiz.net/de/autokennzeichen.html |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=Geo-Quiz |language=de}}</ref>

==Format and legal requirements==<!-- This section is linked from [[Vehicle registration plate]] -->
[[File:Licenceplate of Germany Kreis Steinburg.JPG|thumb|275px|right|Number plate in post-1994 format (FE-style){{efn|Front plate, post-2010 hence without sticker; coloured registration seal of Steinburg district}}]]
[[File:Plate-KA-RR232.JPG|thumb|240px|right|Number plate in pre-1994 format (DIN-style), no longer issued but still in use{{efn|Front plate with emission test sticker (valid July 1994) and silver registration seal "Stadt Karlsruhe"}}]]
[[File:German Licence Plate N-M4.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Number plate with few characters, hence shorter than standard 520×110]]
[[File:GERMANY, Osterode Am Herz, EEC motorcycle plate, large size - Flickr - woody1778a.jpg|thumb|120px|right|Number plate for motorcycles, issued until 2011 (280×200){{efn|Used on a motorcycle, from [[Osterode (district)|Osterode am Harz]]}}]]
[[File:German licenseplate valid from March to October.JPG|thumb|110px|right|Number plate for motorcycles, issued since 2011 (200×220){{efn|seasonal plate, valid March to October every year}}]]
[[File:Historic license plates of Lübeck.jpg|thumb|110px|right|Small number plate (255×130){{efn|from Hansestadt [[Lübeck]], final letter H for ''historic''}}]]
<!-- Author attempted to depict the various proportions and sizes by using different widths of above photo files -->

=== Legal ===
The legal requirements for these licence plates are laid down in a federal law titled {{lang|de|Verordnung über die Zulassung von Fahrzeugen zum Straßenverkehr}} (Ordinance on the admission of vehicles for road traffic), or in the shortened version {{lang|de|Fahrzeug-Zulassungs-Verordnung, FZV}}<ref name="FZV">{{Cite web |title=Verordnung über die Zulassung von Fahrzeugen zum Straßenverkehr |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fzv_2023/index.html#BJNR0C70B0023BJNE008400000 |publisher=Bundesamt für Justiz |date=2023-07-28 |access-date=2024-07-26 |language=de}}</ref> which replaced part of an older law named {{lang|de|Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung, StVZO}}{{efn|Literally, "Road-Traffic-Admission-Ordinance", cf. [[German compounds]]}} in 2011. The law distinguishes between {{lang|de|Kennzeichen}} meaning a specific combination of letters and digits, and {{lang|de|Kennzeichenschilder}} which are the physical licence plates.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§12}} In everyday language, these terms are often replaced indifferently by {{lang|de|Nummernschild}} and rarely is the difference emphasized by restricted use of either {{lang|de|Nummer}} or {{lang|de|Schild}}.

=== Physical characteristics ===
German number plates are rectangular, with standard dimensions {{cvt|520|×|110|mm|frac=8}} for cars, trucks, buses and their trailers. Plates bearing few characters may have reduced length but must retain the size and shape of the characters. Plates in two lines for the said types of vehicles{{efn|As necessary e.g. on certain cars, such as the rear of a [[Volkswagen Beetle]]}} measure {{cvt|340|×|200|mm|frac=8}}. Motorcycles also have plates in two lines but with specific dimensions: Plates for "large motorcycles" (engine displacement over 125&nbsp;cc or power output exceeding {{cvt|11|kW|bhp}}) issued until 2011 combine a size of {{cvt|280|×|200|mm|frac=8}} with characters of the same size as used for car plates, while those issued since 2011 have characters of reduced size and measure either {{cvt|180|x|200|mm|frac=8}} or {{cvt|220|x|200|mm|frac=8}}. Plates for "light motorcycles" (''Leichtkrafträder'' up to 125&nbsp;cc and {{cvt|11|kW|bhp}}) combine a size of {{cvt|255|x|130|mm|frac=8}} with characters of reduced size. This smallest size of plates is also used for agricultural tractors with a maximum speed of {{cvt|40|km/h}} and their trailers and may also be issued as an exception for certain import cars, when a plate of regular size cannot be applied at the available space.

The characters on the licence plate, as well as the narrow rim framing it, are black on a white background.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§12(1)}} In standard size they are {{cvt|75|mm|frac=8}} high, and {{cvt|47.5|mm|frac=8}} wide for letters or {{cvt|44.5|mm|frac=8}} wide for digits. The smaller plates bear characters of {{cvt|49|mm|frac=8}} height and {{cvt|31|or|29|mm|frac=8}} width, respectively.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|Appendix 4}} In the current system, introduced in 1956, they consist of an area code of one, two or three letters, followed by an identifier sequence of one or two letters and one to four digits. The total quantity of characters on the plate must not exceed eight. Identifiers consisting of one letter with one- or two-digit numbers are often reserved for motorcycle use since there is less space for plates on these vehicles, especially before the reduction of plate size to 180&nbsp;×&nbsp;200&nbsp;mm and 220&nbsp;×&nbsp;200&nbsp;mm in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kennzeichengrößen |trans-title=Sizes of Licence Plates |url=http://www.kennzeichenbox.de/kfz-ratgeber/kennzeichengroessen |website=Kennzeichenbox.de |access-date=2020-11-27 |language=de |date=2020}}</ref>

==== Typeface ====
Modern German plates use a typeface called [[FE-Schrift]] ({{lang|de|fälschungserschwerende Schrift}}, tamper-hindering script). It is designed so that the letter ''P'' cannot be altered to look exactly like an ''R'', and vice versa; nor can the ''F'' or the ''L'' be forged to equal an ''E'', etc. Another feature is the equal width of all characters, different from the old [[DIN 1451]] script which had been in use since the introduction of the current system in 1956. FE-Schrift can be read by [[optical character recognition|OCR]] software for [[automatic number plate recognition]] more easily than DIN 1451.

The present style was introduced in 1994 and became mandatory in 2000, so the number of licence plates issued in the old style has become very rare. As with many plates for countries within the [[European Union]], a blue strip on the left shows a shortened [[list of international vehicle registration codes|country code]] in white text ('''D''' for {{lang|de|Deutschland}} = Germany) and the [[Flag of Europe]] (12 golden stars forming a circle on a blue background).

==== Material ====
Traditionally, German licence plates are made of aluminium sheeting, with embossed characters rising above background level. Over the years, however, various other materials have been used, albeit to a small extent only. Since 2013, a new style of plates made of plastic is allowed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-12 |title=Kfz-Kennzeichen: Neue Nummernschilder aus Plastik |url=https://www.t-online.de/-/66470970 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.t-online.de |language=de}}</ref> They are said to be less sensitive to mechanical damage and to cause less CO<sub>2</sub> emission in their production, but are more expensive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3D Kennzeichen – Das Original bei Kennzeichenheld.de |url=https://www.kennzeichenheld.de/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Kennzeichenheld |language=de-DE}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:Kennzeichen SLS 1964.jpg|Licence plate with part-plastic (1964); plate and area code are embossed whereas the identifier characters (J 5) are riveted on.
File:Plate-LD-L787.JPG|All-plastic plate (2008)
File:Kunststoff-Kennzeichen "3D-Kennzeichen".jpg|Plastic licence plate (2013), characters clipped on
File:German licence plate ...Z5000, detail, all metal.jpg|Detailed view of all-metal plate, characters partly worn off
File:FCN fan sticker on plate.jpg|[[1. FC Nürnberg|FCN]] sticker on a licence plate (not exactly legal)
</gallery>
Number plates are retroflective, but must not be mirroring, concealed or soiled, nor may they be covered by glass, foil or similar layers.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§12(2)}} Occasionally, drivers who adorn their licence plate with a badge of their favourite football club are fined and ordered to restore the original state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kennzeichen mit Sticker bekleben: Ist es erlaubt? |url=https://www.gutschild.de/blog/kennzeichen-mit-sticker-bekleben-ist-es-erlaubt/ |trans-title=Sticking a badge on a plate – is it allowed? |publisher=Gutschild Mobilitätsblog |language=de |access-date=2020-12-07 |date=2014-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kann das FCN-Logo Urkundenfälschung sein? |url=https://www.infranken.de/lk/kulmbach/kann-das-fcn-logo-urkundenfaelschung-sein-art-78833 |trans-title=Can the [[1. FC Nürnberg|FCN]] logo be a forgery of documents? |last=Tiroch |first=Stephan |website=infranken.de |language=de |access-date=2020-12-07 |date=2010-07-15}}</ref>

==Constituent elements==
[[File:Kfz-Kennzeichen in Deutschland.svg|thumb|300px|Map of German districts and their licence plate codes]]

===Area code===
The first part or {{lang|de|Unterscheidungszeichen}} consists of one, two or three letters representing the district where the car was registered, such as '''B''' for [[Berlin]] or '''HSK''' for [[Hochsauerlandkreis]]. These letters basically refer to the [[Districts of Germany|German districts]], yet after some changes in the law they are no longer unambiguous. When the current system was introduced, each district was assigned exactly one abbreviation. Whenever a district was merged with another or changed its name, their area code would be redefined. Whereas existing registrations would remain valid, any vehicle registered henceforth could only be issued the current code.<ref group=example>When the districts of Eutin and Oldenburg in Holstein merged to form the new district of [[Ostholstein]], in 1970, both their codes EUT and OLD became obsolete and were replaced by OH.</ref> In some cases an [[Urban districts of Germany|urban district]] and the surrounding non-urban district share the same letter code. Usually, these are distinguished by different letter/digit patterns.<ref group=example> The urban district of [[Straubing]] has had one letter after the area code ('''SR-A 123'''), whereas the surrounding district [[Straubing-Bogen]] has two letters ('''SR-AB 123''') in this place.</ref> The assignment of each code and combination is registered with the {{lang|de|Zentrales Fahrzeugregister}} (ZFZR).<ref name=ZFZR />{{rp|§34}}

Since 2013, however, area codes long abolished were re-introduced,<ref name="IKL" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kfz-mag.de/kfz-kennzeichen-deutschland-166152 |title=Kfz-Kennzeichen Deutschland |publisher=KFZ-MAG.de |date=2014-08-24 |access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref> revoking the rule of unambiguity. In consequence, many districts now use more than one code,<ref group=example>Up to 9 in [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)]]: MSE, AT, DM, MC, MST, MÜR, NZ, RM, WRN</ref> and certain codes, on the other hand, are not assigned to one district only.<ref group=example>ESB, formerly standing for Eschenbach district, is now issued by the districts of Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab, Amberg-Sulzbach, Bayreuth and Nürnberger Land.</ref> Likewise, several cities that share their code with the surrounding rural{{efn|The term "rural district" does not necessarily denote rural surroundings or landscape but rather refers to the fact that the municipalities belonging to a "rural" district lack certain administrative rights of an "urban" district, such as issuing registration plates. These rights are exercised by the district office.}} districts have started using any available codes for both districts without any distinction; the city of [[Regensburg]], for example, and the surrounding [[Regensburg (district)|rural district of Regensburg]] used different systems with their code '''R''' only until 2007.

Germany includes diacritical marks in the letters of some codes, that is the letters Ä,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kremp |first=Axel |date=2020-02-10 |title=Zwei Kennzeichen, ein geeinter Kreis |url=https://www.badische-zeitung.de/zwei-kennzeichen-ein-geeinter-kreis--182615055.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=[[Badische Zeitung]] |language=de}}</ref> Ö, and Ü,{{efn|This habit is uncommon in most other European countries but does appear on regular [[Vehicle registration plates of Montenegro|Montenegrin]], [[Vehicle registration plates of Croatia|Croatian]] and [[Vehicle registration plates of Serbia|Serbian]] (letters Đ, Č, Ć, Š and Ž), [[Vehicle registration plates of Finland|Åland registration plates]] (letters Å, Ä and Ö), as well as on [[Vehicle registration plates of Finland|Finnish]], [[Vehicle registration plates of Sweden#Personal plates|Swedish]] (letters Å, Ä and Ö) and [[Vehicle registration plates of Denmark|Danish]] (letters Æ, Ø and Å) personal registration plates.}} but not [[ß|ẞ]].{{efn|The letter ß does not occur in the beginning of any word and therefore did not have an upper-case form before 2008.}} For a long time, German codes kept to the rule that a code with an umlaut would prohibit another code with the respective blank vowel, e.g. there could not be a district code '''FU''' as the code '''FÜ''' was already in use for [[Fürth]]. This rule was disregarded in 1996, when '''BÖ''' was introduced for [[Bördekreis]] in spite of '''BO''' existing for [[Bochum]]. However Bördekreis got BK in 2007, probably because of confusions abroad, for fines etc.{{efn|It may be argued that "there has to be a principle that two vehicles can't share the same letter-number combination, even if disregarding the dash (shown as blank on plates). So if a car has '''SR-A 123''', no car can have '''S-RA 123'''. Otherwise this would violate the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]] annex 2 which says that letters and numerals are used for registration numbers, but not that spaces or dashes are significant." – However this principle has not been revealed yet, cf. discussion.}}

<gallery>
File:Licence plate N-AR 9 Nuremberg.jpg|N plate with two middle letters from [[Nuremberg]] (Nürnberg) city
File:Licence plate N-A 5 Nürnberger Land.jpg|N plate with one middle letter from [[Nürnberger Land]] district
File:GERMANY License plates with German letters - Flickr - woody1778a.jpg|Two plates with {{lang|de|umlaut}}s, from [[Göttingen]] and [[Würzburg]]
</gallery>

====Development of the area code====
When the area codes were introduced, they were intended mainly as a means for police officers to identify speeders and other traffic offenders. However, they soon developed into everyday abbreviations of people's home areas and were cherished or despised. Sometimes, the codes of neighbouring districts were given mocking or spiteful meanings.<ref group=example>Drivers from [[Offenbach am Main|Offenbach]] are slandered to be {{lang|de|ohne Verstand}} (without sense) and even misspell it ''OF''.</ref> When districts merged and only one of their codes could be continued, fierce battles might ensue about which one.<ref>{{cite news |title=Das Nummernschild als ein Stück Heimat |trans-title=The number plate as a piece of home |url=https://www.wz.de/auto/das-nummernschild-als-ein-stueck-heimat_aid-29982031 |access-date=2020-12-27 |publisher=Westdeutsche Zeitung |language=de |date=2013-05-22}}</ref>

====The Büsingen exclave====
{{main|Büsingen am Hochrhein}}
[[File:WEST GERMANY, BUSINGEN German Enclave in Switzerland 1970's passenger plate - Flickr - woody1778a.jpg|thumb|right|Licence plate from the municipality of Büsingen, 1970s]]
Since 1968, a peculiar rule has applied to the municipality of {{lang|de|Büsingen am Hochrhein}} which is a German [[exclave]] completely surrounded by [[Switzerland|Swiss]] territory. Although Büsingen belongs to the German district of [[Konstanz (district)|Konstanz]], it is part of the Swiss customs area. For this reason, a vehicle registered to a citizen of Büsingen does not bear '''KN''' for Konstanz but '''BÜS''', signifying to Swiss customs officers that this is in fact a domestic vehicle. There are about 700 cars with this area code, which makes Büsingen the smallest and least-populated registration precinct in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fahrzeugkennzeichen BÜS |url=http://www.buesingen.de/de/Unser-Buesingen/Deutsche-Insel-in-der-Schweiz/Fahrzeugkennzeichen-BueS |website=Municipality of Büsingen |access-date=2020-12-24 |language=de}}</ref>

