Car licence plate thieves on the rise in Luxembourg

Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue, Interior Minister Léon Gloden and Transport Minister Yuriko Backes responded to a parliamentary enquiry by MP André Bauler on the problem of false and stolen licence plates in Luxembourg.

The theft of licence plates is a known problem in Luxembourg, but no precise statistics are kept, as such cases are recorded as common thefts. Nevertheless, the police confirm that perpetrators may use fake plates to defraud ticket cameras or commit offences.

Ministry of Interior recommends:

• Park in lit areas or in enclosed garages.
• Check licence plate fixing every time the vehicle is used.
• Activate the alarm system if this function is available.
• Immediately report to the police and contact the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA) if your licence plates are stolen.

Following the reform of the car registration system at the end of 2023, licence plates are now tied to the owner. In case of theft, the old number plate is deregistered for 10 years and the car is given a new number plate. This reduces the likelihood of stolen plates being used for illegal purposes.

In addition, drivers are advised to check fines received for offences they did not commit. If a fine is received from a place where the driver was not present, it may indicate that the licence plates have been forged or stolen.

Although there are no precise data on theft of licence plates, the problem exists. The authorities recommend increasing attention to licence plates, promptly reacting to their disappearance and reporting suspicious fines.