Application for short-term license plate approval

You, an authorised person or a person authorised to receive it must apply for the short-term licence plate at the competent registration authority. Depending on the offer of the licensing authority, you can download a form or use an online service via the Internet.

Tip: License plates can be obtained from private providers near the registration authorities.

Note: As an applicant who is not registered in Germany, you can apply for the short-term license plate at the responsible registration authority if you name a person authorized to receive it.

District administrations and city administrations of the independent cities or, in some cases, of the large cities belonging to the district.

Requirements for obtaining a short-term license plate are:

• You will need the vehicle for
  • a test drive, during which you can determine and prove the serviceability, or
  • a transfer trip to move the vehicle to another location.
• You have your own specific need for the allocation of a short-term license plate. If you apply for short-term license plates for several vehicles at the same time, you must provide proof of need.
• You must specifically name the vehicle to the registration authority and provide proof of the vehicle's data.
• The vehicle must have an EC type approval or type approval.
• Proof of a valid roadworthiness test (HU) and, if applicable, a safety inspection (SP) must be provided for the vehicle during the entire period of validity.

If your vehicle does not have EC type approval or type approval, you may only use a short-term license plate for trips that are related to obtaining the necessary certificates.
In this case, you are only allowed to drive to the nearest inspection centre in the district that has assigned the licence plate, or in the neighbouring district with the short-term licence plate.

If your vehicle does not have a valid HU or SP, it will receive a temporary license plate for driving only

• to the nearest examination centre in the licensing district and back, or
• to the nearest garage in the registration district where the license plate was issued, or to an adjacent district and back for immediate repair of any significant or minor defects found.

This does not apply to vehicles that have been classified as unsafe to drive.

• Valid identity card or passport
• in the case of representation, additionally:
  • Written power of attorney
  • Valid identity card or passport of the authorized person
• if you are not registered as an applicant in Germany:
  • Valid identity card or passport of the person entitled to receive it
• in the case of underage vehicle owners, additionally:
  • Declaration of consent and identification documents of the legal guardians
• in the case of legal entities/companies:
  • Excerpt from the commercial register,
  • Business registration or
  • Excerpt from the register of associations or
• Proof of the required technical requirements of the vehicle, such as registration certificate Part I, EC type approval, operating permit or valid general inspection/safety test
• If applicable, proof of the location of the vehicle: registration certificate part II or sales contract
• Insurance confirmation for short-term license plates (eVB code)

Note: You will receive the insurance confirmation of the motor vehicle liability insurance from an insurance company of your choice. In most cases, you can request these by phone from your insurance company.

after administrative expenses: from EUR 13.10

Note: Costs for the license plates are additional.

Additional fees may apply for driving in low emission zones.

The amount of the fees may vary depending on the case. Specific information on this can be obtained from the locally responsible licensing authority.

The short-term license plate is valid from the date of issue up to a maximum of six days. The registration number and the vehicle registration document do not need to be returned to the registration authority at the end of the period. They lose their validity when the deadline expires.

• § 16 a Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) (test drives and transfer drives)
• Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt)

• § 16a of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)

06.11.2023