Applying for the registration of a vehicle on public roads

If you are the keeper or authorised in writing as a representative, you can submit the application with the required documents to the competent authority. If the admission requirements are met, the competent licensing authority will grant approval. Approval is carried out by assigning a license plate, stamping the license plates and issuing the registration certificate.

If your admissions office requires an application form, you can obtain it in advance from the admissions authority or, depending on the authority's offer, access it on the Internet. In many registration authorities, the form is also filled out directly at the counter when the application is processed.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, to the district administrations and city administrations of the district-free or partly also of the large cities belonging to the district.

The locally competent registration authority in the district or in the district-free or large city belonging to the district (registration office). In the case of natural persons, responsibility is based on the place of residence of the vehicle owner (in the case of several dwellings on the location of the main dwelling) and in the case of legal entities, tradesmen and self-employed persons with a fixed place of business, on the registered office or location of the branch involved.

Motor vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than 6 km/h and their trailers must in principle be registered. The following types of motor vehicles are exempt from the registration requirement:

(a) self-propelled machinery and forklift trucks;

(b) single-axle tractors, where they are used for agricultural or forestry purposes only;

(c) light motorcycles;

(d) two- or three-wheel mopeds;

(e) motorised wheelchairs;

(f) light quadricycles;

(g) small electric vehicles.

The following types of trailers are not subject to registration:

(a) trailers on agricultural or forestry holdings, where the trailers are used only for agricultural or forestry purposes and are towed behind tractors or self-propelled machinery at a speed not exceeding 25 km/h;

(b) fairground caravans and vans carried by tractors travelling at a speed of not more than 25 km/h;

(c) mobile construction booths carried by motor vehicles at a speed of not more than 25 km/h;

(d) machinery;

(e) special trailers for the carriage of sports equipment, animals for sporting purposes or lifeboats of the rescue service or civil protection, if the trailers are used exclusively for such transport;

(f) single-axle trailers behind motorcycles, mopeds and motorized wheelchairs;

g) trailers for the purpose of fire brigades and civil protection,

(h) agricultural or forestry implements;

(i) trolleys carried behind agricultural or forestry single-axle tractors or machinery.

The registration is granted on application if the vehicle corresponds to an approved type or if an individual approval has been granted and there is a motor vehicle liability insurance in accordance with the Compulsory Insurance Act.

• Registration certificate Part II or the application for the registration certificate Part II with proof of the right of disposal (original invoice, purchase contract or similar)

• proof of the existence of a type-approval (certificate of conformity or data confirmation) or the certificate of individual approval or application for individual approval (in this case, the submission of an opinion from an officially recognised expert in motor vehicle traffic or a technical service is required),

• the insurance confirmation of the existence of motor vehicle liability insurance,

• valid identification documents of the vehicle owner (identity card or passport with confirmation of registration,

• For the collection of the vehicle tax, the SEPA direct debit mandate (direct debit authorization) is required,

• VAT return in the case of intra-Community acquisition or proof of customs clearance in the case of acquisition from a third country.

• If, after purchase, modifications have been made to the vehicle which are subject to acceptance, the vehicle must be inspected by an officially recognised expert or inspector for motor vehicle traffic or a technical service or a test engineer of an officially recognised inspection organisation before registration. In the event of serious changes (change in vehicle type or deterioration of exhaust gas/noise behaviour) that lead to the expiry of the type-approval, the vehicle must be inspected by an officially recognised expert for motor vehicle traffic or a technical service. The certificate issued for the test (acceptance) must be presented with the approval.

• Additionally when applying:

  • by representative: If you commission a third party to register a new vehicle, they need a written power of attorney from you; in addition, he must present your identity document (in copy) to the admissions office. He himself must have the identity document that applies to him with him in order to identify himself.

  • registration to minors: If this person fulfils the requirements for a tax exemption according to § 3a of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act due to a severe disability or if he or she can fulfil the owner characteristics for this vehicle due to the possession of the driving licence required for the vehicle subject to registration, the written declaration of consent of the legal representative and the presentation of their identity cards are required.

  • for companies (e.g. GmbH, AG, OHG): excerpt from the commercial register (proof of address required), business registration (proof of address required), power of attorney of the managing director or personal appearance of the managing director.

  • for associations: excerpt from the register of associations; Identity card and power of attorney of the designated representative(s).

  • for civil law partnerships: Complete overview of the shareholders (usually submit a shareholders' agreement); Power of attorney and declaration to which natural person the admission is to be made (confirmed by signature by all shareholders).

The approval must be granted before the vehicle is used on public roads

• § 6 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)
• § 3 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)

• Written form required: Yes

• Personal appearance required: No

15.09.2023