Importers, dealers and customers who have moved to Germany ask how long a car with foreign plates may drive here. This page sums up § 46 and § 47 of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance.
Zevra is the B2B platform for digital vehicle registration for car dealers, registration services and fleets: cases are entered in the dealer portal and filed nationwide by power of attorney with qualified electronic signature – from €10 per registration, no base fee, no minimum volume.
Last updated: · Zevra editorial team · Reviewed by M. Gabal, owner
Which requirements apply depending on the state of origin?
| Origin | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Another EU member state or EEA contracting state | valid registration certificate of that state; no regular location in Germany |
| Third country | valid registration certificate or international registration certificate; no regular location in Germany |
| Registration-exempt trailer from the EU or EEA | is towed by a vehicle registered in the same state |
| Hired vehicle in commercial road haulage | up to 30 days, if a company with an establishment in Germany has hired it |
In every case the vehicle must be roadworthy and safe to operate.
How long does participation count as temporary?
A period of up to 1 year counts as temporary. With a registration certificate the period starts on the day the border is crossed, with an international registration certificate on the day of issue.
In an individual case the period can be longer if the vehicle is used in exercise of the free movement of workers, the freedom of establishment or the freedom to provide services under EU law. It must then not exceed 3 years.
Which papers must the driver carry?
- the foreign registration certificate or the international registration certificate,
- a translation if the certificate is not written in German and complies neither with Directive 1999/37/EC nor with Article 35 of the Convention on Road Traffic of 1968,
- for a motorcycle, a certificate stating engine capacity, rated power and weight.
The translation must be confirmed by a career consular officer or honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany. A translation by an internationally recognised automobile club of the issuing state or by a body designated by the Federal Ministry of Transport is also permitted.
Which plates must the vehicle carry?
A motor vehicle registered abroad carries its home plates at the front and rear; a motorcycle needs only one at the rear. The distinguishing sign of the state of registration belongs on the rear as well.
The separate sign is not needed for vehicles from the EU or EEA if the plate bears the distinguishing sign on its left edge.
When does the exception not apply?
- A regular location has been established in Germany.
- The vehicle was in Germany at the time of the foreign registration.
- The vehicle is not roadworthy and safe to operate.
What does this mean for dealers and buyers?
If a vehicle from abroad is to stay in Germany permanently, German registration is due. The ordinance contains a separate rule for registration after previous registration in another state.
With Zevra dealers file registrations digitally via the dealer portal. Registration costs from €10 per case, deregistration €2 net, plus official fees.
- Importing an EU vehicle and registering it in Germany: what dealers need to know
- Export plates: exporting vehicles – what dealers need to know
- Competent registration authority: which authority applies to residence, company and special cases
- Short-term plates or red plates: what dealers need for test and transfer drives
- International registration certificate: when it is issued and what it is valid for
- Temporary registration proof: valid for 10 days
- Documents posted by the authority: within 6 days
- Digital deregistration: documents from 01.01.2015
- Digital registration: documents from 01.01.2018
- Registration with Zevra: €10 net
- Deregistration with Zevra: €2 net · base fee: €0
Deadlines and cut-off dates according to: Bundesministerium für Verkehr
Read more
- Car sold: what seller and buyer must report to the authority
- Change of address after a move: re-registering a vehicle online
- Keeper's change of name: having the vehicle documents changed
- Reporting vehicle changes: what must be reported without delay
- Registering rental cars and taxis: reporting the use and meeting deadlines
- HU intervals: when is the general inspection due for which vehicle?
- Compulsory deregistration: when the authority takes a vehicle off the road
- Registration offences: what section 77 FZV lists
- German vehicle registers: which vehicle and keeper data is stored
- Retrieval from the vehicle register: search keys, occasions and transmission block
- German vehicle register: when data is deleted after deregistration
- General inspection in the vehicle register: which data are stored
- Vehicle data to insurer and tax office: what the registration authority transmits
- KBA notifications to registration authorities: new plate, theft and duplicates
- Exemption permit under § 76: competence, limits and duty to carry it
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Import dealers
- Pricing
Sources: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 46 – Vorübergehende Teilnahme am Straßenverkehr in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 47 – Kennzeichen und Unterscheidungszeichen · Sources · FZV sections § 46 · FZV sections § 47