Big effort: If the license plates are stolen, it means a lot of running around and dealing with the authorities. Photo: Jens Wolf / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa-tmn
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(Photo: dpa)
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Car owners must report the theft to the police immediately and report it. This is because the license plates could be misused for criminal offenses – for example in the case of gasoline theft or for the fraudulent use of the detached inspection sticker. The insurance company must also be informed.
Everything new after the theft
The owner can only get new license plates from the vehicle registration office of their main residence. The documents required for this are the police theft report, an ID, the registration certificate part I and II and the original document from the last general inspection. This means there are new vehicle documents. But the old letter-number combination is gone. It will be blocked and put out to search for ten years.
But the racing is not over yet. New signs need to be embossed, a new environmental sticker and other documents that were linked to the old number are needed, such as a new residents’ parking permit. In addition to time and nerves, the ACE expects administration fees of up to 35 euros, around 25 euros for the new signs and 35 euros for new vehicle papers. You keep the receipts. If the thief is found, he is liable for the costs.
Lost signs with no display
If you are sure that you have just lost a license plate, you can do without the police, but according to ACE you have to submit an affidavit to the registration office. But even then a new license plate is required. The old number is blocked as misuse cannot be ruled out. If you still have the second sign, you should bring it with you. The situation is different if the license plate is damaged, for example through an accident. The signs you bring with you can be exchanged at the registration office.
Brackets for license plates to plug in are practical when exchanging plates, but also make theft easier. It is a little more time-consuming for thieves when the signs are pierced and firmly screwed to the car. Because of the higher risk, they may shy away from the act. The ADAC still refers to special screws that cannot be turned with conventional screwdrivers. There are also particularly theft-proof license plate holders for around 50 euros.
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