====List of area codes====
{|  class="wikitable"
! List of license plate area codes of Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kfz.net/autorecht/autokennzeichen/deutschland/ |title=Deutsche Autokennzeichen |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021 |website=Kfz.new |publisher= |access-date=2021-12-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzer.de/s1.htm?g=FZV&a=Anlage+3 |title=Anlage 3 - Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021-02-03 |website=Buzer.de |publisher= |access-date=2021-12-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzer.de/gesetz/7182/b24857.htm |title=Anlage 1 - Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV)|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2006-04-25 |website=Buzer.de |publisher= |access-date=2021-12-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dr-herzfeld.de/kennzeichengeschichte/brdguelt.pdf |title=Gültige Unterscheidungszeichen |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2016-04-05 |publisher= |access-date=2021-12-01 }}</ref>
|-
| 
   {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''A''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''A'''
   | [[Augsburg]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''A'''ugsburg
   | From [A-'''AA''' 100 to 999]<Br>To [A-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>''(Excludes [A-'''PS''' 100 to 999], reserved for city Police)''<Br>From [A-'''AA''' 5000 to 9999] to [A-'''ZZ''' 5000 to 9999]<Br>[A-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G''<Br>[A-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G''
   |- 
   | [[Augsburg (district)|Augsburg District]]
   | From [A-'''A''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>To [A-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [A-'''AA''' 1000 to 4999] to [A-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 4999]<Br>[A-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G''<Br>[A-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G'''
   |-
   | '''AA''' || [[Ostalbkreis|Ostalb District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Aalen|'''Aa'''len]] || 
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''AB'''
   | [[Aschaffenburg (district)|Aschaffenburg District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''A'''schaffen'''b'''urg
   | From [AB-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [AB-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]<Br>[AB-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[AB-''''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |- 
   | [[Aschaffenburg]] City
   |From [AB-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [ AB-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[AB-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[AB-''''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''ABG''' || [[Altenburger Land|Altenburger Land District]] || [[Thuringia]] || Altenburg|'''A'''lten'''b'''ur'''g''' || 
   |-
   | '''ABI''' || [[Anhalt-Bitterfeld|Anhalt-Bitterfeld District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''A'''nhalt-'''Bi'''tterfeld || 
   |-
   | '''AC''' || [[Aachen (district)|Aachen Region]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''A'''a'''c'''hen  || 
   |- 
   | '''AE''' || [[Vogtlandkreis|Vogtland District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Auerbach (Vogtland)|'''A'''u'''e'''rbach]]  || 
   |-
   | '''AH''' || [[Borken (district)|Borken District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Ahaus|'''Ah'''aus]]  || 
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''AIB'''
   | [[Munich (district)|Munich District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bad Aibling|Bad '''Aib'''ling]]
   | From [AIB-'''Q''' 1] to [AIB-'''Q''' 9999]
   |- 
   | [[Rosenheim (district)|Rosenheim District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''AIC''' || [[Aichach-Friedberg|Aichach-Friedberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Aichach|'''Aic'''hach]]  || 
   |-
   | '''AK''' || [[Altenkirchen (district)|Altenkirchen (Westerwald) District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || Altenkirchen|'''A'''lten'''k'''irchen  || 
   |-
   | '''ALF''' || [[Hildesheim (district)|Hildesheim District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Alfeld|'''Alf'''eld]]  || 
   |-
   | '''ALZ''' || [[Aschaffenburg (district)|Aschaffenburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Alzenau|'''Alz'''enau]]  || 
   |-
   | '''AM''' || [[Amberg]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''Am'''berg  ||From [AM-'''A''' 1 to 999] to [AM-'''Z''' 1 to 999]<br>From [AM-'''AA''' 1 to 99] to [AM-'''ZZ''' 1 to 99]
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''AN'''
   | [[Ansbach (district)|Ansbach District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''An'''sbach 
   | From [AN-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [AN-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>[AN-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[AN-''''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |- 
   | [[Ansbach]] City
   | [AN-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[AN-''''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''ANA''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Annaberg-Buchholz|'''An'''n'''a'''berg-Buchholz]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''ANG''' || [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Angermünde|'''Ang'''ermünde]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''ANK''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Anklam|'''Ank'''lam]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''AÖ''' || [[Altötting (district)|Altötting District]] || [[Bavaria]] || Altötting|'''A'''lt'''ö'''tting  ||  
   |-
   | '''AP''' || [[Weimarer Land|Weimarer Land District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Apolda|'''Ap'''olda]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''APD''' || [[Weimarer Land|Weimarer Land District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Apolda|'''Ap'''ol'''d'''a]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''ARN''' || [[Ilm-Kreis|Ilm District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Arnstadt|'''Arn'''stadt]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''ART''' || [[Kyffhäuserkreis|Kyffhäuser District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Artern|'''Art'''ern]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''AS''' || [[Amberg-Sulzbach|Amberg-Sulzbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''A'''mberg-'''S'''ulzbach   ||  
   |-
   | '''ASL''' || [[Salzlandkreis|Salzland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Aschersleben|'''As'''cher'''l'''eben]]   ||  
   |-
   | '''ASZ''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Aue-Schwarzenberg|'''A'''ue-'''S'''chwar'''z'''enberg]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''AT''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Altentreptow|'''A'''lten'''t'''reptow]]   ||  
   |-
   | '''AU''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Aue-Bad Schlema|'''Au'''e-Bad Schlema]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''AUR''' || [[Aurich (district)|Aurich District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Aur'''ich  ||   
   |-  
   | '''AW''' || [[Ahrweiler (district)|Ahrweiler District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || Bad Neuenahr-'''A'''hr'''w'''eiler ||   
   |-  
   | '''AZ''' || [[Alzey-Worms|Alzey-Worms District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Alzey|'''A'''l'''z'''ey]]   ||   
   |-  
   | '''AZE''' || [[Anhalt-Bitterfeld|Anhalt-Bitterfeld District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Anhalt-Zerbst|'''A'''nhalt-'''Ze'''rbst]]  ||   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''B''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-
   | '''B''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[Berlin]] 
   | '''B'''erlin   ||   
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''BA'''
   | [[Bamberg]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''Ba'''mberg  
   | From [BA-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [BA-'''ZZ''' 100 to  9999]<Br>[BA-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is :B, F, G, I, O , Q''<Br>''(Excludes [BA-'''P''' 1000 to 9999], reserved for City Police)''<Br>[BA-'''XY''' 1 to 999]<br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O , Q''
   |- 
   | [[Bamberg (district)|Bamberg District]]
   | [BA-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not:B, F, G, I, O , Q''<Br>''(Excludes [BA-'''P''' 1000 to 9999], reserved for District Police)''<Br>[BA-'''XY''' 1  to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O , Q''
   |-  
   | '''BAD''' || [[Baden-Baden]] City || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Bad'''en-Baden ||   
   |-  
   | '''BAR''' || [[Barnim|Barnim District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''Bar'''nim ||   
   |-  
   | '''BB''' || [[Böblingen (district)|Böblingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || Böblingen |'''B'''ö'''b'''lingen  ||   
   |-  
   | '''BBG''' || [[Salzlandkreis|Salzland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Bernburg|'''B'''ern'''b'''ur'''g''']]   ||  
   |-
   | '''BBL''' || ''[[Brandenburg]] Government, [[Landtag of Brandenburg|Landtag]], and [[Brandenburg Police|Police]]'' || [[Brandenburg]] || '''B'''randen'''b'''urgische<Br>'''L'''andesregierung ||  Code reserved for Brandenburg State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''BC''' || [[Biberach (district)|Biberach District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''B'''ibera'''c'''h  ||   
   |-  
   | '''BCH''' || [[Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis|Neckar-Odenwald District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Buchen|'''B'''u'''ch'''en]]  ||   
   |-  
   | '''BD''' 
   | colspan="2"| German [[Bundestag]], [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]], [[President of Germany|Office of the Federal President]], [[Cabinet of Germany|Federal Government and Ministries]], Federal fiscal administration (incl. [[Bundeszollverwaltung|Federal Customs Service]]), and [[Federal Constitutional Court]]
   | '''B'''undes'''d'''ienst ''(Federal service)''  ||   Code reserved for federally owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''BE''' || [[Warendorf (district)|Warendorf District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Beckum, Germany|'''Be'''ckum]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BED''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Brand-Erbisdorf|'''B'''rand-'''E'''rbis'''d'''orf]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BER''' || [[Barnim|Barnim District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Bernau bei Berlin|'''Ber'''nau]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BF''' || [[Steinfurt (district)|Steinfurt District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Burgsteinfurt|'''B'''urgstein'''f'''urt]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BGD''' || [[Berchtesgadener Land|Berchtesgadener Land District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''B'''erchtes'''g'''a'''d'''en ||   
   |-  
   | '''BGL''' || [[Berchtesgadener Land|Berchtesgadener Land District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''B'''erchtes'''g'''adener '''L'''and ||   
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''BH'''
   | [[Ortenaukreis|Ortenau District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" |[[Bühl (Baden)|'''B'''ü'''h'''l]]
   | [BH-OF 1 to 999] and [BH-OP 1 to 999]<Br>From [BH-F 7000] to [BH-F 7999]<Br>From [BH-N 8000] to [BH-N 8999]<Br>From [BH-O 2000] to [BH-O 2999]<Br>From [BH-OF 1000] to [BH-OF 6999]<Br>From [BH-OG 9000] to [BH-OG 9999]<Br>From [BH-OK 3000] to [BH-OK 3999]<Br>From [BH-OP 1000] to [BH-OP 4999]
   |- 
   | [[Rastatt (district)|Rastatt District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''BI''' || [[Bielefeld]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Bi'''elefeld ||   
   |-  
   | '''BID''' || [[Marburg-Biedenkopf|Marburg-Biedenkopf District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Biedenkopf|'''Bi'''e'''d'''enkopf]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BIN''' || [[Mainz-Bingen|Mainz-Bingen District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Bingen am Rhein|'''Bin'''gen]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BIR''' || [[Birkenfeld (district)|Birkenfeld District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Bir'''kenfeld ||   
   |-  
   | '''BIT''' || [[Bitburg-Prüm|Eifel District Bitburg-Prüm]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Bitburg|'''Bit'''burg]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BIW''' || [[Bautzen (district)|Bautzen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Bischofswerda|'''Bi'''schofs'''w'''erda]] ||   
   |-  
   | rowspan="3" | '''BK'''
   | [[Rems-Murr-Kreis|Rems-Murr District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" |[[Backnang|'''B'''ac'''k'''nang]]
   | From [BK-'''A''' 100 to 999] to [BK-'''M''' 100 to 999]<Br>''(Excluding Codes B, F, G, I)''<BR>From [BK-'''N''' 1] to [BK-'''Z''' 999]<Br>''(Excluding codes O and Q)''<Br>From [BK-'''AA''' 1 to 99] to [BK-'''PZ''' 1 to 99]<Br>''(Excluding Codes B, F, G, I, O, Q)''<Br>From [BK-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [BK-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Schwäbisch Hall (district)|Schwäbisch Hall District]]
   | [BK-'''A''' 1 to 99] to [BK-'''M''' 1 to 99]<Br>''(Excluding Codes B, F, G, I)''<Br>From [BK-'''RA''' 1 to 99] to [BK-'''ZZ''' 1 to 99]<Br>''(Excluding Codes B, F, G, I, O, Q)''<Br>From [BK-'''TA''' 1000 to 999] to [BK-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''B'''örde'''k'''reis
   | [BK-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[BK-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are : B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [BK-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [BK-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999] <Br>From [BK-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [BK-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [BK-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [BK-'''SZ''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''BKS''' || [[Bernkastel-Wittlich|Bernkastel-Wittlich District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Bernkastel-Kues|'''B'''ern'''k'''a'''s'''tel-Kues]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BL''' || [[Zollernalbkreis|Zollernalb District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Balingen|'''B'''a'''l'''ingen]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BLB''' || [[Siegen-Wittgenstein|Siegen-Wittgenstein District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Bad Berleburg|Bad '''B'''er'''l'''e'''b'''urg]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BLK''' || [[Burgenlandkreis|Burgenland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''B'''urgen'''l'''and'''k'''reis ||   
   |- 
   | '''BM''' || [[Rhein-Erft-Kreis|Rhein-Erft District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Bergheim, North Rhine-Westphalia|'''B'''erghei'''m''']] ||   
   |-   
   | '''BN''' || [[Bonn]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''B'''o'''n'''n ||   
   |-   
   | '''BNA''' || [[Leipzig (district)|Leipzig District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Borna, Leipzig|'''B'''or'''na''']] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BO''' || [[Bochum]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Bo'''chum ||   
   |-    
   | '''BÖ''' || [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''Bö'''rde  ||   
   |-   
   | '''BOG''' || [[Straubing-Bogen|Straubing-Bogen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bogen, Germany|'''Bog'''en]] ||   
   |- 
   | '''BOH''' || [[Borken (district)|Borken District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Bocholt, Germany|'''Bo'''c'''h'''olt]] ||   
   |- 
   | '''BOR''' || [[Borken (district)|Borken District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Bor'''ken ||   
   |- 
   | '''BOT''' || [[Bottrop]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Bot'''trop ||   
   |- 
   | '''BP''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[Federal Police (Germany)|German Federal Police]]
   | '''B'''undes'''p'''olizei   ||   Code reserved for Vehicles of German Federal Police
   |-   
   | '''BRA''' || [[Wesermarsch|Wesermarsch District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Brake, Lower Saxony|'''Bra'''ke]] ||   
   |-       
   | '''BRB''' || [[Brandenburg an der Havel]] City || [[Brandenburg]] || '''Br'''anden'''b'''urg ||   
   |-   
   | '''BRG''' || [[Jerichower Land|Jerichower Land District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Burg bei Magdeburg|'''B'''u'''rg''']] ||   
   |-  
   | '''BRK''' || [[Bad Kissingen (district)|Bad Kissingen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Brückenau|Bad '''Br'''üc'''k'''enau]] ||   
   |-    
   | '''BRL''' || [[Goslar (district)|Goslar District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Braunlage|'''Br'''aun'''l'''age]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''BRV''' || [[Rotenburg (district)|Rotenburg (Wümme) District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Bremervörde|'''Br'''emer'''v'''örde]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''BS''' || [[Braunschweig]] City (Brunswick) || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''B'''raun'''s'''chweig || 
   |-
   | '''BSB''' || [[Osnabrück (district)|Osnabrück District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Bersenbrück|'''B'''er'''s'''en'''b'''rück]] ||
   |-
   | '''BSK''' || [[Oder-Spree|Oder-Spree District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Beeskow|'''B'''ee'''sk'''ow]] || 
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''BT'''
   | [[Bayreuth (district)|Bayreuth District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''B'''ayreu'''t'''h
   | From [BT-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [BT-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]<Br>[BT-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G''<Br>[BT-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G''
   |-
   | [[Bayreuth]] City
   | [BT-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is  not : B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[BT-''XY'' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[BT-'''X''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G''
   |-
   | '''BTF''' || [[Anhalt-Bitterfeld|Anhalt-Bitterfeld District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Bitterfeld-Wolfen|'''B'''i'''t'''ter'''f'''eld-Wolfen]] || 
   |-
   | '''BÜD''' || [[Wetteraukreis|Wetterau District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Büdingen|'''Büd'''ingen]] || 
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''BUL'''
   | [[Amberg-Sulzbach|Amberg-Sulzbach District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" |[[Burglengenfeld|'''Bu'''rg'''l'''engenfeld]]
   | [BUL-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G''
   |-
   | [[Schwandorf (district)|Schwandorf District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''BÜR''' || [[Paderborn (district)|Paderborn District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Büren, Westphalia|'''Bür'''en]] || 
   |-
   | '''BÜS''' || [[Büsingen am Hochrhein]] Municipality <Br>''(A subdivision of [[Konstanz (district)|Konstanz District]])''|| [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Büs'''ingen || It is allocated its own code to facilitate cross-border travel, as it is a German exclave within [[Switzerland]]
   |-
   | '''BÜZ''' || [[Rostock (district)|Rostock District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Bützow|'''Bü'''t'''z'''ow]] || 
   |-
   | '''BW''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration]]
   | '''B'''undes-'''W'''asserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung   ||  Code reserved for Vehicles of German Federal Waterway and Shipping Admin.
   |-
   | '''BWL''' || ''[[Baden-Württemberg]] Government, [[Landtag of Baden-Württemberg|Landtag]], and [[Baden-Württemberg Police|Police]]'' || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''B'''aden-'''W'''ürttembergischer<Br>'''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Baden-Württemberg State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''BYL''' || ''[[Bavaria]] Government and [[Landtag of Bavaria|Landtag]]'' || [[Bavaria]] || '''B'''a'''y'''erischer<Br>'''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Bavaria State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-
   | '''BZ''' || [[Bautzen (district)|Bautzen District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''B'''aut'''z'''en ||   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''C''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''C''' || [[Chemnitz]] City || [[Saxony]] || '''C'''hemnitz ||  From [C-'''AA''' 1 to 9999] to [C-'''ZZ''' 1 to 9999]
   |-  
   | '''CA''' || [[Oberspreewald-Lausitz|Oberspreewald-Lausitz District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Calau|'''Ca'''lau]] ||  
   |-  
   | '''CAS''' || [[Recklinghausen (district)|Recklinghausen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Castrop-Rauxel|'''Cas'''trop-Rauxel]] ||  
   |-  
   | '''CB''' || [[Cottbus]] City || [[Brandenburg]] || '''C'''ott'''b'''us ||  From [CB-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [CB-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-  
   | '''CE''' || [[Celle (district)|Celle District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Ce'''lle ||  
   |-  
   | '''CHA''' || [[Cham (district)|Cham District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Cha'''m ||  
   |-  
   | '''CLP''' || [[Cloppenburg (district)|Cloppenburg District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Cl'''o'''p'''penburg  ||  
   |-  
   | '''CLZ''' || [[Goslar (district)|Goslar District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Clausthal-Zellerfeld|'''Cl'''austhal-'''Z'''ellerfeld]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''CO''' || [[Coburg]] City<Br>[[Coburg (district)|Coburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Co'''burg||   
   |-   
   | '''COC''' || [[Cochem-Zell|Cochem-Zell District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Cochem|'''Coc'''hem]] ||   
   |-
   | '''COE''' || [[Coesfeld (district)|Coesfeld District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Coe'''sfeld ||   
   |-   
   | '''CR''' || [[Schwäbisch Hall (district)|Schwäbisch Hall District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Crailsheim|'''Cr'''ailsheim]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''CUX''' || [[Cuxhaven (district)|Cuxhaven District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Cux'''haven ||   
   |-   
   | '''CW''' || [[Calw (district)|Calw District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''C'''al'''w''' ||   
   |-   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''D''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''D''' || [[Düsseldorf]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''D'''üsseldorf ||   
   |-   
   | rowspan="2" | '''DA'''
   | [[Darmstadt]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Hesse]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''Da'''rmstadt
   | From [DA-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [DA-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>[DA-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[DA-'''X''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   |[[Darmstadt-Dieburg|Darmstadt-Dieburg District]]
   | From [DA-'''A''' 1000 to 9000] to [DA-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [DA-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [DA-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[DA-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[DA-'''X''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |- 
   |-  
   | '''DAH''' || [[Dachau (district)|Dachau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Da'''c'''h'''au ||   
   |-    
   | '''DAN''' || [[Lüchow-Dannenberg|Lüchow-Dannenberg District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Dannenberg (Elbe)|'''Dan'''nenberg]] ||   
   |-    
   | '''DAU''' || [[Vulkaneifel|Vulkaneifel District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Daun, Germany|'''Dau'''n]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''DBR''' || [[Rostock (district)|Rostock District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Bad Doberan|Bad '''D'''o'''b'''e'''r'''an]] ||   
   |-     
   | rowspan="2" | '''DD'''
   | [[Saxony State Police|Saxony Police]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Saxony]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''D'''res'''d'''en
   | From [DD-Q 1] to [DD-Q 9999]
   |-
   | [[Dresden]] City
   | From [DD-'''AA''' 1 to 9999] to [DD-'''ZZ''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''DE''' || [[Dessau-Roßlau]] City || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''De'''ssau-Roßlau ||   
   |-    
   | '''DEG''' || [[Deggendorf (district)|Deggendorf District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Deg'''gendorf ||   
   |-    
   | '''DEL''' || [[Delmenhorst]] City || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Del'''menhorst||   
   |-    
   | '''DGF''' || [[Dingolfing-Landau|Dingolfing-Landau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Dingolfing|'''D'''in'''g'''ol'''f'''ing]] ||   
   |-    
   | '''DH''' || [[Diepholz (district)|Diepholz District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''D'''iep'''h'''olz ||   
   |-
   | '''DI''' || [[Darmstadt-Dieburg|Darmstadt-Dieburg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Dieburg|'''Di'''eburg]] ||   
   |-    
   | '''DIL''' || [[Lahn-Dill-Kreis|Lahn-Dill District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Wetzlar]] City)'' || [[Hesse]] || [[Dillenburg|'''Dil'''lenburg]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''DIN''' || [[Wesel (district)|Wesel District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Dinslaken|'''Din'''slaken]] ||   
   |-     
   | '''DIZ''' || [[Rhein-Lahn-Kreis|Rhein-Lahn District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Diez, Germany|'''Di'''e'''z''']] ||   
   |-  
   | '''DKB''' || [[Ansbach (district)|Ansbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Dinkelsbühl|'''D'''in'''k'''els'''b'''ühl]] ||   
   |-        
   | '''DL''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Döbeln|'''D'''öbe'''l'''n]] ||   
   |-    
   | '''DLG''' || [[Dillingen (district)|Dillingen an der Donau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''D'''i'''l'''lin'''g'''en  ||   
   |-     
   | '''DM''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Demmin|'''D'''e'''m'''min]]  ||   
   |-   
   | '''DN''' || [[Düren (district)|Düren District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''D'''üre'''n'''  ||   
   |-        
   | '''DO''' || [[Dortmund]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Do'''rtmund  ||   
   |-       
   | '''DON''' || [[Donau-Ries|Donau-Ries District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Donauwörth|'''Don'''auwörth]] ||   
   |-             
   | '''DU''' || [[Duisburg]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Du'''isburg||   
   |-     
   | '''DUD''' || [[Göttingen (district)|Göttingen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Göttingen]] City)'' || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Duderstadt|'''Dud'''erstadt]]  ||   
   |-       
   | '''DÜW''' || [[Bad Dürkheim (district)|Bad Dürkheim District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || Bad Dürkheim|Bad '''Dü'''rkheim an der '''W'''einstraße  ||   
   |-    
   | '''DW''' || [[Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge|Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Dippoldiswalde|'''D'''ippoldis'''w'''alde]]  ||   
   |-       
   | '''DZ''' || [[Nordsachsen|Nordsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Delitzsch|'''D'''elit'''z'''sch]]  ||   
   |-         
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''E''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''E''' || [[Essen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''E'''ssen||   
   |-
   | '''EA''' || [[Wartburgkreis|Wartburg District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Eisenach|'''E'''isen'''a'''ch]] || Eisenach was an independent urban District until 1 July 2021, when it was merged into Wartburg District due to a budgetary crisis.<ref>[https://www.eisenach.de/rathaus/fusion-der-stadt-eisenach "Fusion der Stadt Eisenach mit dem Wartburgkreis"], retrieved 23 June 2021.</ref>
   |-
   | '''EB''' || [[Nordsachsen|Nordsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Eilenburg|'''E'''ilen'''b'''urg]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''EBE''' || [[Ebersberg (district)|Ebersberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ebe'''rsberg ||   
   |-
   | '''EBN''' || [[Haßberge (district)|Haßberge District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Ebern|'''Eb'''er'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="3" | '''EBS'''
   | [[Kulmbach (district)|Kulmbach District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="3" |[[Ebermannstadt|'''Eb'''ermann'''s'''tadt]]
   | From [EBS-'''A''' 1 to 999] to [EBS-'''M''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Bayreuth (district)|Bayreuth District]]
   | From [EBS-'''N''' 1 to 999] to [EBS-'''Z''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Forchheim (district)|Forchheim District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''ECK''' || [[Rendsburg-Eckernförde|Rendsburg-Eckernförde District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Eckernförde|'''Eck'''ernförde]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ED''' || [[Erding (district)|Erding District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''E'''r'''d'''ing  ||   
   |-
   | '''EE''' || [[Elbe-Elster|Elbe-Elster District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''E'''lbe-'''E'''lster ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''EF'''
   | [[Thuringia State Police|Thuringia Police]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Thuringia]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''E'''r'''f'''urt
   | From [EF-LP 1000] to [EF-LP 9999]
   |-
   | [[Erfurt]] City
   | From [EF-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [EF-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | '''EG''' || [[Rottal-Inn|Rottal-Inn District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Eggenfelden|'''Eg'''genfelden]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''EH''' || [[Oder-Spree|Oder-Spree District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Eisenhüttenstadt|'''E'''isen'''h'''üttenstadt]] || 
   |-
   | '''EI''' || [[Eichstätt (district)|Eichstätt District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ei'''chstätt  ||   
   |-
   | '''EIC''' || [[Eichsfeld (district)|Eichsfeld District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''Eic'''hsfeld ||   
   |-
   | '''EIL''' || [[Mansfeld-Südharz|Mansfeld-Südharz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Eisleben|'''Ei'''s'''l'''eben]] ||   
   |-
   | '''EIN''' || [[Northeim (district)|Northeim District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Einbeck|'''Ein'''beck]] ||   
   |-
   | '''EIS''' || [[Saale-Holzland-Kreis|Saale-Holzland District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Eisenberg, Thuringia|'''Eis'''enberg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''EL''' || [[Emsland|Emsland District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''E'''ms'''l'''and ||   
   |-
   | '''EM''' || [[Emmendingen (district)|Emmendingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Em'''mendingen ||   
   |-
   | '''EMD''' || [[Emden]] City || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Emd'''en||   
   |-
   | '''EMS''' || [[Rhein-Lahn-Kreis|Rhein-Lahn District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Bad Ems|Bad '''Ems''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''EN''' || [[Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis|Ennepe-Ruhr District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''En'''nepe ||   
   |-
   | '''ER''' || [[Erlangen]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''Er'''langen||   
   |-
   | '''ERB''' || [[Odenwaldkreis|Odenwald District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Erbach im Odenwald|'''Erb'''ach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ERH''' || [[Erlangen-Höchstadt|Erlangen-Höchstadt District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Er'''langen-'''H'''öchstadt ||   
   |-
   | '''ERK''' || [[Heinsberg (district)|Heinsberg District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Erkelenz|'''Erk'''elenz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ERZ''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''Erz'''gebirge||   
   |-
   | '''ES''' || [[Esslingen (district)|Esslingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Es'''slingen ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="4" | '''ESB'''
   | [[Bayreuth (district)|Bayreuth District]]
   | rowspan="4" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="4" |[[Eschenbach in der Oberpfalz|'''Es'''chen'''b'''ach]]
   | From [ESB-'''A'''T 1 to 99] to [ESB-'''Z'''T 1 to 99]
   |-
   | [[Amberg-Sulzbach|Amberg-Sulzbach District]]
   | From [ESB-'''B''' 1] to [ESB-'''X''' 999]<Br>''''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Nürnberger Land|Nürnberger Land District]]
   | From [ESB-N 1] to [ESB-N 999]
   |-
   | [[Neustadt an der Waldnaab (district)|Neustadt an der Waldnaab District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''ESW''' || [[Werra-Meißner-Kreis|Werra-Meißner District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Eschwege|'''Es'''ch'''w'''ege]] ||   
   |-
   | '''EU''' || [[Euskirchen (district)|Euskirchen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Eu'''skirchen ||   
   |-
   | '''EW''' || [[Barnim|Barnim District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Eberswalde|'''E'''bers'''w'''alde]] ||   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''F''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''F''' || [[Frankfurt am Main]] City || [[Hesse]] || '''F'''rankfurt ||   
   |-
   | '''FB''' || [[Wetteraukreis|Wetterau District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Friedberg, Hesse|'''F'''ried'''b'''erg]] || 
   |-
   | '''FD''' || [[Fulda (district)|Fulda District]] || [[Hesse]] || '''F'''ul'''d'''a ||   
   |-
   | '''FDB''' || [[Aichach-Friedberg|Aichach-Friedberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Friedberg, Bavaria|'''F'''rie'''db'''erg]]  || 
   |-
   | '''FDS''' || [[Freudenstadt (district)|Freudenstadt District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''F'''reu'''d'''en'''s'''tadt  ||
   |-
   | '''FEU''' || [[Ansbach (district)|Ansbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Feuchtwangen|'''Feu'''chtwangen]] || 
   |-
   | '''FF''' || [[Frankfurt (Oder)]] City || [[Brandenburg]] || '''F'''rank'''f'''urt ||   
   |-
   | '''FFB''' || [[Fürstenfeldbruck (district)|Fürstenfeldbruck District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''F'''ürsten'''f'''eld'''b'''ruck  ||   
   |-
   | '''FG''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Freiberg|'''F'''reiber'''g''']] ||   
   |- 
   | '''FI''' || [[Elbe-Elster|Elbe-Elster District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Finsterwalde|'''Fi'''nsterwalde]] ||   
   |-
   | '''FKB''' || [[Waldeck-Frankenberg|Waldeck-Frankenberg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Frankenberg an der Eder|'''F'''ran'''k'''en'''b'''erg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''FL''' || [[Flensburg]] City || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''Fl'''ensburg ||   
   |-
   | '''FLÖ''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Flöha|'''Flö'''ha]] ||   
   |-
   | '''FN''' || [[Bodenseekreis|Bodensee (Lake Constance) District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Friedrichshafen|'''F'''riedrichshafe'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''FO''' || [[Forchheim (district)|Forchheim District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Fo'''rchheim ||   
   |-
   | '''FOR''' || [[Spree-Neiße|Spree-Neiße District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Forst (Lausitz)|'''For'''st]] || 
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''FR'''
   | [[Freiburg im Breisgau]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" |'''FR'''eiburg
   | [FR-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[FR-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [FR-'''NA''' 1000 to 9999] to [FR-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald|Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald District]]   
   |[FR-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[FR-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [FR-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [FR-'''MZ''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''FRG''' || [[Freyung-Grafenau|Freyung-Grafenau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Fr'''eyung-'''G'''rafenau ||   
   |-
   | '''FRI''' || [[Friesland (district)|Friesland District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Fri'''esland  ||   
   |-
   | '''FRW''' || [[Märkisch-Oderland|Märkisch-Oderland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Bad Freienwalde|Bad '''Fr'''eien'''w'''alde]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''FS'''
   | [[Moosburg an der Isar]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Freising (district)|Freising District]])''
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''F'''rei'''s'''ing 
   | [FS-'''I''' 1 to 999]<Br>[FS-'''X''' 1000 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: H, I, M, P, R''<Br>[FS-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: I''
   |-
   | [[Freising (district)|Freising District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Moosburg an der Isar]] City)''
   | [FS-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: I, O, Q''<Br>[FS-'''XY''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''FT''' || [[Frankenthal|Frankenthal (Pfalz)]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''F'''ranken'''t'''hal  ||   
   |-
   | '''FTL''' || [[Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge|Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Freital|'''F'''rei'''t'''a'''l''']]  ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''FÜ'''
   | [[Fürth]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Fü'''rth
   | [FÜ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[FÜ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [FÜ-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [FÜ-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Fürth (district)|Fürth District]]
   | [FÜ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[FÜ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [FÜ-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [FÜ-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''FÜS''' || [[Ostallgäu|Ostallgäu District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Füs'''sen ||   
   |-
   | '''FW''' || [[Oder-Spree|Oder-Spree District]]|| [[Brandenburg]] || [[Fürstenwalde|'''F'''ürsten'''w'''alde]] || 
   |-
   | '''FZ''' || [[Schwalm-Eder-Kreis|Schwalm-Eder District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Fritzlar|'''F'''rit'''z'''lar]] || 
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''G''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''G''' || [[Gera]] City || [[Thuringia]] || '''G'''era||   
   |-
   | '''GA''' || [[Altmarkkreis Salzwedel|Altmark District Salzwedel]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Gardelegen|'''Ga'''rdelegen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GAN''' || [[Northeim (district)|Northeim District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Bad Gandersheim|Bad '''Gan'''dersheim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GAP''' || [[Garmisch-Partenkirchen (district)|Garmisch-Partenkirchen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ga'''rmisch-'''P'''artenkirchen ||   
   |-
   | '''GC''' || [[Zwickau (district)|Zwickau District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Glauchau|'''G'''lau'''c'''hau]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GD''' || [[Ostalbkreis|Ostalb District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Schwäbisch Gmünd|Schwäbisch '''G'''mün'''d''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''GDB''' || [[Nordwestmecklenburg|Nordwestmecklenburg District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Wismar]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Gadebusch|'''G'''a'''d'''e'''b'''usch]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GE''' || [[Gelsenkirchen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Ge'''lsenkirchen ||   
   |-
   | '''GEL''' || [[Kleve (district)|Kleve District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Geldern|'''Gel'''dern]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''GEO'''
   | [[Haßberge (district)|Haßberge District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Gerolzhofen|'''Ge'''r'''o'''lzhofen]]
   | [GEO-'''A''' 1000 to 9990]<Br>[GEO-'''B''' 1000 to 9990]
   |-
   | [[Schweinfurt (district)|Schweinfurt District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''GER''' || [[Germersheim (district)|Germersheim District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Ger'''mersheim  ||   
   |-
   | '''GF''' || [[Gifhorn (district)|Gifhorn District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''G'''i'''f'''horn   ||   
   |-
   | '''GG''' || [[Groß-Gerau (district)|Groß-Gerau District]] || [[Hesse]] || '''G'''roß-'''G'''erau   ||   
   |-
   | '''GHA''' || [[Leipzig (district)|Leipzig District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Geithain|'''G'''eit'''ha'''in]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GHC''' || [[Wittenberg (district)|Wittenberg District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Gräfenhainichen|'''G'''räfen'''h'''aini'''c'''hen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GI''' || [[Giessen (district)|Gießen District]] || [[Hesse]] || '''Gi'''eßen ||   
   |-
   | '''GK''' || [[Heinsberg (district)|Heinsberg District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Geilenkirchen|'''G'''eilen'''k'''irchen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GL''' || [[Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis|Rheinisch-Bergischer District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Bergisch Gladbach|Bergisch '''Gl'''adbach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GLA''' || [[Recklinghausen (district)|Recklinghausen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Gladbeck|'''Gla'''dbeck]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GM''' || [[Oberbergischer Kreis|Oberbergischer District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Gummersbach|'''G'''u'''m'''mersbach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GMN''' || [[Vorpommern-Rügen|Vorpommern-Rügen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Stralsund]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Grimmen|'''G'''ri'''m'''me'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''GN''' || [[Main-Kinzig-Kreis|Main-Kinzig District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Hanau]] City)'' || [[Hesse]] || [[Gelnhausen|'''G'''el'''n'''hausen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GNT''' || [[Jerichower Land|Jerichower Land District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Genthin|'''G'''e'''nt'''hin]] ||   
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''GÖ'''
   | [[Göttingen (district)|Göttingen District]]<Br>''(Excluding Göttingen City)''
   | rowspan="2" | [[Lower Saxony]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Gö'''ttingen 
   | [GÖ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, O, Q''<Br>[GÖ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, O, Q''<Br>From [GÖ-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [GÖ-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Göttingen]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of Göttingen District)''
   | [GÖ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[GÖ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [GÖ-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [GÖ-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''GOA''' || [[Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis|Rhein-Hunsrück District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Sankt Goar|Sankt '''Goa'''r]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GOH''' || [[Rhein-Lahn-Kreis|Rhein-Lahn District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Sankt Goarshausen|Sankt '''Go'''ars'''h'''ausen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GP''' || [[Göppingen (district)|Göppingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''G'''ö'''p'''pingen  ||   
   |-
   | '''GR''' || [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''G'''ö'''r'''litz ||   
   |-
   | '''GRA''' || [[Freyung-Grafenau|Freyung-Grafenau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Grafenau, Bavaria|'''Gra'''fenau]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GRH''' || [[Meissen (district)|Meißen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Großenhain|'''Gr'''oßen'''h'''ain]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GRI''' || [[Rottal-Inn|Rottal-Inn District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Griesbach|Bad '''Gri'''esbach]] || [GRI-'''XY''' 100 to 999]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''GRM''' || [[Leipzig (district)|Leipzig District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Grimma|'''Gr'''i'''m'''ma]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GRZ''' || [[Greiz (district)|Greiz District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''Gr'''ei'''z''' ||   
   |-
   | '''GS''' || [[Goslar (district)|Goslar District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''G'''o'''s'''lar  ||   
   |-
   | '''GT''' || [[Gütersloh (district)|Gütersloh District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''G'''ü'''t'''ersloh  ||   
   |-
   | '''GTH''' || [[Gotha (district)|Gotha District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''G'''o'''th'''a ||  
   |-
   | '''GÜ''' || [[Rostock (district)|Rostock District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Güstrow|'''Gü'''strow]] || 
   |-
   | '''GUB''' || [[Spree-Neiße|Spree-Neiße District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Guben|'''Gub'''en]] || 
   |-
   | '''GUN''' || [[Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen|Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Gunzenhausen|'''Gun'''zenhausen]] || 
   |-
   | '''GV''' || [[Rhein-Kreis Neuss|Rhein District Neuss]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Grevenbroich|'''G'''re'''v'''enbroich]] || 
   |-
   | '''GVM''' || [[Nordwestmecklenburg|Nordwestmecklenburg District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Wismar]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Grevesmühlen|'''G'''re'''v'''es'''m'''ühlen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''GW''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''G'''reifs'''w'''ald ||   
   |-
   | '''GZ''' || [[Günzburg (district)|Günzburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''G'''ün'''z'''burg  ||   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''H''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''H'''
   | [[Hanover]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of Hanover Region)''
   | rowspan="2" | [[Lower Saxony]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''H'''annover
   | [H-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[H-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are:  B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [H-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [H-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [H-'''BA''' 1000 to 9999] to [H-'''BZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [H-'''FA''' 1000 to 9999] to [H-'''GZ''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Hanover Region]]<Br>''(Excluding Hanover City)''
   | [H-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[H-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are:  B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [H-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [H-'''AZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [H-'''CA''' 1000 to 9999] to [H-'''EZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [H-'''HA''' 1000 to 9999] to [H-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''HA''' || [[Hagen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Ha'''gen ||   
   |-
   | '''HAB''' || [[Bad Kissingen (district)|Bad Kissingen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Hammelburg|'''Ha'''mmel'''b'''urg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HAL''' || [[Halle (Saale)]] City || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''Hal'''le ||   
   |-
   | '''HAM''' || [[Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia|Hamm]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Ham'''m ||   
   |-
   | '''HAS''' || [[Haßberge (district)|Haßberge District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Haßfurt|'''Has'''sfurt]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''HB'''
   | [[Bremen]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bremen (state)|State of Bremen]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''H'''ansestadt '''B'''remen
   | From [HB-'''A''' 1 to 999] to [HB-'''Z''' 1 to 999]<Br>From [HB-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [HB-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Bremerhaven]] City
   | From [HB-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [HB-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''HBN''' || [[Hildburghausen (district)|Hildburghausen District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''H'''ild'''b'''urghause'''n'''  ||   
   |-
   | '''HBS''' || [[Harz (district)|Harz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Halberstadt|'''H'''al'''b'''er'''s'''tadt]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''HC''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] ||[[Hainichen, Saxony|'''H'''aini'''c'''hen]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''HCH'''
   | [[Freudenstadt (district)|Freudenstadt District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Hechingen|'''H'''e'''ch'''ingen]]
   | [HCH-'''QY''' 1000 to 999], [HCH-'''VY''' 1000 to 999]<Br>[HCH-'''YQ''' 1000 to 999], [HCH-'''YV''' 1000 to 999]<Br>[HCH-'''ZQ''' 1000 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Zollernalbkreis|Zollernalb District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''HD'''
   | [[Rhein-Neckar-Kreis|Rhein-Neckar District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''H'''ei'''d'''elberg
   | [HD-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[HD-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [HD-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [HD-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Heidelberg]] City
   | [HD-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[HD-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>From [HD-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [HD-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''HDH''' || [[Heidenheim (district)|Heidenheim District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''H'''ei'''d'''en'''h'''eim   ||   
   |-
   | '''HDL''' || [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Haldensleben|'''H'''al'''d'''ens'''l'''eben]]  ||   
   |-   
   | '''HE''' || [[Helmstedt (district)|Helmstedt District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''He'''lmstedt ||
   |-
   | '''HEB''' || [[Nürnberger Land|Nürnberger Land District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Hersbruck|'''He'''rs'''b'''ruck]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HEF''' || [[Hersfeld-Rotenburg|Hersfeld-Rotenburg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Bad Hersfeld|Bad '''He'''rs'''f'''eld]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HEI''' || [[Dithmarschen|Dithmarschen District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Heide|'''Hei'''de]] ||
   |-
   | '''HEL''' || ''[[Hesse]] Government and [[Landtag of Hesse|Landtag]]'' || [[Hesse]] || '''He'''ssischer '''L'''andtag||  Code reserved for Hesse State-owned governmental vehicles
   |- 
   | '''HER''' || [[Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia|Herne]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Her'''ne ||
   |-
   | '''HET''' || [[Mansfeld-Südharz|Mansfeld-Südharz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Hettstedt|'''Het'''tstedt]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HF''' || [[Herford (district)|Herford District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''H'''er'''f'''ord  ||   
   |-   
   | '''HG''' || [[Hochtaunuskreis|Hochtaunus District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Bad Homburg|Bad '''H'''ombur'''g''']]  ||   
   |-  
   | '''HGN''' || [[Ludwigslust-Parchim|Ludwigslust-Parchim District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Hagenow|'''H'''a'''g'''e'''n'''ow]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''HGW''' || [[Greifswald]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]])'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''H'''ansestadt '''G'''reifs'''w'''ald ||   
   |-
   | '''HH''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[Hamburg]] 
   | '''H'''ansestadt '''H'''amburg ||   
   |-
   | '''HHM''' || [[Burgenlandkreis|Burgenland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Hohenmölsen|'''H'''o'''h'''en'''m'''ölsen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HI''' || [[Hildesheim (district)|Hildesheim District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Hi'''ldesheim   || 
   |-
   | '''HIG''' || [[Eichsfeld (district)|Eichsfeld District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Heilbad Heiligenstadt|Heilbad '''H'''eil'''ig'''enstadt]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HIP''' || [[Roth (district)|Roth District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Hilpoltstein|'''Hi'''l'''p'''oltstein]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HK''' || [[Heidekreis|Heide District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''H'''eide'''k'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''HL''' || [[Lübeck]] City || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''H'''ansestadt '''L'''übeck ||   
   |-
   | '''HM''' || [[Hameln-Pyrmont|Hameln-Pyrmont District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Hamelin|'''H'''a'''m'''eln]] (Hamelin) ||   
   |-
   | '''HMÜ''' || [[Göttingen (district)|Göttingen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Göttingen]] City)'' || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Hann. Münden|'''H'''ann. '''Mü'''nden]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''HN'''
   | [[Heilbronn (district)|Heilbronn District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''H'''eilbro'''n'''n
   | From [HN-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [HN-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [HN-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [HN-'''MZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[HN-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[HN-''XY'' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Heilbronn]] City
   | From [HN-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [HN-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [HN-'''NA''' 1000 to 9999] to [HN-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[HN-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[HN-''XY'' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''HO'''
   | [[Hof (district)|Hof District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Ho'''f
   | From [HO-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [HO-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [HO-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [HO-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''(Shared)''<Br>[HO-'''B''' 1 to 999]<Br>[HO-'''G''' 1 to 999]<Br>[HO-'''F''' 1 to 99]
   |-
   | [[Hof, Bavaria|Hof]] City
   | From [HO-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [HO-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''(Shared)''<Br>[HO-'''F''' 100 to 999]<Br>[HN-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[HO-''XY'' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''HOG''' || [[Kassel (district)|Kassel District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Hofgeismar|'''Ho'''f'''g'''eismar]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''HOH''' || [[Haßberge (district)|Haßberge District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Hofheim, Bavaria|'''Ho'''f'''h'''eim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HOL''' || [[Holzminden (district)|Holzminden District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Hol'''zminden ||   
   |-
   | '''HOM''' || [[Saarpfalz-Kreis|Saarpfalz District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Sankt Ingbert]] City)'' || [[Saarland]] || [[Homburg, Saarland|'''Hom'''burg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HOR''' || [[Freudenstadt (district)|Freudenstadt District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Horb am Neckar|'''Hor'''b]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''HÖS''' || [[Erlangen-Höchstadt|Erlangen-Höchstadt District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Höchstadt|'''Hö'''ch'''s'''tadt]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HOT''' || [[Zwickau (district)|Zwickau District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Hohenstein-Ernstthal|'''Ho'''hens'''t'''ein-Ernstthal]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HP''' || [[Bergstraße (district)|Bergstraße District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Heppenheim|'''H'''e'''p'''penheim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HR''' || [[Schwalm-Eder-Kreis|Schwalm-Eder District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Homberg (Efze)|'''H'''ombe'''r'''g]] || 
   |-
   | '''HRO''' || [[Rostock]] City || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''H'''ansestadt '''Ro'''stock||   
   |-
   | '''HS''' || [[Heinsberg (district)|Heinsberg District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''H'''ein'''s'''berg ||   
   |-
   | '''HSK''' || [[Hochsauerlandkreis|Hochsauerland District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''H'''och'''S'''auerland'''K'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''HST''' || [[Stralsund]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Vorpommern-Rügen|Vorpommern-Rügen District]])'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''H'''ansestadt '''St'''ralsund || From [HST-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [HST-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]<Br>[HST-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''HU''' || [[Main-Kinzig-Kreis|Main-Kinzig District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Hanau|'''H'''ana'''u''']] || 
   |-
   | '''HV''' || [[Stendal (district)|Stendal District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Havelberg|'''H'''a'''v'''elberg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HVL''' || [[Havelland (district)|Havelland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''H'''a'''v'''el'''l'''and ||   
   |-
   | '''HWI''' || [[Wismar]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Nordwestmecklenburg|Nordwestmecklenburg District]])'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''H'''ansestadt '''Wi'''smar|| 
   |-
   | '''HX''' || [[Höxter (district)|Höxter District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''H'''ö'''x'''ter ||   
   |-
   | '''HY''' || [[Bautzen (district)|Bautzen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Hoyerswerda|'''H'''o'''y'''erswerda]] ||   
   |-
   | '''HZ''' || [[Harz (district)|Harz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''H'''ar'''z''' ||

