The license plate for the rear bicycle carrier
If you are traveling with a rear bike rack, you must also have a license plate number for your rear bike rack. This is a so-called sequential indicator. It does not differ from your license plate and is basically a duplicate.
That’s why you need a license plate for the rear bike carrier
Such a sequential indicator is always important if the existing is concealed on the vehicle. This can be the case, for example, by loading with a transport box for the trailer hitch or just with the widespread rear bicycle carriers. It does not matter if the rear bike rack covers everything or if it is still partially visible, you must always plan a follow-on license plate when using a rear-wheel carrier. It’s best to pay attention when buying the carrier that it also has a license plate holder so that you can mount the required license plate as well. In many countries, the absence of the successor mark is punishable, so it is important to be prepared before going to Switzerland for example26. Also in Austria you should prepare yourself and assemble your successor license plate on the rear bicycle carrier. Basically, a missing license plate can also be punished in Germany.
Also make sure that the lights on the vehicle are often covered by the transporting bicycles. In road traffic, the other road users can not see your taillights and turn signals so it is important to use a lighted rear bike carrier.
Get a follow-up license plate for your rear bike carrier
If you buy a rear bike carrier, you should get the following number plate immediately. Since this requires no stamping, you can usually save long waiting times. Just have your license plate duplicated at your local contact point, as a rule a number of providers are based at the Traffic Office, so you can get the license plate there at short notice. The waiting times on site are individual, but usually very low. Often ordering on the Internet is no problem, so you even save the way to the office.
