Riding license plate; application

In order to protect recreational traffic and property, the lower and higher nature conservation authorities can prescribe the identification of riding horses by statutory order (Art. 31 Para. 3 BayNatSchG). This can make it easier to identify riders and thus improve the possibility of lodging complaints or claims for compensation.

The marking obligation may also extend to the obligation to keep records, to retain them and to provide information about them if horses are handed over to third parties (BayVGH, judgment of 17.7.1991, BayVBl. 1992, 112). The marking obligation may not only be ordered for private areas, but also for the use of public roads and paths (BVerwG, decision of 3.9.1990, NuR 1991, 76).

Only in certain Bavarian districts and independent towns is identification compulsory (e.g. in the districts of Aschaffenburg, Ebersberg, Forchheim, Fürstenfeldbruck, Miesbach, Munich, Starnberg). Ask your local nature conservation authority whether identification is compulsory in a particular area.

The horse license plates or riding stickers (in pairs) are issued upon written application by the competent lower nature conservation authority and are valid for an unlimited period. The riding license plate refers to the owner of the horse. This means that only the owner of the horse can apply for it. Irrespective of the location chosen to keep the animal, the only decisive factor is that the rider is staying in an area where identification is compulsory.

The horse must wear the markings recognizably on both sides of the bridle. If horses are handed over to third parties for riding, the horse owner may be obliged to keep a riding book.

The loss of the license plate must be reported immediately in writing to the lower nature conservation authority. In this case, a new license plate must be applied for.

Anyone riding without a license plate must expect to be reported to the police and possibly fined.

You will find the following documents in the Forms section:

• Leaflet Regulation of equestrian traffic.
• Horse license plate deregistration form.
• Horse license plate application form.
• Regulation on the identification of riding horses.

• Horse license plate deregistration form
• Horse license plate application form
• Information sheet Regulation of equestrian traffic
• Regulation on the identification of riding horses

• Art. 31 para. 3 Law on the Protection of Nature, Landscape Conservation and Outdoor Recreation (Bavarian Nature Conservation Act - BayNatSchG)
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 of June 6, 2008 implementing Council Directives 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC as regards methods for the identification of equidae