Apply for an export licence plate

You or your representative must apply for the allocation of an export licence plate at the responsible registration authority. Depending on the services offered by your registration authority, you can either download a form or use an online service via the Internet.

The licensing authority may require you to present the vehicle.

If the vehicle was previously registered, the registration authority will cancel the previous licence plates. You will then receive the export licence plate for the duration of the liability insurance, for a maximum of one year.

Tip: You can obtain number plates from private suppliers. These are usually located near the registration authority.

The registration authority responsible for your place of residence. Responsibility is determined by the place of residence of the vehicle owner, with the main residence as stated on the identity card being decisive.

For legal entities, it is the location of the head office or the location of the branch office.

The requirements for vehicle registration are

• You must not have any outstanding fees and expenses from previous registration processes. If you have overdue payments of more than 30 euros, the registration authority may not register your vehicle until you have paid them. If the arrears are less than 30 euros, the registration authority can decide whether or not to register the vehicle.
• You must not have vehicle tax debts of five euros or more. Late payment penalties, interest and late payment penalties are also taken into account when calculating the amount.
• If someone is to represent you when registering your vehicle, you must give this person written authorisation. This must also contain a declaration of consent that the registration authority may inform the authorised person of any outstanding fees and expenses. Your representative must present the authorisation and identify themselves.
• The vehicle must have valid proof of the main inspection (HU). If the due date of the main inspection is before the expiry of the export licence, you must submit the inspection report from an officially recognised inspection organisation on the new main inspection.

• valid identity card or passport
• for representation: additionally
  • written authorisation
  • Declaration of consent that the motor vehicle tax circumstances or overdue fees may be disclosed.
  • Valid identity card or passport of the authorised person
• for minors: additional declaration of consent and identification documents of the legal guardian
• for legal entities/companies:
  • Extract from the commercial register or
  • Business registration or
  • Extract from the register of associations
• Declaration on the collection of vehicle tax (SEPA direct debit mandate)
• Registration certificate part I (formerly vehicle registration document)
• Registration certificate part II (formerly vehicle registration document, if applicable a deregistration confirmation issued before 1 October 2005)
• Insurance confirmation for export vehicles
• Proof of a valid general inspection (HU) if the vehicle is older than three years or was previously registered as a hire vehicle, taxi or similar for the entire term of the export licence. By means of the last general inspection report or according to the entry in the registration certificate part 1.
• For registered vehicles: additional licence plate number

Note: Severely disabled persons with the designation "H", "BI" or "aG" on their severely disabled person's pass are still exempt from motor vehicle tax. They do not need to set up a direct debit authorisation.

Note: You can obtain confirmation of motor vehicle liability insurance from the insurance company of your choice. In most cases, you can request this by telephone. The insurance company will be notified automatically.

• § Section 44 Ordinance on the Registration of Vehicles for Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration Ordinance - FZV)
• Annex 4 Section 6 Vehicle Licensing Ordinance (FZV)

Since February 2014, the Federal Customs Administration has been responsible for the taxation of motor vehicles. Information and forms relating to motor vehicle tax can be found on the Customs Administration website.

Do you want to transfer your vehicle abroad for permanent residence? To do this, you need an international registration with an export licence plate. This export licence is issued for a maximum of one year.