A license plate attached with adhesive instead of screws can raise issues during a vehicle inspection or a roadside check in Portugal. The law does not automatically prohibit adhesive mounting, but it does require the plate to be fixed in an immovable manner.
Article 7 of the regulation approved by Decree-Law 54/2005 states that a license plate must be attached so that it cannot be removed without the help of a tool. The plate must also remain fully visible and cannot be covered by parts of the vehicle or by transported cargo.
This means that the absence of screws does not, by itself, prove that the installation is illegal. Conversely, a plate that can be removed by hand does not meet the legal requirement, even if it appears to be securely attached.
The legislation cited does not provide a general authorization for every type of adhesive, nor does it expressly ban all adhesive systems. Compliance depends on the result of the installation: the relevant question is whether the plate can be removed without a tool, not whether the adhesive is marketed as strong or designed for automotive use.
The inspection consequences are set out in IMT Deliberation 999/2024. The listed defects include a poorly fixed plate that risks falling, identified under code 0.1.2, and a plate installed in a non-regulatory manner, under code 0.1.10. Both are classified as type 2 defects.
Under Article 13 of Decree-Law 144/2012, a type 2 defect results in the vehicle failing inspection. The problem must then be corrected and the vehicle presented for a reinspection under the applicable rules.
There may also be consequences during circulation. Article 118 of the Portuguese Highway Code requires registered vehicles to display plates with their registration number in accordance with the regulations. Non-compliance can result in a fine of between €120 and €600 when no more serious sanction applies.
In addition, Article 161 provides for the seizure of the vehicle identification document when the plates do not comply with the regulatory requirements concerning their technical characteristics or method of installation. The penalty is therefore not automatic simply because glue was used; it depends on whether the mounting fails to meet the applicable conditions.
Sources: Pplware.