   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''I''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''IGB''' || [[Sankt Ingbert|St. Ingbert]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Saarpfalz-Kreis|Saarpfalz District]])'' || [[Saarland]] || St. '''I'''n'''gb'''ert ||   
   |-
   | '''IK''' || [[Ilm-Kreis|Ilm District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''I'''lm-'''K'''reis  ||  
   |-
   | '''IL''' || [[Ilm-Kreis|Ilm District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Ilmenau|'''Il'''menau]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''ILL''' || [[Neu-Ulm (district)|Neu-Ulm District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Illertissen|'''Ill'''ertissen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''IN''' || [[Ingolstadt]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''In'''golstadt ||   
   |-
   | '''IZ''' || [[Steinburg|Steinburg District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Itzehoe|'''I'''t'''z'''ehoe]] ||

   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''J''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''J''' || [[Jena]] City || [[Thuringia]] || '''J'''ena ||   
   |- 
   | '''JE''' || [[Wittenberg (district)|Wittenberg District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Jessen (Elster)|'''Je'''ssen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''JL''' || [[Jerichower Land|Jerichower Land District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''J'''erichower '''L'''and ||   
   |-
   | '''JÜL''' || [[Düren (district)|Düren District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Jülich|'''Jül'''ich]] ||   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''K''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |- 
   | '''K''' || [[Cologne]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''K'''öln ||   
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''KA'''
   | [[Karlsruhe]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Ka'''rlsruhe
   | From [KA-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [KA-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [KA-'''NA''' 1000 to 9999] to [KA-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[KA-'''X'''  1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, Q''<Br>[KA-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, Q''
   |-
   | [[Karlsruhe (district)|Karlsruhe District]]
   | From [KA-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [KA-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [KA-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [KA-'''MZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[KA-'''X'''  1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: B, F, G, Q''<Br>[KA-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, Q''
   |-
   | '''KB''' || [[Waldeck-Frankenberg|Waldeck-Frankenberg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Korbach|'''K'''or'''b'''ach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KC''' || [[Kronach (district)|Kronach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''K'''rona'''c'''h  ||   
   |-
   | '''KE''' || [[Kempten|Kempten (Allgäu)]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ke'''mpten  || From [KE-'''A''' 1 to 999] to [KE-'''Z''' 1 to 999]<Br>From [KE-'''AA''' 1 to 99] to [KE-'''ZZ''' 1 to 99]
   |-
   | '''KEH''' || [[Kelheim (district)|Kelheim District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ke'''l'''h'''eim  ||   
   |-
   | '''KEL''' || [[Ortenaukreis|Ortenau District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Kehl|'''Ke'''h'''l''']]  ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''KEM'''
   | [[Bayreuth (district)|Bayreuth District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Kemnath|'''Kem'''nath]]
   | From [KEM-'''A'''T 1 to 99] to [KEM-'''Z'''T 1 to 99]
   |-
   | [[Tirschenreuth (district)|Tirschenreuth District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''KF''' || [[Kaufbeuren]] City || [[Bavaria]]  ||  '''K'''au'''f'''beuren ||
   |-
   | '''KG''' || [[Bad Kissingen (district)|Bad Kissingen District]] || [[Bavaria]]  || Bad '''K'''issin'''g'''en ||
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''KH'''
   | [[Bad Kreuznach (district)|Bad Kreuznach District]]<Br>''(Excluding Bad Kreuznach City)''
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]
   | rowspan="2" | Bad '''K'''reuznac'''h'''
   | From [KH-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [KH-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Bad Kreuznach]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of Bad Kreuznach District)''
   | From [KH-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [KH-'''Z''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | '''KI''' || [[Kiel]] City || [[Schleswig-Holstein]]  || '''Ki'''el ||
   |-
   | '''KIB''' || [[Donnersbergkreis|Donnersberg District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]  || [[Kirchheimbolanden|'''Ki'''rchheim'''b'''olanden]] ||
   |-
   | '''KK''' || [[Viersen (district)|Viersen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Kempen, Germany|'''K'''empen]]-[[Krefeld|'''K'''refeld]] ||    
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''KL'''
   | [[Kaiserslautern (district)|Kaiserslautern District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''K'''aisers'''l'''autern
   | From [KL-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [KL-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<BR>[KL-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[KL-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are:  B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Kaiserslautern]] City
   | [KL-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[KL-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are:  B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''KLE''' || [[Kleve (district)|Kleve District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Kle'''ve ||   
   |-
   | '''KLZ''' || [[Altmarkkreis Salzwedel|Altmark District Salzwedel]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Klötze|'''Kl'''öt'''z'''e]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KM''' || [[Bautzen (district)|Bautzen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Kamenz|'''K'''a'''m'''enz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KN''' || [[Konstanz (district)|Konstanz District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Büsingen am Hochrhein]] Municipality)'' || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''K'''o'''n'''stanz ||
   |- 
   | '''KO''' || [[Koblenz]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Ko'''blenz ||   
   |-
   | '''KÖN''' || [[Rhön-Grabfeld|Rhön-Grabfeld District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Königshofen|Bad '''Kön'''igshofen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KÖT''' || [[Anhalt-Bitterfeld|Anhalt-Bitterfeld District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Köthen (Anhalt)|'''Köt'''hen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KÖZ''' || [[Cham (district)|Cham District]] || [[Bavaria]] ||  [[Bad Kötzting|Bad '''Kö'''t'''z'''ting]] ||
   |-
   | '''KR''' || [[Krefeld]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Kr'''efeld ||   
   |-
   | '''KRU''' || [[Günzburg (district)|Günzburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Krumbach, Bavaria|'''Kru'''mbach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KS''' || [[Kassel (district)|Kassel District]]<Br>[[Kassel]] City || [[Hesse]] || '''K'''a'''s'''sel||
   |-
   | '''KT''' || [[Kitzingen (district)|Kitzingen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''K'''i'''t'''zingen ||   
   |-
   | '''KU''' || [[Kulmbach (district)|Kulmbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ku'''lmbach ||   
   |-
   | '''KÜN''' || [[Hohenlohe (district)|Hohenlohe District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Künzelsau|'''Kün'''zelsau]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KUS''' || [[Kusel (district)|Kusel District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Kus'''el ||   
   |-
   | '''KW''' || [[Dahme-Spreewald|Dahme-Spreewald District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Königs Wusterhausen|'''K'''önigs '''W'''usterhausen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KY''' || [[Ostprignitz-Ruppin|Ostprignitz-Ruppin District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Kyritz|'''Ky'''ritz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''KYF''' || [[Kyffhäuserkreis|Kyffhäuser District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''Kyf'''fhäuser  ||  
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''L''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''L'''
   | [[Leipzig]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Saxony]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''L'''eipzig
   | From [L-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [L-'''T''' 1 to 9999]<Br>From [L-'''AA''' 1 to 9999] to [L-'''TZ''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Leipzig (district)|Leipzig District]]
   | From [L-'''U''' 1 to 9999] to [L-'''Z''' 1 to 9999]<Br>From [L-'''UA''' 1 to 9999] to [L-'''ZZ''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''LA'''
   | [[Landshut (district)|Landshut District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''La'''ndshut
   | From [LA-'''AA''' 5000 to 9999] to [LA-'''ZZ''' 5000 to 9999]<Br>From [LA-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [LA-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>[LA-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[LA-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Landshut]] City
   | From [LA-'''AA''' 1000 to 4999] to [LA-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 4999]<Br>[LA-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[LA-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''LAN''' || [[Dingolfing-Landau|Dingolfing-Landau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Landau an der Isar|'''Lan'''dau]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LAU''' || [[Nürnberger Land|Nürnberger Land District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Lauf an der Pegnitz|'''Lau'''f]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LB''' || [[Ludwigsburg (district)|Ludwigsburg District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''L'''udwigs'''b'''urg ||   
   |-
   | '''LBS''' || [[Saale-Orla-Kreis|Saale-Orla District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Bad Lobenstein|Bad '''L'''o'''b'''en'''s'''tein]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LBZ''' || [[Ludwigslust-Parchim|Ludwigslust-Parchim District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Lübz|'''L'''ü'''bz''']]  ||   
   |-
   | '''LC''' || [[Dahme-Spreewald|Dahme-Spreewald District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Luckau|'''L'''u'''c'''kau]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LD''' || [[Landau|Landau in der Pfalz]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''L'''an'''d'''au ||   
   |-
   | '''LDK''' || [[Lahn-Dill-Kreis|Lahn-Dill District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Wetzlar]] City)'' || [[Hesse]] || '''L'''ahn-'''D'''ill-'''K'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''LDS''' || [[Dahme-Spreewald|Dahme-Spreewald District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''L'''andkreis '''D'''ahme-'''S'''preewald ||   
   |-
   | '''LEO''' || [[Böblingen (district)|Böblingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Leonberg|'''Leo'''nberg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LER''' || [[Leer (district)|Leer District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Le'''e'''r''' ||   
   |-
   | '''LEV''' || [[Leverkusen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Lev'''erkusen ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="3" | '''LF'''
   | [[Altötting (district)|Altötting District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Laufen, Germany|'''L'''au'''f'''en]]
   | [LF-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: C, I, J, L, M, O, Q, V''<br>[LF-'''E''' 1 to 599]
   |-
   | [[Traunstein (district)|Traunstein District]]
   | [LF-'''XY''' 100 to 999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: FZ, GH, KQ, RW, TS, WW,XX, ZZ''<Br>[LF-'''X''' 1 to 999]<BR>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G''<Br>[LF-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: DH, FZ, GH, KQ, LU, RW, TK, TS ,WW, XX, ZZ''<Br>[LF-'''DH''' 100 to 199]<Br>[LF-'''LU''' 100 to 299]<Br>[LF-'''TK''' 100 to 199]<Br>[LF-'''VW''' 200 to 499]
   |-
   |  [[Berchtesgadener Land|Berchtesgadener Land District]]
   |   Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''LG''' || [[Lüneburg (district)|Lüneburg District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''L'''ünebur'''g'''  ||   
   |-
   | '''LH''' || [[Coesfeld (district)|Coesfeld District]]<Br>[[Unna (district)|Unna District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Lüdinghausen|'''L'''üding'''h'''ausen]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''LI''' || [[Lindau (district)|Lindau (Bodensee) District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Li'''ndau  ||   
   |-
   | '''LIB''' || [[Elbe-Elster|Elbe-Elster District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Bad Liebenwerda|Bad '''Li'''e'''b'''enwerda]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LIF''' || [[Lichtenfels (district)|Lichtenfels District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Li'''chten'''f'''els  ||   
   |-
   | '''LIP''' || [[Lippe (district)|Lippe District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Lip'''pe  ||   
   |-
   | '''LL''' || [[Landsberg (district)|Landsberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''L'''andsberg am '''L'''ech ||   
   |-
   | '''LM''' || [[Limburg-Weilburg|Limburg-Weilburg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Limburg an der Lahn|'''L'''i'''m'''burg]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''LN''' || [[Dahme-Spreewald|Dahme-Spreewald District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Lübben (Spreewald)|'''L'''übbe'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''LÖ''' || [[Lörrach (district)|Lörrach District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Lö'''rrach||   
   |-
   | '''LÖB''' || [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Löbau|'''Löb'''au]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LOS''' || [[Oder-Spree|Oder-Spree District]]|| [[Brandenburg]] || '''L'''andkreis '''O'''der-'''S'''pree || 
   |-
   | '''LP''' || [[Soest (district)|Soest District]]|| [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Lippstadt|'''L'''i'''p'''pstadt]] || 
   |-
   | '''LR''' || [[Ortenaukreis|Ortenau District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Lahr|'''L'''ah'''r''']] ||   
   |-  
   | '''LRO''' || [[Rostock (district)|Rostock District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''L'''andkreis '''Ro'''stock ||   
   |-  
   | '''LSA''' || ''[[Saxony-Anhalt]] Government, [[Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt|Landtag]], and [[Saxony-Anhalt State Police|Police]]'' || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''L'''and '''S'''achsen-'''A'''nhalt ||  Code reserved for Saxony-Anhalt State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''LSN''' || ''[[Saxony]] Government and [[Landtag of Saxony|Landtag]]'', || [[Saxony]] || '''L'''andtag '''S'''achse'''n''' ||  Code reserved for Saxony State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''LSZ''' || [[Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis|Unstrut-Hainich District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Bad Langensalza|Bad '''L'''angen'''s'''al'''z'''a]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''LU''' || [[Ludwigshafen|Ludwigshafen am Rhein]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Lu'''dwigshafen ||   
   |-  
   | '''LÜN''' || [[Unna (district)|Unna District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Lünen|'''Lün'''en]] ||   
   |-
   | '''LUP''' || [[Ludwigslust-Parchim|Ludwigslust-Parchim District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''Lu'''dwigslust-'''P'''archim ||   
   |-
   | '''LWL''' || [[Ludwigslust-Parchim|Ludwigslust-Parchim District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Ludwigslust|'''L'''ud'''w'''igs'''l'''ust]] ||   
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''M''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''M'''
   | [[Munich]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''M'''ünchen
   | [M-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G''<Br>[M-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G''<Br>[M-'''XY''' 100 to 9999]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: I, O, Q''<Br>''Unless either '''X''' or '''Y''' is: B, F, G''<Br>''In addition, '''XY''' can be any other combination of letters.''
   |-
   | [[Munich (district)|Munich District]]
   | [M-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G''<Br>[M-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''': B, F, G''<Br>[M-'''XY''' 100 to 9999]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: I, O, Q'''<Br>'''But neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G''
   |- 
   | '''MA''' || [[Mannheim]] City || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Ma'''nnheim ||   
   |-
   | '''MAB''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Marienberg|'''Ma'''rien'''b'''erg]]  ||  
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''MAI'''
   | [[Landshut (district)|Landshut District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Mainburg|'''Mai'''nburg]]
   | [MAI-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Kelheim (district)|Kelheim District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |- 
   | '''MAK''' || [[Wunsiedel (district)|Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Marktredwitz|'''Ma'''r'''k'''tredwitz]]  ||  
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''MAL'''
   | [[Landshut (district)|Landshut District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg|'''Mal'''lersdorf-Pfaffenberg]]
   | [MAL-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Straubing-Bogen|Straubing-Bogen District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |- 
   | '''MB''' || [[Miesbach (district)|Miesbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''M'''ies'''b'''ach ||   
   |-
   | '''MC''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Malchin|'''M'''al'''c'''hin]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MD''' || [[Magdeburg]] City || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''M'''ag'''d'''eburg ||   
   |-
   | '''ME''' || [[Mettmann (district)|Mettmann District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Me'''ttmann ||   
   |-
   | '''MED''' || [[Dithmarschen|Dithmarschen District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Meldorf|'''Me'''l'''d'''orf]] ||
   |-
   | '''MEG''' || [[Schwalm-Eder-Kreis|Schwalm-Eder District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Melsungen|'''Me'''lsun'''g'''en]]|| 
   |-
   | '''MEI''' || [[Meissen (district)|Meißen District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''Mei'''ßen ||   
   |-
   | '''MEK''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Mittlerer Erzgebirgskreis|'''M'''ittlerer '''E'''rzgebirgs'''k'''reis]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MEL''' || [[Osnabrück (district)|Osnabrück District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Melle, Germany|'''Mel'''le]] ||
   |-
   | '''MER''' || [[Saalekreis|Saale District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Merseburg|'''Mer'''seburg]] ||
   |-
   | '''MET''' || [[Rhön-Grabfeld|Rhön-Grabfeld District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Mellrichstadt|'''Me'''llrichstad'''t''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''MG''' || [[Mönchengladbach]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''M'''önchen'''g'''ladbach ||   
   |-
   | '''MGH''' || [[Main-Tauber-Kreis|Main-Tauber District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Bad Mergentheim|Bad '''M'''er'''g'''ent'''h'''eim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MGN''' || [[Schmalkalden-Meiningen|Schmalkalden-Meiningen District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Meiningen|'''M'''einin'''g'''e'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''MH''' || [[Mülheim an der Ruhr]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''M'''ül'''h'''eim ||   
   |-
   | '''MHL''' || [[Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis|Unstrut-Hainich District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Mühlhausen|'''M'''ü'''hl'''hausen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MI''' || [[Minden-Lübbecke|Minden-Lübbecke District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Minden|'''Mi'''nden]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MIL''' || [[Miltenberg (district)|Miltenberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Mil'''tenberg ||   
   |-
   | '''MK''' || [[Märkischer Kreis|Märkischer District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''M'''ärkischer '''K'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''MKK''' || [[Main-Kinzig-Kreis|Main-Kinzig District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Hanau]] City)'' || [[Hesse]] || '''M'''ain-'''K'''inzig-'''K'''reis || 
   |-
   | '''ML''' || [[Mansfeld-Südharz|Mansfeld-Südharz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Mansfelder Land (district)|'''M'''ansfelder '''L'''and]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MM''' || [[Memmingen]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''M'''e'''m'''mingen ||   
   |-
   | '''MN''' || [[Unterallgäu|Unterallgäu District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Mindelheim|'''M'''i'''n'''delheim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MO''' || [[Wesel (district)|Wesel District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Moers|'''Mo'''ers]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''MOD''' || [[Ostallgäu|Ostallgäu District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Marktoberdorf|'''M'''arkt'''o'''ber'''d'''orf]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MOL''' || [[Märkisch-Oderland|Märkisch-Oderland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''M'''ärkisch-'''O'''der'''l'''and ||   
   |-
   | '''MON''' || [[Aachen (district)|Aachen Region]]<Br>[[Düren (district)|Düren District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Monschau|'''Mon'''schau]]  || 
   |- 
   | '''MOS''' || [[Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis|Neckar-Odenwald District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Mosbach|'''Mos'''bach]]  ||   
   |-  
   | '''MQ''' || [[Saalekreis|Saale District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Merseburg-Querfurt|'''M'''erseburg-'''Q'''uerfurt]] ||
   |-
   | '''MR''' || [[Marburg-Biedenkopf|Marburg-Biedenkopf District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Marburg|'''M'''a'''r'''burg]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''MS''' || [[Münster]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''M'''ün'''s'''ter ||   
   |-
   | '''MSE''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''M'''ecklenburgische '''Se'''enplatte   ||  
   |-
   | '''MSH''' || [[Mansfeld-Südharz|Mansfeld-Südharz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''M'''ansfeld-'''S'''üd'''h'''arz ||   
   |-
   | '''MSP''' || [[Main-Spessart|Main-Spessart District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''M'''ain-'''Sp'''essart ||   
   |-
   | '''MST''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)|'''M'''ecklenburg-'''St'''relitz]]   ||  
   |-
   | '''MTK''' || [[Main-Taunus-Kreis|Main-Taunus District]] || [[Hesse]] || '''M'''ain-'''T'''aunus-'''K'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''MTL''' || [[Leipzig (district)|Leipzig District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Muldentalkreis|'''M'''ulden'''t'''a'''l''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''MÜ''' || [[Mühldorf (district)|Mühldorf am Inn District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Mü'''hldorf ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''MÜB'''
   | [[Bayreuth (district)|Bayreuth District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Münchberg|'''Mü'''nch'''b'''erg]]
   | From [MÜB-'''A''' 100 to 999] to [MÜB-'''M''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [MÜB-'''N''' 1 to 999] to [MÜB-'''Z''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Hof (district)|Hof District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''MÜR''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Müritz (district)|'''Mür'''itz]]   ||  
   |-
   | '''MVL''' || ''[[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] Government, [[Landtag of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|Landtag]], and [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Police|Police]]'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''M'''ecklenburg-'''V'''orpommerscher '''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''MW''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] ||[[Mittweida|'''M'''itt'''w'''eida]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MY''' || [[Mayen-Koblenz|Mayen-Koblenz District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Mayen|'''M'''a'''y'''en]] ||   
   |-
   | '''MYK''' || [[Mayen-Koblenz|Mayen-Koblenz District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''M'''a'''y'''en-'''K'''oblenz ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''MZ'''
   | [[Mainz]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''M'''ain'''z'''
   | From [MZ-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [MZ-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [MZ-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [MZ-'''KY''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[MZ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[MZ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Mainz-Bingen|Mainz-Bingen District]]
   | From [MZ-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [MZ-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [MZ-'''LA''' 1000 to 9999] to [MZ-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[MZ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[MZ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''MZG''' || [[Merzig-Wadern|Merzig-Wadern District]] || [[Saarland]] || [[Merzig|'''M'''er'''z'''i'''g''']]||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''N''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''N'''
   | [[Nuremberg]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''N'''ürnberg
   | From [N-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [N-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [N-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [N-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]<Br>[N-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<br>[N-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Nürnberger Land|Nürnberger Land District]]
   | [N-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q, S''
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''NAB'''
   | [[Schwandorf (district)|Schwandorf District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Nabburg|'''Nab'''burg]]
   | [NAB-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G''
   |-
   | [[Amberg-Sulzbach|Amberg-Sulzbach District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |- 
   |  '''NAI''' || [[Hof (district)|Hof District]] || [[Bavaria]] 
 || [[Naila|'''Nai'''la]] ||
    |-
    | '''NAU''' || [[Havelland (district)|Havelland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Nauen|'''Nau'''en]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NB''' || [[Neubrandenburg]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]])'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''N'''eu'''b'''randenburg || From [NB-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [NB-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | '''ND''' || [[Neuburg-Schrobenhausen|Neuburg-Schrobenhausen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Neuburg an der Donau|'''N'''euburg an der '''D'''onau]] ||
   |-
   | '''NDH''' || [[Nordhausen (district)|Nordhausen District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''N'''or'''dh'''ausen||   
   |-
   | '''NE''' || [[Rhein-Kreis Neuss|Rhein District Neuss]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Neuss|'''Ne'''uss]] || 
   |-
   | '''NEA''' || [[Landkreis Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim|Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Neustadt an der Aisch|'''Ne'''ustadt an der '''A'''isch]] || 
   |-
   | '''NEB''' || [[Burgenlandkreis|Burgenland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Nebra (Unstrut)|'''Neb'''ra]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NEC''' || [[Coburg]] City<Br>[[Coburg (district)|Coburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Neustadt bei Coburg|'''Ne'''ustadt bei '''C'''oburg]]||   
   |-   
   | '''NEN''' || [[Schwandorf (district)|Schwandorf District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Neunburg vorm Wald|'''Ne'''u'''n'''burg]]||   
   |-
   | '''NES''' || [[Rhön-Grabfeld|Rhön-Grabfeld District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Neustadt an der Saale|Bad '''Ne'''ustadt an der '''S'''aale]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NEW''' || [[Neustadt an der Waldnaab (district)|Neustadt an der Waldnaab District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Ne'''ustadt an der '''W'''aldnaab||   
   |-
   | '''NF''' || [[Nordfriesland (district)|Nordfriesland District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''N'''ord'''f'''riesland||   
   |-
   | '''NH''' || [[Sonneberg (district)|Sonneberg District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Neuhaus am Rennweg|'''N'''eu'''h'''aus]]||   
   |-
   | '''NI''' || [[Nienburg (district)|Nienburg/Weser District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Ni'''enburg||   
   |-
   | '''NK''' || [[Neunkirchen (German district)|Neunkirchen District]] || [[Saarland]] || '''N'''eun'''k'''irchen ||   
   |-
   | '''NL''' || ''[[Lower Saxony]] Government and [[Landtag of Lower Saxony|Landtag]]'' || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''N'''iedersächsischer '''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Lower Saxony State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-  
   | '''NM''' || [[Neumarkt (district)|Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''N'''eu'''m'''arkt ||   
   |-
   | '''NMB''' || [[Burgenlandkreis|Burgenland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Naumburg|'''N'''au'''mb'''urg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NMS''' || [[Neumünster]] City || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''N'''eu'''m'''ün'''s'''ter ||   
   |-
   | '''NÖ''' || [[Donau-Ries|Donau-Ries District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Nördlingen|'''Nö'''rdlingen]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''NOH''' || [[County of Bentheim (district)|Grafschaft Bentheim District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Nordhorn|'''No'''rd'''h'''orn]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''NOL''' || [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Niederschlesischer Oberlausitzkreis|'''N'''iederschlesische '''O'''ber'''l'''ausitz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NOM''' || [[Northeim (district)|Northeim District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''No'''rthei'''m''' ||   
   |-
   | '''NOR''' || [[Aurich (district)|Aurich District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Norden, Lower Saxony|'''Nor'''den]]||   
   |-
   | '''NP''' || [[Ostprignitz-Ruppin|Ostprignitz-Ruppin District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Neuruppin|'''N'''euru'''p'''pin]] ||   
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''NR'''
   | [[Neuwied (district)|Neuwied District]]<Br>''(Excluding Neuwied City)''
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''N'''euwied am '''R'''hein
   | From [NR-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [NR-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Neuwied]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of Neuwied District)''
   | From [NR-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [NR-'''Z''' 1 to 9999]
   |- 
   | '''NRW''' || ''[[North Rhine-Westphalia]] Government, [[Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia|Landtag]], and [[North Rhine-Westphalia Police|State Police]]'' || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''N'''ord'''r'''hein-'''W'''estfalen ||  Code reserved for North Rhine-Westphalia State-owned governmental vehicles
   |- 
   | '''NT''' || [[Esslingen (district)|Esslingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Nürtingen|'''N'''ür'''t'''ingen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NU''' || [[Neu-Ulm (district)|Neu-Ulm District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''N'''eu-'''U'''lm ||   
   |-
   | '''NVP''' || [[Vorpommern-Rügen|Vorpommern-Rügen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Stralsund]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Nordvorpommern|'''N'''ord'''v'''or'''p'''ommern]] ||   
   |-
   | '''NW''' || [[Neustadt an der Weinstraße]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''N'''eustadt an der '''W'''einstraße ||   
   |-
   | '''NWM''' || [[Nordwestmecklenburg|Nordwestmecklenburg District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Wismar]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''N'''ord'''w'''est'''m'''ecklenburg ||   
   |-
   | '''NY''' || [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Niesky|'''N'''iesk'''y''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''NZ''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Neustrelitz|'''N'''eustrelit'''z''']]   ||  
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''O''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''OA''' || [[Oberallgäu|Oberallgäu District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''O'''ber'''a'''llgäu ||   
   |-
   | '''OAL''' || [[Ostallgäu|Ostallgäu District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''O'''st'''al'''lgäu ||   
   |-
   | '''OB''' || [[Oberhausen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Ob'''erhausen ||   
   |-
   | '''OBB''' || [[Miltenberg (district)|Miltenberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Obernburg|'''Ob'''ern'''b'''urg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OBG''' || [[Stendal (district)|Stendal District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Osterburg (Altmark)|'''O'''ster'''b'''ur'''g''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''OC''' || [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Oschersleben|'''O'''s'''c'''hersleben]]  ||   
   |-  
   | '''OCH''' || [[Würzburg (district)|Würzburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Ochsenfurt|'''Och'''senfurt]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OD''' || [[Stormarn (district)|Stormarn District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Bad Oldesloe|Bad '''O'''l'''d'''esloe]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OE''' || [[Olpe (district)|Olpe District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''O'''lp'''e''' ||   
   |-
   | '''OF''' || [[Offenbach (district)|Offenbach District]]<Br>[[Offenbach am Main]] City || [[Hesse]] || '''Of'''fenbach || 
   |-
   | '''OG''' || [[Ortenaukreis|Ortenau District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Offenburg|'''O'''ffenbur'''g''']]  ||   
   |-
   | '''OH''' || [[Ostholstein (district)|Ostholstein District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''O'''st'''h'''olstein ||   
   |-
   | '''OHA''' || [[Göttingen (district)|Göttingen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Göttingen]] City)'' || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Osterode am Harz|'''O'''sterode am '''Ha'''rz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ÖHR''' || [[Hohenlohe (district)|Hohenlohe District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Öhringen|'''Öhr'''ingen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OHV''' || [[Oberhavel|Oberhavel District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''O'''ber'''h'''a'''v'''el ||   
   |-  
   | '''OHZ''' || [[Osterholz|Osterholz District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''O'''ster'''h'''ol'''z'''-Scharmbeck ||   
   |-
   | '''OK''' || [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Ohrekreis|'''O'''hre'''k'''reis]]  ||   
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''OL'''
   | [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Lower Saxony]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Ol'''denburg
   | From [OL-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [OL-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>[OL-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[OL-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, Q''
   |-
   | [[Oldenburg (district)|Oldenburg District]]
   | From [OL-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [OL-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[OL-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[OL-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |- 
   | '''OP''' || [[Leverkusen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Opladen|'''Op'''laden]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OPR''' || [[Ostprignitz-Ruppin|Ostprignitz-Ruppin District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''O'''st'''p'''rignitz-'''R'''uppin ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''OS'''
   | [[Osnabrück (district)|Osnabrück District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Lower Saxony]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Os'''nabrück
   | From [OS-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [OS-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>''(Excludes [OS-'''PD''' 100 to 999], reserved for District Police)''<Br>From [OS-'''AA''' 3000 to 9999] to [OS-'''ZZ''' 3000 to 9999]<Br>[OS-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[OS-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Osnabrück]] City
   | From [OS-'''AA''' 1000 to 2999] to [OS-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 2999]<Br>[OS-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>''(Excludes [OS-'''P''' 1 to 9999], reserved for City Police)''<Br>[OS-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''OSL''' || [[Oberspreewald-Lausitz|Oberspreewald-Lausitz District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''O'''ber'''s'''preewald-'''L'''ausitz ||   
   |-
   | '''OTW''' || [[Neunkirchen (German district)|Neunkirchen District]] || [[Saarland]] || [[Ottweiler|'''Ot'''t'''w'''eiler]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OVI''' || [[Schwandorf (district)|Schwandorf District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Oberviechtach|'''O'''ber'''vi'''echtach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''OVL''' || [[Vogtlandkreis|Vogtland District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''O'''ber'''v'''ogt'''l'''and || 
   |-
   | '''OZ''' || [[Nordsachsen|Nordsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Oschatz|'''O'''schat'''z''']] ||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''P''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |- 
   | '''P''' || [[Potsdam]] City || [[Brandenburg]] || '''P'''otsdam ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''PA'''
   | [[Passau]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Pa'''ssau
   | From [PA-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [PA-'''Z''' to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Passau (district)|Passau District]]
   | From [PA-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [PA-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | '''PAF''' || [[Pfaffenhofen (district)|Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''P'''f'''af'''fenhofen  ||   
   |-
   | '''PAN''' || [[Rottal-Inn|Rottal-Inn District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Pfarrkirchen|'''P'''f'''a'''rrkirche'''n''']]  ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''PAR'''
   | [[Kelheim (district)|Kelheim District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Parsberg|'''Par'''sberg]]
   | [PAR-'''Q''' 1 to 999], [PAR-'''Y''' 1 to 999]<Br>[PAR-'''BB''' 1 to 999], [PAR-'''CC''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Neumarkt (district)|Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''PB''' || [[Paderborn (district)|Paderborn District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''P'''ader'''b'''orn || 
   |-
   | '''PCH''' || [[Ludwigslust-Parchim|Ludwigslust-Parchim District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Parchim|'''P'''ar'''ch'''im]]  || 
   |-
   | '''PE''' || [[Peine (district)|Peine District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Pe'''ine || 
   |-
   | rowspan="3" | '''PEG'''
   | [[Nürnberger Land|Nürnberger Land District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Pegnitz (town)|'''Peg'''nitz]]
   | [PEG-'''A''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Bayreuth (district)|Bayreuth District]]
   | From [PEG-'''B''' 1 to 999] to [PEG-'''Z''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | [[Forchheim (district)|Forchheim District]]
   | From [PEG-'''AA''' 1 to 99] to [PEG-'''ZZ''' 1 to 99]<br>From [PEG-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [PEG-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''PF'''
   | [[Pforzheim]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Pf'''orzheim
   | From [PF-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [PF-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [PF-'''NA''' 1000 to 9999] to [PF-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[PF-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[PF-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Enzkreis|Enz District]]
