Dealer number: No problems at the German border
REGULATION Since the summer of 2021, garage owners have been able to drive to Germany with a dealer plate without the risk of a hefty fine. This is a considerable relief, especially for businesses in the border region.
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In 2021, the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) and Astra had agreed on a temporary mutual recognition of various country-specific vehicle IDs and license plates. This brought relief to garage owners in areas near the border, as it made it possible to drive in Germany with Swiss dealer plates. However, this regulation is only valid until December 31, 2023.
New agreement from January 2024
In response to a request from the AGVS legal service, Astra says: "Astra is in contact with the BMDV. An open-ended solution is being worked out, which will be in force from January 1, 2024 at the latest."
So that there are certainly no buses when driving with the U-number, however, something to keep in mind is that the license plate must not be leaned against the window from the inside, because depending on the lighting conditions and the inclination and tint of the window, legibility can then be considerably more difficult.
Positioning accurately is important
Article 45 of the VTS regulates how garage owners must correctly affix U-numbers to the vehicle. According to this, the "garage numbers" must be affixed in a clearly legible manner and as vertically as possible, just like the normal license plates. This means that the plates must be between 20 and 150 centimeters above the road surface. And when looking at the vehicle from behind, the rear license plate must still be legible at an angle of 30 degrees on both sides, starting from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
