Homecoming of the BEL license plates: Bad Belzig is celebrating a nostalgic return!

Homecoming of the BEL license plates: Bad Belzig is celebrating a nostalgic return!

Is development progressing rapidly? In Bad Belzig it is now fixed: the reintroduction of the BEL license plate is in the starting blocks! The district council of the Potsdam-Mittelmark district sealed this in a decision in June 2025. Many citizens view this abbreviation as a symbol of home and belonging. Barrie Lee Becker, the district administrator, recently handed over the first BEL license plate “BEL BB 1” to a company car.

From 1991 to 1993 the BEL license plate was valid in what was then the old district of Belzig. The merger of the districts of Belzig, Brandenburg and Potsdam led to the creation of the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, in which the uniform abbreviation PM was introduced and BEL disappeared. But the longing for the old license plate always remained latent, as the district council also emphasized. The MAZ reported that the demand for BEL license plates has increased significantly again in recent years.

A step back home

In 2012, the Federal Council opened up the possibility of reintroducing previous license plates. Some districts in Brandenburg, such as Havelland, have already approved alternative license plates. Preparations for this are also in full swing in Bad Belzig. Citizens from the entire Potsdam-Mittelmark district will soon be able to officially apply for the nostalgic BEL license plate. However, the application must be submitted in Werder (Havel) and there are restrictions regarding the branch offices in Potsdam and Brandenburg an der Havel.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and State Planning has already responded to the request. The application was submitted on time and we are now eagerly awaiting approval. It is said that the number of vehicles in the district is growing by around 2,500 annually, which underlines the importance of registrations.

The history of license plates

There is an exciting history surrounding license plates not only in Bad Belzig, but also throughout Germany. The vehicle registration process, which is closely linked to license plates, has been carried out in a similar form for around 150 years. While many of the legal basis for registration have not changed much since 1956, the technology on the road has developed significantly over the years.

Historically, the first license plates were introduced by regional authorities between 1870 and 1890, with the first documented driving license issued to Carl Benz in 1888. Many exciting developments came into play here, such as the introduction of personalized license plates in Paris in 1893. Today we look back at a variety of different license plates that tell a story.

The return of the BEL license plate in Bad Belzig shows once again how closely culture, history and identity are interwoven. When the first applications can be accepted remains exciting - but one thing is certain: the nostalgia surrounding the abbreviation BEL should put a smile on the faces of many a resident.

As the administration further informs, progress and decisions regarding the return of the BEL license plates will be informed on the district's website and its WhatsApp channel. The signs are good that the old bond will soon shine in new splendor!