   | From [PF-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [PF-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [PF-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [PF-'''MZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[PF-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[PF-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''PI''' || [[Pinneberg (district)|Pinneberg District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''Pi'''nneberg || 
   |-
   | '''PIR''' || [[Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge|Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Pirna|'''Pir'''na]] || 
   |-
   | '''PL''' || [[Vogtlandkreis|Vogtland District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Plauen|'''Pl'''auen]] || 
   |-
   | '''PLÖ''' || [[Plön (district)|Plön District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''Plö'''n  || 
   |-
   | '''PM''' || [[Potsdam-Mittelmark|Potsdam-Mittelmark District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''P'''otsdam-'''M'''ittelmark || 
   |-
   | '''PN''' || [[Saale-Orla-Kreis|Saale-Orla District]] || [[Thuringia]] ||[[Pößneck|'''P'''öß'''n'''eck]] ||   
   |-
   | '''PR''' || [[Prignitz|Prignitz District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''Pr'''ignitz || 
   |-
   | '''PRÜ''' || [[Bitburg-Prüm|Eifel District Bitburg-Prüm]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Prüm|'''Prü'''m]] ||   
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''PS'''
   | [[Pirmasens]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''P'''irma'''s'''ens
   | From [PS-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [PS-'''Z''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Südwestpfalz|Südwestpfalz District]]
   | From [PS-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [PS-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | '''PW''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Pasewalk|'''P'''ase'''w'''alk]] ||   
   |-
   | '''PZ''' || [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Prenzlau|'''P'''ren'''z'''lau]] || 
   |- 
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''Q''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |- 
   | '''QFT''' || [[Saalekreis|Saale District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Querfurt|'''Q'''uer'''f'''ur'''t''']] || 
   |- 
   | '''QLB''' || [[Harz (district)|Harz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Quedlinburg|'''Q'''ued'''l'''in'''b'''urg]] || 
   |- 
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''R''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | rowspan="2" | '''R'''
   | [[Regensburg]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''R'''egensburg
   | From [R-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [R-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [R-'''MN''' 1000 to 9999] to [R-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[R-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[R-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>''(Excludes [R-'''PR''' 100 to 999], reserved for City Police)''
   |-
   | [[Regensburg (district)|Regensburg District]]
   | From [R-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [R-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [R-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [R-'''MM''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[R-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[R-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''RA''' || [[Rastatt (district)|Rastatt District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Ra'''statt ||   
   |-
   | '''RC''' || [[Vogtlandkreis|Vogtland District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Reichenbach im Vogtland|'''R'''ei'''c'''henbach]] || 
   |-
   | '''RD''' || [[Rendsburg-Eckernförde|Rendsburg-Eckernförde District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Rendsburg|'''R'''en'''d'''sburg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RDG''' || [[Vorpommern-Rügen|Vorpommern-Rügen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Stralsund]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Ribnitz-Damgarten|'''R'''ibnitz-'''D'''am'''g'''arten]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RE''' || [[Recklinghausen (district)|Recklinghausen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Re'''cklinghausen ||  
   |-  
   | '''REG''' || [[Regen (district)|Regen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Reg'''en ||  
   |- 
   | rowspan="2" | '''REH'''
   | [[Wunsiedel (district)|Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rehau|'''Reh'''au]]
   | [REH-'''AU''' 900 to 999]<Br>[REH-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: A, E, F, H, J, M, N, P, R, S, V, X''<Br>[REH-'''XY''' 100 to 999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: AA, FF, GG, OO, ZZ''
   |-
   | [[Hof (district)|Hof District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''REI''' || [[Berchtesgadener Land|Berchtesgadener Land District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Reichenhall|Bad '''Rei'''chenhall]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''RG''' || [[Meissen (district)|Meißen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Riesa-Großenhain|'''R'''iesa-'''G'''roßenhain]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RH''' || [[Roth (district)|Roth District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''R'''ot'''h''' ||   
   |-
   | '''RI''' || [[Schaumburg|Schaumburg District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Rinteln|'''Ri'''nteln]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RID''' || [[Kelheim (district)|Kelheim District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Riedenburg|'''Ri'''e'''d'''enburg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RIE''' || [[Meissen (district)|Meißen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Riesa|'''Rie'''sa]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RL''' || [[Mittelsachsen|Mittelsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Rochlitz|'''R'''och'''l'''itz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RM''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Röbel-Müritz (Amt)|'''R'''öbel/'''M'''üritz]] ||  
   |-
   | '''RN''' || [[Havelland (district)|Havelland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Rathenow|'''R'''athe'''n'''ow]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''RO'''
   | [[Rosenheim (district)|Rosenheim District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Ro'''senheim 
   | From [RO-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [RO-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>From [RO-'''AA''' 10 to 9999] to [RO-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]<Br>[RO-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[RO-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Rosenheim]] City
   | [RO-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[RO-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''ROD'''
   | [[Schwandorf (district)|Schwandorf District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Roding, Germany|'''Rod'''ing]]
   | [RO-'''B''' 1 to 599], [RO-'''F''' 1 to 799]<br>[RO-'''G''' 50 to 499]<Br>[RO-'''I''' 100 to 1999]<Br>''(Excludes [RO-'''P''' 100 to 999], reserved for City Police)''
   |-
   | [[Cham (district)|Cham District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''ROF''' || [[Hersfeld-Rotenburg|Hersfeld-Rotenburg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Rotenburg an der Fulda|'''Ro'''tenburg an der '''F'''ulda]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ROK''' || [[Donnersbergkreis|Donnersberg District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]  || [[Rockenhausen|'''Ro'''c'''k'''enhausen]] ||
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''ROL'''
   | [[Landshut (district)|Landshut District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rottenburg an der Laaber|'''Ro'''ttenburg an der '''L'''aaber]]
   | From [ROL-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [ROL-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]<Br>[ROL-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Kelheim (district)|Kelheim District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''ROS''' || [[Rostock (district)|Rostock District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''Ros'''tock || 
   |-
   | '''ROT''' || [[Ansbach (district)|Ansbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Rothenburg ob der Tauber|'''Ro'''thenburg ob der '''T'''auber]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ROW''' || [[Rotenburg (district)|Rotenburg (Wümme) District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Rotenburg an der Wümme|'''Ro'''tenburg ('''W'''ümme)]] ||   
   |- 
   | '''RP''' || [[Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis|Rhein-Pfalz District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''R'''hein-'''P'''falz ||   
   |- 
   | '''RPL''' || ''[[Rhineland-Palatinate]] Government, [[Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate|Landtag]], and [[Rhineland-Palatinate Police|State Police]]'' || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''R'''heinland-'''P'''fälzischer '''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Rhineland-Palatinate State-owned governmental vehicles
   |- 
   | '''RS''' || [[Remscheid]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''R'''em'''s'''cheid ||   
   |- 
   | '''RSL''' || [[Dessau-Roßlau]] City || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || Dessau-'''R'''o'''s'''s'''l'''au ||   
   |- 
   | '''RT''' || [[Reutlingen (district)|Reutlingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''R'''eu'''t'''lingen ||   
   |-
   | '''RU''' || [[Saalfeld-Rudolstadt|Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Rudolstadt|'''Ru'''dolstadt]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RÜD''' || [[Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis|Rheingau-Taunus District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Rüdesheim am Rhein|'''Rüd'''esheim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RÜG''' || [[Vorpommern-Rügen|Vorpommern-Rügen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Stralsund]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Rügen (district)|'''Rüg'''en]] ||   
   |-
   | '''RV''' || [[Ravensburg (district)|Ravensburg District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''R'''a'''v'''ensburg  ||   
   |-
   | '''RW''' || [[Rottweil (district)|Rottweil District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''R'''ott'''w'''eil ||   
   |-
   | '''RZ''' || [[Herzogtum Lauenburg|Herzogtum Lauenburg District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Ratzeburg|'''R'''at'''z'''eburg]] ||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''S''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''S''' || [[Stuttgart]] City || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''S'''tuttgart ||   
   |-
   | '''SAB''' || [[Trier-Saarburg|Trier-Saarburg District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Saarburg|'''Sa'''ar'''b'''urg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SAD''' || [[Schwandorf (district)|Schwandorf District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''S'''chw'''a'''n'''d'''orf ||   
   |-
   | '''SÄK''' || [[Waldshut (district)|Waldshut District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Bad Säckingen|Bad '''Sä'''c'''k'''ingen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SAL''' || ''[[Saarland]] Government, [[Landtag of Saarland|Landtag]], and [[Saarland Police|State Police]]''  || [[Saarland]] || '''Sa'''arländischer '''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Saarland State-owned governmental vehicles
   |- 
   | rowspan="3" | '''SAN'''
   | [[Kronach (district)|Kronach District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Stadtsteinach|'''S'''t'''a'''dtstei'''n'''ach]]
   | From [SAN-'''S''' 1 to 999] to [SAN-'''V''' 1 to 999]<Br>From [SAN-'''AA''' 1 to 99] to [SAN-'''FZ''' 1 to 99]
   |-
   | [[Kulmbach (district)|Kulmbach District]]
   | From [SAN-'''A''' 1 to 999] to [SAN-'''R''' 1 to 999]<Br>From [SAN-'''JA''' 1 to 99] to [SAN-'''ZZ''' 1 to 99] 
   |-
   | [[Hof (district)|Hof District]]
   | From [SAN-'''W''' 1 to 999] to [SAN-'''Z''' 1 to 999]<Br>From [SAN-'''GA''' 1 to 999] to [SAN-'''IZ''' 1 to 999] 
   |-
   | '''SAW''' || [[Altmarkkreis Salzwedel|Altmark District Salzwedel]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Salzwedel|'''Sa'''lz'''w'''edel]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SB''' || [[Saarbrücken (district)|Saarbrücken Region]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Völklingen]] City)'' || [[Saarland]] || '''S'''aar'''b'''rücken ||  
   |-
   | '''SBG''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Strasburg, Germany|'''S'''tras'''b'''ur'''g''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''SBK''' || [[Salzlandkreis|Salzland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Schönebeck|'''S'''chöne'''b'''ec'''k''']]   ||  
   |-
   | '''SC''' || [[Schwabach]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''Sc'''hwabach ||  
   |-
   | '''SCZ''' || [[Saale-Orla-Kreis|Saale-Orla District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Schleiz|'''Sc'''hlei'''z''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''SDH''' || [[Kyffhäuserkreis|Kyffhäuser District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Sondershausen|'''S'''on'''d'''ers'''h'''ausen]] ||  
   |-
   | '''SDL''' || [[Stendal (district)|Stendal District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''S'''ten'''d'''a'''l''' ||   
   |-
   | '''SDT''' || [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Schwedt|'''S'''chwe'''dt''']] || 
   |- 
   | '''SE''' || [[Segeberg|Segeberg District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || Bad '''Se'''geberg ||  
   |-
   | '''SEB''' || [[Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge|Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Sebnitz|'''Seb'''nitz]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SEE''' || [[Märkisch-Oderland|Märkisch-Oderland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Seelow|'''See'''low]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SEF''' || [[Landkreis Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim|Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Scheinfeld|'''S'''ch'''e'''in'''f'''eld]] || 
   |-
   | '''SEL''' || [[Wunsiedel (district)|Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Selb|'''Sel'''b]] ||  
   |-
   | '''SFB''' || [[Oberspreewald-Lausitz|Oberspreewald-Lausitz District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Senftenberg|'''S'''en'''f'''ten'''b'''erg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SFT''' || [[Salzlandkreis|Salzland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Staßfurt|'''S'''taß'''f'''ur'''t''']] ||  
   |-
   | '''SG''' || [[Solingen]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''S'''olin'''g'''en ||  
   |-
   | '''SGH''' || [[Mansfeld-Südharz|Mansfeld-Südharz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Sangerhausen|'''S'''an'''g'''er'''h'''ausen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SH''' || ''[[Schleswig-Holstein]] Government, [[Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein|Landtag]], and [[Schleswig-Holstein Police]]'' || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || '''S'''chleswig-'''H'''olstein ||  Code reserved for Schleswig-Holstein State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-
   | '''SHA''' || [[Schwäbisch Hall (district)|Schwäbisch Hall District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''S'''chwäbisch '''Ha'''ll ||   
   |-
   | '''SHG''' || [[Schaumburg|Schaumburg District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Stadthagen|'''S'''tadt'''h'''a'''g'''en]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SHK''' || [[Saale-Holzland-Kreis|Saale-Holzland District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''S'''aale-'''H'''olzland-'''K'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''SHL''' || [[Suhl]] City || [[Thuringia]] || '''S'''u'''hl''' ||  
   |-
   | '''SI''' || [[Siegen-Wittgenstein|Siegen-Wittgenstein District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Siegen|'''Si'''egen]] ||
   |- 
   | '''SIG''' || [[Sigmaringen (district)|Sigmaringen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Sig'''maringen  ||  
   |-
   | '''SIM''' || [[Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis|Rhein-Hunsrück District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Simmern|'''Sim'''mern]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SK''' || [[Saalekreis|Saale District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''S'''aale'''k'''reis ||
   |-
   | '''SL''' || [[Schleswig-Flensburg|Schleswig-Flensburg District]] || [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein|'''S'''ch'''l'''eswig]]  ||  
   |-
   | '''SLE''' || [[Düren (district)|Düren District]]<Br>[[Euskirchen (district)|Euskirchen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Schleiden|'''S'''ch'''le'''iden]] ||   
   |-   
   | '''SLF''' || [[Saalfeld-Rudolstadt|Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Saalfeld|'''S'''aa'''lf'''eld]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''SLG'''
   | [[Ravensburg (district)|Ravensburg District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bad Saulgau|Bad '''S'''au'''lg'''au]]
   | [SLG-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: A, M, P, Q, W''<Br>From [SLG-'''A<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999] to [SLG-'''Z<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' is: U, Y''
   |-
   | [[Sigmaringen (district)|Sigmaringen District]]
   | [SLG-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, D, F, H, N, O, R, S, T, Y''<Br>From [SLG-'''A<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999] to [SLG-'''Z<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' is: From A to J''
   |-
   | '''SLK''' || [[Salzlandkreis|Salzland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''S'''alz'''l'''and'''k'''reis ||  
   |-
   | '''SLN''' || [[Altenburger Land|Altenburger Land District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Schmölln|'''S'''chmö'''l'''l'''n''']] || 
   |-
   | '''SLS''' || [[Saarlouis (district)|Saarlouis District]] || [[Saarland]] || '''S'''aar'''l'''oui'''s''' || 
   |-
   | '''SLÜ''' || [[Main-Kinzig-Kreis|Main-Kinzig District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Hanau]] City)'' || [[Hesse]] || [[Schlüchtern|'''S'''ch'''lü'''chtern]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SLZ''' || [[Wartburgkreis|Wartburg District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Bad Salzungen|Bad '''S'''a'''lz'''ungen]] || 
   |-
   | '''SM''' || [[Schmalkalden-Meiningen|Schmalkalden-Meiningen District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Schmalkalden|'''S'''ch'''m'''alkalden]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SMÜ''' || [[Augsburg (district)|Augsburg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Schwabmünchen|'''S'''chwab'''mü'''nchen]] || 
   |-
   | '''SN''' || [[Schwerin]] City || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''S'''chweri'''n''' || 
   |-
   | '''SO''' || [[Soest (district)|Soest District]]|| [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''So'''est || 
   |-
   | '''SOB''' || [[Neuburg-Schrobenhausen|Neuburg-Schrobenhausen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Schrobenhausen|'''S'''chr'''ob'''enhausen]] ||
   |-
   | '''SOG''' || [[Weilheim-Schongau|Weilheim-Schongau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Schongau, Bavaria|'''S'''ch'''o'''n'''g'''au]] ||
   |-
   | '''SOK''' || [[Saale-Orla-Kreis|Saale-Orla District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''S'''aale-'''O'''rla-'''K'''reis ||   
   |-
   | '''SÖM''' || [[Sömmerda (district)|Sömmerda District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''Söm'''merda || 
   |-
   | '''SON''' || [[Sonneberg (district)|Sonneberg District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''Son'''neberg  || 
   |-
   | '''SP''' || [[Speyer]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Sp'''eyer || 
   |-
   | '''SPB''' || [[Spree-Neiße|Spree-Neiße District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Spremberg|'''Sp'''rem'''b'''erg]] || 
   |-
   | '''SPN''' || [[Spree-Neiße|Spree-Neiße District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''Sp'''ree-'''N'''eiße || 
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''SR'''
   | [[Straubing]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''S'''t'''r'''aubing
   | From [SR-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [SR-'''Z''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''(Excludes [SR-'''P''' 1000 to 9999], reserved for City Police)''
   |-
   | [[Straubing-Bogen|Straubing-Bogen District]]
   | From [SR-'''AA''' 1 to 999] to [SR-'''ZZ''' 1 to 999]
   |-
   | '''SRB''' || [[Märkisch-Oderland|Märkisch-Oderland District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Strausberg|'''S'''t'''r'''aus'''b'''erg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SRO''' || [[Saale-Holzland-Kreis|Saale-Holzland District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Stadtroda|'''S'''tadt'''ro'''da]] || 
   |-
   | '''ST''' || [[Steinfurt (district)|Steinfurt District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''St'''einfurt ||   
   |-
   | '''STA''' || [[Starnberg (district)|Starnberg District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Sta'''rnberg ||   
   |-
   | '''STB''' || [[Ludwigslust-Parchim|Ludwigslust-Parchim District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Sternberg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|'''St'''ern'''b'''erg]]  || 
   |-
   | '''STD''' || [[Stade (district)|Stade District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''St'''a'''d'''e ||   
   |-
   | '''STE''' || [[Lichtenfels (district)|Lichtenfels District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Staffelstein|Bad '''St'''affelst'''e'''in]] ||   
   |-
   | '''STL''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Stollberg|'''St'''o'''l'''lberg]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''STO'''
   | [[Sigmaringen (district)|Sigmaringen District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Stockach|'''Sto'''ckach]]
   | [STO-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, D, F, H, N, O, R, S, T, Y''<Br>From [STO-'''A<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999] to [STO-'''Z<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' is: From A to J''
   |-
   | [[Konstanz (district)|Konstanz District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Büsingen am Hochrhein]] Municipality)''
   | [STO-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: C, E, G, I, J, K, L, V, X, Z''<Br>From [STO-'''A<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999] to [STO-'''Z<u>X</u>''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' is: From K to T''
   |-
   | '''SU''' || [[Rhein-Sieg-Kreis|Rhein-Sieg District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Siegburg|'''S'''iegb'''u'''rg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SUL''' || [[Amberg-Sulzbach|Amberg-Sulzbach District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Sulzbach-Rosenberg|'''Sul'''zbach-Rosenberg]]   ||  
   |-
   | '''SÜW''' || [[Südliche Weinstraße|Südliche Weinstraße District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Sü'''dliche '''W'''einstraße ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''SW'''
   | [[Schweinfurt (district)|Schweinfurt District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''S'''ch'''w'''einfurt
   | From [SW-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [SW-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]<Br>[SW-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[SW-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Schweinfurt]] City
   | [SW-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[SW-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''SWA''' || [[Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis|Rheingau-Taunus District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Bad Schwalbach|Bad '''S'''ch'''wa'''lbach]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SY''' || [[Diepholz (district)|Diepholz District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Syke|'''Sy'''ke]] ||   
   |-
   | '''SZ''' || [[Salzgitter]] City || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''S'''al'''z'''gitter ||   
   |-
   | '''SZB''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Schwarzenberg, Saxony|'''S'''chwar'''z'''en'''b'''erg]] ||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''T''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''TBB''' || [[Main-Tauber-Kreis|Main-Tauber District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Tauberbischofsheim|'''T'''au'''b'''er'''b'''ischofsheim]] ||   
   |-
   | '''TDO''' || [[Nordsachsen|Nordsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Torgau|'''T'''orgau]]-[[Delitzsch|'''D'''elitzsch]]-[[Oschatz|'''O'''schatz]]  ||   
   |- 
   | '''TE''' || [[Steinfurt (district)|Steinfurt District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Tecklenburg|'''Te'''cklenburg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''TET''' || [[Rostock (district)|Rostock District]] || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Teterow|'''Tet'''erow]] || 
   |-
   | '''TF''' || [[Teltow-Fläming|Teltow-Fläming District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''T'''eltow-'''F'''läming || 
   |-
   | '''TG''' || [[Nordsachsen|Nordsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Torgau|'''T'''or'''g'''au]] ||   
   |- 
   | '''THL''' || ''[[Thuringia]] Government and [[Landtag of Thuringia|Landtag]]'' || [[Thuringia]] || '''Th'''üringer '''L'''andtag ||  Code reserved for Thuringia State-owned governmental vehicles
   |-
   | '''THW''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[Technisches Hilfswerk|Federal Agency for Technical Relief]]
   | '''T'''echnisches '''H'''ilfs'''w'''erk   ||  Code reserved for Vehicles of German Federal Agency for Technical Relief.
   |-
   | '''TIR''' || [[Tirschenreuth (district)|Tirschenreuth District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Tir'''schenreuth ||   
   |- 
   | '''TO''' || [[Nordsachsen|Nordsachsen District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Torgau-Oschatz|'''T'''orgau-'''O'''schatz]]  ||   
   |- 
   | '''TÖL''' || [[Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen|Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Bad Tölz|Bad '''Töl'''z]] ||   
   |- 
   | '''TP''' || [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Templin|'''T'''em'''p'''lin]] || 
   |- 
   | '''TR''' || [[Trier-Saarburg|Trier-Saarburg District]]<Br>[[Trier]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Tr'''ier ||   
   |-
   | '''TS''' || [[Traunstein (district)|Traunstein District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''T'''raun'''s'''tein || 
   |- 
   | '''TT''' || [[Bodenseekreis|Bodensee (Lake Constance) District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Tettnang|'''T'''e'''t'''tnang]] ||   
   |-
   | '''TÜ''' || [[Tübingen (district)|Tübingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Tü'''bingen ||   
   |-
   | '''TUT''' || [[Tuttlingen (district)|Tuttlingen District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''Tut'''tlingen  ||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''U''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | rowspan="3" | '''ÜB'''
   | [[Sigmaringen (district)|Sigmaringen District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Überlingen|'''Üb'''erlingen]]
   | [ÜB-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: K, N, P, Q, U, W, Y, Z''<Br>[ÜB-'''X''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is : A, E''<Br>From [ÜB-'''<u>X</u>A''' 1 to 99] to [ÜB-'''<u>X</u>Z''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' is: A, C, E''<Br>[ÜB-'''XY''' 100 to 999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: BB, HH, II, MM, NN, OO, XX''<Br>[ÜB-'''XY''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: FF, GG, PP, RR, VV''
   |-
   | [[Ravensburg (district)|Ravensburg District]]
   | [ÜB-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: A, C, E, G, I, J, L''<Br>[ÜB-'''X''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, X''<Br>From [ÜB-'''<u>X</u>A''' 1 to 99] to [ÜB-'''<u>X</u>Z''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' is: U, V, W, Y, Z''<Br>[ÜB-'''XY''' 100 to 999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: AA, DD, FF''<Br>[ÜB-'''XY''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is: KK, OO, TT, RV''
   |-
   | [[Bodenseekreis|Bodensee (Lake Constance) District]]
   | [ÜB-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, D, F, H, M, O, R, S, T, V, X''<Br>[ÜB-'''X''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is not: A, B, E, X''<Br>From [ÜB-'''<u>X</u>A''' 1 to 99] to [ÜB-'''<u>X</u>Z''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where '''<u>X</u>''' isn't: A, C, E, U, V, W, Y, Z''<Br>[ÜB-'''XY''' 100 to 999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is not: AA, BB, DD, FF, HH, II, MM, NN, OO, XX''<Br>[ÜB-'''XY''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''XY''' is not: FF, GG, KK, OO, PP, RR, RV,TT, VV''
   |-
   | '''UE''' || [[Uelzen (district)|Uelzen District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Ue'''lzen || 
   |-
   | '''UEM''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Ueckermünde|'''Ue'''cker'''m'''ünde]] ||  
   |-
   | '''UFF''' || [[Landkreis Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim|Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Uffenheim|'''Uff'''enheim]] || 
   |-
   | '''UH''' || [[Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis|Unstrut-Hainich District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''U'''nstrut-'''H'''ainich ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''UL'''
   | [[Alb-Donau-Kreis|Alb-Donau District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Ul'''m
   | From [UL-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [UL-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [UL-'''NA''' 1000 to 9999] to [UL-'''ZZ'''1000 to 9999]<Br>[UL-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[UL-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Ulm]] City
   | [UL-'''A''' 1000 to 4999], [UL-'''A''' 6000 to 9999]<Br>From [UL-'''B''' 1000 to 9999] to [UL-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[UL-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't: B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[UL-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''UM''' || [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || '''U'''cker'''m'''ark  || 
   |- 
   | '''UN''' || [[Unna (district)|Unna District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Un'''na ||   
   |-
   | '''USI''' || [[Hochtaunuskreis|Hochtaunus District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Usingen|'''Usi'''ngen]]  ||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''V''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''V''' || [[Vogtlandkreis|Vogtland District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''V'''ogtland || 
   |-
   | '''VAI''' || [[Ludwigsburg (district)|Ludwigsburg District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Vaihingen an der Enz|'''Vai'''hingen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''VB''' || [[Vogelsbergkreis|Vogelsberg District]] || [[Hesse]] || '''V'''ogels'''b'''erg || 
   |-
   | '''VEC''' || [[Vechta (district)|Vechta District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Vec'''hta || 
   |-
   | '''VER''' || [[Verden (district)|Verden District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Ver'''den || 
   |-
   | '''VG''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''V'''orpommern-'''G'''reifswald ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="3" | '''VIB'''
   | [[Rottal-Inn|Rottal-Inn District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Vilsbiburg|'''Vi'''ls'''b'''iburg]]
   | [VIB-'''X''' 1 to 9999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is: B, I, O, Q'']
   |-
   | [[Mühldorf (district)|Mühldorf am Inn District]]
   | [VIB-'''G''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Landshut (district)|Landshut District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''VIE''' || [[Viersen (district)|Viersen District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Vie'''rsen ||    
   |-
   | '''VIT''' || [[Regen (district)|Regen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Viechtach|'''Vi'''ech'''t'''ach]] ||  
   |- 
   | '''VK''' || [[Völklingen]] City<Br>''(A subdivision of [[Saarbrücken (district)|Saarbrücken Region]])'' || [[Saarland]] || '''V'''öl'''k'''lingen ||  
   |-
   | '''VOH''' || [[Neustadt an der Waldnaab (district)|Neustadt an der Waldnaab District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Vohenstrauß|'''Voh'''enstrauß]] ||   
   |-
   | '''VR''' || [[Vorpommern-Rügen|Vorpommern-Rügen District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Stralsund]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || '''V'''orpommern-'''R'''ügen ||   
   |-
   | '''VS''' || [[Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis|Schwarzwald-Baar District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Villingen-Schwenningen|'''V'''illingen-'''S'''chwenningen]] ||  
   |- 
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''W''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''W''' || [[Wuppertal]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''W'''uppertal || 
   |-
   | '''WA''' || [[Waldeck-Frankenberg|Waldeck-Frankenberg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Waldeck, Hesse|'''Wa'''ldeck]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WAF''' || [[Warendorf (district)|Warendorf District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Wa'''rendor'''f''' || 
   |-
   | '''WAK''' || [[Wartburgkreis|Wartburg District]] || [[Thuringia]] || '''Wa'''rtburg'''k'''reis || 
   |-
   | '''WAN''' || [[Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia|Herne]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Wan'''ne-Eickel || 
   |-
   | '''WAR''' || [[Höxter (district)|Höxter District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Warburg|'''War'''burg]] || 
   |-
   | '''WAT''' || [[Bochum]] City || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Wattenscheid|'''Wat'''tenscheid]] || 
   |-
   | '''WB''' || [[Wittenberg (district)|Wittenberg District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || '''W'''itten'''b'''erg ||   
   |-
   | '''WBS''' || [[Eichsfeld (district)|Eichsfeld District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Leinefelde-Worbis|Leinefelde-'''W'''or'''b'''i'''s''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''WDA''' || [[Zwickau (district)|Zwickau District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Werdau|'''W'''er'''da'''u]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WE''' || [[Weimar]] City || [[Thuringia]] || '''We'''imar ||   
   |-
   | '''WEL''' || [[Limburg-Weilburg|Limburg-Weilburg District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Weilburg|'''We'''i'''l'''burg]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WEN''' || [[Weiden in der Oberpfalz]] City || [[Bavaria]] || '''We'''ide'''n''' ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''WER'''
   | [[Augsburg (district)|Augsburg District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Wertingen|'''Wer'''tingen]]
   | [WAR-'''YA''' 1 to 999] to [WAR-'''YZ''' 1 to 999]<Br>From [WAR-'''A''' 7000 to 9999] to [WAR-'''Z''' 7000 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Dillingen (district)|Dillingen an der Donau District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''WES''' || [[Wesel (district)|Wesel District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || '''Wes'''el ||   
   |- 
   | '''WF''' || [[Wolfenbüttel (district)|Wolfenbüttel District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''W'''ol'''f'''enbüttel ||   
   |-
   | '''WG''' || [[Ravensburg (district)|Ravensburg District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Wangen im Allgäu|'''W'''an'''g'''en]]  ||   
   |-
   | '''WHV''' || [[Wilhelmshaven]] City || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''W'''ilhelms'''h'''a'''v'''en ||   
   |- 
   | '''WI''' || [[Wiesbaden]] City || [[Hesse]] || '''Wi'''esbaden || ''(Excludes [WI-'''HP''' 100 to 9999], reserved for City Police)''
   |- 
   | '''WIL''' || [[Bernkastel-Wittlich|Bernkastel-Wittlich District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Wittlich|'''Wi'''tt'''l'''ich]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''WIS''' || [[Nordwestmecklenburg|Nordwestmecklenburg District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Wismar]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Wismar|'''Wis'''mar]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WIT''' || [[Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis|Ennepe-Ruhr District]] || [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Witten|'''Wit'''ten]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WIZ''' || [[Werra-Meißner-Kreis|Werra-Meißner District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Witzenhausen|'''Wi'''t'''z'''enhausen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WK''' || [[Ostprignitz-Ruppin|Ostprignitz-Ruppin District]] || [[Brandenburg]] || [[Wittstock|'''W'''ittstoc'''k''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''WL''' || [[Harburg (district)|Harburg District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Winsen (Luhe)|'''W'''insen ('''L'''uhe)]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WLG''' || [[Vorpommern-Greifswald|Vorpommern-Greifswald District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Greifswald]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Wolgast|'''W'''o'''lg'''ast]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WM''' || [[Weilheim-Schongau|Weilheim-Schongau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Weilheim in Oberbayern|'''W'''eilhei'''m''']] ||
   |-
   | '''WMS''' || [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Wolmirstedt|'''W'''ol'''m'''ir'''s'''tedt]] ||   
   |- 
   | '''WN''' || [[Rems-Murr-Kreis|Rems-Murr District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Waiblingen|'''W'''aiblinge'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | '''WND''' || [[Sankt Wendel (district)|Sankt Wendel District]] || [[Saarland]] || Sankt '''W'''e'''nd'''el ||   
   |-
   | '''WO''' || [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] City || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''Wo'''rms || 
   |-
   | '''WOB''' || [[Wolfsburg]] City || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''Wo'''lfs'''b'''urg || 
   |-
   | '''WOH''' || [[Kassel (district)|Kassel District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Wolfhagen|'''Wo'''lf'''h'''agen]] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''WOL'''
   | [[Freudenstadt (district)|Freudenstadt District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Baden-Württemberg]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Wolfach|'''Wol'''fach]]
   | From [WOL-'''A''' 9000 to 9999] to [WOL-'''E''' 9000 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Ortenaukreis|Ortenau District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | rowspan="3" | '''WOR'''
   | [[Munich (district)|Munich District]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="3" | [[Wolfratshausen|'''Wo'''lf'''r'''atshausen]]
   | [WOL-'''F''' 1 to 9999]<Br>[WOL-'''O''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Starnberg (district)|Starnberg District]]
   | [WOL-'''B''' 1 to 9999]<Br>[WOL-'''G''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen|Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''WOS''' || [[Freyung-Grafenau|Freyung-Grafenau District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Wolfstein Castle|'''Wo'''lf'''s'''tein]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WR''' || [[Harz (district)|Harz District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Wernigerode|'''W'''ernige'''r'''ode]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WRN''' || [[Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (district)|Mecklenburgische Seenplatte District]]<Br>''(Excluding [[Neubrandenburg]] City)'' || [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Waren (Müritz)|'''W'''a'''r'''e'''n''']] ||   
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''WS'''
   | [[Mühldorf (district)|Mühldorf am Inn District]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | [[Wasserburg am Inn|'''W'''a'''s'''serburg]]
   | [WS-'''Q''' 1 to 9999]<Br>From [WS-'''QA''' 1 to 9999] to [WS-'''QZ''' 1 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Rosenheim (district)|Rosenheim District]]
   | Every other available combination
   |-
   | '''WSF''' || [[Burgenlandkreis|Burgenland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Weißenfels|'''W'''ei'''s'''sen'''f'''els]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WST''' || [[Ammerland|Ammerland District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Westerstede|'''W'''ester'''st'''ede]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WSW''' || [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Weißwasser|'''W'''ei'''s'''s'''w'''asser]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WT''' || [[Waldshut (district)|Waldshut District]] || [[Baden-Württemberg]] || '''W'''aldshu'''t'''-Tiengen ||   
   |-
   | '''WTL''' || [[Osnabrück (district)|Osnabrück District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Bad Essen|'''W'''i'''t'''t'''l'''age]] ||
   |-
   | '''WTM''' || [[Wittmund (district)|Wittmund District]] || [[Lower Saxony]] || '''W'''i'''t'''t'''m'''und ||
   |-
   | rowspan="2" | '''WÜ'''
   | [[Würzburg]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Bavaria]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Wü'''rzburg
   | From [WÜ-'''AA''' 100 to 999] to [WÜ-'''ZZ''' 100 to 999]<Br>From [WÜ-'''AA''' 1000 to 9999] to [WÜ-'''ZZ''' 1000 to 9999]

