Kraftfahrzeugkennzeichen: Ausstellung beantragen

Motor vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than six kilometers per hour and their trailers must be registered and, with a few exceptions, have a license plate before they are used on public roads. On the license plate, the distinguishing sign and identification number are printed in black on a white plate with a black border. The license plates must be present and firmly attached to the front and rear of the motor vehicle. In the case of single-axle tractors, it is sufficient to affix them to the front; in the case of trailers and motorcycles, they must be affixed to the rear. Rear license plates must have a lighting device.

Official license plates bear a stamped sticker from the registration authority. Repeat license plates attached to trailers without registration, however, may not bear a stamp sticker.

Journeys in connection with the registration procedure, in particular journeys to affix the stamp sticker and return journeys after removing the stamp sticker, may be carried out within the registration area and an adjacent area with unstamped license plates. This also applies to journeys to carry out a general inspection, safety inspection or an emissions test. However, the prerequisite is always that the licensing authority has issued a license plate in advance and that these journeys are covered by the motor vehicle liability insurance.

Under certain conditions, special license plates can be issued for special vehicles and uses, such as classic car, seasonal and interchangeable license plates.

If a license plate is destroyed or has become illegible, it must be replaced. If a stamp sticker or the sticker for the main inspection is damaged or has become detached, a new one must be affixed immediately. To do this, the license plates must be restamped by the vehicle registration authority. If the license plates have been lost or otherwise misplaced, they must be replaced by new license plates, which are re-stamped by the vehicle registration authority after a declaration in lieu of an oath has been made as to the whereabouts of the old plates.

The first group of letters on a license plate indicates the respective registration authority. This is followed by the individual identification number, which consists of letters and numbers. All newly registered or re-registered vehicles receive the license plate with the Euro field.

The background of the license plate is white and reflective. The letters, numbers and the edge of the license plate can be black, red or green, depending on the type of license plate.

Interchangeable license plates have a special structure: they consist of a common license plate part, which is exchanged between the vehicles, and the vehicle-related parts, which remain fixed to the respective vehicle.

If the vehicle has a license plate that is not yet equipped with the Euro field (registration before 1.1.1995), the nationality symbol for Germany "D" must be clearly visible on the vehicle when driving abroad (also within the EU). Depending on the country, high fines may otherwise be imposed. When traveling outside the EU, a D plate must generally still be affixed (exception: Switzerland - here the Euro license plate is sufficient). On the nationality plate, the letter "D" must be black and be applied to a white, elliptical surface whose long axis is horizontal. The elliptical axes of the oval "D" plate must be at least 0.175 m and 0.115 m long. Smaller signs are not permitted. The oval plate must be attached to the left or right outside of the rear license plate on the vehicle, but preferably on the left or top of two-line license plates.

Motor vehicles, such as mopeds, motorized ambulances or light motor vehicles, if they correspond to an approved type or an individual approval has been granted and a valid operating permit exists for them, must carry a valid insurance plate in order to be allowed to operate them on roads. The above-mentioned motor vehicles may be used for test, trial or transfer rides if they have motor vehicle liability insurance in accordance with the compulsory insurance law and the vehicle has a license plate with red lettering on a white background with a red border (red license plate).

The license plates are usually produced by private providers located in the immediate vicinity of the registration authorities. Additional costs are incurred for the production, which must be paid in addition to the fees and expenses of the registration authority.

• Identity card or passport with current registration certificate
• in the case of representation: a power of attorney including identity document of the principal and identity document of the authorized representative, declaration that the representative may be informed about outstanding fees, expenses and taxes
• for companies: Extract from the commercial register and business registration in the original or a certified copy
• for associations: Extract from the register of associations in the original or certified copy
• for underage vehicle owners: written consent and identity card of both legal guardians
• Previous license plates, if applicable
• If applicable, registration certificates or operating license (for vehicles without registration)
• Proof of a valid general inspection in accordance with § 29 StVZO
• HU test report: submission of the test report on the last main inspection is only required if the due date of the next HU cannot be derived from the vehicle documents
• Printout of the confirmation of the Internet reservation, if applicable

The allocation of license plates for vehicles subject to registration and the stamping of license plates are subject to a fee. Information on the amount of the fee can be obtained from the responsible registration authority, which sets the fee in accordance with the German Road Traffic Fee Regulations (GebOSt). The amount of the fees depends on the administrative costs.

Insurance license plates are provided by the insurer after the conclusion of an insurance contract and payment of the premium.

The costs for the license plates and any other expenses (main inspection sticker and stamp sticker) are not included.

The timing of the processing of the application for the allocation of a license plate and its stamping depends on the circumstances of each individual case (duration of the investigation, workload of the authorities concerned, cooperation of the holder) and is not amenable to general abstract clarification.

Depending on your situation, certain deadlines must be observed.

The design of license plates and their attachment to the vehicle are prescribed by law. You should clarify in advance with the registration authority responsible for you whether exceptions to this are possible. All vehicles that are re-registered or for which a new license plate is issued receive a license plate with a Euro field. For previously issued license plates (without Euro field), the nationality plate "D" must also be clearly visible on the car when driving abroad.

The issuing of license plates for vehicles is required by law in order to enable the owner to be identified. For example, distinguishing marks and identification numbers must be affixed to a license plate on a white background with a black border on vehicles subject to registration and license plate requirements that are to be operated on public roads. Motor vehicles, such as mopeds, motorized ambulances or light motor vehicles, must display a valid insurance license plate for their operation on roads if they correspond to an approved type or if individual approval has been granted.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the district councils and (senior) mayors of the independent and large towns belonging to the district perform the tasks of the registration authority in their area. The local authority responsible is the authority of the place of residence, in the case of several residences the authority of the main residence, in the case of legal entities, tradespeople and self-employed persons or authorities the authority of the registered office or the location of the branch or office involved.

Insurance plates for motor vehicles that are not subject to the registration procedure are issued by the insurance companies authorized to operate motor vehicle liability insurance.

Forms for a power of attorney and a declaration of consent are available from the licensing authorities. You can also download a form for issuing the SEPA direct debit mandate from the Internet at www.zoll.de.