On all trucks, tractors, buses, and trailers (except for campers), the following must be fully visible, permanently legible, and indelible on the right exterior side:
- the unladen weight,
- the maximum allowable gross weight (MAGW),
- and the maximum allowable axle loads
must be indicated. For trucks and trailers, the specification of the maximum allowable payload is also required. For trailers of classes O1 and O2, a specific range for the MAGW may also be indicated.
It should be noted that these specifications are only required for vehicles that are not subject to the EU legal acts (construction regulations, type approval, operating license) listed in § 27a. For vehicles subject to these EU legal acts, the necessary specifications are derived from the respective regulations regarding the manufacturer's plate.
Details for vehicles over 3.5 t MAGW
For a MAGW of more than 3.5 t, the following additional specifications must be indicated on trucks, tractor units, buses, and trailers (except for campers and agricultural trailers):
1. Manufacturer's name
2. Chassis number (vehicle identification number)
3. Length (L)
4. Width (W)
5. Specifications for measuring the length of vehicle combinations:
Distance (a) between the front limit of the motor vehicle and the center of the coupling device of the towing vehicle (tow hook or fifth wheel); for a fifth wheel with multiple coupling points, the minimum and maximum values (a min and a max) must be indicated.
Distance (b) between the center of the coupling device of the trailer (tow eye) or semitrailer (kingpin) and the rear limit of the trailer or semitrailer; for a device with multiple coupling points, the minimum and maximum values (b min and b max) must be indicated.
| Which inscriptions on which vehicle? | Buses | Trucks | Tractors 1) | Tractor units for semitrailers | Trailers 2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weights and loads | |||||
| Unladen weight | X | X | X | X 4) | |
| Maximum allowable gross weight (MAGW) | X | X | X | X 4) | |
| Maximum allowable axle loads | X | X | X | X 4) | |
| Maximum allowable payload 3) | X | X 4) | |||
| Manufacturer and dimensions Only for vehicles over 3.5 t MAGW! | |||||
| Manufacturer's name | X | X | X | X | |
| Chassis number (Vehicle Identification Number) | X | X | X | X | |
| Length (L) | X | X | X | X | |
| Width (W) | X | X | X | X | |
| Specifications for measuring the length of vehicle combinations (distance a and distance b) | X | X | X | X | |
1 A tractor (§ 2 para. 1 no. 9 KFG) is essentially a vehicle for towing trailers and equipment off-road (e.g., tractor).
2 excluding campers (i.e., trailers equipped as sleeping or living spaces)
3 also not on special vehicles (e.g., motorhomes)
4 also on private trailers
Other notes
With the elimination of § 103 para. 5 Motor Vehicle Act (KFG), the obligation for trucks, buses, tractors, and trailers to state the name and address of the registered owner, company purpose, and permanent location of the vehicle has been removed.
The plates can be obtained particularly from the vehicle manufacturer and partly from vehicle dealers.
There are also additional obligations regarding inscriptions under the Dangerous Goods Transport Act-Road (GGSt), Freight Transport Act (GütbefG), Occasional Transport Act (GelverkG), Motor Vehicle Lines Act (KflG), and the Motor Vehicle Act Implementation Regulation (KDV).
Legal Foundations
- § 27 KFG
- § 26a KDV
Regulation (EU) No. 19/2011 on the type approval of the legally required manufacturer's plate and the vehicle identification number for motor vehicles and motor vehicle trailers.