Checking a personalised number plate: availability, rules and official fees for dealers and fleets

Customers often ask for a specific combination when buying a vehicle. This page summarises what the Vehicle Registration Ordinance says, what the fee schedule charges and how you can check availability in advance.

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: 2026-10-14 · Zevra editorial team · Reviewed by M. Gabal, owner

What does a number plate consist of?

A number plate consists of a district code with one to three letters for the administrative district and an identification number for the individual vehicle.

The identification number and its combination with the district code must not offend public decency. Allocation follows Annex 1 of the ordinance.

What does a personalised plate cost at the authority?

The reservation fee applies equally to vehicle keepers, dealers and registration services. The fee for the registration itself comes on top.

Must the authority name the plate in advance?

Yes, on request. The plate intended for allocation must be communicated to the applicant before allocation.

The authority may change an allocated plate ex officio or on application and may ask for the old plates to remove the seal.

How do dealers and fleets check availability?

• On the Zevra Kennzeichen-Check page you query a combination live at 356 registration offices in all 16 federal states.
• Without signing in, 10 checks per day and visitor are possible.
• Shops, registration services and dealerships can use a widget and an API.
• The result is a snapshot and not yet an allocation or reservation.

Reservation via the API is in preparation.

When is a check before the application worthwhile?

Especially for company vehicles with a uniform identifier and for customers who expect a specific plate. If the combination is taken, settle the alternative before the application rather than after a rejection.

With Zevra, dealers submit the registration with the requested plate in the dealer portal. Registration costs from 10 € per transaction, plus official fees.

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
• Red insurance plate: drives, structure and reporting to the register
• Insurance plate as a film: carrier plate, hologram and expert report
• German plate codes: how district identifiers are set and identification numbers allocated
• Car dealerships
• Registration services
• Fleet operators
• Pricing

Sources: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) § 9 – Zuteilung von Kennzeichen · Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt) – Anlage, Nummern 221 und 230 · Sources · FZV sections § 9 · Vehicle figures: tax, insurance, fines