AUSTRIAN LICENSE PLATES – FULL GUIDE

Austrian License Plates: Regional Prestige, Distinctive Emblems & Precise EU Design

Austrian license plates combine modern EU styling with strong regional identity, making them one of the most visually distinctive plate systems in Europe. Their design is defined by a regional coat of arms, a taller plate format, and a clean, authoritative layout that reflects Austria’s structured approach to vehicle registration.

This guide provides a complete technical overview of Austrian plates, including dimensions, color standards, regional codes, typography, plate variants, and production characteristics.

Design Identity

Austrian plates stand out due to their regional coat of arms placed at the beginning of the plate. This emblem represents the federal state where the vehicle was registered and gives Austrian plates a prestigious, official appearance.

Color System

• Background: white reflective
• Characters: black
• EU band: blue with “A” country code
• Coat of arms: full‑color regional emblem

The combination of white, black and the colorful emblem creates a clean yet distinctive look.

Regional Coat of Arms & Codes

Each Austrian plate begins with a regional code followed by the coat of arms of that federal state.

Examples of Regional Codes

• W – Wien (Vienna)
• L – Linz / Oberösterreich
• S – Salzburg
• K – Kärnten (Carinthia)
• T – Tirol
• B – Burgenland
• V – Vorarlberg
• N – Niederösterreich
• St – Steiermark (Styria)

Structure

1. Regional code
2. Coat of arms
3. Letter(s)
4. Number sequence

Example: W • coat of arms • 123 AB

The emblem is always placed between the regional prefix and the rest of the registration number.

Dimensions & Formats

Austrian plates use slightly taller dimensions compared to most EU countries.

Standard Car Plate

520 × 120 mm The taller height is a signature element of Austrian plates.

Motorcycle Plate

180 × 200 mm Square format with adjusted character height.

Short Plate

300–460 mm width (variable) Used for vehicles with smaller recesses.

Typography

Austrian plates use a clean, modern typeface designed for clarity and consistency.

Font Characteristics

• bold, straight lines
• high readability
• balanced spacing
• optimized for reflective backgrounds

The typography complements the taller plate format, creating a strong visual presence.

Plate Variants

Austria uses several official plate types:

Standard Plates

White background, black characters, regional emblem.

Motorcycle Plates

Square format with proportional character sizing.

Short Plates

For vehicles with limited mounting space.

Temporary Plates

Yellow background with black characters.

Diplomatic Plates

Blue background with white characters.

Custom Plates

Personalized combinations allowed (with regional code and emblem).

Material & Reflective Standards

Austrian plates must meet strict national reflectivity requirements:

• high‑grade reflective foil
• UV‑resistant materials
• weather‑proof lamination
• long‑term color stability
• precise emblem printing

Our replicas follow the same visual standards.

Premium Production

Our Austrian plates are crafted with:

• authentic regional coat of arms
• precise black character printing
• premium reflective materials
• correct spacing and proportions
• flawless finish
• accurate dimensions for all formats

Click here to explore all available Austrian license plate models →