Hungary mandates license plate changes for 32,000 hybrid vehicles

According to the Digital Hungary Agency (DMÜ), 32,325 plug-in hybrid vehicles in Hungary must replace their green license plates by November 30. This requirement follows a regulatory change implemented on September 1, 2024, which dictates that light green license plates are now reserved exclusively for purely electric (5E) and zero-emission (5Z) vehicles.

Vehicles in the 5N (extended-range plug-in hybrid) and 5P (plug-in hybrid) categories are permitted to use their existing green plates only until the end of November. Failure to comply may result in authorities seizing the license plates and official permits during road inspections, and initiating the removal of the vehicle from traffic until new plates are issued.

Owners have two options for replacement: requesting a new character license plate for 17,475 HUF, or a character-identical replacement for 16,605 HUF. The character-identical option allows owners to maintain existing contractual relationships, such as insurance and parking privileges, without modification, though it requires two personal appearances for processing.