Registering and de-registering vehicles

On water, on land or in the air, every vehicle needs to be registered. Here you will find all sort of information about registering and de-registering vehicles, from the emissions sticker to registration certificates to the main vehicle inspection.

Services in Registering and de-registering vehicles

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Application for short-term license plate approval
You can apply for the short-term license plate as a private individual or company for a roadworthy but not registered vehicle. You can only use it for: Test drives and ...
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Apply for a certificate of deletion/non-registration from the aircraft register
If you require a deletion certificate for an aircraft after deletion from the aircraft register or a certificate of non-registration for an aircraft that has not yet been registered, you can apply for this under certain conditions.
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Apply for a new vehicle registration from an EU country
Registration of a new vehicle from an EU country is possible on application. Registration is granted by the responsible registration authority.
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Apply for a replacement for the registration certificate part I (vehicle registration document)
If you no longer have your registration certificate Part I or it is no longer legible, you must apply for a replacement document.
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Apply for a short-term license plate
You can apply for the short-term license plate as a private individual or company for a roadworthy but not registered vehicle.
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Apply for a World Manufacturer Identification Number (WMI) for manufacturers of motor vehicles and trailers with administrative headquarters in Germany
As a vehicle manufacturer, you can apply for a World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) from the Federal Motor Transport Authority here.
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Apply for pre-registration in the aircraft register
As the owner of an aircraft, you can apply for advance entry in the aircraft register under certain conditions.
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Apply for proof of general operating license for vehicles and trailers from the former GDR
Do you no longer have proof of an operating license for your vehicle that was formerly not subject to registration in the German Democratic Republic (GDR)? Then you can under certain conditions proof of the general operating license (ABE) under certain conditions.
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Apply for registration certificate part II
With the registration certificate part II you can prove that you are allowed to dispose of the vehicle in question.
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Apply for seasonal license plates for vehicles
If you only use a vehicle regularly during certain periods, you have the option of applying for a seasonal license plate.
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Apply for variable license plates
If two vehicles of the same vehicle class are not operated at the same time, it is possible to obtain an interchangeable license plate if they have the same owner. The full...
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Apply for vehicle registration information (holder information) as an authorized person
You can request information on vehicles that are registered with the registration authority. You must give reasons for your request.
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Applying for a license plate for electric vehicles
To register an electrically powered vehicle, you must apply for an E-license plate at your local vehicle registration office.
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Applying for a noise protection certificate
You can apply for a noise certificate for an aircraft under certain conditions at the time of registration or as part of a change to the noise values.
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Applying for a refund of vehicle tax for the transportation of vehicles by rail
If you transport your vehicle by rail for a certain number of journeys within a 12-month period, you can receive a full or partial refund of the vehicle tax under certain conditions.
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Applying for a replacement for a lost registration certificate part II (vehicle registration document)
If you no longer have your registration certificate part II or it is no longer legible, you must apply for a replacement document.
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Applying for a special permit for marking
Is it not possible to affix the license plate of an aircraft properly? Then, under certain conditions, you can apply for a license plate exemption.
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Applying for a vehicle to be taken out of service
If you wish to deregister your vehicle, you must have it taken out of service at the relevant vehicle registration authority.
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Applying for approval for aircraft
If you wish to operate an aircraft, you must apply for a certificate of airworthiness. The airworthiness certificate includes entry in the aircraft register and the issue of an airworthiness certificate.
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Applying for export license plates for vehicles
Would you like to transfer a vehicle abroad that is subject to registration or license plate requirements but without a license plate? Then you may need an export license plate.
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Applying for initial registration of a vehicle (new registration)
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Applying for permits for aircraft operations
If you operate aircraft, in certain cases you will need permits from the German Federal Aviation Authority for your flight operations - for example, when transporting dangerous goods or flying in low visibility.
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Applying for permits for helicopter flight operations
If you operate helicopters, in certain cases you need permits from the Federal Aviation Office for your flight operations - for example, for air rescue services or helicopter winch operations.
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Applying for the first registration of a vehicle from a third country (new registration)
Have you purchased a vehicle outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) and would like to use it within Germany? Then you must apply for a registration for German road traffic.
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Applying for the first registration of a vehicle from an EU member state
Have you bought a vehicle in another European country and would like to use it in Germany? Then you must apply for a registration for German road traffic.
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Applying for the issue of a registration certificate part I
If you drive a registered vehicle on public roads, you must always have the registration certificate part I with you. This is the former vehicle registration certificate.
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Applying for the registration of a vehicle on public roads
If you want to use a vehicle that is subject to registration on public roads, this vehicle must be registered by the competent authority.
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Applying for vehicle registration for used cars from an EU country
Registration of a vehicle that has already been registered in the EU or EEA is possible on application. Registration is granted by the competent registration authority.
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Applying for vehicle registration for used vehicles from non-EU countries
Registration of a vehicle that was already registered abroad (non-EU country) is possible on application. The registration is issued by the responsible registration authority.
