In short: Transfer of registration online (Umschreibung) – re-registering a used car to the buyer – is the standard procedure in used-car sales. You need both registration certificates with security codes (issued after 1 January 2018), a valid eVB number, a valid roadworthiness test (HU) and the buyer's SEPA mandate. The plate can be kept or changed. At Zevra from €10 net.
The buyer should drive off without needing an appointment at the registration office – and so should your staff. Digitally the transfer is one case, even if the buyer lives in another registration district.
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
With or without change of keeper?
| Case | Example in the trade | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer with change of keeper | Sale of a used car to the customer | Codes of ZB I and ZB II; the plate can be kept |
| Transfer without change of keeper | Company car moves to another site or the keeper changes address | Codes of ZB I and ZB II; plate change only when the district changes |
What do you need for an online transfer?
- Registration certificate part I and part II, each with security code – issued after 1 January 2018.
- Valid eVB number in the name of the new keeper.
- Valid roadworthiness test (HU), depending on vehicle type also a safety inspection (SP).
- Bank details/SEPA mandate of the new keeper for vehicle tax.
- Power of attorney from the new keeper if the dealership files the application.
- If the plate changes: uncover the code under the inspection sticker of the old plate.
How does the online transfer work?
- Uncover the security codes of registration certificate part I and part II.
- Enter plate, VIN, codes, HU date, eVB number and bank details.
- Plate: keep it or choose a new one (next free, reserved, personalised).
- Automatic validation, pay the fee, confirm the application – real-time check including HU, outstanding tax and fees.
- Retrieve and print the temporary registration proof within 30 minutes – valid for 10 days.
- Papers and stickers arrive by post; attach the stickers within 10 days at the latest.
With Zevra the same procedure runs from your dealer portal: you enter the data, the keeper grants the power of attorney with a qualified electronic signature (QES) – no activated online ID card needed – and Zevra files the application digitally with the competent authority. The decision still rests with the registration authority.
Buyer from another federal state
The competent authority is the one at the buyer's residence. Digitally nothing changes in the procedure – only the plate carries the district code of their district if they do not keep the old one.
Typical rejection reasons
- Roadworthiness test expired – the check runs automatically in the procedure.
- eVB number not issued to the new keeper.
- Papers issued before 1 January 2018 – then only in person.
- Security code misread or damaged.
- Vehicle deregistered in the meantime – then it is a re-registration, not a transfer.
What does a transfer cost at Zevra?
| Monthly volume | Price per transfer (net) |
|---|---|
| Any monthly volume | €10 |
No base fee, no minimum volume. 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
- 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
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Leasing companies
- Rental & car subscription
- Banks & insurers
- Manufacturers & importers
- Remarketing & resellers
- Pricing
Sources: Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV): Internet-based vehicle registration – how i-Kfz works (German)