What is the red insurance plate meant for? This page sums up § 54 of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance of 2023 for the trade.
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 drives does the red insurance plate cover?
- inspection drives,
- test drives,
- transfer drives.
These 3 kinds of drive are named in § 41 of the ordinance for red plates. § 54 extends them to vehicles with insurance plates.
Which vehicles is it meant for?
It concerns motor vehicles that must carry an insurance plate under the ordinance. They are exempt from registration; the insurance plate proves motor liability insurance.
The duty to conform to an approved type or to hold an individual approval remains.
How is the plate structured?
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Identification number | no more than 3 digits and no more than 3 letters |
| Letter range | starts with the letter "Z" |
| Model | Annex 17 of the ordinance |
| Attachment | does not have to be firmly attached to the motor vehicle |
The digits are in one line above the letters.
Which data go to the Federal Motor Transport Authority?
The insurer transmits the keeper data and the vehicle data to the Federal Motor Transport Authority. This is done without delay after the red insurance plate has been assigned.
The data are stored in the Central Vehicle Register.
When may the vehicle be put into service?
The vehicle may only be driven if the plate is designed and attached as prescribed. It must not reflect and must be neither covered nor dirty.
No signs that can be confused with the plate may be attached to the vehicle.
What does this mean for dealers?
Moped dealers can also use the red insurance plate for such drives.
With Zevra the dealer files the registration of vehicles subject to registration in the dealer portal. Registration costs from 10 € per case, deregistration 2 € net, plus official fees.
- 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
- Number plate types in Germany: all vehicle plates compared
- Number plates in the digital registration case: own press or order with shipping
- Seasonal plates, E plates and H plates: applying online in Germany
- Interchangeable plates (Wechselkennzeichen): one plate for two vehicles
- Short-term plates or red plates: what dealers need for test and transfer drives
- Export plates: exporting vehicles – what dealers need to know
- Low-emission sticker (Umweltplakette): what dealers should know
- 100 km/h plaque for trailers: requirements and procedure
- Reserving a number plate: term, fee and rules for personalised plates
- Green number plates: plates for tax-exempt vehicles in Germany
- Keeping your number plate: what applies when moving or changing keeper
- Insurance plate: which vehicles need it and how long it is valid
- Fitting number plates: what the FZV prescribes on height, tilt and readability
- Red plates 06: permitted drives, vehicle document booklet and return
- Red historic vehicle plates 07: permitted drives and duties
- Insurance plate as a film: carrier plate, hologram and expert report
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Motorcycle dealers
- Pricing
Sources: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 54 – Rote Versicherungskennzeichen · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 52 – Versicherungskennzeichen · Sources · FZV sections § 54 · FZV sections § 52