Dealers meet different plates every day: seasonal, classic, electric, export. This overview puts all types side by side – with requirement, duration and whether the application runs digitally.
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 plate types exist?
Besides the general plate, the Vehicle Registration Ordinance regulates several special forms. The table shows what each type is for and what sets it apart.
| Plate | For whom or what | Duration or special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal plate (Saisonkennzeichen) | vehicles driven only part of the year | operating period of 2 to 11 full months |
| E plate | electrically powered vehicles under the Electric Mobility Act | plug-in hybrids only up to 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre or from 40 kilometres of electric range |
| H plate (classic) | vehicles at least 30 years old | expert report under section 23 StVZO required |
| Interchangeable plate (Wechselkennzeichen) | 2 vehicles of the same keeper in the same class M1, L or O1 | on only 1 vehicle at a time |
| Green plate | vehicles whose keeper is exempt from vehicle tax | green lettering; noted in registration certificate part I |
| Short-term plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) | test and transfer drives of unregistered vehicles | number starting with 03 or 04; valid until the end of the fifth day |
| Red plate | reliable motor dealers, workshops and manufacturers | number starting with 06; repeated use on different vehicles |
| Export plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) | vehicles driven abroad permanently under their own power | limited to the insurance period, 1 year at most |
| Personalised plate (Wunschkennzeichen) | freely chosen number | official fee rises by 10.20 euros |
Which plates can be applied for online?
Since i-Kfz stage 4, several special plates run digitally. What matters is whether the requirement can be checked by machine.
- Seasonal plate: possible online; the content of the eVB number is checked.
- E plate: possible online; a first application on re-registration or transfer is handled manually in certain cases.
- H plate: online only if the vehicle already had a classic plate. The first allocation is made at the registration authority.
- Interchangeable plate: not provided for in the internet-based procedure under the ordinance.
- Export plate: allocated at the local registration authority. If the vehicle is loaded onto a transporter, deregistration is enough – and that runs digitally.
Which plates are limited in time?
- Short-term plate: until the end of the fifth day following allocation. The expiry date is on the plate.
- Export plate: as long as the proven liability insurance, 1 year at most.
- Seasonal plate: the same operating period every year, at least 2 and at most 11 full months.
- Reserved plate after deregistration: 12 months at most, counted from the day of deregistration.
Which combinations are excluded?
Not every type can be combined with every other. Three rules from the ordinance matter in daily work.
- An interchangeable plate must not be issued as a seasonal plate.
- An interchangeable plate must not be issued as an export plate.
- A green plate, however, can be allocated as a seasonal plate; vehicles with interchangeable plates do not receive a green plate.
What do special plates cost officially?
The fee schedule for road traffic measures (GebOSt) names two amounts that can apply to almost every type: a reservation costs 2.60 euros per number. If a personalised plate is allocated, the official fee rises by 10.20 euros. The physical plates are extra.
What does Zevra handle – and what not?
Zevra is the B2B platform for digital vehicle registration. Registration, transfer and re-registration cost from €10 per case, deregistration €2 net – also with seasonal, E or personalised plates.
Zevra does not offer short-term plates or export plates. Digital registration often replaces the transfer drive, and for export by transporter deregistration is enough.
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
- i-Kfz stage 4: what is new – and what does it mean for dealerships?
- 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
- Vehicle registration: 5 special cases on papers and plates in brief
- Registration certificate part I: fields and codes from A to S explained
- Digital registration certificate: what the i-Kfz app changes for keepers and dealers
- 100 km/h plaque for trailers: requirements and procedure
- i-Kfz portal: procedure, 30-minute limit and availability of online registration
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Pricing
Sources: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 10 – Besondere Kennzeichen · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 11 – Kennzeichnung elektrisch betriebener Fahrzeuge · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 26 – Gemeinsame Regelungen für die internetbasierte Zulassung · Elektromobilitätsgesetz (EmoG) § 3 – Bevorrechtigungen · Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO) § 23 – Gutachten für die Einstufung als Oldtimer · Bundesministerium für Verkehr: Was ist neu mit i-Kfz Stufe 4? · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 9 – Zuteilung von Kennzeichen · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 16 – Außerbetriebsetzung, Wiederzulassung · Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz (KraftStG) § 3 – Ausnahmen von der Besteuerung · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 12 – Ausgestaltung und Anbringung der Kennzeichen · Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt) – Anlage · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) – gesetze-im-internet.de · Bundesministerium für Verkehr: Internetbasierte Fahrzeugzulassung – So funktioniert i-Kfz