Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are these authentic German license plates?

Yes. We do not sell printed plastic toys. Our plates are made from rust-free aluminum using the same 3M reflective sheeting found on official road cars in Germany. Each plate is embossed (stamped) on a 35-ton hydraulic press to raise the characters, exactly how it is done in the registration offices in Berlin or Munich.

2. Is the text printed or stamped?

All text is embossed (stamped). We physically stamp the metal so the characters are raised, then hot-stamp them with high-quality black foil. We use the authentic FE-Schrift font, which is the anti-forgery typeface mandatory in Germany since 2000.

3. Will these fit on my American bumper?

European plates are longer and narrower than US plates (520mm x 110mm). They will not align with pre-drilled US bumper holes. We strongly recommend adding our Universal Mounting Frame to your order. The frame screws into your existing US holes, and the German plate snaps securely into the frame—no drilling of your actual bumper is required.

4. What do the stickers (seals) represent?

Authentic German plates feature two seals located between the city code and the letters.

Top Sticker: The TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) safety inspection sticker. It indicates when the car’s next inspection is due.

Bottom Sticker: The Landeswappen (State Seal). This identifies the federal state (like Bavaria, Saxony, or Berlin) where the car is registered.

5. Can I use specific German characters like Ü, Ö, or Ä?

Yes! Our embossing machines are equipped with the full German alphabet, including the Umlauts (Ä, Ö, Ü). This allows you to create authentic spellings for names like "JÜRGEN" or cities like "KÖLN."

6. What does the blue strip on the left mean?

The blue field is known as the Euroband. The letter "D" stands for Deutschland (Germany), and the circle of stars represents the European Union. This format has been the standard across the EU since the 1990s.

7. Are these plates legal to use on my car?

In the United States and Canada, these are sold as novelty items for show use only. While many customers display them on the front bumper in states that do not require a front license plate, you should always check your local state or provincial laws regarding the display of foreign plates.

8. How long does it take to make my custom plate?

Unlike competitors who drop-ship from overseas, we manufacture right here in the USA. Because we stock the blanks and run the presses ourselves, most custom orders are stamped and shipped within 24 business hours.

9. Can I customize the "Random" numbers?

Absolutely. While a standard German plate follows the format City - Seals - Letters - Numbers (e.g., B - MW 123), you can customize the text to say whatever fits. Max capacity is usually 9 characters (including spaces).