The following points come from the Federal Ministry of Transport's overview “What is new with i-Kfz stage 4?” – plus what they mean in a dealership's daily business.
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 Mohamed Gabal, owner
What is new with i-Kfz stage 4?
| Topic | Before stage 4 | With stage 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entities | not possible online | first registration, transfer, re-registration and deregistration via the i-Kfz portals; large volumes via the bulk-customer interface (GKS) |
| One-day registration | not possible online | possible online – in the i-Kfz portal and via the GKS |
| Immediate entry into service | not possible online | taking part in road traffic right after the notice, with a temporary proof valid for 10 days |
| Automation | not end-to-end | first registration, re-registration, transfer without keeping the plate and one-day registration are decided fully automatically |
| Special plates | not possible online | E plates, seasonal plates and – if the vehicle already had one – historic (H) plates |
| Identification | electronic ID only | additionally BundID with ELSTER certificate; for legal entities the company account (Unternehmenskonto BUND) with ELSTER certificate |
What does full automation mean for rejected applications?
In stage 4 an application with obstacles is no longer forwarded to the registration authority for manual review. According to the ministry it is rejected if the data cannot be validated after three requests for correction.
The applicant receives information on legal remedies and a note that the application can be submitted again on site at the competent authority. For dealers this means: the data must be right the first time – security code, eVB number and keeper details.
How does immediate entry into service work?
- After the registration notice is issued, a temporary proof is made available.
- It is valid for 10 days from retrieval, public holidays included.
- The registration authority posts the documents within six days of the application.
- Once received, the stickers are attached; the registration certificate part I must be carried.
What role does the bulk-customer interface play?
Via the GKS of the Federal Motor Transport Authority, legal entities can submit many applications at once. The GKS checks the applications and forwards error-free ones to the i-Kfz portals for a fully automated decision.
If a portal is exceptionally unavailable, the applications go to the competent registration authority for partly automated processing. Registering yourself requires regularly more than 500 registration applications per year.
What does this mean for a dealership without its own connection?
A dealership can use stage 4 in two ways: itself in the i-Kfz portal of the competent authority with the company account – or via a connected service.
With Zevra you enter the case in the dealer portal; your customer grants the power of attorney with a qualified electronic signature. Prices: €10 per registration, deregistration €2, plus official fees and VAT.
Read more
- New registration online: register new cars digitally and hand over the same day
- Vehicle deregistration online: take vehicles out of service digitally – for dealers and fleets
- Transfer online: re-register a used car to the buyer digitally
- Re-registration online: put deregistered vehicles back into service digitally
- Day registration online: first registration for one calendar day – digitally from the dealership
- eVB number in vehicle registration: proof of third-party insurance in the digital application
- Digital registration power of attorney: how the dealership registers for the customer with legal certainty
- Vehicle registration without online ID: why the customer needs no eID when the dealership registers
- Number plates in the digital registration case: own press or order with shipping
- Digital vehicle registration in the dealership: the complete guide
- i-Kfz for companies and dealers: portal, large-customer interface or service
- Vehicle registration by the dealer – also in another federal state
- Who offers digital vehicle registration for companies in Germany?
- Uncovering the security code: registration certificate part I, part II and stickers
- Registration certificate part II lost: procedure, deadlines and consequences for the trade
- Short-term plates or red plates: what dealers need for test and transfer drives
- Export plates: exporting vehicles – what dealers need to know
- Registering motorcycles and trailers online: what is the same for dealers – and what differs
- Registering a company car: which documents does each legal form need?
- Registration service, authority or i-Kfz: which route pays off for dealers?
- Registering a leased vehicle: who is the keeper – and where does the registration certificate part II stay?
- Registration service at the dealership: how does registration become a selling point?
- Registration for used-car dealers: which vehicles work online?
- Registration service costs: what does a dealership pay per registration?
- How long does online vehicle registration take in Germany?
- Seasonal plates, E plates and H plates: applying online in Germany
- Low-emission sticker (Umweltplakette): what dealers should know
- Change of address after a move: re-registering a vehicle online
- Registering motorhomes and caravans online: what dealers need to know
- Interchangeable plates (Wechselkennzeichen): one plate for two vehicles
- Vehicle registration in Germany: official figures, deadlines and key dates
- Vehicle registration fees in Germany: official fees at the counter and online
- Registration without a valid HU: what is possible when the inspection has expired
- Importing an EU vehicle and registering it in Germany: what dealers need to know
- Registering an electric car in Germany: tax exemption and E plate
- Keeper's change of name: having the vehicle documents changed
- Documents for vehicle registration: printable checklist per case
- Reserving a number plate: term, fee and rules for personalised plates
- Registering rental cars and taxis: reporting the use and meeting deadlines
- Certificate of destruction (Verwertungsnachweis): scrapping and deregistering a car
- Green number plates: plates for tax-exempt vehicles in Germany
- Online registration rejected: common reasons and solutions
- Becoming a KBA large customer: requirements, details and duties
- HU intervals: when is the general inspection due for which vehicle?
- Vehicle tax at registration: SEPA mandate and tax arrears
- Temporary registration proof: content, validity and duties
- CoC (certificate of conformity): the proof at first registration
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Leasing companies
- Rental & car subscription
- Banks & insurers
- Manufacturers & importers
- Remarketing & resellers
- Pricing
Sources: Bundesministerium für Verkehr: Was ist neu mit i-Kfz Stufe 4? · Bundesministerium für Verkehr: Internetbasierte Fahrzeugzulassung – So funktioniert i-Kfz · Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt: Großkundenschnittstelle – Registrierung