Carry the vehicle registration document for test drives and transfer journeys with a ‘06’ number plate

In Germany, you are generally only permitted to drive vehicles that have been registered. There are, however, exceptions, such as when a vehicle is used for a driving test, is being transferred for sale, or is being test-driven. In these cases, you can apply for a special number plate. These are red number plates beginning with the number ‘06’ – also known as dealer number plates.

In order for you, as a dealer, manufacturer or garage, to be permitted to drive vehicles with red number plates, you must keep a vehicle logbook. In this logbook, you must record all vehicles and the corresponding journeys you have undertaken using the red number plate. You must replace your vehicle logbook once it is full or has expired.

You must carry the vehicle registration document with you on every journey. Before each journey, enter the following details:

• the date of the journey
• Start and end
• Driver’s name and address
• the vehicle class
• Vehicle manufacturer
• Vehicle Identification Number
• Route

Further details that need to be entered:

• Engine capacity in cubic metres
• Rated power in kilowatts
• For motorcycles only: unladen mass in kilograms
• Date of the vehicle’s first registration; if unknown, year of manufacture
• permissible gross mass in kilograms
• maximum permissible axle load in kilograms
• Maximum speed in kilometres per hour

You must present your vehicle registration document to the relevant authority in the following cases:

• The period for which the red number plate was issued has expired.
• You no longer need the red number plate.
• You have moved your place of residence or registered office to a different registration district.