''(Excludes [WÜ-'''PP''' 1 to 9999], reserved for Police)''<Br>[WÜ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' is B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[WÜ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where either '''X''' or '''Y''' or both are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | [[Würzburg (district)|Würzburg District]]
   | From [WÜ-'''A''' 1000 to 9999] to [WÜ-'''Z''' 1000 to 9999]<Br>[WÜ-'''X''' 1 to 999]<Br>''Where '''X''' isn't B, F, G, I, O, Q''<Br>[WÜ-'''XY''' 1 to 99]<Br>''Where neither '''X''' nor '''Y''' are: B, F, G, I, O, Q''
   |-
   | '''WUG''' || [[Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen|Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Weißenburg in Bayern|'''W'''eißenb'''u'''r'''g''']] || 
   |-
   | '''WÜM''' || [[Cham (district)|Cham District]] || [[Bavaria]] || [[Waldmünchen|'''W'''ald'''mü'''nchen]]<Br>''(with rearranged letter order)'' ||
   |-
   | '''WUN''' || [[Wunsiedel (district)|Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge District]] || [[Bavaria]] || '''Wun'''siedel ||  
   |-
   | '''WUR''' || [[Leipzig (district)|Leipzig District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Wurzen|'''Wur'''zen]] ||   
   |-
   | '''WW''' || [[Westerwaldkreis|Westerwald District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || '''W'''ester'''w'''ald ||   
   |-
   | '''WZ''' || [[Lahn-Dill-Kreis|Lahn-Dill District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Wetzlar|'''W'''et'''z'''lar]] ||   
   |-  
   | '''WZL''' || [[Börde (district)|Börde District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Wanzleben-Börde|'''W'''an'''zl'''eben-Börde]] ||   
   |- 
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''X''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''X''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[NATO]] Headquarters in Germany || Arbitrarily chosen  ||  [X-1000] Format
   |-  
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''Y''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''Y''' 
   | colspan="2"| [[Bundeswehr]] (German Federal Military) || Arbitrarily chosen  ||  [Y-100 123] Format
   |- 
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="5"  | Codes starting with letter ''Z''
   |-
   ! scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" |Notes
   |-  
   | '''Z''' || [[Zwickau (district)|Zwickau District]] || [[Saxony]] || '''Z'''wickau ||   
   |- 
   | '''ZE''' || [[Anhalt-Bitterfeld|Anhalt-Bitterfeld District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Zerbst|'''Ze'''rbst]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ZEL''' || [[Cochem-Zell|Cochem-Zell District]] || [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Zell (Mosel)|'''Zel'''l]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ZI''' || [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Zittau|'''Zi'''ttau]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ZIG''' || [[Schwalm-Eder-Kreis|Schwalm-Eder District]] || [[Hesse]] || [[Schwalmstadt|'''Zi'''e'''g'''enhain]] || 
   |-
   | '''ZP''' || [[Erzgebirgskreis|Erzgebirge District]] || [[Saxony]] || [[Zschopau|'''Z'''scho'''p'''au]] ||   
   |-
   | '''ZR''' || [[Greiz (district)|Greiz District]] || [[Thuringia]] || [[Zeulenroda-Triebes|'''Z'''eulen'''r'''oda-Triebes]] ||   
   |-
  | rowspan="2" | '''ZW'''
   | [[Zweibrücken]] City
   | rowspan="2" | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]
   | rowspan="2" | '''Zw'''eibrücken
   | From [ZW-'''A''' 1 to 9999] to [ZW-'''Z''' 1 to 9999]<Br>From [ZW-'''AA''' 100 to 9999] to [ZW-'''ZZ''' 100 to 9999]
   |-
   | [[Südwestpfalz|Südwestpfalz District]]
   | From [ZW-'''AA''' 1 to 99] to [ZW-'''ZZ''' 1 to 99]
   |-
   | '''ZZ''' || [[Burgenlandkreis|Burgenland District]] || [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Zeitz|'''Z'''eit'''z''']] ||   
   |-
   |}
|-
|
   {|  class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
   ! colspan="6"  | Codes starting with Numbers, ''0 to 9''
   |-
   ! colspan="2" scope="col" style="width: 40px;" |Code
   ! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |[[List of districts of Germany|City / rural district]] 
   ! scope="col" style="width: 175px;" |[[States of Germany|State]]
   ! scope="col" style="width: 125px;" |Namesake
   ! scope="col" style="width: 270px;" |Notes
   |-  
   |rowspan="5"  | '''0''' 
   | [0-1]
   | colspan="2" | Vehicle of the [[President of Germany|Federal President]]
   | ||   
   |- 
   | [0-2] 
   | colspan="2" | Vehicle of the [[Chancellor of Germany|Federal Chancellor]]
   | ||
   |-
   | [0-3]
   | colspan="2" | Vehicle of the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Germany)|Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs]]
   | ||
   |-
   | [0-4]
   | colspan="2" | Vehicle of the State Secretary of the [[Federal Foreign Office]]
   | ||
   |-
   | [0-'''##''' 1 to 999] <BR>[0-'''###''' 1 to 999]
   | colspan="2" | Diplomatic license plate<Br>''Where '''##''' or '''###''' is a numerical code associated with each country.''
   | ||
   |-
   | '''1''' 
   | [1-1]
   | colspan="2" | Vehicle of the [[President of the Bundestag]]
   | ||   
   |- 
   |}
|}

===Stickers===
Registration plates become valid with the official seal of registration.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§12(3)}} This is a sticker of {{cvt|45|mm|frac=8}} diameter, following the area code and bearing, in colours, the seal of the respective German {{lang|de|[[States of Germany|Bundesland]]}} with the name of the state and the issuing district authority added in print. Older stickers were monochrome, black on silver or white, and smaller ({{cvt|35|mm|frac=8|disp=semicolon}}), depicting the seal of either the Bundesland or the city district. Vehicles used by federal institutions, such as {{lang|de|[[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]]}}, carry the German {{lang|de|[[Coat of arms of Germany|Bundesadler]]}} instead of a {{lang|de|Bundesland}} seal.

The rear plate bears, above the official seal, the vehicle safety test sticker. This [[Vehicle inspection#Germany|test]] is obligatory three years after the first registration, and every two years after that. (This time scheme differs for certain vehicles, such as buses, trucks, taxis, etc.) The expiration date can be seen at one glance, as the sticker is attached with the month of expiration pointing upwards. The black mark framing the sectors on either side of ''12'' thus makes it easy for the police to read the expiration month from a distance. Like the hand on a clock, the marking shows the position of a number on the face of a clock. The year when the next safety test is due is printed in the centre of the sticker and also indicated by the colour of the sticker which is repeated every six years.

Whereas the technical inspection was introduced in 1951, it was not before 1961 that a decal on the rear plate indicated when it was due.<ref>{{cite web |title=1. Dezember 1951 – TÜV-Untersuchung für Autos wird Pflicht |trans-title=[[TÜV]] inspection for cars becomes mandatory |url=https://www1.wdr.de/stichtag/stichtag-tuev-untersuchung-auto-pflicht-100.html |website=wdr.de |author=[[Westdeutscher Rundfunk]] |access-date=2024-03-16 |language=de |date=2016-12-01}}</ref> The inspection generally had to be performed every two years, only later<!--when exactly? I'm still searching to find out! --> brand new cars were granted an extra year before their first technical inspection. Consequently, there were not so many different colours needed, and the pattern was different then.

Between 1985 and 2010, a similar yet hexagonal sticker was applied to the front plate, certifying the [[Vehicle emissions control|emission test]] which had to be performed separately since March 1985. With a change of laws effective in 2010, the emission test was incorporated into the safety test, so the emission sticker became obsolete.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tuev-nord.de/de/privatkunden/verkehr/auto-motorrad-caravan/abgasuntersuchung/ |title=Abgasuntersuchung: Von der ASU bis zur UMA |author=[[TÜV Nord]] |language=de |date=2020-03-31 |access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Kfz-Zulassungsplakette Stadt Duisburg SecuRasta.jpg|Registration seal, City of [[Duisburg]], pre-1994 version with city arms
File:Stadt Duisburg-KFZ-Zulassungsplakette neue Ausführung.JPG|Registration seal, City of Duisburg, [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], post-1994 version with state emblem
File:Zulassungsplakette LRA Mühldorf am Inn-alt.jpg|Registration seal, [[Mühldorf (district)|Mühldorf am Inn]], pre-1994, Bavaria state arms monochrome
File:Zulassungsplakette Coburg.png|Registration seal, [[Coburg (district)|Coburg district]], post-1994, Bavaria state arms in colours
File:Bundeswehr-Zulassungssiegel.jpg|Bundeswehr registration seal with the Bundesadler
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Plakette Hauptuntersuchung.svg|Safety test sticker
File:Plakette Abgassonderuntersuchung.svg|Emission test sticker (1985–2010)
File:Kfz-Kennzeichen Deutschland - Toepfchensiegel.jpg|Safety test ''(here: valid until June 2007)'' and registration seal ([[Fürth]], Bavaria)
File:TUEV Plakette 1964.jpg|Ancient safety test marker, September 1964{{efn|Note that the numbers run in the opposite direction as now, and the black mark 11–12–1 has not yet been invented.}}
</gallery>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Colours of the emission test (1985–2010) and vehicle safety test stickers (since 1974)
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Colour
! colspan="11" style="text-align: center;" | Year
|-
| style="background-color: #8f4e35;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 8004]] ({{lang|de|Kupferbraun}}, Copper brown)
| 1974
| 1980
| 1986
| 1992
| 1998
| 2004
| 2010
| 2016
| 2022
| 2028
| 2034
|-
| style="background-color: #e1a6ad;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 3015]] ({{lang|de|Hellrosa}}, Light pink)
| 1975
| 1981
| 1987
| 1993
| 1999
| 2005
| 2011
| 2017
| 2023
| 2029
| 2035
|-
| style="background-color: #48a43f;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 6018]] ({{lang|de|Gelbgrün}}, Yellow-green)
| 1976
| 1982
| 1988
| 1994
| 2000
| 2006
| 2012
| 2018
| 2024
| 2030
| 2036
|-
| style="background-color: #dd7907;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 2000]] ({{lang|de|Gelborange}}, Yellow-orange)
| 1979
| 1983
| 1989
| 1995
| 2001
| 2007
| 2013
| 2019
| '''2025'''
| 2031
| 2037
|-
| style="background-color: #2874b2;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 5015]] ({{lang|de|Himmelblau}}, Sky blue)
| 1978
| 1984
| 1990
| 1996
| 2002
| 2008
| 2014
| 2020
| 2026
| 2032
| 2038
|-
| style="background-color: #d9c022;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 1012]] ({{lang|de|Zitronengelb}}, Lemon yellow)
| 1977
| 1985
| 1991
| 1997
| 2003
| 2009
| 2015
| 2021
| 2027
| 2033
| 2039
|}

[[File:Tuev67.jpg|thumb|left|Old style safety test sticker, 1967{{efn|The point behind figures 6 and 9 was meant to avoid confusion ('''6.''' vs '''9.''').}}]]

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Colours of vehicle safety test stickers (1961–73)
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Colour
! colspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | Year
|-
| style="background-color: #F8F8FF;" | {{spaces|2}}
| {{lang|de|Weiß}}, White
| 1961
| 1965
| 1969
| 1973
|-
| style="background-color: #556B2F;" | {{spaces|2}}
| {{lang|de|Dunkeloliv}}, Dark Olive Green
| 1962
| 1966
| 1970
|-
| style="background-color: #FFD700;" | {{spaces|2}}
| {{lang|de|Goldgelb}}, Golden Yellow
| 1963
| 1967
| 1971
|-
| style="background-color: #0000FF;" | {{spaces|2}}
| {{lang|de|Blau}}, Blue
| 1964
| 1968
| 1972
|}

[[File:Fahrradträger SVG.JPG|thumb|right|Bus with repeater plate, due to the bike carrier]]
All these stickers are specially treated to be easily transferred onto the licence plates, but hard to be removed without damaging the plate itself, making them relatively counterfeit-proof.

The only licence plates which do not need to carry either seal are repeaters. These are obligatory when the original rear plate is covered, in part or whole, by cargo or attached parts, such as bicycle carriers.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§12(10)}}

===Serial letters and digits===
The final identifier or {{lang|de|Erkennungsnummer}} of the licence plate consists of one or two letters, followed by a number of up to four digits. Thus, basically any combination from A1 to ZZ9999 is possible, yet restricted by the maximum length of eight characters, including the area code. All 26 letters of the Latin alphabet may be used, yet this was not always so. In order to avoid confusion between B and 8, F and E, G and 6, I and 1, O and Q and 0, those six letters were excluded from the middle part of registration plates. In 1992, the letters B, F and G were permitted, and in 2000 the alphabet was completed as I, O and Q have been allowed. In the very first months of the numbering system, between July and November 1956, the letter I was used but J was not. This was soon reversed, but single vintage cars kept sporting their letter I between 1956 and 2000 when it was re-introduced.

[[File:Germany plate Hesse FST 683.jpg|thumb|right|This plate from [[Frankfurt am Main]] bears the letters F&nbsp;ST, whereas FS&nbsp;T may be found on a vehicle from [[Freising (district)|Freising]].]]
In the style used until 1994, a hyphen following the area code was used to separate the two groups of letters. This no longer appears in the new format but is often retained, as the space between the geographic identifier and serial letters is a significant character and must be considered when writing down or transmitting a number. For example, '''F&nbsp;ST&nbsp;683''' is different from '''FS&nbsp;T&nbsp;683'''. The risk of confusion can be avoided by writing a hyphen after the city code, like '''F-ST&nbsp;683'''. For this reason, the police will usually radio the location name and spell out the next letters, using the German [[Spelling alphabet#Table of spelling alphabets by language|spelling alphabet]]. Thus, '''F&nbsp;ST&nbsp;683''' would be radioed as {{lang|de|[[Frankfurt am Main|Frankfurt]], Siegfried, Theodor, sechs-acht-drei}} and '''FS&nbsp;T&nbsp;683''' as {{lang|de|[[Freising (district)|Freising]], Theodor, sechs-acht-drei}}. If the officer should not know the meaning of the area code, he would spell it out too, as {{lang|de|Friedrich, Siegfried, Trennung (separation), Theodor}}, etc.

While the number is issued by each district authority separately, a probable split between two or more districts sharing the same area code has to be considered.<ref group=example>In [[Nürnberger Land]] district e.g., LAU and HEB can be used in any combination, ESB with N only, PEG with A only, N with one-letter identifiers only, yet excluding the "new" letters B, F, G, I, O, Q and S.</ref> Further restrictions are caused by "prohibited" combinations (see below).{{efn|There has to exist a method{{which|date=July 2024}} to avoid two vehicles getting plate numbers only distinguished by the position of the blank space, because the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]] describes some rules about international road traffic, and it does not define blank or hyphen as a significant character on plates.<ref>[https://unece.org/DAM/trans/conventn/Conv_road_traffic_EN.pdf Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (see annex 2 page 47)]</ref>}}

====Personalised plates====
[[File:Autokennzeichen KI-EL 1 (Kiel 32.902).jpg|thumb|right|Very old example of a personalised plate, from [[Kiel]] ]]
For an extra charge of €10.20, vehicle owners can register a personalised identifier, keeping to the above rules. In most cases of personalised plates, owners choose their initials and a number reflecting their date of birth. In this fashion, fictional Mrs {{lang|de|Ulrike Mustermann}}, born 2 May 1965 and living in [[Essen]], might choose ''E-UM 2565'' for her car. By combining area code and random letters, further possibilities arise, such as a man from [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]] named Olaf, born on Christmas Eve, could choose ''OL-AF 2412''. A resident of the town of [[Pirna]] might choose ''PIR-AT 77'', {{lang|de|Pirat}} meaning "pirate" in German. [[Kiel]] and [[Kleve]] are two examples of places where the number plate can spell out all of the city name.

These [[vanity plate]]s can only be made up of the available prefixes and numbers, within the general rules. A [[James Bond]] fan from Hamburg would not be allowed the plate ''HH-JB&nbsp;007'' because leading digits 0 (or even [[00 Agent|double-0]]) are not possible; however, he might strive for '''HH-J&nbsp;8007''' or '''HH-OO&nbsp;7''', imitating digits by letters or vice versa. The owner of a [[Volkswagen Polo]] can certainly show ''VW'' in the middle section, but neither ''PO-LO&nbsp;1995'' nor ''VW-P0&nbsp;L01'' would be possible, as these prefixes are not issued nor may letters and digits be mixed at will. Nonetheless, a notable variety of personalised number plates can be spotted on German roads.
<gallery>
File:BIER (beer) licence plate Germany from Bielefeld.JPG|{{lang|de|Bier}} means beer
File:WESEL158.jpg|{{lang|de|Geld}} means money
File:AC-DC-1980 License plate Aachen Germany.jpg|[[AC/DC]] is a rock band.
File:License plate DI-AL 110.jpg|[[112 (emergency telephone number)#Europe|110]] is the police emergency number
File:BA-BY (German license plate).JPG
File:Germany license plate GI-RL.jpg
</gallery>

====Company cars====
Whereas private persons are required to register their vehicle with the district authority of their residence, commercial enterprises can choose to establish branch offices from where to register at will – either for financial reasons, as insurance fees are dependent on the address of registration, or to obtain an interesting licence plate. On the other hand, other enterprises show their origin proudly nationwide. One of these is [[ADAC]], the German automobile association, based in Munich. All their assistance cars, operating from the Alps to the North Sea, bear an '''M''' plate.

[[Deutsche Bahn]], after being [[Corporatization|corporatised]] and relinquishing their {{lang|de|Behördenkennzeichen}} (authority plate) '''DB''', prefers this logo as their middle letters, e.&nbsp;g. '''F-DB''' for the Frankfurt office.
[[Deutsche Telekom]], the largest telecommuncations company, often uses '''BN''' plates, as their headquarters remained in Bonn, where the company originated out of a governmental post & telephone agency. Yet wherever the respective branch office may be, the middle letters '''DT''' are preferred.

The [[Kone]] company registers their German vehicles in [[Koblenz]], with middle letters NE, thus displaying their trademark on their plates. [[BMW]], owner of [[Mini (marque)|Mini]], registers all Mini press/marketing cars in the district of [[Minden-Lübbecke]] which holds the code '''MI''', to get "MI-NI" number plates for the cars. BMW itself is based in Munich, yet ''M-INI'' plates are not possible to issue, as three letters after the district code are not permitted.

From 1970s up to 1994, [[Essen]] city buses owned by city transport company EVAG (Essener Verkehrs-AG) were registered with ''E-AT'' number plates. This may be regarded a pun, as ''eat'' translates into German as {{lang|de|Essen}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ruhrbahn {{!}} Essen-Bus {{!}} Busse in der Ruhrstadt Essen|url=https://essen-bus.de/index.php?/page/ruhrbahn|access-date=2021-11-18|website=essen-bus.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Verkehrshistorische Arbeitsgemeinschaft EVAG e.V.|url=https://vhag-evag.de/fotos/archiv/haupt.html|access-date=2021-11-18|website=vhag-evag.de}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:ADAC Ford S-Max.JPG|ADAC roadside assistance car
File:Deutsche Bahn Bauüberwachung.jpg|Deutsche Bahn (DB) construction supervisor
File:Telekom mobility 2 cars.jpg|2 cars of Deutsche Telekom (DT), registered in Münster
File:Kone licence plate.jpg|A car of Kone's, unmistakably
File:Duobus in electric mode near Essen Wasserturm - geo.hlipp.de - 3997.jpg|Bus E-AT 895, headed for Essen-Kray in 1991
</gallery>

===Prohibited combinations===
Combinations that are regarded as a {{lang|de|Verstoß gegen die guten Sitten}}, which means "offence to moral and customs", are disallowed or otherwise avoided.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§9(1)}} This refers mostly to abbreviations relating to [[Nazi Germany]], such as ''NS'' ([[National Socialism]]), ''KZ'' ({{lang|de|Konzentrationslager}}, [[Internment|concentration camp]]), ''HJ'' ({{lang|de|Hitlerjugend}}, [[Hitler Youth]]), ''SS'' ([[Schutzstaffel]]) and ''SA'' ([[Sturmabteilung]]). Therefore, these two-letter combinations are generally not issued in any district, nor do the city districts of [[Hanover]], [[Nuremberg]], [[Cologne]] and [[Stuttgart]] issue one-letter plates which would result in the combinations H-J, N-S, K-Z, S-A, S-D and S-S.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wunschkennzeichen |url=https://online-service2.nuernberg.de/wkz/controller;jsessionid=D245C32F7CEB5A745BBB2021A885B44A |website=Stadt Nürnberg Ordnungsamt |publisher=City of Nuremberg |access-date=2020-12-30 |language=de}}</ref><ref name="Köln">{{cite web |title=Wunschkennzeichen – Stadt Köln |url=http://www.stadt-koeln.de/service/produkt/wunschkennzeichen?kontrast=weiss |website=Stadt Köln |publisher=City of Cologne |access-date=2020-12-30 |location=• Spezielle und verbotene Kennzeichen |language=de}}</ref><ref name="Stuttgart">{{cite web |title=Kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen – Wunschkennzeichen reservieren |date=6 June 2025 |url=https://www.stuttgart.de/organigramm/leistungen/kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen-wunschkennzeichen-reservieren |publisher=City of Stuttgart |access-date=2025-07-31 |language=de}}</ref>

[[File:Straßenwacht vom Allgemeinen Deutschen Automobil-Club e.V. (ADAC) (Kiel 36.733).jpg|thumb|right|ADAC car parade in 1965 – the plate on the far left reads M-SA 617]]
Those prefixes must not be issued as middle letters now, yet the list of forbidden codes appears to have developed over the decades. In the 1960s, the renowned [[ADAC]] had no qualms with the middle letters ''SA'', as seen on an archive photo. Although the "infamous" combinations were generally excluded from the list of possible area codes with the introduction of the current system, the French occupation force had between 1945 and 1949 used the combination '''SA''' followed by the double-digit numbers 01 to 08 for the then seven rural districts in the [[Saar (protectorate)|Saar Protectorate]] and its capital [[Saarbrücken]]. By 1990, however, codes like these were not taken into consideration for newly formed districts in former GDR: The district {{lang|de|[[Sächsische Schweiz]]}} used the name of its capital, [[Pirna]], in its code '''PIR''', to avoid the use of ''SS''. When the districts of [[Torgau]], [[Delitzsch]] and [[Oschatz]] merged into {{lang|de|[[Nordsachsen]]}}, they combined their initials into '''TDO''', instead of abbreviating ''Northern Saxony'' as ''NS''.{{efn|TOD would have seemed indecent too, as it means ''death''.}}

[[File:Deutsches Kfz-Kennzeichen mit Erkennungsnummer NS.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Example of banned combination (NS) which was issued accidentally]]
On the other hand, the area codes '''HH''' and '''AH''' were chosen for {{lang|de|Hansestadt Hamburg}} and former district {{lang|de|[[Ahaus]]}}, although they could be interpreted as {{lang|de|[[Nazi salute|Heil Hitler]]}} and {{lang|de|[[Adolf Hitler]]}}, respectively. In everyday German, the letters AH are not regarded as an obvious abbreviation for that name,{{efn|AH would rather be regarded as an abbreviation for {{lang|de|Altenheim}} (old people's home) or {{lang|de|Autohaus}} (car dealership); cf. [[:de:AH|German Wikipedia]].}} even less so in the 1950s when the lists were created.{{efn|It was certainly not common to refer to the Nazi {{lang|de|"Führer"}} by his initials, neither before nor after 1945.}} Nonetheless, these two-letter codes and the respective numerals 18 and 88, signifying the first and eighth letter of the alphabet, obviously have developed into [[Nazi symbolism|Nazi symbols]]. They are therefore generally avoided in the serial part of licence plates, although they may be found sometimes.<ref>{{cite news|title=M-AH 8888 ist durchgerutscht|trans-title=M-AH 8888 slipped through|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/behoerdenfehler-m-ah-ist-durchgerutscht-1.2683534|language=de|work=[[Sueddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=2015-10-09|access-date=2015-10-09}}</ref> Generally, the decision whether or not a certain combination is permitted lies with the respective district authority. In Brandenburg, any plates that are related to Hitler, the Hitler salute, etc. cannot be issued, especially if they would be bearing digits 1888, 8818, 8888 or ending in 88, 888, 188. Nor can the combinations AH&nbsp;18 and HH&nbsp;18 be issued to new owners.<ref>{{cite news|title=Verschärfte Regeln gegen Nazi-Autokennzeichen|trans-title=Stricter rules against Nazi plates|url=http://www.rp-online.de/panorama/deutschland/verschaerfte-regeln-gegen-nazi-autokennzeichen-aid-1.2003785|work=Rheinische Post|date=2010-09-18|language=de}}</ref> Some districts however allow these combinations if they are the owner's initials (for example, {{lang|de|Norbert Schmidt}} might be able to get XX-NS&nbsp;1234).{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

In 2004 in [[Nuremberg]], a car owner was refused a number plate beginning ''N-PD'' because of the connection to the political party [[National Democratic Party of Germany|NPD]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicht erlaubt – Hinter diesen Kfz-Kennzeichen stecken Nazi-Codes|trans-title=Not allowed – these licence plates conceal nazi codes|url=http://www.mopo.de/ratgeber/auto-mobil/nicht-erlaubt-hinter-diesen-kfz-kennzeichen-stecken-nazi-codes-986986|work=[[Hamburger Morgenpost]]|date=2015-04-23|access-date=2020-04-08|language=de}}</ref> After the terror group [[National Socialist Underground]] was uncovered in 2011, the city of [[Nuremberg]] refused number plates beginning with ''N-SU'' and even abolished the respective plates on their own vehicles of {{lang|de|Stadtentwässerung und Umweltanalytik}} (sewage and environmental department).<ref>{{cite news|title=Nürnberg entfernt NSU-Kennzeichen|trans-title=Nuremberg removes NSU plates|url=http://www.nordbayern.de/region/nuernberg/nurnberg-entfernt-nsu-kennzeichen-1.2493976|work=[[Nürnberger Nachrichten]]|date=2012-11-09|access-date=2020-04-08|language=de}}</ref>
In the 2010s, some districts started banning licence plates with the middle letters IS which resembled the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]].<ref>{{cite news |title=IS als Auto-Kennzeichen verbieten? |trans-title=Forbidding IS as a licence plate? |url=http://www.fr.de/frankfurt/islamischer-staat-org187056/auto-kennzeichen-verbieten-11116839.html |work=[[Frankfurter Rundschau]] |date=2016-04-22|language=de}}</ref> The [[Herford (district)|Herford]] district registration office ceased issuing registration plates with the combination HF-Z in April 2022 to avoid connotations with the use of the letter "[[Z (military symbol)|Z]]" as a symbol for the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keine "Z"-Kennzeichen mehr im Kreis Herford |trans-title=No more "Z" license plates in the Herford district |url=https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/westfalen-lippe/keine-z-nummernschilder-im-kreis-herford-100.html |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=WDR |date=2022-04-08 |language=de}}</ref>

[[File:Aken.jpg|thumb|right|Permitted: [[Aachen|AC]]-AB]]
The combinations [[Starnberg (district)|STA]]-SI, [[Stuttgart|S]]-ED<ref name=Stuttgart />/[[Segeberg|SE]]-D,<ref name=Segeberg>{{cite web |title=Wunschkennzeichen |url=https://www.segeberg.de/Lebenslagen/Klima-Wirtschaft-Verkehr/Wunschkennzeichen/ |website=Kreis Segeberg |publisher=Kraftfahrzeug-Zulassungsbehörde |access-date=2024-07-26 |language=de }}</ref> [[Helmstedt (district)|HE]]-IL/[[Dithmarschen|HEI]]-L, [[Steinburg|IZ]]-AN and [[Warendorf|WAF]]-FE are also forbidden or discouraged, to avoid association with [[Stasi]], the {{lang|de|[[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|Sozialistische Einheitspartei]]}} of the GDR, the [[Nazi salute]], NAZI backwards and the German word for weapon respectively<!-- ref German Wp -->. Other combinations affected are [[Burglengenfeld|BUL]]-LE (German derogative for police, roughly comparable to ''pig''),<ref>{{cite news |title=Autokennzeichen "BUL-LE" aus dem Verkehr gezogen |trans-title=Car plate sign "BUL-LE" withdrawn from circulation |url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/muenchen/article118973436/Autokennzeichen-BUL-LE-aus-dem-Verkehr-gezogen.html |work=Die Welt |date=2013-08-13 |language=de}}</ref> [[Moers|MO]]-RD (German word for murder),<ref>{{cite news |title=30 Moerser wollten Kennzeichen MO-RD |trans-title=30 Moers people wanted plate "MO-RD" |url=http://www.rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/moers/30-moerser-wollten-kennzeichen-mo-rd-aid-1.3066626 |work=Rheinische Post |date=2012-11-13| language=de}}</ref> [[Nordsachsen|TO]]-D (German word for death), [[Kiel|KI]]-LL (kill) and [[Siegburg|SU]]-FF (boozing).<ref>{{cite news |title=Lieber kein SU-FF für Autofahrer |trans-title=Rather no SU-FF ''(booze)'' for automobilists |url=https://www.broeltal.de/nachrichten/artikel/lieber-kein-su-ff-fuer-autofahrer.html |access-date=2020-12-30 |agency=broeltal.de |date=2016-05-10 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wunschkennzeichen |website=Rhein-Sieg-Kreis |url=https://igv-kfz.regioit.de/verkehr-igv/servlet/Internetgeschaeftsvorfaelle?AUFRUF=WKZ_RSK |language=de |access-date=2024-07-26}}</ref>

[[File:SEX146 licence plate of Kreis Segeberg.JPG|thumb|right|Consensual: [[Segeberg|SE]]-X]]
On the other hand, plates that would seem offensive in other circumstances have been allowed, such as the infamous acronym [[Acab|AC-AB]]. Since the 1950s, morals and customs have certainly changed, and combinations which may have appeared indecent then do not raise an eyebrow now. Therefore, it is not a problem to get a licence plate with S-EX,<ref name=Stuttgart /> SE-X or SE-XY,<ref name=Segeberg /> for example.

