N-VA Member of Parliament Michael Freilich installs rotating number plate on car: “Don’t want to become a target of aggression with a P plate” | inland

When they take office, members of parliament are given a special number plate, the so-called ‘P-plate’. It consists of the letter P followed by a combination of numbers. The longer a person has been a Member of Parliament, the lower the number. Ministers can then be recognized by their A-plate. What is special about the P-plate is that it does not replace the original license plate of the car, but is regarded as an “additional” plate. For this reason, MPs receive two registration certificates for the same car and the insurance form also lists both number plates.

The P-plate has a number of advantages, such as access to reserved parking spaces. But there are also disadvantages, says Freilich. After all, the N-VA MP fears becoming the target of aggression or being mocked on social media at the slightest slip-up on the job. “I myself have often compromised with that record in recent years. For example, I sometimes used them for official visits and took them off again for a holiday abroad. I eventually got tired of such a hassle with screws at the front and rear,” he says.

The politician eventually found a system on eBay that allows him to rotate his license plate. “The accompanying disclaimer stated that the system was only intended to be used during auto shows. I therefore consulted a number of mobility lawyers and asked them if I could install such a system,” says Freilich. “Their comments were the following: always make sure that both the front and rear plates are the same number plate and certainly do not change the number plate during your journey (or even worse, during an average speed check) on public roads. Which, of course, I never intended.”

Changing license plates is now a piece of cake for Freilich. “One push of the button and it’s done!”, it sounds.