At the dealership, special plates come up with convertibles, motorcycles, electric vehicles and classics. All details come from the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV), the Electric Mobility Act (EmoG) and the Federal Ministry of Transport.
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
Which special plates work online?
| Plate | Requirement | Online via i-Kfz |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal plate (Saisonkennzeichen) | operating period of 2 to 11 full months | yes |
| E plate | electrically powered vehicle under the Electric Mobility Act | yes; a first application during re-registration or transfer is manual in certain cases |
| H plate (historic vehicle) | at least 30 years old, expert report under § 23 StVZO | only if the vehicle already had an H plate |
What is a seasonal plate?
A seasonal plate shows an operating period after the identification number. The period is measured in full months, covers at least 2 and at most 11 months and is also entered in registration certificate part I and part II.
Outside the operating period the vehicle may neither be used nor parked on public roads. In the online application the content of the eVB number is checked.
Which vehicles get an E plate?
- pure battery electric vehicles
- fuel-cell vehicles
- externally chargeable hybrid vehicles with no more than 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre or at least 40 kilometres of electric range
The application must prove that the vehicle is of this kind. The plate carries the letter E after the identification number.
The Electric Mobility Act allows privileges for parking, for the use of special roads, for access restrictions and for parking fees.
What does a vehicle need for the H plate?
Under the Vehicle Registration Ordinance a historic vehicle is one that first entered traffic at least 30 years ago, largely corresponds to its original condition, is in a good state of preservation and serves to maintain automotive cultural heritage.
An expert report by an officially recognised expert, examiner or test engineer under § 23 StVZO is required. The assessment includes an inspection to the extent of a general inspection.
Online, the H plate is only possible if it is not being assigned for the first time. The first assignment remains with the registration authority.
Can the plates be combined?
Yes. With an H or E plate, the operating period of the seasonal plate is entered after the respective letter. An interchangeable plate (Wechselkennzeichen), however, may not be issued as a seasonal plate.
What does this mean for the dealership?
In the Zevra dealer portal you select the E plate directly in the application. For cases with a seasonal or H plate, ask us in advance.
Registration costs from €10, deregistration from €2 per case, net and plus official fees.
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?
- 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: 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?