How is the film plate regulated? This page sums up § 53a 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
What does the film plate consist of?
An insurance plate may be made up of a plate film and the matching carrier plate. This is a departure from the plate under Annex 17.
Shape, size and design of the film follow the model in Annex 17a.
How often may the film be covered over?
A plate film may be covered with a new plate film up to 3 times.
After that all films are removed from the carrier plate before a new film is applied.
Which security features are prescribed?
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lettering | forgery-impeding lettering for number plates |
| Hologram | transparent continuous strip on the right edge with a broken-glass motif |
| Wording "VERSICHERUNGSKENNZEICHEN" | light grey, lettering height 4 mm |
| Wording "GDV" with the year of the insurance year | as a transparent hologram, lettering height 8 mm |
| Hidden security feature | chosen by the manufacturer of the film |
The hidden feature must not make automatic reading of the plate more difficult.
What must the insurer prove?
- the strength of the bond between plate film and carrier plate,
- sufficient weather resistance of the bond.
Both are proven by the report of an expert qualified for component testing. The insurer issuing the plate is responsible.
Why can the film not be reused?
The film is bonded over its full surface. It must be made so that it tears when peeled off.
Alternatively, clearly visible changes must appear after removal so that the film cannot be reused.
What does this mean for dealers?
Anyone selling mopeds can explain to the customer the procedure for the yearly change of the plate.
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
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- 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
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- 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
- Red insurance plate: drives, structure and reporting to the register
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Motorcycle dealers
- Pricing
Sources: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 53a – Kennzeichenfolie und Trägerplatte · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 53 – Ausgestaltung und Anbringung des Versicherungskennzeichens · Sources · FZV sections § 53a · FZV sections § 53