===Reserved combinations===
[[File:Kfz-Kennzeichen Polizei Sachsen.jpg|thumb|right|Licence plate of a police car in Saxony]]
For quite different reasons, some districts hold certain letter combinations reserved. The Saxon capital [[Dresden]] issues all '''DD-Q''' plates to the state police vehicles. Likewise, [[Erfurt]] uses '''EF-LP''' for the police in Thuringia. [[Munich]] and other Bavarian cities reserve certain combinations with ''P'' for the police units within their [[Bavarian State Police#Organization|authorities]], such as '''[[Munich|M]]-PM''', '''[[Nuremberg|N]]-PP''' or '''[[Rosenheim|RO]]-P'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wie sehen Polizeikennzeichen aus? |trans-title=What do police plates look like? |url=http://autokennzeichen.de/polizeikennzeichen/ |website=Autokennzeichen.de |date=2017-08-03 |access-date=2020-12-30 |language=de}}</ref> Cologne issues '''K-TX''' to taxis and '''K-LN''' to the city's own vehicles.<ref name="Köln" /> In various districts, firefighter vehicles will be issued the middle letters '''FW''' standing for {{lang|de|Feuerwehr}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Feuerwehr [[Essen]] |first=(Essen Fire Dept.) |title=FW-E: Feuerwehrfahrzeuge mit neuen KFZ-Kennzeichen unterwegs |trans-title=Fire Engines on the road with new number plates |url=https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/56893/958176 |language=de |access-date=2021-06-20 |date=2007-03-20}}</ref>

===Bogus licence plates===
[[File:German license plate.svg|thumb|right|Fake number plate, seemingly from Munich but obviously not correct, due to the umlaut and the leading digit 0]]
Sometimes, e.g. in movie films, it may be necessary to show licence plates which do not really belong to any vehicle. The easiest way would be to create a fictional area code, such as ''NN-XY 555''. In the 1980s TV series {{lang|de|[[Der Fahnder]]}},<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088517/ ''Der Fahnder'' on IMDb]</ref> the area code '''G''' was used for a fictional "large city" ({{langx|de|'''G'''roßstadt}}) in the [[Ruhrgebiet]] area. However, if the plot is supposed to take place in a defined town or region, the audience would expect cars to show codes of that area on their number plates. When James Bond was driving through Hamburg in ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]'', the obviously fake Berlin licence plates on his BMW were soon pointed out.<ref>{{cite web |title=Auto-Filmfehler bei James Bond |trans-title=Car-Filmbugs at James Bond |url=http://www.autobild.de/bilder/auto-filmfehler-bei-james-bond-6719669.html#bild5 |publisher=Auto Bild |access-date=2020-12-24 |language=de |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926121826/http://www.autobild.de/bilder/auto-filmfehler-bei-james-bond-6719669.html#bild5 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the time before 2000, it had also been possible to use number plates with bogus identifiers containing the letters B, F, G, I, O and Q, which at that time were not issued in the middle group. Meanwhile, however, all these letters can appear on a real licence plate. In order to state clearly that the plate shown is a fictive one, the crew could use an impossible identifier, such as an {{lang|de|umlaut}} in this middle section. Yet another way would be to have a valid registration issued (or at least reserved) by the district authority.

==Registration==
===Procedures===
[[File:Schildershop.jpg|thumb|right|Several shops advertising {{lang|de|Schilder}} (plates), in the street of the registration authority]]
Vehicles must be registered with their owner's name and current address. On proof of identity, vehicle documentation and liability insurance, the registration will take place in the [[districts of Germany|district]] authority competent for the respective address.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§6}} An alphanumeric combination, which can be reserved according to personal wishes, will be issued to the vehicle. The physical plates, however, have to be acquired separately, either at a local store or online.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autoschild-kaufen.de/blog/kennzeichen-kosten/ |title=Das kosten Kennzeichen |date=2019-05-29 |trans-title=This is what plates cost |access-date=2020-10-29 |language=de}}</ref> Both the dimensions of the plates and the typeface of letters and numbers are standardized. After purchasing the number plate, the official stamps must be applied, back at the registration office.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§12(3)}} A fee is payable for the registration, in addition to the expenses for the plates.

Any registration or change of it will be registered both within the district authority and nationwide. The latter task is carried out by the Central Vehicle Register ({{lang|de|Zentrales Fahrzeugregister}}, ZFZR) which is controlled by the Federal Motor Transport Authority ({{lang|de|Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt}}, KBA).<ref name=ZFZR>{{Cite web |title=Straßenverkehrsgesetz |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvg/__31.html |publisher=Bundesamt für Justiz |date=2024-07-12 |access-date=2024-07-27 |language=de}}</ref>{{rp|§31}} The data which are stored there refer to the vehicle, the owner and the insurance.<ref name=ZFZR />{{rp|§33}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Central Vehicle Register |url=https://www.kba.de/EN/Themen_en/ZentraleRegister_en/ZFZR_en/zfzr_node_en.html |publisher=Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt |access-date=2024-08-09 |language=en}}</ref> Inquiries from foreign authorities can be addressed to ZFZR which will then direct them to the correct district.<ref name=ZFZR />{{rp|§37}}<ref>{{cite web |title=EUCARIS |url=https://www.kba.de/EN/Themen_en/ZentraleRegister_en/EUCARIS_en/eucaris_node_en.html |publisher=Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt |access-date=2024-08-09 |language=en |quote=Cross-border prosecution of traffic violations}}</ref>

Changes, such as a vehicle being sold or its owner moving residence, must be registered to keep the vehicle documentation up to date.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§15}} If the vehicle remains within the district, the licence plates may be retained. A vehicle being relocated outside of the district has to be registered at the authority now competent. Whilst it was mandatory to have the plates altered, according to the current address, this obligation was reduced in 2015 and has meanwhile been abolished. Since then, it is generally not possible any more to tell the owner's district of residence from the area code on the plates, as they may have registered it at a former residence e.g. in Hamburg yet moved to Frankfurt meanwhile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vz-nrw.de/energie-und-verkehr#kfzkennzeichenhhauchfuerfrankfurter |title=Kfz-Kennzeichen: HH auch für Frankfurter |access-date=2014-12-09 |author=Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V. |date=2014-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209153728/http://www.vz-nrw.de/energie-und-verkehr#kfzkennzeichenhhauchfuerfrankfurter |archive-date=9 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Defacedgermanplate.JPG|thumb|right|Example of a defaced plate – notice how the bottom seal is completely gone, due to scraping. (from [[Kronach]]).]]
When owners choose to deregister their vehicle, the officer at the local authority will want to see the licence plates with defaced seals on them as proof that the plate can no longer be used in public. For this purpose, special machines are available for use at the registration office. Once defaced, the plates may only be used legally on public roads for one return journey to the owner's residence. If a vehicle is to be deregistered and a new one registered to the same owner, it is possible to swap the licence plate from old to new within the same process. Documentation and fees are necessary nonetheless, and neither vehicle should be used to reach the authority, as the assignment of the number changes by the minute.

It is general practice for owners to deregister their vehicles when selling them, typically when a sale is agreed. A sales contract is highly recommended, and various forms are available online for free.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/auto-kaufen-verkaufen/gebrauchtwagenkauf/kfz-kaufvertrag/ |title=Kaufvertrag fürs Auto |trans-title=Sales contract for the car |publisher=[[ADAC]] |access-date=2020-12-18 |language=de |date=2020-12-16}}</ref> A seller may hand over their vehicle with valid licence plates and papers still in their name to the new owner, and the owner will complete the registration transfer to their name. In a scenario without a proper sales contract, the seller may become liable when the buyer commits traffic violations or even criminal acts related to the car or plates. It is generally not recommended to sell used cars with licence plates.

A car whose owner has not paid their insurance premium and is reported to the police by the insurance company may get {{lang|de|entstempelt}}, ''unstamped'' when found in a public place. The police will remove the official seal using a scratching tool like a screwdriver, leaving the plate without a valid seal. This renders the vehicle illegal to be used, or to be left in a public place, unless the insurance premium is paid and plates are fitted with a new official seal. A one-time journey to the relevant registration authorities is permitted to have the seal reinstated, once insurance is restored.

===Costs===
As of 2020, the average registration fee is €26.00<ref>{{cite web |title=Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr |trans-title=Fees for measures in road traffic |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgebo_2011/GebOSt.pdf |website=Gesetze-im-Internet.de |pages=13–16 |language=de |publisher={{lang|de|Bundesministerium der Justiz}} (Federal Ministry of Justice) |date=2020-06-29 |access-date=2020-11-11}}</ref> whilst further fees may apply for choosing an individual identifier or for reservation of such. Whereas some of these amounts are ordained by federal laws, others vary slightly from one district to the next.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kfz Behörden Gebühren |url=http://www.strassenverkehrsamt.de/artikel/kfz-behoerden-gebuehren |access-date=2020-12-23 |publisher=Strassenverkehrsamt |language=de}}</ref> The prices for number plates, on the other hand, are subject to the free market and range from less than €10 up to around €40 per piece. Generally, it is cheaper to have the plates ordered online, but faster to walk across the street and have them made on the spot.

Further costs arise for [[Road tax#Germany|motor vehicle tax]] (€194 on average<ref>{{cite web |title=KFZ Steuer |url=http://kfzversicherungen.org/kfz-steuer/ |website=KfzVersicherungen.org |date=2015-09-15 |access-date=2021-01-02 |language=de}}</ref> yet very much depending on engine and emissions) and mandatory liability insurance (€260 on average, in 2019;<ref>{{cite web |title=Versicherungen |url=http://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/156096/umfrage/durchschnittliche-jahrespraemie-in-der-kfz-haftpflichtversicherung/ |website=Statista |access-date=2021-01-02 |language=de |date=2020-09-24}}</ref> depending on the model of the vehicle, age and residence of the owner, etc.). [[Vehicle insurance#Germany|Comprehensive insurance]] is recommended but voluntary.

===Special types of registration===
Besides the most common way of registering a vehicle for everyday, all-year use indefinitely, it is possible to register for several months of each year, or for a few days in order to export the vehicle abroad. As well it is allowed, under certain restrictions, to register two vehicles (such as a car and a [[motorhome]]) under one number, with the same main licence plate. These variations may save expenses in tax and insurance. Further ways of saving apply to vintage cars and to electrically powered vehicles. Each of these special registrations are represented in the respective licence plate.

==Special codes, colours and formats==
Certain types of vehicle bear special codes.<ref name=FZV />{{rp|App. 3}}{{efn|Appendix 3 defines the unique prefixes for vehicles of federal and state government bodies, agencies, police, the armed forces, diplomatic missions and privileged international organizations.}}

===Different codes===
In deviating from the system described above, vehicles registered to federal, state or communal owners can bear licence plates not showing the district and sometimes omitting the middle letters.

====Highest state offices====
[[File:Licenseplate of limousine.png|thumb|200px|Plate of the German Chancellor]]
The [[President of Germany|President]] uses the licence plate '''0-1''', the [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic)|Chancellor]] uses '''0-2''', the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Germany)|Foreign Minister]] uses '''0-3''' and the ''First [[Secretary of State#Germany|State Secretary]] of the [[Foreign Office (Germany)|Foreign Office]]'' (i.e. the deputy Foreign Minister) uses '''0-4'''. The [[President of the Bundestag|President of the Parliament]] uses '''1-1'''. This reflects the fact that the Parliament's president is not part of the executive branch but still ranks higher in (symbolic) importance than the Chancellor. These vehicles are tax-exempt and need not to be insured since the German government acts as insurer.

====Federal government====
[[File:Bundesfinanzverwaltung license plate of Germany.jpg|thumb|right|{{lang|de|Bundesfinanzverwaltung}} (customs)]]
Instead of a city code (which would mostly mean B for Berlin) the federal government uses an exclusive abbreviation of their own. The code '''BD''' {{lang|de|(Bundesrepublik Deutschland)}} applies to the federal government, ministries, parliament, presidential office, etc. which are identified by their initial number.

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ List
! Code !! Name (German) !! Name/Translation (English)
|-
!BD 1
|Bundestag||[[Bundestag]]
|-
!BD 2
|colspan="2"|''(Reserve)''
|-
!BD 3
|Bundesrat||[[German Bundesrat|Bundesrat]]
|-
!BD 4
|[[Bundesverfassungsgericht]]||Federal Constitutional Court
|-
!BD 5
|[[Bundespräsidialamt]]||Federal Presidential Office
|-
!rowspan="2"|BD 6
|Bundeskanzleramt||[[Federal Chancellery of Germany|Federal Chancellery]]
|-
|Presse- und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung||Press and information office of the government
|-
!BD 7
|Auswärtiges Amt||[[Federal Foreign Office]]
|-
!BD 8
|Bundeszollverwaltung||[[Bundeszollverwaltung|Federal Customs Administration]]
|-
!BD 9
|Bundesministerium des Innern||[[Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany)|Federal Ministry of the Interior]]
|-
!BD 10
|Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz||[[Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection]]
|-
!BD 11
|Bundesministerium der Finanzen||[[Federal Ministry of Finance (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Finance]]
|-
!BD 12
|Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie||[[Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy]]
|-
!BD 13
|Bundesministerium für Verkehr||[[Federal Ministry for Transport]]
|-
!BD 14
|Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat||[[Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity]]
|-
!BD 15
|Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales||[[Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs]]
|-
!BD 16
|[[Bundeszollverwaltung]]||Federal Customs Administration
|-
!BD 17
|colspan="2"|''(Reserve)''
|-
!BD 18
|Bundesministerium der Verteidigung||[[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence]]
|-
!BD 19
|Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt||[[Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space]]
|-
!BD 20
|Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit||[[Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety]]
|-
!BD 21
|Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend||[[Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth]]
|-
!BD 22
|Bundesministerium für Gesundheit||[[Federal Ministry of Health (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Health]]
|-
!BD 23
|Bundeskriminalamt||[[Federal Criminal Police Office (Germany)|Federal Criminal Police Office]]
|-
!BD 24
|colspan="2"|''(Reserve)''
|-
!BD 25
|colspan="2"|''(Reserve)''
|-
!BD 26
|Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung||[[Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development]]
|-
|}

====Federal administration====
Some branches and institutions of the federal government use their special prefix (often an abbreviation of their name) instead of a city code.
* The {{lang|de|[[Technisches Hilfswerk]]}} (German Federal Agency for Technical Relief) uses its abbreviation '''THW''', so the plates read ''THW-80000'', for example. All numbers on THW plates start either with the digit 8 or 9.
* The {{lang|de|Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes}} (Federal Administration of Waterways and Navigation) uses '''BW''' followed by a digit identifying the region of the office (from 1=north to 7=south).
* Before the {{lang|de|[[Deutsche Bundesbahn]]}} (German Federal Railways) was corporatised and the {{lang|de|[[Deutsche Bundespost]]}} (German Federal Mail) was privatised, they used the abbreviations '''DB''' and '''BP''' (e.g. ''DB-12345'', ''BP-12345'').
* The '''[[German Federal Police|federal police]]''' uses the code '''BP''' for {{lang|de|Bundespolizei}} instead of a local code. Before 2006 the code '''BG''', for their former name {{lang|de|[[Bundesgrenzschutz]]}}, was used in the scheme ''BG-12345''. This old code still remains valid, but any new vehicles will get the new code BP.
<gallery>
File:License plate of Technisches Hilfswerk in Germany.JPG|Official registered vehicle for {{lang|de|[[Technisches Hilfswerk]]}} (German Federal Agency for Technical Relief)
File:Deutsches Bundes-Kennzeichen BW6-602.jpg|{{lang|de|Wasser- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes|italic=no}}, here: South Office in [[Würzburg]]
File:Bundesgrenzschutz license plate.jpg|Bundesgrenzschutz licence plate, old-style code ''BG'', no longer issued
File:Deutsches Kfz-Kennzeichen für Bundespolizei.jpg|{{lang|de|Bundespolizei}} (Federal Police), code ''BP'' in use since 2005
</gallery>

====State governments====
[[File: (BWL) Baden-Württemberg Landesregierung 1=Landtag.jpg|thumb|right|Vehicle of [[Baden-Württemberg]] state government]]
In a similar way as the federal government, the [[States of Germany|state]] governments and [[Diet (assembly)|diets]] can use their respective codes. This difference is not made in the {{lang|de|[[City-state#Non-sovereign city-states|Stadtstaaten]]}} Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen, as they fulfil both district and state function in addition to their municipality's. In some {{lang|de|Bundesländer}}, such as [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], the state code is also used by the [[North Rhine-Westphalia Police|police]].<ref group=example>The Police of North Rhine-Westphalia uses ''NRW 4'', ''NRW 5'' and, for motorbikes, ''NRW 6'' instead of a local code. This is followed by a four-digit number (e.g. NRW 4-1960).</ref>

[[File:VW_Fridolin_Heusenstamm_05082011.JPG|thumb|right|{{lang|de|Bundespost}} vehicle, 1960s/70s, with old-style ''BP'' plate]]
====Public sector====
Before the legal reforms of 2006, official vehicles such as police, fire fighting and municipal administration did not carry a letter after the sticker, but only the district prefix and a number, such as ''M-1234''. These included:
* vehicles of the district government: 1–199, 1000–1999, 10000–19999
* vehicles of the local government, e.g. fire brigade: 200–299, 2000–2999, 20000–29999, 300–399
* police: 3000–3999, 7000–7999, 30000–39999, 70000–79999
* disaster relief (mostly changed to "THW", see above): 8000–8999, 80000–89999
This style of plate is no longer issued in most states, but many official vehicles which were registered before 2006 still carry this type of plate.
<gallery>
File:Deutsches Kfz-Kennzeichen für Behördenfahrzeuge (Nummernbereich 3).jpg|Official registered vehicle (here: fire brigade)
File:Deutsches Kfz-Kennzeichen für Behördenfahrzeuge (Nummernbereich 8).jpg|Official registered vehicle for disaster relief
File:Germany NRW licenseplate.jpg|License plate of official vehicle in North Rhine-Westphalia
File:License plate of city council of Trier.jpg|License plate of city council of Trier
</gallery>
A similar style is issued by some districts to consular or diplomatic vehicles in the form Aaa-9NNn (example: D-921). Unlike the other style of diplomatic/consular plates issued in Berlin and Bonn ''(see below)'', this plate does not indicate the nationality of the mission.

====Diplomatic plates====
Plates of cars covered by [[diplomatic immunity]] bear the digit '''0''' (Zero), followed by a two- or three-digit number which indicates the specific diplomatic mission, a hyphen and another number counting within this mission. Traditionally, a digit '''1''' in this final place denotes the ambassador or {{lang|fr|[[chef de mission]]}}. Lower-ranking embassy or consular staff without full diplomatic status are issued plates with the regular city code (mostly '''B''' for the capital, Berlin, or '''BN''' for the former capital, [[Bonn]]). The following characters are identical to the ''0-plates'', e.g. '''B&nbsp;19–256'''. Further holders of diplomatic plates are certain international organizations, such as the [[UNHCR]] or the [[European Central Bank]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Diplomaten, Konsulate und internationale Organisationen |url=http://www.kennzeichenwelt.de/bundesrepublik-seit-1956/diplomaten |website=Kennzeichenwelt |access-date=2020-12-29 |language=de |date=2020-09-02}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:0-153 Zypern Cyprus diplomatenkennzeichen.JPG|Car of the Cypriot ambassador
File:Deutsches Diplomatenkennzeichen (Indonesien).jpg|Diplomatic plate, Indonesian embassy in Berlin
File:GERMANY, BERLIN -FRENCH CONSULATE license plate Flickr - woody1778a.jpg|Plate for diplomatic employee, French embassy in Berlin
File:Hamburg CC Diplomatic license plate.jpg|Consular corps plate in Hamburg
File:Diplomatic license plate Germany 0 17-175.jpg|Small format plate for a U.S. diplomat
</gallery>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ List
! colspan="4" | Diplomatic Codes on German Licence Plates <ref>{{cite web |url=http://pardok.parlament-berlin.de/starweb/adis/citat/VT/17/SchrAnfr/s17-13660.pdf |last1=Trapp |first1=Peter |author2-link=Frank Henkel |last2=Henkel |first2=Frank |title=Schriftliche Anfrage des Abgeordneten Peter Trapp und Antwort: Ermittlungen gegen Angehörige des Diplomatischen Dienstes in Berlin 2013, Drucksache 17/13660 |trans-title=Investigation against Members of the Diplomatic Service in Berlin, in 2013; Written Question and Answer |work=PARDOK – Parlamentsdokumentation |publisher=[[Abgeordnetenhaus von Berlin]] |date=2014-05-16 |pages=1–4 |language=de |access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref>
|- 
! Code !! Flag with State !! State in German !! Notes
|-
| 10 || {{VAT}} || Vatikanstadt
|-
| 11 || {{EGY}} || Ägypten
|-
| 12 || {{AGO}} || Angola
|-
| 13 || {{ALB}} || Albanien
|-
| 14 || {{ETH}} || Äthiopien
|-
| 15 || {{AFG}} || Afghanistan
|-
| 16 || {{DZA}} || Algerien
|-
| 17 || {{USA}} || Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika || Amerika
|-
| 18 || {{ARG}} || Argentinien
|-
| 19 || {{AUS}} || Australien
|-
| 20 || {{BGD}} || Bangladesch
|-
| 21 || {{BEL}} || Belgien
|-
| 22 || {{BRN}} || Brunei
|-
| 23 || {{BGR}} || Bulgarien
|-
| 24 || {{MMR}} || Myanmar || ''formerly'' {{flagicon|MMR|1948}} Birma
|-
| 25 || {{BOL}} || Bolivien
|-
| 26 || {{BRA}} || Brasilien
|-
| 27 || {{BDI}} || Burundi
|-
| 28 || {{CHL}} || Chile
|-
| 29 || {{CHN}} || China
|-
| 30 || {{CRI}} || Costa Rica
|-
| 31 || {{BLR}} || Belarus || ''formerly'' {{flagicon|BLR|1991}} Weißrussland
|-
| 32 || {{BIH}} || Bosnien und Herzegowina
|-
| 33 || {{GNQ}} || Äquatorialguinea
|-
| 34 || {{DNK}} || Dänemark
|-
| 35 || {{BEN}} || Benin || ''formerly'' {{flag|Dahomey}}
|-
| 36 || {{DOM}} || Dominikanische Republik
|-
| 37 || {{ECU}} || Ecuador / Ekuador
|-
| 38 || {{CIV}} || Elfenbeinküste
|-
| 39 || {{SLV}} || El Salvador
|-
| 40 || {{KOS}} || Kosovo
|-
| 41 || {{EST}} || Estland
|-
| 42 || {{LIE}} || Liechtenstein
|-
| 43 || {{MNE}} || Montenegro
|-
| 44 || {{FIN}} || Finnland
|-
| 45 || {{FRA}} || Frankreich
|-
| 46 || {{GAB}} || Gabun
|-
| 47 || {{GHA}} || Ghana
|-
| 48 || {{GRC}} || Griechenland
|-
| 49 || {{GBR}} || Vereinigtes Königreich || Großbritannien
|-
| 50 || {{GTM}} || Guatemala
|-
| 51 || {{GIN}} || Guinea
|-
| 52 || {{LVA}} || Lettland
|-
| 53 || {{LTU}} || Litauen
|-
| 54 || {{HTI}} || Haiti
|-
| 55 || {{HND}} || Honduras
|-
| 56 || {{IND}} || Indien
|-
| 57 || {{IDN}} || Indonesien
|-
| 58 || {{IRQ}} || Irak
|-
| 59 || {{IRN}} || Iran
|-
| 60 || {{IRL}} || Irland
|-
| 61 || {{ISL}} || Island
|-
| 62 || {{LAO}} || Laos
|-
| 63 || {{CPV}} || Kap Verde
|-
| 64 || {{ISR}} || Israel
|-
| 65 || {{ITA}} || Italien
|-
| 66 || {{JAM}} || Jamaika
|-
| 67 || {{JPN}} || Japan
|-
| 68 || {{YEM}} || Jemen
|-
| 69 || {{JOR}} || Jordanien
|-
| 70 || {{SRB}} || Serbien || ''formerly'' {{flagicon|YUG}} Jugoslawien
|-
| 71 || {{KWT}} || Kuwait
|-
| 72 || {{CUB}} || Kuba
|-
| 73 || {{QAT}} || Katar
|-
| 74 || {{CMR}} || Kamerun
|-
| 75 || {{CAN}} || Kanada
|-
| 76 || {{KEN}} || Kenia
|-
| 77 || {{COL}} || Kolumbien
|-
| 78 || {{COG}} || Kongo
|-
| 79 || {{KOR}} || Südkorea || Korea (Republik) 
|-
| 80 || {{LBN}} || Libanon
|-
| 81 || {{LBR}} || Liberia
|-
| 82 || {{LBY}} || Libyen
|-
| 83 || {{LSO}} || Lesotho
|-
| 84 || {{LUX}} || Luxemburg
|-
| 85 || {{MDG}} || Madagaskar
|-
| 86 || {{MWI}} || Malawi
|-
| 87 || {{MYS}} || Malaysia
|-
| 88 || {{MLI}} || Mali
|-
| 89 || {{MAR}} || Marokko
|-
| 90 || {{MRT}} || Mauretanien
|-
| 91 || {{MEX}} || Mexiko
|-
| 92 || {{MLT}} || Malta
|-
| 93 || {{MCO}} || Monaco
|-
| 94 || {{NPL}} || Nepal
|-
| 95 || {{NZL}} || Neuseeland
|-
| 96 || {{NIC}} || Nicaragua
|-
| 97 || {{NLD}} || Niederlande
|-
| 98 || {{NER}} || Niger
|-
| 99 || {{NGA}} || Nigeria
|-
| 100 || {{NOR}} || Norwegen
|-
| 101 || {{MNG}} || Mongolei
|-
| 102 || {{MOZ}} || Mosambik || ''a.k.a.'' {{flagicon|MOZ|1975}} Moçambique
|-
| 103 || {{OMN}} || Oman
|-
| 104 || {{BFA}} || Burkina Faso || ''formerly'' {{flagicon|VOL}} Obervolta
|-
| 105 || {{AUT}} || Österreich
|-
| 106 || {{PAK}} || Pakistan
|-
| 107 || {{PAN}} || Panama
|-
| 108 || {{PRY}} || Paraguay
|-
| 109 || {{PER}} || Peru
|-
| 110 || {{PHL}} || Philippinen
|-
| 111 || {{POL}} || Polen
|-
| 112 || {{PRT}} || Portugal
|-
| 113 || {{PNG}} || Papua-Neuguinea
|-
| 114 || {{NAM}} || Namibia
|-
| 115 || {{RWA}} || Ruanda || {{flagicon|RWA|1961}}
|-
| 116 || {{ROU}} || Rumänien
|-
| 117 || {{ZMB}} || Sambia
|-
| 118 || {{SAU}} || Saudi-Arabien
|-
| 119 || {{SWE}} || Schweden
|-
| 120 || {{CHE}} || Schweiz
|-
| 121 || {{SEN}} || Senegal
|-
| 122 || {{SLE}} || Sierra Leone
|-
| 123 || {{SGP}} || Singapur
|-
| 124 || {{ZWE}} || Simbabwe
|-
| 125 || {{SOM}} || Somalia
|-
| 126 || {{ESP}} || Spanien
|-
| 127 || {{LKA}} || Sri Lanka
|-
| 128 || {{SDN}} || Sudan
|-
| 129 || {{ZAF}} || Südafrika
|-
| 130 || {{SYR}} || Syrien
|-
| 131 || {{TZA}} || Tansania
|-
| 132 || {{THA}} || Thailand
|-
| 133 || {{TGO}} || Togo
|-
| 134 || {{TON}} || Tonga
|-
| 135 || {{CZE}} || Tschechien || ''formerly'' {{flagicon|CSK}} Tschechoslowakei
|-
| 136 || {{TCD}} || Tschad
|-
| 137 || {{TUR}} || Türkei
|-
| 138 || {{TUN}} || Tunesien
|-
| 139 || {{UGA}} || Uganda
|-
| 140 || {{RUS}} || Russland || ''formerly'' UdSSR = {{URS}}
|-
| 141 || {{URY}} || Uruguay
|-
| 142 || {{HUN}} || Ungarn
|-
| 143 || {{UKR}} || Ukraine
|-
| 144 || {{GRD}} || Grenada
|-
| 146 || {{VEN}} || Venezuela
|-
| 147 || {{VNM}} || Vietnam
|-
| 148 || {{UAE}} || Vereinigte Arabische Emirate
|-
| 151 || {{COD}} || Demokratische Republik Kongo || ''formerly'' {{ZAI}}
|-
| 152 || {{CAF}} || Zentralafrikanische Republik
|-
| 153 || {{CYP}} || Zypern
|-
| 154 || {{HRV}} || Kroatien
|-
| 155 || {{SVN}} || Slowenien
|-
| 156 || {{AZE}} || Aserbaidschan
|-
| 157 || {{SVK}} || Slowakei
|-
| 158 || {{KAZ}} || Kasachstan
|-
| 159 || {{MKD}} || Nordmazedonien
|-
| 160 || {{UZB}} || Usbekistan
|-
| 161 || {{ERI}} || Eritrea
|-
| 162 || {{GEO}} || Georgien
|-
| 163 || {{TJK}} || Tadschikistan
|-
| 164 || {{BHR}} || Bahrain
|-
| 165 || {{KHM}} || Kambodscha
|-
| 166 || {{ARM}} || Armenien
|-
| 167 || {{KGZ}} || Kirgisistan
|-
| 168 || {{MDA}} || Moldawien || ''a.k.a.'' Republik Moldau
|-
| 169 || {{TKM}} || Turkmenistan
|-
| 170 || [[International Labour Organization]] || Internationale Arbeitsorganisation || ILO
|-
| 171 || [[European Central Bank]] || Europäische Zentralbank || ECB
|-
| 172 || {{flagicon|EU}} [[European Union Aviation Safety Agency]] || Europäische Agentur für Flugsicherheit || EASA
|-
| 173 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] || Hoher Flüchtlings-Kommissar || UNHCR
|-
| 174 || [[Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation]] || Gemeinsame Organisation für Rüstungskooperation || OCCAR
|-
| 175 || [[International Organization for Migration]] || Verbindungsstelle der Internationalen Organisation für Migration || IOM
|-
| 176 || {{flag|Arab League}} || Liga der Arabischen Staaten || {{lang|ar|جامعة الدول العربية}}
|-
| 177 || [[Franco-German Youth Office]] || Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk || {{lang|fr|Office franco-allemand pour la Jeunesse, OFAJ}}
|-
| 178 || [[European Space Operations Centre]] || Europäisches Operations-Zentrum für Weltraumforschung || ESOC
|-
| 179 || {{flagicon|NATO}} [[NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency]] || NATO-Agentur für Entwicklung, Produktion und Logistische Betreuung der Waffensysteme EF 2000 und Tornado || NETMA
|-
| 180 || [[European Southern Observatory]] || Europäische Südsternwarte || ESO
|-
| 181 || [[European Molecular Biology Laboratory]] || Europäisches Laboratorium für Molekularbiologie || EMBL
|-
| 182 || {{flagicon|EU}} [[European Commission]] || Europäische Kommission
|-
| 183 || [[European Patent Office]] || Europäisches Patentamt || EPO
|-
| 184 || [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] || Organisation für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung || OECD
|-
| 185 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[World Food Programme]] || Welternährungsprogramm der Vereinten Nationen (UNEP) || WFP
|-
| 186 || [[European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites]] || Europäische Organisation für die Nutzung meteorologischer Satelliten || EUMETSAT
|-
| 187 || [[European Astronaut Centre]] || Europäisches Astronautenzentrum || EAC
|-
| 188 || {{flagicon|UNESCO}} [[UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning]] || UNESCO-Institut für lebenslanges Lernen || UIL
|-
| 189 || German-Polish Youth Office || Deutsch-Polnisches Jugendwerk (DPJW) || {{lang|pl|Polsko-Niemiecka Współpraca Młodzieży (PNWM)}}
|-
| 190 || [[World Bank]] || Weltbank || [[International Finance Corporation|IFC]]
|-
| 191 || {{nowrap|European Center for Environment and Health}} || Europäisches Zentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit
|-
| 192 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[UNEP]] [[Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals]] || Umweltprogramm der UN, Sekretariat zur Erhaltung der wandernden wildlebenden Tierarten || CMS
|-
| 193 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] || Sekretariat der Klimarahmen-Konvention || UNFCCC
|-
| 194 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations Volunteers]] || Freiwilligenprogramm der Vereinten Nationen || UNV
|-
| 195 || [[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]] || Internationaler Seegerichtshof || ITLOS
|-
| 196 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations Information Centres]] || Informationszentrum der Vereinten Nationen || UNIC
|-
| 197 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification]] || UN-Sekretariat der Wüstenkonvention || UNCCD
|-
| 198 || {{flagicon|UNESCO}} [[UNESCO-UNEVOC|International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training]] || Internationales Zentrum für Berufsbildung || UNEVOC
|-
| 199 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations University]] || Universität der Vereinten Nationen, Forschungsinstitut für Katastrophenmanagement || UNU
|-
| 200 || {{MUS}} || Mauritius
|-
| 201 || {{PRK}} || Nordkorea || Demokratische Volksrepublik Korea
|-
| 202 || {{DJI}} || Dschibuti
|-
| 203 || {{GNB}} || Guinea-Bissau
|-
| 204 || {{SSD}} || Südsudan
|-
| 205 || {{BWA}} || Botswana
|-
| 206 || {{MDV}} || Malediven
|-
| 300 || {{flagicon|UNO}} [[United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs]] / [[UN-SPIDER|United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response]] || Plattform der Vereinten Nationen für raumfahrtgestützte Informationen für Katastrophenmanagement und Notfallmaßnahmen || UNOOSA/UN-SPIDER
|-
| 301 || [[UNEP]] Study ''[[The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity]]'' || Studie "Die Ökonomie der Ökosysteme und der biologischen Vielfalt" || TEEB
|-
| 302 || [[International Renewable Energy Agency]] || Internationale Organisation für Erneuerbare Energien || IRENA
|-
| 303 || [[Crop Trust|Global Crop Diversity Trust]] || Welttreuhandfonds für Kulturpflanzenvielfalt || GCDT
|}

