In the two-wheeler trade and with trailers the season is short and registration is urgent. Digitally the same procedure applies as for cars – with 3 particularities worth knowing.
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
Does the digital procedure also apply to motorcycles and trailers?
Yes. § 2 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance defines “vehicle” as the motor vehicle and its trailer; § 18 provides the internet-based procedure for registering a vehicle, changing existing registrations and deregistration. Under § 2 a motorcycle (Kraftrad) is a two-wheeled motor vehicle with more than 50 cubic centimetres or a design speed of more than 45 km/h.
What is the same as for cars?
| Procedure | Papers | Cut-off date |
|---|---|---|
| New registration | Registration certificate part II with security code, eVB, SEPA mandate | after 1 January 2018 |
| Transfer with change of keeper | Part I and part II with codes, eVB, valid HU | after 1 January 2018 |
| Re-registration | cancelled part I, for change of keeper part II, eVB, valid HU | after 1 January 2015 or 2018 |
| Deregistration | Codes of part I and the sticker | after 1 January 2015 |
The temporary registration proof is also valid for 10 days, and at Zevra the keeper's power of attorney is granted by qualified electronic signature – without an online ID card.
What differs for the plate?
- A motorcycle and a trailer carry only 1 plate – at the rear. For deregistration the code of this one sticker is needed accordingly.
- Two-line plates are 200 mm high; reduced two-line plates (at most 255 × 130 mm) exist only for light motorcycles and certain other vehicles.
- According to the Federal Ministry of Transport seasonal plates can be chosen in the digital procedure – the normal case in the two-wheeler trade.
- Plate ordering via Zevra covers the standard size 520 × 110 mm; you stamp motorcycle and two-line plates in your own press or at a local plate service.
Which vehicles need no registration at all?
Light motorcycles (up to 11 kW and 125 cubic centimetres) and mopeds are exempt from registration under § 3 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance, as are certain trailers – for example single-axle trailers behind motorcycles. Light motorcycles still need a plate; mopeds run on insurance plates. Check the vehicle class before creating a registration case.
What does the case cost at Zevra?
At Zevra registering a motorcycle or trailer costs the same as a car: €10 net, deregistration €2, €0 base fee. Official fees are passed on 1:1.
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
- 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
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Leasing companies
- Rental & car subscription
- Banks & insurers
- Manufacturers & importers
- Remarketing & resellers
- Pricing
Sources: Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) – gesetze-im-internet.de (German) · Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV): Internet-based vehicle registration – how i-Kfz works (German)