Service Finder
Applying for type approval for vehicle parts
Service Description
If components have been converted or fitted to a vehicle, the vehicle may only be used on public roads if a valid operating permit has been issued for these vehicle parts. This applies, for example, to rims, special wheels, parking heaters, trailer couplings and many other parts.
A number of requirements must be observed to ensure that the vehicle's operating license does not expire.
Conversions that affect the type of vehicle, modifications that worsen the exhaust performance or increase the noise level or modifications that could endanger other road users regularly lead to the vehicle's operating license expiring.
If the parts form a technical unit that can be dealt with independently in the approval procedure, the requirement for an operating license can be checked.
An operating permit may be restricted in such a way that the use of the parts is only permitted on vehicles of a certain type, of a certain type or only for a certain type of installation or attachment. The validity of the type approval can be made dependent on an installation/attachment approval by an officially recognized expert, an authorized person of a technical service or a test engineer of an officially recognized monitoring organization.
It is generally recommended that only parts for which a type approval for vehicle parts in accordance with § 22 a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), a general type approval for vehicle parts in accordance with § 22 StVZO or equivalent approval on the basis of EC directives or ECE regulations are installed or fitted on vehicles. It may also be necessary for the installation or fitting of parts for which a certificate exists to be approved. The certificate for the part indicates whether this is necessary. In addition, an operating permit for vehicle parts or the certificate must indicate for which vehicle types the part is suitable and how it must be fitted. Many technical modifications must be entered in the vehicle documents (registration certificate part I) by the registration office.
Process flow
In the case of vehicle parts, a distinction must be made as to whether an application must be made for type approval for vehicle parts to be produced or manufactured in series (general type approval) or for individual type approval.
Applications for general type approval for vehicle parts to be produced or manufactured in series must be submitted to the Federal Motor Transport Authority in writing or electronically, stating the type designation. The application must be accompanied by the expert opinion of the test center that was previously responsible for testing the part type. In its report, the inspection body checks whether the vehicle parts meet the requirements for compliance with the regulations on the construction and operation of vehicles and vehicle parts. Manufacturers, their agents or authorized importers are eligible to apply.
If the vehicle part intended for use does not belong to an approved type, an individual approval can be applied for from the responsible approval authority on presentation of an expert opinion from an officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic, an authorized representative of a technical service or the above-mentioned inspection body. If the examination is positive, the licensing authority will issue the individual approval by making a note on the report, stating the place and date. Any restrictions or exemptions from the provisions of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations must be included in the endorsement. If the vehicle part is used on a motor vehicle or trailer, the individual approval must be entered in the registration certificate and marked in any trailer lists issued. Owners or other authorized persons are entitled to apply.
Who should I contact?
For general type approvals, please contact the Federal Motor Transport Authority,
for type approval in individual cases to the local vehicle registration authority.
Competent authority
In Germany, the Federal Motor Transport Authority is responsible for issuing a general operating license.
In Thuringia, the administrative districts, the independent cities and the large cities belonging to the administrative districts are responsible as motor vehicle registration authorities for issuing individual operating licenses.
The local authority responsible is the authority of the place of residence or, in the case of several residences, the place of the main residence of the vehicle owner (main residence according to the identity card).
Requirements
For vehicle parts to be manufactured or produced in series, the manufacturer or his authorized representative, the importer or the dealer who proves his authorization to be the sole distributor is granted general type approval if all requirements are met.
The licensing authority may issue an individual type approval to the person entitled to dispose of vehicle parts that are not subject to mandatory type approval in accordance with Section 22a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, for which an officially recognized expert or inspector for motor vehicle traffic or an officially recognized monitoring organization has approved the installation or attachment and whose use does not contravene any traffic regulations.
Which documents are required?
The certificate is required to obtain the type approval from the officially recognized expert of a technical inspection authority, an authorized technical service or the inspection authority for the part type.
There is no prescribed, standardized form for the type approval document.
In general, however, it must show the technical data of the vehicle part and any restrictions.
What are the fees?
The fees are based on the scale of fees for road traffic measures (GebOst) and are calculated on a case-by-case basis.
The amount of the fees may vary depending on the case constellation. Specific information on this can be obtained from the relevant authority.
Processing duration
The time required to process the application for an operating permit for vehicle parts depends on the circumstances of each individual case and cannot be quantified in general terms.
Your competent licensing authority can provide you with more detailed information.
Appeal
For general type approvals, please contact the Federal Motor Transport Authority,
for type approval in individual cases, to the local vehicle registration authority.
Some authorities provide forms and applications on their websites or use an online service.
What else should I know?
The keeper is obliged to ensure that the vehicle is always in a condition that complies with the regulations. If the prescribed condition of the vehicle or the vehicle part is affected by a technical modification, the keeper must restore the vehicle to the prescribed condition.
Instead of an operating permit in accordance with Section 22 (1) StVZO, parts for subsequent attachment or installation can also be approved as part of a general operating permit for a vehicle or a supplement.
In this respect, the supplement may also cover vehicles that were manufactured before the supplement was approved. During inspections, the police or persons authorized to carry out inspections may demand proof that all modifications to the vehicle are correct.
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
Technically approved by
Thuringian Ministry for Infrastructure and Agriculture
Professionally released on
06.12.2023
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)
No competent authority found
Please enter your location.
