Leistungen A-Z

As a reliable trader in the vehicle industry (e.g. vehicle manufacturers, vehicle dealers, vehicle workshops), you can apply for a red license plate for unregistered vehicles.

You may only use red license plates for the following journeys:

• Test drives: Determination and proof of serviceability
• Test drives: Carrying out the inspection of a vehicle by
  • officially recognized experts or
  • an inspector for motor vehicle traffic or
  • a test engineer from an officially recognized inspection organization
• Transfer journeys: The vehicle is to be taken to another location.

The registration authority issues the red license plate for a limited or revocable period. It is not permanently assigned to a vehicle.

You can use it:

• several times,
• but only for your own business and
• for permitted journeys

As a private individual, you will not receive a red license plate.

With the red license plate, you must use the special vehicle registration booklet. The license plate number always begins with "06".

Note:Vehicles with this license plate number are tax-privileged. They are subject to a flat-rate vehicle tax.

You must

• prove your personal reliability,
• have a motor vehicle-related business registered in your name and
• prove a need for such a license plate.

Additional requirements are:

• You must not have any overdue fees and expenses from previous registration processes. If you have overdue payments of more than 30 euros, the registration authority may not register your vehicle until you have paid them. If the arrears are less than 30 euros, the registration authority can decide whether or not to register the vehicle.
• You must not have vehicle tax debts of five euros or more. Late payment penalties, interest and late payment penalties are also taken into account when calculating the amount.
• If someone is to represent you when submitting the application, you must give this person written authorization. This must also contain a declaration of consent that the licensing authority may inform the authorized person about overdue fees and expenses. Your representative must present the power of attorney and identify themselves.

• Valid identity card or passport of the trader
• for representation: additionally
  • written power of attorney
  • valid identity card or passport of the authorized person
• Declaration on the collection of vehicle tax (SEPA direct debit mandate)
• current business registration
• For legal entities: additionally
  • extract from the commercial register
  • ID cards of all members of the management or persons with power of attorney
• Insurance confirmation (eVB code)
• Current proof of reliability, e.g:
  • Information from the Federal Central Criminal Register (certificate of good conduct)
  • Information from the central trade register
  • Information from the central traffic register at the Federal Motor Transport Authority
• if no application form is provided: additional written explanations of the requirement

Note: You can obtain the confirmation of motor vehicle liability insurance from the insurance company of your choice. You can usually request this by telephone.

Fees according to administrative costs

Enquire at the responsible office.

Note: There are additional costs for the license plates.

You or your representative must apply for the allocation of the red license plate at the responsible registration authority.

Depending on the services offered by your registration authority, a form is available for download or an online service via the Internet.

You will receive the red license plate and the vehicle registration booklet from the registration authority.

Tip: You can obtain license plates from private providers. You will usually find them near the registration authority.

The registration authority will automatically inform your insurance company about the allocation of the red license plate.

Registration authorities of the independent cities and districts, usually in the district in which the applicant has his or her main residence (in the case of legal entities, tradespeople or self-employed persons, the registered office or branch office).

• § Section 16 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) (test drives, test drives, transfer drives)
• § Section 1 Act on the Refusal of Registration of Vehicles in the Event of Overdue Fees and Expenses (Vehicle Registration Refusal Act) (refusal of registration)
• § Section 13 of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (determination of the basis of taxation, proof of taxation and refusal of registration in the event of tax arrears)
• Fee schedule for road traffic measures (GebOSt)

• § 28 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)

The Federal Customs Administration has been responsible for the taxation of motor vehicles since February 2014. You can find further information and forms on the subject of "motor vehicle tax" on the Customs Administration website.

Ministry of Transport Baden-Württemberg