====Military====
[[File:Deutsches Bundeswehr-Kfz-Kennzeichen.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} (armed forces)]]
* [[Bundeswehr]] uses old style non-reflecting plates. The German flag is shown, instead of the blue EU strip. Bundeswehr plates use the letter '''Y''' instead of a city code, as no German city has this initial. The Y is followed by a dash and a six-digit number (or five digits for motorcycles), for example '''Y-123,456'''. These vehicles are tax-exempt and need not to be insured since the German government acts as insurer. There is also no mandatory technical inspection required but the Armed Forces carry out a regular internal inspection on these vehicles similar to the official inspection.
* Military vehicles which are used by the [[NATO]] headquarters in Germany use the same design as the Y-plates except they carry the letter '''X''' followed by a four-digit number, for example '''X-1234'''.

===Different colours===
Very rarely, German licence plates bear characters in different colours than black. These exceptions are:

====Green on white====
[[File:Deutsches Kfz-Kennzeichen für steuerbefreite Fahrzeuge (grüne Schrift).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Plate for tax-exempt vehicles]]
Vehicles which are exempt from vehicle taxes (for example [[ambulance]]s, [[tractor]]s, agricultural trailers, trailers for boats or trailers for gliders) have green print on a white background plate.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§10(2)}} Regular trailers for lorries can be exempted from tax if the owner agrees to pay an increased tax on the vehicle which tows the trailer.

====Red on white – 06====
[[File:Rotes DIN-Kennzeichen 06.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Plate for dealer's cars (red colour, old DIN-style)]]
[[Car dealership|Car dealer]]s' plates are in red print on a white background, and the code begins with '''06'''.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§41}} Red plates may be attached to cars which are changing hands, such as the test run of unregistered cars, and the [[liability insurance]] is connected to the plate, not a specific car.

====Red on white – 07====
[[File:Oldtimer plate Kreis Stendal.JPG|thumb|right|Plate for vintage car collector]]
Red plates starting with the number 07 are reserved for collectors of vintage vehicles.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§43}} Originally, vintage vehicles had a required minimum age of 20 years from first registering. Since April 2007, the required minimum age has been 30 years. Plates issued under the old 20 years rule remained valid after this date. The collectors must get an official certificate of approval (such as no criminal records). They are allowed to use one set of plates on any of their vehicles under the condition that they keep a strict record of use. No day-to-day use of the vehicles is allowed. A valid official technical inspection is not mandatory but the vehicles have to be technically fit for use on public roads.

===Different formats and styles===
====H for historic====
[[File:Deutsches Kfz-Kennzeichen für historische Fahrzeuge (H-Kennzeichen).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Plate for a specific vintage car]]
[[Classic car|Classic vehicles]] (known in German by the [[pseudo-English]] expression {{lang|de|Oldtimer}}) can get an '''H''' ({{lang|de|historisch}}, [[antique vehicle registration|historic]]) at the end of the plate, such as ''[[Cologne|K]]-AA 100H'' in order to preserve the so-called "vehicle of cultural value" ({{lang|de|kraftfahrtechnisches Kulturgut}}).<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§10(1)}} This also implies a flat tax of around €190 per year. It is popular to choose the digits so that they indicate the car's year of manufacture. The requirements for a vehicle to receive an H-Plate are:
*The first documented registration was at least 30 years ago.
*The car must be in mostly original and preservation worthy condition. Preservation worthy means a grade C by popular car grading standards. The older the car, the more signs of usage it can show. This purely concerns the car's appearance; the road worthiness is established by separate mandatory safety inspections.{{efn|Universally accepted modifications include changes that benefit safety, such as seat belts and disc brakes, and environmental friendliness, such as catalytic converters and LPG conversions (if invisible from the outside). Further modifications that are generally accepted are those contemporary of the car's first registration (plus and minus 10 years, burden of proof lies with the owner through historic material such as photographs) and new paintjobs of any colour, including two-tone paint if originally offered and historic company logos, but no murals or custom patterns.}}

====E for electric====
[[File:German electric car license plate.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Plate for Plug-in electric vehicle]] 
The 2015 Electric Mobility Act authorised issuing special licence plates for [[plug-in electric vehicle]]s to allow proper identification to avoid abuses of these privileges.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§11}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/bundestag-beschliesst-elektromobilitaetsgesetz-a-1022098.html|title=Elektromobilitätsgesetz: Bundestag beschließt Vorfahrt für E-Autos |language=de |trans-title=Electric Mobility Act: Bundestag passes priority for electric cars |work=[[Spiegel Online]] |date=2015-03-06 |access-date=2015-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.kfz-betrieb.vogel.de/verbaendeundpolitik/politik/articles/479501/?cmp=nl-125|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150315133329/http://www.kfz-betrieb.vogel.de/verbaendeundpolitik/politik/articles/479501/?cmp=nl-125 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-03-15 |title=Bundestag will Vorfahrt für E-Autos |language=de |trans-title=Bundestag wants priority for electric cars |work=KFZ-betrieb |date=2015-03-05 |access-date=2015-03-14}}</ref> The special licence plate adds the letter '''E''' at the end of the licence number. Owners of [[all-electric car]]s and [[plug-in hybrid]]s with a minimum all-electric range of {{convert|40|km|abbr=on}} can apply for the special licence. The minimum range for eligible plug-in hybrids was increased from {{convert|30|km|abbr=on}} from 1 January 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.autobild.de/artikel/e-kennzeichen-autokennzeichen-fuer-elektroautos-5642890.html |title="E" wie Elektroauto |language=de |trans-title="E" as electric car |work=[[Autobild]] |date=2015-09-29 |access-date=2016-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.focus.de/auto/elektroauto/e-kennzeichen-elektroautos-mit-diesem-nummernschild-parken-sie-jetzt-umsonst_id_5592119.html |title=E-Kennzeichen und Elektromobilitätsgesetz: Mit diesem Nummernschild parken Sie jetzt umsonst |language=de |trans-title=E-Plate and Electromobility Act: With this number plate you park now for free |first=Sebastian |last=Viehmann |work=[[Focus (German magazine)|Focus]] |date=2016-06-03 |access-date=2016-10-23}}</ref>

====Seasonal====
[[File:FRIES26.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Seasonal number plate, ''here'' valid from 1 April to 31 October of each year]]
Seasonal number plates are popular for motorbikes or convertibles in the summertime, or for "winter cars" substituting them, yet these plates are available for any vehicle.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§10(3)}} They bear two 2-digit numbers at the end of the plate indicating the months between which they are registered to drive, with the licence being valid from the start of the upper month until the end of the lower month. This results in lower car taxes, as well as lower insurance premiums.

====Interchangeable====
[[File:Special license plate Germany Berlin.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Interchangeable licence plate (''Wechselkennzeichen'')]]
Two vehicles of the same class (two cars, two motorbikes or light vehicles, two trailers) may be registered with an alternating licence plate.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§9(2)}} In this case, only the last digit varies – e.g. '''B-KJ&nbsp;414|5''' and '''B-KJ&nbsp;414|6''' – and is printed on an extra plate which remains on either vehicle, whereas the main part of the plate has to be attached to the vehicle in use. The main part carries the registration seal and a small letter W for {{lang|de|Wechselkennzeichen}}, the individual part carries the technical inspection seal and below, in very small letters, the associated main number. Both vehicles have to pay full tax, yet the insurance premium may be discounted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wechselkennzeichen |url=https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/auto-kaufen-verkaufen/kfz-zulassung/wechselkennzeichen/ |publisher=[[ADAC]] Rechtsberatung |access-date=2020-11-12 |language=de |date=2019-06-03}}</ref>

====Temporary registration====
[[File:Deutsches Kurzzeit-KFZ-Kennzeichen.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Temporary plate ({{lang|de|Kurzzeit-Kennzeichen}}); this one was valid until 9&nbsp;March 2004.]]
Used vehicles which are not currently registered to any person or company – or have been deregistered by their current owner, temporarily or permanently – can be driven on public roads using short-term plates, valid for five days only.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§42}} These are known as "temporary number plates" or "yellow number plates", due to the yellow stripe. The first letter(s) indicate the issuing authority, as in regular German registrations. The numeric code starts with the numbers '''04''', e.g. ''DD-04321'', and the plate has a yellow stripe on the right showing when they are valid. The date is listed numerically, on three lines, reading day, month, year, with two digits each. The vehicle need not have a valid technical inspection, however it must be technically fit to be operated in public. Typically they are used to drive to/from a technical inspection, or to move storage location of the vehicle. Insurance premiums are quite high, appr. €100 for the above-mentioned 5 days. Most insurance companies credit this premium if the car is registered as a normal car with the same insurance company after these 5 days. These temporary plates are only valid within Germany, and cannot be used to export the vehicle to a foreign country nor for transit. They can only be obtained by a resident of Germany.

====Export====
{{lang|de|Ausfuhrkennzeichen}} (export plates) are used for exporting vehicles abroad.<ref name="FZV" />{{rp|§45}} The owner does not have to be a German resident to register the car, but must provide identification such as a passport or ID card. The date on the red stripe on the right hand side shows the expiration date of the plate, as it indicates for how long the vehicle insurance and tax are paid. After this date, the vehicle must have left Germany, and is automatically deregistered from the German vehicle registration system. Use of the vehicle within Germany is permitted until the export date.
<gallery>
File:Deutsche Ausfuhr-Kfz-Kennzeichen (Export).jpg|Special plate for vehicles to be exported ({{lang|de|Ausfuhrkennzeichen}})
File:License plate of Germany for export vehicles.png|Former special plate for vehicles to be exported ({{lang|de|Zollkennzeichen}}, customs plate) — no longer in use. It was replaced by the {{lang|de|Ausfuhrkennzeichen}} in the 1980s.
File:Lüdinghausen, Flugplatz Borkenberge, PKW auf dem Parkplatz -- 2014 -- 0091.jpg|Car with a combination of interchangeable and historic plate
</gallery>

==History==
===German Empire and Weimar Republic===
[[File:Kennzeichen Thüringen Deutschland 1930s.jpg|thumb|Licence plate from Thuringia (1930s)]]
The first German licence plates that had a lettering plan were issued from 1906 onwards. The various states and realms which made up the [[German Empire]] used different prefixes, such as [[Roman numerals]] ({{mono|I}} representing Prussia, {{mono|II}} Bavaria, {{mono|III}} Württemberg, etc.) or plain letters ({{mono|HH}} for Hansestadt Hamburg, e.g.). Larger states added further identifiers for their provinces or regions. Saxony did not use any statewide numeral and only used Roman numerals for its provinces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kennzeichenwelt - Unterscheidungszeichen |url=https://www.kennzeichenwelt.de/1906-bis-1945/unterscheidungszeichen |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.kennzeichenwelt.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mike |date=2012-06-22 |title=German license plates {{!}} License Plates History |url=https://www.licenseplates.tv/blog/german_license_plates |access-date=2023-08-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Karte Deutsches Reich, Gliederung der oberen Verwaltungsebenen 1900-01-01.png|thumb|400px|right|German Empire (1871–1918)]]
[[File:Weimarer Republik 1925.svg|thumb|400px|right|Weimar Republic (1918–1933)]]

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+ class=nowrap | List of codes on German licence plates (1906–1945)
|-
! Code
! colspan="2" | Country / province / district
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
| {{mono|'''I''' ...}} || '''[[Prussia]]''' || {{lang|de|Preußen}}
|-
| {{mono|'''I A'''}} || [[Berlin]] || ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I B'''}} || [[Posen-West Prussia]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Posen-Westpreußen}} || 1922–1938
|-
| {{mono|'''I C'''}} || [[Province of East Prussia]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Ostpreußen}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I D'''}} || [[Province of West Prussia]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Westpreußen}} || 1906–1922<br/>then merged into Posen-West Prussia
|-
| {{mono|'''I E'''}} || [[Province of Brandenburg]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Brandenburg}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I H'''}} || [[Province of Pomerania (1815-1945)|Province of Pomerania]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Pommern}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I K'''}} || [[Province of Silesia]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Schlesien}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I L'''}} || [[Province of Hohenzollern]] || {{lang|de|Hohenzollernsche Lande}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I M'''}} || [[Province of Saxony]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Sachsen}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I P'''}} || [[Province of Schleswig-Holstein]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Schleswig-Holstein}} ||
|- 
| {{mono|'''I S'''}} || [[Province of Hanover]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Hannover}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I T'''}} || [[Hesse-Nassau|Province of Hesse-Nassau]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Hessen-Nassau}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I X'''}} || [[Province of Westphalia]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Westfalen}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''I Y'''}} || [[Province of Posen]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Posen}} || 1906–1922<br/>then merged into Posen-West Prussia
|-
| {{mono|'''I Y'''}} || [[Düsseldorf (region)|District of Düsseldorf]] || {{lang|de|Regierungsbezirk Düsseldorf}} || 1928–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''I Z'''}} || [[Rhine Province]] || {{lang|de|Rheinprovinz}} || excl. Bezirk Düsseldorf 1928–1945
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{mono|'''II''' ...}} || '''[[Kingdom of Bavaria]]''' || {{lang|de|Königreich Bayern}} || 1906–1918
|-
| '''[[Bavaria#Free State of Bavaria|Free State of Bavaria]]''' || {{lang|de|Freistaat Bayern}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''II A'''}} || [[Munich]] City District || {{lang|de|Stadtbezirk München}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II B'''}} || [[Upper Bavaria]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Oberbayern}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II C'''}} || [[Lower Bavaria]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Niederbayern}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II D'''}} || [[Circle of the Rhine]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Pfalz}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II E'''}} || [[Upper Palatinate]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Oberpfalz}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II H'''}} || [[Upper Franconia]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Oberfranken}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II M'''}} || [[Bavarian Army|Bavarian Military]] || || 1910–1919
|-
| {{mono|'''II N'''}} || City of [[Nuremberg]] || {{lang|de|Stadtbezirk Nürnberg}} || incl. [[Fürth]]
|-
| {{mono|'''II P'''}} || Post || || 1910–1923
|-
| {{mono|'''II S'''}} || [[Middle Franconia]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Mittelfranken}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II U'''}} || [[Lower Franconia]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Unterfranken}} ||
|-
| {{mono|'''II Z'''}} || [[Swabia (Bavaria)|Swabia]] || {{lang|de|Kreis Schwaben}} ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{mono|'''III''' ...}} || '''[[Kingdom of Württemberg]]''' || {{lang|de|Königreich Württemberg}} || 1906–1918
|-
| '''[[Free People's State of Württemberg]]''' || {{lang|de|Freier Volksstaat Württemberg}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''III A'''}} ||colspan="2"| Neckarkreis: [[Stuttgart]] City ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III C'''}} ||colspan="2"| Neckarkreis: {{lang|de|[[Oberamt (Württemberg)|Oberämter]]}} Backnang, Besigheim, Brackenheim, Cannstatt, Esslingen ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III D'''}} ||colspan="2"| Neckarkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Heilbronn, Leonberg, Ludwigsburg, Marbach, Maulbronn ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III E'''}} ||colspan="2"| Neckarkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Neckarsulm, Oberamt Stuttgart, Vaihingen, Waiblingen, Weinsberg ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III H'''}} ||colspan="2"| Schwarzwaldkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Balingen, Calw, Freudenstadt, Herrenberg, Horb, Nagold ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III K'''}} ||colspan="2"| Schwarzwaldkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Neuenburg, Nürtingen, Oberndorf, Reutlingen, Rottenburg ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III M'''}} ||colspan="2"| Schwarzwaldkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Rottweil, Spaichingen, Sulz, Tübingen, Tuttlingen, Urach ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III P'''}} ||colspan="2"| Jagstkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Aalen, Crailsheim, Ellwangen, Gaildorf, Gerabronn ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III S'''}} ||colspan="2"| Jagstkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Gmünd, Hall, Heidenheim, Künzelsau ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III T'''}} ||colspan="2"| Jagstkreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Mergentheim, Neresheim, Öhringen, Schorndorf, Welzheim ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III X'''}} ||colspan="2"| Donaukreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Biberach, Blaubeuren, Ehingen, Geislingen, Göppingen, Kirchheim ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III Y'''}} ||colspan="2"| Donaukreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Laupheim, Leutkirch, Münsingen, Ravensburg, Riedlingen ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III Z'''}} ||colspan="2"| Donaukreis: {{lang|de|Oberämter}} Saulgau, Tettnang, Ulm, Waldsee, Wangen ||
|-
| {{mono|'''III&nbsp;WP'''}} ||colspan="2"| Württembergische Post || 1912–1923
|-
| rowspan="2" | || '''[[Kingdom of Saxony]]''' || {{lang|de|Königreich Sachsen}} || 1906–1918
|-
| '''[[Free State of Saxony]]''' || {{lang|de|Freistaat Sachsen}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''I'''}} ||colspan="2"| [[Kreishauptmannschaft Bautzen]]<br/>Kreishauptmannschaft Dresden-Bautzen || 1906–1932<br/>1932–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''II'''}} ||colspan="2"| [[Kreishauptmannschaft Dresden]]<br />Kreishauptmannschaft Dresden-Bautzen || 1906–1932<br/>1932–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''III'''}} ||colspan="2"| Kreishauptmannschaft Leipzig ||
|-
| {{mono|'''IV'''}} ||colspan="2"| Kreishauptmannschaft Chemnitz ||
|-
| {{mono|'''V'''}} ||colspan="2"| Kreishauptmannschaft Zwickau<br/>and police authorities ({{lang|de|Polizeiämter}}) [[Zwickau]] and [[Plauen]] || 
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{mono|'''IV''' ...}} || '''[[Grand Duchy of Baden]]''' || {{lang|de|Großherzogtum Baden}} || 1906–1918
|-
| '''[[Republic of Baden]]''' || {{lang|de|Republik Baden}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''IV B'''}} || [[Baden]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{mono|'''V''' ...}} || '''[[Grand Duchy of Hesse]]''' || {{lang|de|Großherzogtum Hessen}} || 1906–1918
|-
| '''[[People's State of Hesse]]''' || {{lang|de|Volksstaat Hessen}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''V O'''}} || Province of [[Upper Hesse]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Oberhessen}} || 1906–1937
|-
| {{mono|'''V R'''}} || Province of [[Rhenish Hesse]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Rheinhessen}} || 1906–1937
|-
| {{mono|'''V S'''}} || Province of [[Starkenburg]] || {{lang|de|Provinz Starkenburg}} || 1906–1937
|-
| {{mono|'''V H'''}} || [[People's State of Hesse]] || {{lang|de|Volksstaat Hessen}} || 1937–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''VI''' ...}} || '''[[Alsace-Lorraine]]''' || {{lang|de|Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen}} || 1906–1918
|-
| {{mono|'''VI A'''}} || [[Unterelsaß|Lower Alsace]] || {{lang|de|Bezirk Unterelsaß}} || 1906–1918
|-
| {{mono|'''VI B'''}} || [[Oberelsaß|Upper Alsace]] || {{lang|de|Bezirk Oberelsaß}} || 1906–1918
|-
| {{mono|'''VI C'''}} || [[Bezirk Lothringen|Lorraine]] || {{lang|de|Bezirk Lothringen}} || 1906–1918
|-
! colspan="4"| '''Further states and realms'''
|-
! Code
! colspan="2" | Country / province / district
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{mono|'''A'''}} || [[Duchy of Anhalt]] || {{lang|de|Herzogtum Anhalt}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Anhalt]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Anhalt}} || 1918–1945
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{mono|'''B'''}} || [[Duchy of Brunswick]] || {{lang|de|Herzogtum Braunschweig}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Brunswick]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Braunschweig}} || 1918–1945
|-
| rowspan="3" | {{mono|'''CG'''}} || Duchy of [[Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]] || {{lang|de|Herzogtum Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Gotha]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Gotha}} || 1918–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| [[Free State of Coburg]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Coburg}} || 1918–1920<br/>then united with Bavaria
|-
| {{mono|'''HB'''}} || Hansestadt [[Bremen]] || ||
|-
| {{mono|'''HH'''}} || Hansestadt [[Hamburg]] || ||
|-
| {{mono|'''HL'''}} || Hansestadt [[Lübeck]] || || 1906–1937
|-
| {{mono|'''L'''}} || Hansestadt [[Free City of Lübeck|Lübeck]] || || 1903–1906
|-
| rowspan="2"|{{mono|'''L'''}} || [[Principality of Lippe]] || {{lang|de|Fürstentum Lippe}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Lippe]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Lippe}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''M'''}} || colspan="2"|[[Mecklenburg#History since 1934|Mecklenburg]] || 1934–1945
|-
| rowspan="2"|{{mono|'''M I'''}} || [[Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin]] || {{lang|de|Großherzogtum<br/>Mecklenburg-Schwerin}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat<br/>Mecklenburg-Schwerin}} || 1918–1934<br/>then merged into Mecklenburg
|-
| rowspan="2"|{{mono|'''M II'''}} || [[Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]] || {{lang|de|Großherzogtum<br/>Mecklenburg-Strelitz}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Mecklenburg-Strelitz}} || 1918–1934<br/>then merged into Mecklenburg
|-
| rowspan="2"| {{mono|'''O I'''}} || [[Grand Duchy of Oldenburg]] || {{lang|de|Großherzogtum Oldenburg}} || 1906–1918
|-
| [[Free State of Oldenburg]] || {{lang|de|Freistaat Oldenburg}} || 1918–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''O II'''}} || Oldenburg, [[Eutin#History|Lübeck exclave]] || {{lang|de|Landesteil Lübeck}} || 1906–1937<br/>then merged into Schleswig-Holstein
|-
| {{mono|'''O III'''}} || Oldenburg, [[Birkenfeld#History|Birkenfeld exclave]] || {{lang|de|Landesteil Birkenfeld}} || 1906–1937<br/>then merged into Rhine Province
|-
| {{mono|'''RA'''}} || [[Reuss Elder Line]] || {{lang|de|Reuß älterer Linie}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''RJ'''}} || [[Reuss Younger Line]] || {{lang|de|Reuß jüngerer Linie}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''S'''}} || [[Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach]] || {{lang|de|Großherzogtum / Freistaat<br/>Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''SA'''}} || [[Saxe-Altenburg]] || {{lang|de|Herzogtum / Freistaat<br/>Sachsen-Altenburg}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''SAAR'''}} || [[Territory of the Saar Basin|Saar Basin]] || {{lang|de|Saargebiet}} || 1920–1935
|-
| {{mono|'''Saar'''}} || [[Saarland#Nazi period|Saarland]] || || 1935–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''SL'''}} || [[Schaumburg-Lippe]] || {{lang|de|Fürstentum / Freistaat<br/>Schaumburg-Lippe}} || 1906–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''SM'''}} || [[Saxe-Meiningen]] || {{lang|de|Herzogtum / Freistaat<br/>Sachsen-Meiningen}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''SR'''}} || [[Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt]] || {{lang|de|Fürstentum / Freistaat<br/>Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''SS'''}} || [[Schwarzburg-Sondershausen]] || {{lang|de|Fürstentum / Freistaat<br/>Schwarzburg-Sondershausen}} || 1906–1920<br/>then merged into Thuringia
|-
| {{mono|'''T'''}} || rowspan="2"|[[Thuringia]] || rowspan="2"|{{lang|de|Thüringen}} || 1920–1922
|-
| {{mono|'''Th'''}} || 1922–1945
|-
| {{mono|'''W'''}} || [[Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont|Waldeck]] || {{lang|de|Fürstentum / Freistaat<br/>Waldeck und Pyrmont}} || 1906–1929<br />then merged into Hessen-Nassau
|}

During World War I the German Army was assigned the combination MK for {{lang|de|Militärkraftwagen des Deutschen Heeres}}, military vehicle of the German Army. After the war, during the [[Weimar Republic]], the German Army used RW for {{lang|de|[[Reichswehr]]}}. Beyond this, there were no significant changes after the overthrow of the German monarchy.

