Motorcycle plate holders: what is allowed in Switzerland
Contents
A short plate holder makes the rear end much slimmer. For the plate to sit correctly afterwards, a few clear values count. This is what the Swiss ordinance on the technical requirements for road vehicles (VTS) says, as of 1 January 2026.
The values at a glance
| What | Rule | Where in the VTS |
|---|---|---|
| Position | at the rear of the motorcycle | Art. 136 |
| Tilt | as vertical as possible, at most 30° upwards, at most 15° downwards | Art. 45 |
| Height | lower edge at least 20 cm, upper edge at most 1.50 m above ground | Art. 45 |
| Readability | from behind and up to 30° from both sides | Art. 45 |
| Lighting | readable at night from at least 20 m, no direct light to the rear | Art. 75 |
| The plate itself | don't alter, bend, cut or make it unreadable | Art. 45 |
What has to stay on the rear
Your motorcycle needs a tail light, a brake light, a plate light and a non-triangular reflector at the rear (Art. 140). If the conversion removes any of these, it has to be back on the new holder.
On our V3 plate holder the tail light, brake light and plate light are built in and E-approved. There is also a matching E-approved reflector.
The indicators often sit on the holder too. What applies there is in our post Motorcycle indicators in Switzerland.
Folding and removable: what does that mean on the road?
On the road, the plate must be in the right position and easy to read. Folded in or removed, it no longer meets the values above. So folding and removing are meant for the parked bike, for photos or for a track day on a closed circuit, not for riding.
How to check your holder
- Tilt: Stand the bike upright and measure the angle of the plate. If it sits flatter than 30° upwards, set it steeper. On the V3 you do that with the 4 spacers.
- Height: Measure from the ground to the lower edge of the plate. It must be at least 20 cm. Keep in mind that the rear drops when the suspension compresses.
- Light: Turn on the light in the dark and walk 20 m back. The plate must be easy to read.
- Tyre: Compress the suspension and check that the tyre runs clear of the holder.
Good to know
This text summarises the VTS for two-wheeled motorcycles and doesn't replace an inspection. In the end, your cantonal inspection office decides whether a conversion passes. If you're unsure, ask them before fitting. Other countries may have other rules.
Source: Ordinance on the technical requirements for road vehicles (VTS, SR 741.41, German)
