Customers with a second car, a convertible or two motorcycles ask about it at the dealership. All details come from the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV).
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 requirements apply to interchangeable plates?
- 2 vehicles of the same keeper
- same vehicle class: M1 (passenger cars), L (motorcycles and similar vehicles) or O1 (trailers up to 0.75 t)
- plates of the same number and dimensions on both vehicles
How is an interchangeable plate structured?
| Part | Content | Where |
|---|---|---|
| common plate part | district code and identification number except the last digit | is moved between vehicles |
| vehicle-specific part | last digit of the identification number | stays on each vehicle |
With an E plate the letter E is on the vehicle-specific part.
What applies to driving and parking?
The interchangeable plate may be used on only one of the two vehicles at a time. A vehicle may only be used or parked on public roads if the interchangeable plate is completely attached to it.
The second vehicle therefore needs a parking space off public roads.
What can the interchangeable plate not be combined with?
- seasonal plate
- red plate
- short-term plate
- export plate
- green plate for tax-exempt vehicles
Does the interchangeable plate work online?
For the internet-based procedure the Vehicle Registration Ordinance names the general plate as well as historic, seasonal and E plates. The interchangeable plate is not listed there; the application goes through the registration authority.
For deregistration the vehicle-specific part must be presented – and the common part if no other vehicle remains registered with it.
What does this mean for the dealership?
Zevra does not handle registrations with interchangeable plates. For all standard cases you use the dealer portal.
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?
- 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
- 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) § 9 – Zuteilung von Kennzeichen · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 11 – Kennzeichnung elektrisch betriebener Fahrzeuge · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 16 – Außerbetriebsetzung, Wiederzulassung · Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 26 – Gemeinsame Regelungen für die internetbasierte Zulassung