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Motor vehicle registration - registering a motor vehicle with a foreign license plate number

Service Description

If you buy a new or used vehicle abroad or move to Germany with a vehicle registered to you abroad, you must apply for registration for this vehicle.

The registration of a vehicle that was previously registered abroad is more complicated than a new registration or transfer, as more documents are required.

Who should I contact?

Please contact the local registration authority in your district or city.

As a rule, the local authority is

- for natural persons, the authority of the place of residence of the vehicle owner (main residence according to the identity card),
- in the case of legal entities, tradesmen and self-employed persons with a fixed place of business or public authorities, the authority of the registered office or the place of the branch or office involved.

Which documents are required?

  • Current identity card or passport
  • SEPA direct debit mandate for collection of motor vehicle tax
  • electronic confirmation of insurance (eVB)
  • if the vehicle is still registered abroad the foreign registration papers and license plates
  • if the vehicle was registered abroad but was deregistered before being imported into Germany, the foreign registration papers
  • if applicable: confirmation of reservation for the license plate of your choice
  • Proof of ownership: purchase contract or original invoice
  • if applicable: sales tax declaration
    Vehicles whose first registration in another EU member state was not more than 6 months ago or whose mileage to date is less than 6,000 km are legally considered new vehicles.
  • Proof of main inspection and exhaust emission test - (for example from the foreign registration papers)
  • if the vehicle was imported from countries outside the EU (applies to both new and used vehicles) additionally:
    • clearance certificate from the customs office (can be obtained at the border)
    • for vehicles with EC type approval: Proof of main and exhaust emission test
    • for vehicles without EC type approval: Certificate of an officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic or a technical service designated in accordance with § 30 of the EC Vehicle Approval Ordinance for the testing of complete vehicles of the respective vehicle class (certificate in accordance with § 21 of the Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance).

Further information can be obtained from your local registration authority.

If necessary, further documents, for example

  • If you are represented by a third party Your written power of attorney and your identification document (original); the authorized representative him/herself must be able to identify him/herself with his/her valid ID card/passport.
  • in the case of admission to minors: the written declaration of consent of the legal guardians and their identity documents (in the original); if applicable, a certificate of sole custody (so-called "negative certificate") in the case of single parents.

What are the fees?

The fee is charged in accordance with the Fee Regulations for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt). The amount depends on various factors. Information can be obtained in individual cases from the local vehicle registration authority.

Legal basis

What else should I know?

If there are vehicle tax arrears or if you have arrears of fees and expenses from previous registration processes, the registration authority will refuse registration until you have paid them.

If someone is registering your vehicle for you, the agent(s) must provide written authorization from you. This must also contain a declaration of consent that the registration authority may inform the authorized representative(s) of these possibly existing overdue fees and expenses.

Comments

In order to be able to complete the procedure quickly, it is above all necessary to be able to present all the necessary documents to the responsible office as completely as possible.

Author

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Thuringian Ministry for Infrastructure and Agriculture

Professionally released on

11.04.2022

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

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