===Nazi Germany===
[[File:Volkswagen Kübelwagen Kennzeichen 1940–45.jpg|thumb|right|Army vehicle]]
During the Nazi regime (1933–1945), the system of licence plates was basically continued. New combinations were issued for nationwide institutions or organisations, such as DR ([[Deutsche Reichsbahn]]) for the railway authority, WH {{lang|de|[[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Wehrmacht Heer]]}}, WL {{lang|de|[[Luftwaffe|Wehrmacht Luftwaffe]]}}, WM {{lang|de|[[Kriegsmarine|Wehrmacht Kriegsmarine]]}} and WT {{lang|de|Wehrmacht Straßentransportdienst}} for the military, or POL for the police.

While the Nazi state expanded and waged war, their bureaucrats applied their systems, including licence plates, to occupied countries or territories. Thus, plates of similar style were introduced in Austria, on Czech and Polish territory, in Alsace and Lorraine, and beyond.

===Postwar Germany===
[[File:Deutschland Besatzungszonen 8 Jun 1947 - 22 Apr 1949.svg|thumb|Occupation zones of Germany, 8 Jun 1947 - 22 Apr 1949]]
After 1945, however, the victorious allied forces abolished the system of German licence plates and instead assigned new lettering combinations in their respective [[Allied Occupation Zones in Germany|occupation zones]]. Although each nation implemented their own ideas initially, a system for all four zones was introduced by 1949.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kennzeichen 1948–1956 |url=http://www.kennzeichenwelt.de/1948-bis-1956 |access-date=2020-11-08 |language=de}}</ref> At first, the different zones were distinguishable by the first letter prefix '''A, B, F''' or '''S''' standing for the American, British, French or Soviet occupation zone, respectively. A second letter below indicated the area or country in question, such as {{su|p='''A'''|b='''B'''|a=c}} stood for ''American zone/Bavaria''. This area code was followed by a two-digit number signifying the district and another number counting within that area. When the numbers became scarce after some years, another zone prefix (e. g. without the first letter) would be introduced additionally.

The city of Berlin had a special status and, consequentially, special plates. Having abolished the old '''{{mono|I&nbsp;A}}''' number plates in 1945, the Soviet occupation forces issued plates with [[Cyrillic]] characters at first. Motorcycles were issued '''БM''' (=BM, 1945–1946) and '''ГM''' (GM, 1945–1947). Cars, lorries and buses received '''ГФ''' (=GF, 1945–1946) and '''БГ''' (=BG, 1945–1947).<ref>{{cite web |title=special case Greater Berlin |url=http://kennzeichenwelt.de/1945-bis-1947/sonderfall-gross-berlin |website=kennzeichenwelt.de |access-date=2020-11-07 |language=de}}</ref> These were replaced on the insistence of the western powers, first to '''KB''' for ''Kommandatura Berlin'' and, in the Eastern part of the city, to '''GB''' in 1948.

<gallery>
File:1945-1956 license plate Bavaria.jpg|Licence plate from Bavaria, American occupation zone
File:KFZ_Kennzeichen_BS.S-H_Pinneberg_03.jpg|Licence plate from Schleswig-Holstein, British occupation zone
File:Kfz_Kennzeichen_in_der_Franz%C3%B6sischen_Besatzungszone_-_panoramio.jpg|Licence plate from Baden, French occupation zone (motorcycle format)
File:License_plate_occupied_Germany_Soviet_Zone_1951.jpg|Licence plate from Saxony,{{efn|Saxony was abbreviated L for Leipzig, to avoid infamous SS.}} Soviet occupation zone
</gallery>

====Vehicles of occupation/NATO forces====
[[File:Germany occupation 1947 license plate graphic.png|thumb|right|Occupation 1947 licence plate]]
The British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), initially occupation forces, later NATO elements, issued servicemen with plates carrying white letters and numerals on a black background for their personal vehicles. These cars stood out in comparison to the black on white German plates, and following the terrorist murder of a British serviceman{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}, identified when returning to his car with BAOR licence plates, servicemen had to opt for their cars to carry either UK plates (generally right-hand drive vehicles) or German plates (generally left-hand drive vehicles). During the time that Belgian forces were stationed in West Germany, white on black plates similar to the BAOR plates were used.

====US Forces vehicles====
{{main|Vehicle registration plates of the United States Army in Germany}}
[[File:HK-Nummernschild der US-Streitkräfte.jpg|thumb|right|"HK" number plate]]
The American Forces have tried to "blend in" their serviceperson{{prime|s}} private vehicles in another way. Starting in 2000, they adopted a type of {{lang|en-us|license plates|italics=no}} which closely resembled the German plates yet bore area codes which were at that time not assigned to any district, i.e. AD, AF and HK,{{efn|HK has meanwhile been assigned to [[Heidekreis]].}} later also IF and QQ. These codes still stood out, especially as they bore the [[NATO]] symbol instead of the EU's circle of stars and the registration seal candidly read {{lang|de|Streitkräfte der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika}} instead of, e.g. {{lang|de|Bayern, [[Neustadt an der Waldnaab (district)|Landratsamt Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab]]}}. Since 2006, the vehicles in question bear {{lang|en-us|license plates|italics=no}} with regular German area codes, generally referring to the district of their official stationing.

===East Germany, ''DDR''===
{{Main|Vehicle registration plates of the German Democratic Republic}}
The [[German Democratic Republic]] issued their own style of licence plates beginning in 1953. The first letter would indicate the {{lang|de|Bezirk}} ([[Administrative divisions of East Germany|administrative district]]{{efn|Any GDR {{lang|de|Bezirk}} consisted of several {{lang|de|Kreise}} and was much larger than the unit described as district elsewhere on this page.}}) where the vehicle was registered. These initials, however, did not refer to the name of the Bezirk but were distributed almost alphabetically from North to South.
[[File:DDR Verwaltungsbezirke farbig.svg|thumb|350px|right|Districts {{lang|de|(Bezirke)}} of the GDR]]
[[File:Trabant (4387771581).jpg|thumb|350px|right|3 Trabants with East Berlin licence plates. The red car bears a plate in the "Western" typeface.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable";
|- style="background:#EEEEFF"
! scope="col" | Prefix
! scope="col" | Bezirk
|-
! A
| [[Rostock (Bezirk)|Rostock]]
|-
! B
| [[Schwerin (Bezirk)|Schwerin]]
|-
! C
| [[Neubrandenburg (Bezirk)|Neubrandenburg]]
|-
! D
|rowspan="2"| [[Potsdam (Bezirk)|Potsdam]]
|-
! P
|-
! E
| [[Frankfurt (Bezirk)|Frankfurt (Oder)]]
|-
! H
|rowspan="2"| [[Magdeburg (Bezirk)|Magdeburg]]
|-
! M
|-
! I
| [[East Berlin|Berlin]] <small>Hauptstadt der DDR</small>
|-
! K
|rowspan="2"| [[Halle (Bezirk)|Halle]]
|-
! V
|-
! L
|rowspan="2"| [[Erfurt (Bezirk)|Erfurt]]
|-
! F
|-
! N
| [[Gera (Bezirk)|Gera]]
|-
! O
| [[Suhl (Bezirk)|Suhl]]
|-
! R
|rowspan="2"| [[Dresden (Bezirk)|Dresden]]
|-
! Y
|-
! S
|rowspan="2"| [[Leipzig (Bezirk)|Leipzig]]
|-
! U
|-
! T
|rowspan="2"| [[Karl-Marx-Stadt (Bezirk)|Karl-Marx-Stadt]]
|-
! X
|-
! VA
| [[National People's Army|Volksarmee]] (Armed Forces)
|-
! {{su|p=V|b=P|a=c}}
| [[Volkspolizei]] (Police)
|-
! Z
| [[Cottbus (Bezirk)|Cottbus]]
|}
After German reunification in 1990, the DDR plates were soon abolished and the West German system introduced, starting in 1991 and completed in 1993. Even before this transition phase, it could be observed that licence plates in GDR scheme were produced with West German typeface on the respective machinery.

===West Germany===
In July 1956 the current system was introduced in then West Germany, replacing the post-war system.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Auto-Nummern – Damit die Polizei notiert |journal=[[Der Spiegel]] |date=1952-03-19 |issue=12 |pages=10–12 |url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-21317933.html|access-date=2020-12-18 |trans-title=Car numbers – For the police to write down |language=de}}</ref> The occupation zones were no longer referred to, instead the new system based on the [[districts of Germany]]. Each of these was assigned an alphabetic code which had its origin in the name of the district, i.e. of the city or of the capital of the rural district. Quite often, a "district-free" city was surrounded by, or adjacent to a rural district of the same name. In this case, they would both share the code as well as the name, yet devise a way how to split the possible alphanumerical combinations.

[[File:Numberplate de 1985.jpg|thumb|right|Number plate in the 1956 style, from [[Hannover]]]]
The number of letters in the area code hints at the size of the district. The basic idea was to even out the number of characters on all licence plates, because the most populous districts would have more cars and, consequently, more digits after the prefix. The largest German cities generally only have one-letter codes, such as B=[[Berlin]], M=[[Munich]] ({{lang|de|München}}), K=[[Cologne]] ({{lang|de|Köln}}), F=[[Frankfurt]], S=[[Stuttgart]], H=[[Hannover]]. Therefore, cities or districts with fewer letters are generally assumed to be bigger and more important whereas three-letter codes tend to be regarded as rural and dull. Reflecting that, most districts aimed for a combination with fewer letters for their prefix code.

The most significant exception of the one-letter code is Germany's second largest city [[Hamburg]] which bears HH for {{lang|de|Hansestadt Hamburg}}, because of its historical membership in the [[Hanseatic League]], reflected already in its prefix used between 1906 and 1945. A similar principle applies to [[Bremen]] and [[Bremerhaven]], forming the state [[Bremen (state)|Free Hanseatic City of Bremen]] and sharing the common prefix HB (1906–1947, and again since 1956). Likewise, {{lang|de|Hansestadt}} [[Lübeck]] received its former prefix HL, already used between 1906 and 1937 when its statehood was abolished.

The first drafts, however, had to be altered in a few cases. The district of [[Wittlich]] rejected the code ''WC'', understandably, and received '''WIL''' instead. The code ''KZ'', initially projected for [[Konstanz (district)|Konstanz]], was withdrawn fast, due to recent history, and replaced by '''KN'''. Neither were ''SA'', ''SS'' or ''HJ'' considered to be issued. The code ''SD'' was projected for [[Stade (district)|Stade]] and was finally altered into '''STD''' after protests from that district who did not want to bear the abbreviation of the {{lang|de|[[Sicherheitsdienst]]}}.

When originally planned, the system included [[:de:Ostzonenverzeichnis der deutschen Kfz-Kennzeichen|codes for districts in Eastern Germany]] which were to be reserved until [[German reunification|reunification]]. That included the territory of the [[German Democratic Republic|GDR]] as well as the territories [[Oder-Neisse line|annexed]] to [[Poland]] and the [[Soviet Union]] after [[World War II]], which West Germany's government still claimed in that era until about 1970. When reunification came in 1990, the reserved codes (e.g. ''P'' for [[Potsdam]]) were indeed issued to East German districts in January 1991, often as originally planned and as they existed at that time.

====First changes====
Starting in the early 1970s, West German districts were extensively rearranged.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://amor.cms.hu-berlin.de/~h0598bce/docs/hw2000-local-government-modernisation.pdf |title=Local Government Modernisation in Germany: Stages, discourses, patterns, international perspective. |first=Hellmut |last=Wollmann |page=7 |access-date=2020-11-11}}</ref> In order to reduce their number and so simplify governance, different steps could be taken:
* city districts "swallowed" neighboring municipalities and thus grew.<ref group=example>The city of [[Bielefeld]] incorporated the largest part of the eponymous rural district, almost doubling their population.</ref>
* city districts lost their sovereignty and were integrated into the surrounding or neighbouring rural district.<ref group=example>The district-free towns of [[Marktredwitz]] and [[Selb]] were merged into the district of [[Wunsiedel (district)|Wunsiedel]].</ref>
* rural districts merged with one or several others, or were split up between neighbouring districts.<ref group=example>The district of [[Springe]] split up into the districts of [[Hameln-Pyrmont]], [[Hanover region|Hanover]], [[Hildesheim (district)|Hildesheim]] and [[Schaumburg]].</ref>
* single municipalities were moved between districts, as was deemed appropriate or practical.
In each of these cases, the new districts had to be endowed with an area code. Again, various solutions were possible:
* the largest or most populous district bestowed its name and code upon the newly created unit.<ref group=example>The urban district of [[Schwandorf]] (SAD) merged with the rural districts of Burglengenfeld (BUL), Nabburg (NAB), Neunburg (NEN) and Oberviechtach (OVI) into a new rural [[Schwandorf (district)|district of Schwandorf]] (SAD).</ref>
* one former district gave its name and/or capital while another's area code was used for the new district.<ref group=example>The Rheingaukreis (RÜD for Rüdesheim) and Untertaunuskreis (SWA for Bad Schwalbach) districts merged into [[Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis]], choosing the area code RÜD but the capital Bad Schwalbach.</ref>
* the new unit was given a new name yet continued to use an existing area code.<ref group=example>The districts of Eschwege and Witzenhausen merged into [[Werra-Meißner-Kreis]], using Eschwege's ESW and dropping WIZ.</ref>
* the new unit was given a new name and created a new area code.<ref group=example>The districts of Eiderstedt (TÖN for [[Tönning]]), Husum (HUS) and Südtondern (NIB for [[Niebüll]]) merged into [[Nordfriesland (district)|Nordfriesland]] (NF).</ref>
In any case, the adamant rule was that ''one'' area code per district was valid and would be issued to any vehicle registered henceforth. Existing registrations would remain valid until the vehicle was removed from this district to be either relocated or permanently deregistered. Another rule, however, was abolished. Whereas rural districts had generally been named after their capital town, it was now possible to create new names, applying to geographical<ref group=example>The rural districts of Heidelberg (HD), Mannheim (MA) and part of Sinsheim (SNH) merged into [[Rhein-Neckar-Kreis]] (HD); the districts of Alsfeld (ALS) and Lauterbach (LAT) merged into [[Vogelsbergkreis]] (VB).</ref> or historical features.<ref group=example>Öhringen (ÖHR) and Künzelsau (KÜN) merged into [[Hohenlohe (district)|Hohenlohekreis]] (KÜN).</ref> As well it was possible to combine the names of the districts that had merged, either keeping one of their codes<ref group=example>The rural districts of Straubing and Bogen merged to [[Straubing-Bogen]], keeping SR (and sharing it with [[Straubing]] city district) while dropping Bogen's BOG.</ref> or creating a new one.<ref group=example>The rural districts of Koblenz and Mayen merged to [[Mayen-Koblenz]], newly introducing MYK while dropping MY and leaving KO to the city of [[Koblenz]].</ref>

===Germany reunited===
[[File:Trabant (7909447336).jpg|thumb|right|Trabant registered in Stendal; pre-1994 typeface{{efn|With emission test sticker valid February 2011}}]]
When the GDR ceased to exist and Germany was reunited in its present size on 3 October 1990, new area codes were issued to the East German districts. In many cases they could be taken from the old lists that had been prepared before 1956: '''P''' stood for [[Potsdam]], '''EF''' for [[Erfurt]], '''SON''' for [[Sonneberg]]. Yet, a considerable number of codes was altered, either because a code which had been reserved for a district in today's Poland or Russia had become available,<ref group=example>DZ had once been reserved for [[Gdańsk|Danzig]] but was now issued to [[Delitzsch]].</ref> or because the projected code had meanwhile been issued to a West German district.<ref group=example>[[Gotha]] had been scheduled to receive GT, yet this code went to the newly-created district of [[Gütersloh (district)#History|Gütersloh]] in 1973. [[Gotha (district)|Gotha]] was given GTH instead.</ref>

A prominent example of a reserved code being reused before reunification was one-letter '''L''' which was originally planned for [[Leipzig]], by far the largest German city starting with L. However this code was given to the newly formed [[Hesse|Hessian]] city of [[Lahn, Hesse|Lahn]] and the district [[Lahn-Dill-Kreis]] in 1977, as hopes for reunification faded away. After the rather unexpected reunification (and Lahn city having split up again and thus abolished in 1979), the L was returned to the city of Leipzig and Lahn-Dill-Kreis was issued '''LDK''' instead.

The letter '''G''' was first reserved for the East German city of [[Görlitz]] and later awarded to the city of [[Gera]], although both are smaller than the West German [[Gelsenkirchen]] ('''GE'''). The area code '''ZK''' had been reserved, in the 1950s, for the city of [[Zwickau]] but was rejected as ZK had become the abbreviation of the loathed {{lang|de|[[Socialist Unity Party of Germany#Central Committee|Zentralkomitee]]}} of the former Communist party SED.

In analogy to the three northwestern {{lang|de|Hansestädte}} Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck, but without historical examples of formerly issued prefixes, four northeastern Hanseatic cities, [[Greifswald]], [[Rostock]], [[Stralsund]] and [[Wismar]], chose the prefixes '''HGW, HRO, HST''' and '''HWI'''. There were no suitable two-letter codes available since '''HG, HR, HS''' and '''HW''' were already taken by West German districts.{{efn|1='''HG''' = [[Hochtaunuskreis]], capital: [[Bad Homburg vor der Höhe]]<br />'''HR''' = [[Schwalm-Eder-Kreis]], capital: [[Homberg (Efze)|Homberg]]<br />'''HS''' = [[Kreis Heinsberg]]<br />'''HW''' = Kreis [[Halle (Westfalen)]].}}

Beginning in the mid-1990s, however, districts in East Germany were rearranged again, similar to the West two decades before. Thus many of these codes issued before were now outdated, but could still be seen alongside the new code.<ref group=example>In [[Torgau-Oschatz]] district, merged in 1994, you might well see the new TO alongside Torgau's TG and Oschatz's OZ, at the same time.</ref> This rearrangement was continued in a second step after 2000, which created large districts with a remarkable variety of possible area codes registered. Still, only one of these was the current one which would be issued to vehicles registered at the moment.

===Liberalized registration rules===
After the reorganization of districts, from the 1970s onward, many area codes expired and new ones were created at that time. However, number plates issued before these rearrangements remain valid, providing the vehicle is still in use and has not been reregistered since. So it was still possible, if rare, to see a [[classic car]] with registration codes of administrative units that have not existed for over 30 years.<ref group=example>EIN = [[Einbeck]], which was merged into [[Northeim (district)|Northeim]] in 1974.</ref> 
[[File:Germany 2020 Ueberlingen license plate.jpg|thumb|right|Überlingen licence plate, reintroduced in [[Bodenseekreis]] in 2020]]
A study conducted in 2010–12 produced the result that 72% of the German population would welcome the possibility to use again these abolished area codes whereas only 13% opposed the idea.<ref name="IKL">{{cite news |last=Bochert |first=Ralf |title=Initiative Kennzeichenliberalisierung |trans-title=Initiative on the Liberalization of Licence Plates |url=https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/kennzeichenliberalisierung-daf96049d3206fa0 |access-date=2020-12-18 |publisher=[[Hochschule Heilbronn]] |date=October 2020 |language=de |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505155659/https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/kennzeichenliberalisierung-daf96049d3206fa0 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kennzeichenliberalisierung |url=http://www.vox.de/cms/kennzeichenliberalisierung-884617.html |access-date=2020-12-27 |work=vox news |date=2011-09-30 |language=de}}</ref> 
It was regarded as remarkable that even young people who had never driven a car with such an "old" prefix favoured the idea of this so-called {{lang|de|Kennzeichenliberalisierung}} (licence plate liberalization).<ref>{{cite news |last=Perske |first=Jörn |title=Nummernschilder-Nostalgie |trans-title=Number plate nostalgia |url=https://www.fr.de/politik/spd-org26325/nummernschilder-nostalgie-11395156.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=Frankfurter Rundschau |date=2019-01-21 |language=de}}</ref> For one, their chances at receiving a personalized license plate would improve if the aspired combination was available not once but several times within their district. Yet the main reason mentioned was a pride in their home town and their own roots, in times of globalization.<ref>{{cite news |title="Wir sind keine Separatisten!" – Gute Chancen für Alt-Kennzeichen "HÜN" |trans-title="We're not separatists" – Good chances at old code "HÜN" |url=https://osthessen-news.de/n1205486/h-nfeld--wir-sind-keine-separatisten---gute-chancen-f-r-alt-kennzeichen-h-n-.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |publisher=Osthessen-News |date=2011-11-02 |language=de}}</ref>

The police, however, warned against introducing further codes, as it had turned out that observant citizens would easily notice a car with a number plate from a distant district, thus assisting the police in solving crimes. Plates from the vicinity, on the other hand, would be easier to remember in full, and this would also help to find offenders. More opposition came from local politicians who maintained they had at last succeeded in unifying their merged districts and healed the wounds of those inhabitants who had to give up "their" prefix. If that prefix was available again, they feared, it might lead to old feuds within districts flaming up anew<ref>{{cite news |last=Klein |first=Hendrik |title=50 Jahre Märkischer Kreis: Noch 674 Fahrzeuge mit Altkennzeichen |trans-title=50 years of [[Märkischer Kreis]]: still 674 vehicles with old registration plates |url=https://www.lokaldirekt.de/news/serie-50-jahre-maerkischer-kreis-10-noch-674-fahrzeuge-mit-altkennzeichen |access-date=2025-03-18 |agency=LokalDirekt |date=2025-02-06 |language=de}}</ref> – or, as the district of [[Westerwaldkreis]] put it, "reopen the old trenches between former Oberwesterwaldkreis (WEB) and former Unterwesterwaldkreis (MT)."<ref>{{cite web |title=Kreis lehnt Alt-Kennzeichen MT und WEB ab |trans-title=District rejects old license plates MT and WEB |url=https://www.rhein-zeitung.de/lokales/westerwaelder-zeitung/kreis-lehnt-alt-kennzeichen-mt-und-web-ab_arid-473229.html |website=rhein-zeitung.de |publisher=Westerwälder Zeitung |access-date=2025-04-11 |language=de |date=2012-08-23}}</ref>

Nonetheless, the [[Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure|Federal Ministry of Transport]] complied with the majority of citizens. Beginning in November 2012 in some districts, and meanwhile nationwide, most of these expired prefix codes have been reintroduced, e.g. in the district of [[Wesel (district)|Wesel]], it has again become possible to register vehicles with '''MO''' as used for the former district of [[Moers]] and '''DIN''' as used for the former district of [[Dinslaken]], additionally to the standard '''WES''' which had been the only code issued since 1975. As of September 2024, the liberalization has led to 328 previously abolished codes being reintroduced.<ref name="IKL" />

In 2024, the same college which had initiated this movement suggested a second step. Every town above 20,000 inhabitants should be able to apply for their own code, even if they had never had one and were subordinate municipalities of a district.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bochert |first=Ralf |title=Kennzeichenliberalisierung II. Teil (2024ff) |url=https://cdn.hs-heilbronn.de/f4c979104f86a263/21a48fc0f610/Projektskizze_ProjektteilII |access-date=2024-10-09 |publisher=Hochschule Heilbronn |date=2024-09-26 |language=de}}</ref> The reactions by the political bodies responsible for an implementation of this idea were restrained but varied.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bauer |first=Luca |title=Neue Kennzeichen für rund 320 Städte? |trans-title=New License Plates for about 320 towns? |url=https://www.swr.de/swr-aktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/heilbronn/neue-auto-kennzeichen-fuer-rund-320-staedte-100.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |publisher=[[Südwestrundfunk]] |date=2024-09-24 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ehm |first=Harald |title=So könnte Zirndorf ein eigenes Autokennzeichen bekommen |trans-title=This is how [[Zirndorf]] could receive their own license plate |url=https://www.nn.de/fuerth/so-koennte-zirndorf-ein-eigenes-autokennzeichen-bekommen-1.14439105?login_success=true |access-date=2024-10-07 |publisher=[[Nürnberger Nachrichten]] |date=2024-10-05 |language=de}}</ref>

===Slackening of rules===
Furthermore, it has become possible to "take one's number along", i.e. to keep a licence plate issued at the previous address after moving away from that district.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haschek |first1=Brigitte |last2=Cerchez |first2=Stefan |title=Nummernschild zum Mitnehmen |trans-title=Take-away number plate |url=http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/reise/pro-und-contra-kennzeichen-liberalisierung-nummernschild-zum-mitnehmen/ |access-date=2020-12-23 |publisher=Auto Motor und Sport |date=2013-07-18 |language=de}}</ref> For that reason, the area code and the respective state seal on a licence plate do not necessarily mean that the vehicle's owner really lives there.

In 2023, the city of [[Munich]] applied for a second code, as the remaining free combinations with '''M''', which the city has to share with the [[Munich (district)|district of Munich]], were becoming scarce. The code '''MUC''', which is also the IATA code for [[Munich Airport]], was granted by the Federal government on 21 September.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bayerische Staatsregierung (Bavarian State Government) |work=Pressemitteilungen |title="MUC"-Kennzeichen kommt! |trans-title="MUC" plate is coming! |url=https://www.bayern.de/muc-kennzeichen-kommt/?seite=2453 |access-date=2023-09-25 |date=2023-09-21 |language=de}}</ref>

==Insurance plates==
[[File:Versicherungskennzeichen.jpg|thumb|Insurance plates; the colour of the letters alternates yearly.]]
[[File:German microcar - right.jpg|thumb|Car with maximum speed reduced to {{cvt|25|km/h|abbr=on}}, hence using an insurance plate{{efn|Additionally, the white sticker reading "25" signals low speed to following drivers.}}]]
[[File:E-Scooter HL Germany.jpg|thumb|E-Scooter]]

'''Light motorised vehicles''' such as mopeds, motorized wheelchairs and other small, low-power vehicles (such as vehicles for the physically handicapped, with a maximum speed of {{cvt|50|km/h|abbr=on}}) are required to have a registration plate of a different kind. This {{lang|de|Versicherungskennzeichen}} (insurance plate) uses a system of three digits on the top and three letters beneath.<ref name=FZV />{{rp|§52}} Both numbers and letters are chosen randomly so personalising the plates is not possible. Plates are much smaller{{efn|Regular size {{cvt|130|×|101|mm|frac=8}}; also available as sticker for [[e-scooters]] in {{cvt|67|×|55|mm|frac=8}}}} than the plates for normal cars and are only valid for one year from 1 March until the end of February the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jetzt Nummernschild wechseln! |trans-title=Change number plate now! |url=http://www.autobild.de/artikel/versicherungskennzeichen-49234.html |access-date=2021-01-02 |work=AutoBild |date=2020-02-26 |language=de}}</ref> Those plates are sold by insurance companies, so the fee includes both the registration and the cost of one year's insurance for the vehicle. There are four colours used: black, blue, green for normal plates, and red for temporary use, such as testing (very rare). The first three colours alternate annually in order to make it easy to see whether the vehicle has the correct plate and insurance.

:{| class="wikitable"
|+ Colours of the insurance plates from 1 March onwards of each year
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Colour
! colspan="15" style="text-align: center;" | Year
|-
| style="background-color: #0a0a0d;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 9005]] ({{lang|de|Tiefschwarz}}, Jet black)
| 1990
| 1993
| 1996
| 1999
| 2002
| 2005
| 2008
| 2011
| 2014
| 2017
| 2020
| 2023
| 2026
| 2029
| 2032
|-
| style="background-color: #3481b8;" | {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 5012]] ({{lang|de|Lichtblau}}, Light blue)
| 1991
| 1994
| 1997
| 2000
| 2003
| 2006
| 2009
| 2012
| 2015
| 2018
| 2021
| 2024
| 2027
| 2030
| 2033
|-
| style="background-color: #3E753B;"| {{spaces|2}}
| [[RAL 6010]] ({{lang|de|Grasgrün}}, Grass green)
| 1992
| 1995
| 1998
| 2001
| 2004
| 2007
| 2010
| 2013
| 2016
| 2019
| 2022
| '''2025'''<!--should not be updated before March 2026, as the plates of 2025 will remain valid through Jan+Feb-->
| 2028
| 2031
| 2034
|}

==See also==
* {{lang|de|[[:de:Liste aller Kfz-Kennzeichen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland|Liste aller Kfz-Kennzeichen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland]]}} List of all registration codes issued under the current registration system
* {{lang|de|[[:de:Liste der deutschen Kfz-Kennzeichen, die nicht mehr ausgegeben werden|Liste der deutschen Kfz-Kennzeichen, die nicht mehr ausgegeben werden]]}} List of registration codes no longer issued
* {{lang|de|[[:de:Liste der deutschen Kfz-Kennzeichen (historisch)|Liste der deutschen Kfz-Kennzeichen (historisch)]]}} List of repealed registration codes
* {{lang|de|[[:de:Liste der Kfz-Kennzeichen in Deutschland|Liste der Kfz-Kennzeichen in Deutschland]]}} List of registration codes currently issued

==Annotations==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Examples===
{{reflist|group=example}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
<!-- will be checked individually -->
*{{Commons category-inline}}
<!-- *[http://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav?start=//*%5B@attr_id=%27bgbl111s0139.pdf%27%5D#__bgbl__%2F%2F*%5B%40attr_id%3D%27bgbl111s0139.pdf%27%5D__1603934923245 FZV = Fahrzeug-Zulassungs-Verordnung] version outdated 2023 -->
*[https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2023/199/VO.html FZV law, officially announced in Bundesgesetzblatt Nr.&nbsp;199]
*[https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/auto-kaufen-verkaufen/kfz-zulassung/kfz-kennzeichen-deutschland/ The complete list], edited by [[ADAC]]
*[https://www.kba.de/EN/Statistik_en/Fahrzeuge_en/fahrzeuge_node_en.html ''Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt'' (≈Federal Office of Road Traffic)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419001905/https://www.kba.de/EN/Statistik_en/Fahrzeuge_en/fahrzeuge_node_en.html |date=19 April 2021 }}, official website, English page
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111221131141/http://www.theplateman.com/ German Number Plates], Also shows how they are made (saved 2011-12-21)
*[http://www.kennzeichengeschichte.de History of German licence plates]
*[http://www.kennzeichengenerator.com Editable licence plates graphics, back to series from 1956]
*[http://www.hegis.de/fed__rep__of_germany.htm More information about German car number plates and their history]
*[http://www.europeanplates.com/german-city-codes German City Codes, Complete City Code List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309213946/http://www.europeanplates.com/german-city-codes |date=9 March 2010 }}
*[https://matriculasdelmundo.com/alemania.html German plates information updated. Types and codes]

{{Vehicle registration plates of Europe}}

[[Category:Vehicle registration plates by country|Germany]]
[[Category:Road transport in Germany]]
[[Category:Vehicles of Germany| Registration plates]]