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Applying for vehicle registration with a foreign license plate
Registration of a vehicle that has already been registered abroad is possible on application. The registration is issued by the competent registration authority.
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Approval for 100km/h for motor vehicles with trailers (combinations)
Approval for a maximum speed of 100 km/h on motorways and motor roads is possible for vehicles with trailers (combinations) upon application. Approval is granted by the competent licensing authority.
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Change register entries for rail vehicles
Do you have a railroad vehicle with a German vehicle number that is entered in the European Vehicle Register (EVR)? If so, you must notify the Federal Railway Authority immediately of any changes affecting the EVR.
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Change vehicle data or owner data
If the vehicle data or owner data for your vehicle has changed, you must report this to your registration authority.
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Exemption from vehicle tax for registered electric vehicles
Have you purchased an all-electric vehicle or converted an existing vehicle to an all-electric vehicle? Then you can be exempt from vehicle tax for up to 10 years.
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Fine dust sticker/ environmental sticker Information
If you want to drive in an environmental zone, you need a fine dust sticker/environmental sticker. You can obtain information here.
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Fine dust sticker/ environmental sticker issue
If you want to drive into an environmental zone, you need a fine dust sticker/ environmental badge. You can get information here.
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License plate number: red 07 (classic car)
Do you need a red 07 license plate? Then you must apply for this at the responsible registration authority.
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License plate: Additional plate for bicycle carrier or load
Is your rear license plate fully or partially obscured by a load carrier or load you are carrying? Then an additional license plate must be attached to the vehicle.
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License plate: green license plate
Vehicles exempt from the tax can receive a license plate with green lettering. An application is required for this.
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License plate: Oldtimer (H) Application
Classic cars can be vehicles that were first registered 30 years ago (or earlier). It depends on the day of the first approval. Such vehicles, which are largely in their original...
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License plate: red 06 (dealers, manufacturers, workshops)
As a reliable trader in the vehicle industry (e.g. car manufacturers, car dealers, car repair shops), you can apply for the red license plate for unregistered vehicles. Red...
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License plates: Assigning license plates
Would you like a specific combination of letters or numbers for your license plate?
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License plates: License plates - extend
Would you like to secure your desired license plate? This is possible at the vehicle registration office.
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License plates: Replacement
Your vehicle license plate has been damaged or is illegible) Then you as the owner are obliged to have a new license plate affixed.
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License plates: Reserve the license plate of your choice
Do you want a specific combination of letters or numbers for your license plate, for example an abbreviation of the name, the abbreviation of your company, a date of birth o...
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Motor vehicle registration new from non-EU country
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Motor vehicle: Replace registration certificate part II - information on readiness for collection
Do you need a new vehicle registration document? You will need to contact the registration authority.
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Notify changes to a registered aircraft
If you make certain changes that affect a licensed aircraft, you must notify the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA).
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Obtaining an e-badge for e-vehicles from abroad
If your electrically powered vehicle from abroad does not already have a license plate, it will need an e-badge to drive in Germany.
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Re-registering a vehicle to another owner
Would you like to use a deregistered vehicle on the road? As the new owner, you can re-register it for road use.
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Re-registering a vehicle with the same owner
Would you like to use your deregistered vehicle on the road again? Then you can re-register it with the registration authority.
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Vehicle registration: Re-registration in another registration district with application for a new license plate
Have you moved to another licensing district? Then you have to have your vehicle documents updated at the responsible registration authority there and apply for a new license plate if you do not want to continue using the previous license plate.
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Vehicle: Dispose of end-of-life vehicle (certificate of destruction)
You have the option of disposing of your old car free of charge. This is possible at a recognized collection or return point.
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Paying vehicle tax
As soon as your vehicle has been registered, you generally have to pay vehicle tax. The amount you have to pay depends on the technical assessment basis of your vehicle.
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Receive a tax reduction or exemption from motor vehicle tax
If you are the owner of a vehicle, you can apply for a vehicle tax concession in the form of a tax reduction or complete exemption from vehicle tax under certain conditions.
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Register railroad vehicles in the European Vehicle Register
If you want to keep a rail vehicle and use it on the European rail network, you must have it entered in the European Vehicle Register (EVR). You can apply for registration at the Federal Railway Authority.
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Register vehicle for regular main inspection and emissions test
You must have your vehicle checked at regular intervals to ensure that it is still roadworthy.
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Request allocation of the SSR mode code
Under certain conditions, you can apply for the allocation of an SSR mode code for an aircraft.
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Request duplicates
If you would like a duplicate of an airworthiness certificate, a registration certificate or a noise protection certificate, you can apply for these documents at the Federal Aviation Office (LBA).
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Requesting information from the aircraft register
If you would like information from the aircraft register, you can apply for this under certain conditions.
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Request leasing certificate information
If you would like to check whether the vehicle registration certificate has been received by your registration authority, you can request a leasing certificate information.
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View Vehicle Sale
If there is a change in the person of the owner (e.g. by selling the vehicle), the previous owner or owner must immediately notify the competent registration authority for the purpose of changing the vehicle registers.