Apply for a Temporary License Plate
Service description
With a temporary license plate, you can test-drive a vehicle or transport it to another location. Other uses are not permitted and may result in penalties.
The license plate is valid for a maximum of 6 days from the date of issuance. The expiration date is visible on the right edge of the temporary license plate. After this date, the temporary license plate automatically expires.The vehicle must meet certain requirements in order to use a temporary license plate:
- An EC type approval must have been granted, or an individual approval or operating permit must have been issued,
- For used vehicles, valid proof of a passed general inspection (general inspection report) must be provided, and
- Motor vehicle liability insurance must be in effect.
If your vehicle does not have an EC type approval or operating permit, you may use a temporary license plate only for trips related to obtaining the required inspections. In that case, you may only drive with the temporary license plate to the nearest inspection station in the district that issued the plate or in an adjacent district.
If your vehicle does not have a valid general inspection or safety inspection, it will be issued a temporary license plate solely for the purpose of this trip:
- to the nearest testing site in the licensing district and back, or
- to the nearest repair shop in the registration district where the license plate was issued, or
- to an adjacent district and back for immediate repair of any significant or minor defects that have been identified.
This does not apply to vehicles that have been classified as unsafe for traffic.
Procedure
You, an authorized representative, or a designated recipient may apply for the temporary license plate at:
- Your local licensing authority or
- the registration authority with local jurisdiction over the vehicle's location.
- Depending on what the licensing authority offers, you can either download a form or use an online service.
- Make an appointment with your local registration office by phone or, if possible, online.
- Please bring all required documents and the payment of 10.20 EUR with you to your appointment.
- Your documents will be reviewed on-site.
If the inspection is successful, you will receive your personal temporary license plate during the appointment. In most cases, there are private dealers located near the registration offices where you can have the temporary license plate printed on a license plate immediately afterward.
Note: As an applicant who is not registered in Germany, you can apply for a temporary license plate at the appropriate vehicle registration office if you designate a person authorized to receive it.
Competent Authority
Local licensing authorities
Prerequisites
- You need the vehicle for:
- a test drive during which you can determine and demonstrate the vehicle's roadworthiness, or
- a transport trip to move the vehicle to another location.
- You have a specific need for a short-term license plate.
- You must provide the registration authority with the specific make and model of the vehicle and provide proof of the vehicle's details.
- The vehicle must have a:
- EC Type Approval,
- Individual authorization or
- Operating permit is in place.
- The vehicle must have the following for the entire period of validity:
- a valid vehicle inspection and
- If necessary, proof
of a safety inspection must be provided.
- You have proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance in the form of an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) for temporary license plates.
Note: If you apply for temporary license plates for multiple vehicles at the same time, you must provide proof of need.
- You need the vehicle for:
What documents are required?
- Vehicle Registration Certificate (Part I)
- Certificate of Conformity (abbreviation: COC) or
- Original copy of the vehicle's individual approval certificate
- any previous license plates, if applicable
- For used vehicles: General Inspection Report
- Electronic Insurance Confirmation (eVB)
What fees apply?
EUR 10.20
What deadlines do I have to observe?
The short-term license plate is valid for a maximum of 6 consecutive days.
Processing time
Usually right away
Legal basis
Additional Information
Applications / Forms