Vehicle License Plates; Applying for an Export License Plate

Do you want to export a vehicle that was previously registered in Germany, or one that is not registered or has been decommissioned, to another country? To do so, you will need an export license plate.

The requirements for vehicle registration are:

• You must not have any outstanding fees or expenses from previous registration processes.
• You must not have any outstanding motor vehicle tax debts of five euros or more.
• If you wish to have someone represent you during the vehicle registration process, you must provide that person with a written power of attorney. This must also include a statement of consent allowing the registration authority to inform the authorized representative of any outstanding fees and expenses. Your representative must present the power of attorney and provide identification.
• The registration authority may, under certain circumstances, require the vehicle to be presented.
• The vehicle must have valid proof of the general inspection (HU) and—if required—the safety inspection (SP) until the expiration of the export license plate’s validity period.

You must present the vehicle at the registration office.

The deadline for submitting applications to export motor vehicles abroad is 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

You must apply for the export license at the appropriate registration authority.

International registration may be granted for a maximum of one year.

• valid ID card or passport
  Official proof of residential address, unless already indicated on the ID card
• in case of substitution: additionally
  written power of attorney, a valid ID card or passport of the person granting the power of attorney
• for legal entities/companies
  Extract from the Commercial Register or Business Registration or Extract from the Registry of Associations
• Certificate of Registration, Parts I and II, or Vehicle Registration Certificate and Vehicle Title
• Insurance Certificate for Vehicles Intended for Export
• Inspection Report on the Most Recent General Inspection (TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS, GTS, FSP)
• if required (trucks, trailers, buses): Proof of the most recent safety inspection (SP)
• SEPA Direct Debit Authorization for Vehicle Tax
  If you do not have a permanent residence in Germany and are unable to provide SEPA bank account information when registering a vehicle intended for export, you must pay the motor vehicle tax before the export license plate is issued. You can do this at any customs office.

• License plates
  For registered vehicles.
• SEPA Direct Debit Authorization from the Vehicle Owner (only for German bank accounts)
  If the bank account is held in a foreign country, a cash deposit must be made at the customs office.

Fees are based on administrative costs (starting at 31.40 EUR).

Note: The cost of license plates is not included in these fees.