After handover, the vehicle stays in the register until someone acts. This page sorts, by the Vehicle Registration Ordinance, who must report what – in everyday use often called a notice of sale (Veräußerungsanzeige).
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
Does the seller have to report the sale?
Yes. If the keeper changes, the previous keeper and the owner must report this to the registration authority without delay. The purpose is to amend the vehicle registers.
The notice is not needed if the buyer has already met their own duties. The ordinance itself speaks of a notice; the word Veräußerungsanzeige does not appear there.
What must the notice contain?
The ordinance names 3 details.
- the plate number of the vehicle,
- the surname, first name and full address of the buyer,
- the buyer's confirmation that the registration certificate was handed over to them.
Which duties does the buyer have?
Without delay after the change of keeper, the buyer must take care of 4 things at the registration authority responsible for their residence or seat.
| Duty of the buyer | What must be presented |
|---|---|
| Report the new keeper data and vehicle data | proof on request |
| Apply for a new registration certificate Part I | proof of insurance |
| Transfer | registration certificate Part II for amendment |
| Clarify the plate if it comes from another authority | application for a new plate or notice that the previous one is kept |
The same deadline applies to all 4 duties: without delay.
What happens if nobody transfers the vehicle?
The registration authority may call in the registration certificate in the official gazette (Verkehrsblatt) with a deadline of 4 weeks. When the call-in expires without result, the registration of the vehicle ends. The authority informs the previous keeper or owner of the end.
- This applies if the previous keeper or owner does not report.
- This applies if the vehicle is not transferred or deregistered without delay.
- This applies if the reported data of the new keeper or owner prove to be incorrect.
Instead of the call-in, the authority may also prohibit the operation of the vehicle.
Does the duty also apply to a deregistered vehicle?
No. The reporting duties for changes, moves and changes of keeper do not apply to vehicles that have been taken out of service.
For deregistration itself: if a third party presents the registration certificate Part I and the sealed plates, they are deemed authorised by the keeper to apply for deregistration.
Can a change of keeper and deregistration be done online?
Yes. The amendment of the registration on a change of keeper can be applied for online. Presenting the registration certificate Part I and Part II is replaced by entering their security codes.
Deregistration can also be applied for online. The plate number, the security codes of the seal stickers and the security code of the registration certificate Part I are entered. Identification of the applicant is then waived.
What does this mean for dealerships and registration services?
Zevra is the B2B platform for digital vehicle registration. Dealerships and registration service providers submit transfer and deregistration digitally – nationwide, in one uniform process. A transfer costs from €10 per case, deregistration €2 net, plus official fees.
Zevra is not an authority. The platform does not replace the previous keeper's notice to the registration authority.
- Registration offences: what section 77 FZV lists
- Transfer online: re-register a used car to the buyer digitally
- Vehicle deregistration online: take vehicles out of service digitally – for dealers and fleets
- Keeping your number plate: what applies when moving or changing keeper
- Compulsory deregistration: when the authority takes a vehicle off the road
- 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
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- Day registration online: first registration for one calendar day – digitally from the dealership
- Vehicle deregistration online: take vehicles out of service digitally – for dealers and fleets
- Change of address after a move: re-registering a vehicle online
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- Registration without a valid HU: what is possible when the inspection has expired
- Keeper's change of name: having the vehicle documents changed
- Registering rental cars and taxis: reporting the use and meeting deadlines
- Certificate of destruction (Verwertungsnachweis): scrapping and deregistering a car
- Registering a tractor: which farm machinery needs no registration
- Compulsory deregistration: when the authority takes a vehicle off the road
- Reporting vehicle changes: what must be reported without delay
- Registration offences: what section 77 FZV lists
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Sources: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 15 – Mitteilungspflichten bei Änderungen · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 16 – Außerbetriebsetzung, Wiederzulassung · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 24 – Antrag auf Außerbetriebsetzung · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 30 – Internetbasierte Änderung bei Halter- oder Wohnsitzwechsel · Sources