Motor vehicle; application for new registration

For a new vehicle with a general operating permit or EU type approval or an individual approval, you must apply to the registration authority for the allocation of a registration number.

Vehicles without a registration certificate part II must be identified by the registration authority. The registration authority may also require the vehicle to be presented for other reasons.

Information on the registration authorities can be found under "Further links".

When a license plate number is allocated as part of the registration procedure, you will be assigned a combination of letters and numbers over which you have no control. However, you can also apply for a different combination of letters and numbers (e.g. your initials or year of birth) for a fee, subject to availability.

When importing from abroad:

Since 2007, private individuals have only been able to register their vehicle at the location of their main residence under registration law. For company vehicles, the registration authority at the location of the head office or a branch office is responsible. Depending on the type of vehicle (i.e. new or used) and the origin of the vehicle (EU or non-EU), you must follow different procedures when importing.

When registering the motor vehicle, you must prove that you are authorized to dispose of the vehicle, e.g. by presenting the registration certificate part II. In addition, the original EU certificate of conformity must be presented or the manufacturer must have enabled electronic data retrieval.

Modifications made to the vehicle that require approval (e.g. trailer coupling, aluminium rims, spoiler, auxiliary heating etc.) must be approved in advance by the officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic (in Bavaria: TÜV Süd) or a technical service authorized in accordance with the EC Vehicle Approval Regulation.

Initial registrations can also be carried out online.

The prerequisite for this is registration via a citizen account with appropriate authentication (electronic ID card, residence permit with ID function or Elster certificate). In addition, a registration certificate part II with a stored security code must be available. The vehicle must correspond to an EU type and the manufacturer must have deposited a corresponding data record (he is obliged to do so if he has issued a registration certificate Part II after 1.10.2019). An electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) must also be available.

The process is checked online and the vehicle is automatically registered if all requirements are met. You can then call up a provisional registration certificate. You can then print this out and carry it in the vehicle or display it. You must attach the license plates without stamp stickers to the vehicle. You can then drive the vehicle in Germany for a maximum period of ten days.

If you receive the registration documents by post, you must affix the inspection and stamp stickers.

You can access the internet-based processes on the portal of your registration authority. You will also find further information there.

Information on the online procedures of the registration authorities can be found under "Further links".

When importing from abroad:

When submitting the required documents, you must always present the vehicle to the registration authority for identification.

generally none

In the event that there is a period of more than 18 months between the confirmation of the type approval/EC type approval and the registration, the registration authority may carry out a vehicle inspection by the officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic (in Bavaria: TÜV Süd) or a technical service authorized in accordance with the EC Vehicle Approval Regulation to check that the vehicle complies with the regulations. This inspection also serves the purpose of determining whether the vehicle still complies with the technical regulations valid at the time of registration.

• SEPA direct debit mandate of the vehicle owner
  To collect the vehicle tax
• CoC paper (Certificate of Conformity)
  For new EU vehicles
• Purchase, leasing or gift agreement
  For new EU vehicles
• CoC paper or alternatively § 21 StVZO certificate
  If available, for used vehicles from the EU or vehicles from non-EU countries
• Foreign vehicle documents and license plates
  For used vehicles from the EU or vehicles from non-EU countries
• Identity card or passport
• Insurance confirmation
• Proof of customs clearance
  For vehicles from non-EU countries
• Proof of main inspection
  For used vehicles from the EU or vehicles from non-EU countries
• the foreign deregistration certificate in German
  For deregistered used vehicles from the EU or vehicles from non-EU countries

• Registration certificate part II (vehicle registration document)
• EU certificate of conformity in the original or as a data retrieval
• Purchase contract or other proof of the right of disposal
  (if authorization to dispose must be proven)
• official identification document
• Confirmation of the existence of motor vehicle liability insurance (insurance confirmation - "eVB")
• Expert opinion from an officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic (in Bavaria: TÜV Süd) or an appropriately authorized technical service in accordance with the EC Vehicle Approval Regulation)
• Power of attorney (also required for registration for a relative)
• SEPA mandate for the collection of vehicle tax
• Consent of the legal guardian in the case of an application by a minor

For vehicles with general type approval/EU type approval, you must pay EUR 30.00.

In the event that the registration authority still has to collect data because it is not available for retrieval, an additional EUR 15.30 will be charged.

These fees increase by EUR 10.20 if you apply for a special license plate.

Even if no registration certificate part II has yet been issued, additional fees will be charged.

Internet-based initial registration costs EUR 13.10. The registration authority may also charge for any postage costs incurred.

The fees are increased by the fees of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (EUR 3.80 if no registration certificate Part II has yet been issued). In addition, there may be fees for document seals (EUR 0.30 each) and reservation (EUR 2.60).

You must obtain the license plates yourself from private providers at your own expense.

When importing from abroad:

Between 41.90 euros and 46.50 euros

When importing from abroad:

Import of new vehicles from EU countries

The registration authority is obliged to notify the purchase to the locally competent tax office for VAT purposes. For his part, the purchaser is obliged to submit a tax return to the tax office using the officially prescribed form by no later than the tenth day after the end of the day on which the tax was incurred.

Import of used vehicles from EU countries

Vehicles that have not covered more than 6,000 kilometers or were first registered no more than six months ago are considered new vehicles for VAT purposes (see note above).