Over 126,000 Old Black Number Plates Still in Use Across Austria

Over 126,000 Old Black Number Plates Still in Use Across Austria

Image: ORF

 

Despite the introduction of white number plates 35 years ago, more than 126,000 vehicles in Austria continue to display the iconic black plates, according to the Wiener Städtische Versicherung insurance company.

“In relation to all registered vehicles, they still account for 1.7%,” the company said on Thursday. Most of these vehicles are found in Lower Austria, Styria and Upper Austria.

The black plates were issued from 1947 until 1 January 1990, when they were replaced by white plates for improved visibility and safety. The shift sparked outrage at the time, with figures such as visual artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser describing the black plates as “a calling card for the nation.”

Decline in Black Plates Over Time

While the number of vehicles still using black plates may seem high, their prevalence has dropped significantly in recent years. Five years ago, more than 165,000 vehicles were still fitted with the black plates, and 220,000 a decade ago.

The distribution of black plates across Austria has also shifted. Lower Austria remains at the top with 36,665 black plates, while Styria (24,269) and Upper Austria (24,254) have swapped places.

Different Number Plates in Austria

Beyond the black and white plates, a variety of other coloured plates can be seen on Austria’s roads. Blue plates are used for test drives, and green plates are issued for transfer journeys. Since 1 April 2017, vehicles powered by electricity or hydrogen fuel cells have been issued plates with a white background and green lettering.

Liechtenstein Sticks with Black Plates

In Europe, Liechtenstein remains the only country still using black standard number plates. The principality has no plans to change its colour scheme, with officials stating that “the Liechtensteiners remain convinced of their black registration plates,” according to Wiener Städtische Versicherung.

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