1. A method for determining a license plate layout configuration, the method comprising: generating at least one model representing a license plate layout configuration, the generating including: segmenting training images each defining a license plate to extract characters and logos from the training images, calculating values corresponding to parameters of the license plate and features of the characters and logos, and estimating a likelihood function specified by the features using the values, the likelihood function being adapted to measure deviations between an observed plate and the model; storing a layout structure and the distributions for each of the at least one model; receiving as input an observed image including a plate region; segmenting the plate region; and, determining a license plate layout configuration of the observed plate by comparing the segmented plate region to the at least one model.