Administrative services A-Z

• Written form required: Yes

• Personal appearance required: No

You may only use a vehicle subject to registration on public roads if it has been approved for this purpose by the competent authority.

Registration is the official permission to operate a vehicle subject to registration on public roads. You apply for registration at the local registration authority.

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

a) self-propelled work machines and forklift trucks,

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

c) light motorcycles,

d) two- or three-wheeled mopeds,

e) motorized invalid carriages,

f) light four-wheeled motor vehicles,

g) small electric vehicles.

The following types of trailers are not subject to registration:

(a) trailers in agricultural or forestry operations if the trailers are used only for agricultural or forestry purposes and are carried behind tractors or self-propelled machinery at a speed of no more than 25 km/h,

b) caravans and trailers in the fairground industry which are towed by tractors at a speed of no more than 25 km/h,

c) mobile construction huts carried by motor vehicles with a speed of no more than 25 km/h,

d) work machines,

e) special trailers for the transportation of sports equipment, animals for sports purposes or rescue boats of the rescue service or civil protection, if the trailers are used exclusively for such transportation,

f) single-axle trailers behind motorcycles, mopeds and motorized medical chairs,

g) trailers used by fire departments and civil protection services,

h) agricultural or forestry implements,

i) seat carts carried behind single-axle agricultural or forestry tractors or work machines.

Registration is granted on application if the vehicle corresponds to an approved type or if individual approval has been granted and if the vehicle is covered by third-party liability insurance in accordance with the compulsory insurance law.

• Registration certificate Part II or the application for registration certificate Part II with proof of authorization to dispose of the vehicle (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 the application for individual approval (in this case, the submission of an expert opinion from an officially recognized expert for 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,

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

• VAT declaration for intra-Community purchases or proof of customs clearance for purchases from a third country.

• If changes have been made to the vehicle after purchase that are subject to approval, the vehicle must be inspected by an officially recognized expert or inspector for motor vehicle traffic or a technical service or a test engineer from an officially recognized inspection organization before registration. In the event of serious modifications (changes to the vehicle type or deterioration of the exhaust/noise characteristics) that lead to the expiry of the operating permit, the vehicle must be inspected by an officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic or a technical service. The certificate issued for the inspection (acceptance) must be presented at the time of registration.

• additionally on application:

  • by a representative: If you authorize a third party to register your vehicle, they will need a written power of attorney from you; they must also present a copy of your identity document to the registration office. The third party must have the appropriate identity document with them to prove their identity.

  • for the registration of minors: If this person fulfills the requirements for a tax exemption in accordance with § 3a of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act due to a severe disability or can fulfill the owner characteristics for this vehicle due to the possession of the driving license required for the vehicle subject to registration, the written declaration of consent of the legal representative(s) and the presentation of their identity cards is required.

  • for companies (e.g. GmbH, AG, OHG): Extract 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: Extract from the register of associations; identity card and power of attorney of the named representative(s).

  • for civil law companies: complete list of shareholders (usually submit shareholder agreement); power of attorney and declaration as to which natural person is to be authorized (confirmed by signature of all shareholders).

If you are the owner or authorized in writing as a representative, you can submit the application with the required documents to the competent authority. If the registration requirements are met, the competent registration authority will issue the registration. Registration is granted by allocating a license plate, stamping the license plates and issuing the registration certificate.

If your licensing authority requires an application form, you can obtain this in advance from the licensing authority or, depending on what the authority offers, download it from the Internet. In many registration authorities, the form is also filled out directly at the counter when the application is processed.

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

Registration authorities of the independent cities and districts, usually in the applicant's main place of residence (in the case of legal entities, tradespeople or self-employed persons, place of business or branch office).

• § 6 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)
• § 3 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)
• Scale of charges for road transport measures (RFees)