Apply for a short license plate

Source: Serviceportal Rheinland-Pfalz

If you are the owner of a vehicle that requires registration, you may not drive it on public roads without registration.

If you only need a registration for a short time, you can apply for a temporary license plate, for example for

test drives
Transfer journeys

With a test drive, you give prospective buyers the opportunity to test the vehicle. Transfer journeys are used to move the vehicle, for example when selling it.

You can also use the short-term license plate to drive a vehicle that has a seasonal license plate but is outside the specified operating period.

The short-term license plate begins with the identification number "03" or "04". You may only use the license plate once. If the registered period has expired, it is invalid. You will receive a vehicle registration document with the temporary license plate. You may only use the license plate for the vehicle entered in the vehicle registration document.

You apply for the short-term license plate in person or authorize a person with a power of attorney.
Your vehicle has an EU type approval or an individual operating permit.
You can provide proof of a general inspection (HU) and, if applicable, a safety inspection (SP).
Your vehicle has motor vehicle liability insurance for the period of the short-term license plate.
If your vehicle does not have an EC type approval or operating license, your journeys serve to obtain an operating license. To do this, you only need to drive in the immediate or a neighboring district of your vehicle registration authority.
If your vehicle does not have a valid HU or SP, it will only receive a short-term license plate
- for the journey to the nearest test center
- for the journey to the nearest garage
If your vehicle is not roadworthy, you are not permitted to drive it.

Identification document, for example identity card
additionally in the case of representation:
- Written power of attorney
- Identity document of the authorized person
If you are not registered in Germany as the person submitting the application, please specify a person authorized to receive the application:
- Identity document of the person authorized to receive
additionally for vehicle owners who are minors:
- Declaration of consent and identification documents of the legal guardian
for legal entities:
- Extract from the commercial register,
- business registration or
- extract from the register of associations
Proof of motor vehicle liability insurance
Proof of operating license
- Vehicle documents
- Certificate of conformity
Proof of valid general inspection (HU) and, if applicable, safety test (SP)

You can have the plates embossed at a company that is usually located near the licensing authority. Alternatively, you can order the plates from an online store of your choice.

The license plates must not be reflective, covered or dirty and must be attached to the vehicle in accordance with the legal requirements.

Short-term license plates are generally not valid abroad, but are accepted by some EU countries. You should find out in advance whether your destination country accepts the temporary license plate.

Apply for a short license plate

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Processing duration

Legal basis

Applications / forms

What else should I know?

Professionally released on

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