Have you ever wondered why some cars have such strange license plates or why the CD sticker is emblazoned on the rear?? We tell you what is behind it.
Have you ever seen license plates like "0 17-1A"? or "F 91234 and wondered what it meant? Sophisticated codes are used to identify who is in the car. In total there are three variants of diplomatic plates
license plate for high diplomats: 0-license plate
If you see a car with a so-called 0-plate on the road, you can assume that a high diplomat is sitting in it. For this diplomatic license plate is usually members of a diplomatic corps reserved. These are mission chiefs appointed by the government of a country.
According to the vienna convention on diplomatic relations, this includes all ambassadors, envoys, charges d’affaires, ministers and nuncios (papal representatives).
Also german government officials have special license plates. This includes the offices of federal president, federal chancellor, president and vice president of the federal council, minister and state secretary, president and vice president of the supreme courts, and civil servants in the senior foreign service. These license plates consist only of the prefix "0" and another number.
This is how the federal president drives with the "0-1" license plate and the chancellor with "0-2.
Diplomatic plates: structure of the 0 plate
The license plate for senior diplomats is structured as follows: the "0" is at the very front of the license plate, hence the name, followed by the stamp plate of the registration district. As a rule, this is berlin. This is followed by a two- to three-digit numerical code. This one gives the country of origin of the diplomat. After a hyphen follows a number between 1-199- the USA and the netherlands are an exception. For the united states there are numbers between 1 and 500 and for the netherlands up to 299. This number indicates the rank of the diplomat.
So you see the 0 license plate "0 17-1" the ambassador of the USA in the car. If the vehicle is marked "0 17-1A" has been attached, the license plate or. The car times stolen. After a blocking period of one year, the license plate can be applied for again without a letter suffix.
Next to the 0 plate, an embassy car must have the additional plate "CD" be attached. This stands for "corps diplomatique.
Diplomatic plates for embassy staff
Technical staff or. administrative staff of an embassy do not receive a 0 indicator, but still have their own variant. This is similar to the license plate for high diplomats and differs only in the identifier of the registration office. Meaning: instead of the "0" it says "BN for bonn or "B" for berlin. The additional plate "CD must not be attached to such vehicles.
Diplomatic license plates for consulate employees
In addition to ambassadorial staff, consular staff are also allowed to display diplomatic plates on their cars. But this one differs significantly. They start with the city code of the registration district and be followed by the stamp badge and a three to five digit number. This always begins with a "9.
In addition, consulates’ vehicles are fitted with a additional sign with "CC attached. This stands for "corps consulaire". Honorary consuls, however, do not receive a special badge. These may only the additional plate "CC" lead.
This is what the additional signs "CC" mean and "CD
With the additional signs "CC and "CD it should be quickly recognizable that a person of diplomatic rank is sitting in the car. It says "CC for"corps consulaire". This is what employees of professional consulates receive. A consul is an official on behalf of a state. Unlike the ambassador, its function is more of an administrative one.
consuls enjoy official immunity and are thus exempt from criminal jurisdiction in the course of their work as consul. The holder of a CC plate cannot be prosecuted for any offence committed while on duty.
The CD additional sign stands for"corps diplomatique" and is only available to senior diplomats. They enjoy full immunity. Only by the home state this can be waived. If this is not done, this diplomat cannot be prosecuted or charged for crimes.
Advantages of diplomate license plates
Diplomats not only receive special badges, but also numerous benefits and rights. Among other things partially released from german jurisdiction. In addition, passengers of cars with diplomatic plates must be given preferential protection and assistance.
Cars with these tags must be allowed to pass through security barriers in a timely manner. Also receive diplomats with appropriate markings no fines, points or driving bans. Vehicle taxes are also not due, but the vehicle insurance obligation remains in force.