Register a vehicle (new registration)

KFZ-Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) · Registration & Abmeldung (deregistration) · €30.00 in person, €12.80 online

Online / in person

Last updated12 October 2026

Legal basis§ 6 FZV in conjunction with § 13 Abs. 1 KraftStG

Fee lawNr. 221.1 / 221.1.1 of the GebOSt fee schedule

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Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information site: We are not the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle, not an authority and not a paid advice service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in plain language; binding information always comes from the competent body. The registration fees in the fee schedule apply uniformly nationwide; disbursements such as the sticker holder, postage or the prices charged by plate makers may vary. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither solicitors nor tax consultants: we document official procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.

At a glance

Fee in person

€30.00 (Nr. 221.1)

Fee online (i-Kfz)

€12.80 + €0.30

Licence plates

approx. €20–€40 in person

Processing time

Usable immediately

Method

Online or in person

Requirement

eVB, ZB II (registration certificate Part II), SEPA mandate

New registration is the administrative act by which a vehicle is registered for road use for the first time and assigned to a holder. The legal basis is § 6 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) of 20 July 2023: the holder applies for registration at the vehicle registration authority responsible for their place of residence or business and, in doing so, proves identity, the right to dispose of the vehicle, insurance cover and the direct-debit mandate for the motor vehicle tax. The vehicle may only be driven once the licence plate has been allocated, the plates stamped and the registration certificate Part I handed over.

Important for cost planning: the registration fee is not set by the local authority but is determined uniformly nationwide in the fee schedule of the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt; Annex to § 1 GebOSt). Registration in person costs exactly €30.00 under Nr. 221.1, while internet-based registration under Nr. 221.1.1 costs only €12.80 — less than half. The fee schedule was last amended by Article 6 of the ordinance of 12 August 2026 and has applied in this version since 18 August 2026. Older figures such as €26.30 come from an outdated version and are no longer correct.

The periodic roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung, HU — commonly called ‘TÜV’) is also frequently misrepresented: a brand-new car does not need proof of an HU for new registration, because the first HU is not due until 36 months after first registration. The authority only requires an inspection report if the due date does not follow from the registration certificate Part I.

Required documents

The holder’s identity card (Personalausweis) or passport in the original. The vehicle registration authority must establish the identity of the future holder beyond doubt; copies, phone photos or expired documents are not accepted and the procedure ends without result. If you identify yourself with a passport, you also present a current registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), because the passport does not contain an address and local jurisdiction follows your place of residence.

The eVB number of the motor vehicle liability insurance. The electronic insurance confirmation (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung, eVB number) is a seven-character alphanumeric code whose first two characters identify the insurer; it provides the proof of insurance required under § 6 FZV and is usually sent to you by the insurer within minutes by email or SMS. Depending on the insurer, validity ranges from three months to two years, typically six months, and the eVB is intended for single use only — for a second vehicle or after an aborted procedure you need a new one.

Registration certificate Part II (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II, formerly Fahrzeugbrief). Part II proves the right to dispose of the vehicle; for a new car it is handed to you by the dealer or manufacturer, and for financed vehicles it is often sent by the bank directly to the vehicle registration office. The document never belongs in the glove compartment: if it is lost, a chargeable public notice procedure with a waiting period of several weeks is required. For online registration, Part II must have been issued on or after 1 January 2018, because only these forms contain the concealed security code.

Registration certificate Part I (formerly Fahrzeugschein) — only for vehicles already registered. For a brand-new vehicle no Part I yet exists; it is created for the first time during the registration process. For used vehicles that are still registered or are being re-registered, the existing Part I must be presented so that the authority can take over the technical data and the HU due date. For internet-based registration, Part I must have been issued on or after 1 January 2015 and bear the concealed security code.

Certificate of conformity (CoC) or data confirmation. For vehicles with EU type approval, § 6 FZV requires the manufacturer’s certificate of conformity — not only for imports, but also for new cars bought at a German dealership. The document contains all the technical data that the authority transfers to the registration certificate; the dealer hands it over together with Part II. Vehicles with national individual approval or significant modifications instead need the expert report under § 21 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung, StVZO) or the general operating licence.

SEPA direct debit mandate for the motor vehicle tax. Under § 13 Abs. 1 KraftStG of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz, KraftStG), registration is only permitted if a SEPA direct debit mandate for the motor vehicle tax is given; without a mandate and IBAN the vehicle registration office rejects the application. If the account is not held in the holder’s name, the account holder additionally signs the mandate. Exceptions exist only in cases of significant hardship and in cases of tax exemption under § 10 Abs. 1 KraftStG. You arrange later changes to the bank details with the Hauptzollamt (main customs office), not with the vehicle registration office.

HU inspection report — only if the due date does not follow from Part I. No proof is needed for brand-new cars, since the first periodic roadworthiness test is not due until 36 months after first registration. For used vehicles, deregistered vehicles and re-registrations, the authority instead checks the last HU report; if the HU has expired, you must first go to a testing organisation such as TÜV or DEKRA. The inspection report must be presented in the original; a copy is not sufficient.

Licence plates as an embossed pair. The plates are not issued by the authority but are embossed by a commercial plate maker with the allocated identification number. For sealing, they must comply with the standard and be undamaged; the authority rejects bent plates.

Power of attorney, if you are represented by someone else. If another person deals with the registration, they need an informal written power of attorney with date and signature, their own identity document and the holder’s identity document or a copy of it. Commercial registration services work on the same model.

Company documents for commercial holders. If the vehicle is registered to a company, depending on the legal form you must present a current extract from the commercial register (Handelsregisterauszug), the trade registration or, for associations, the extract from the register of associations. In addition, the person acting needs a power of attorney from the management authorised to represent the company, unless they are themselves entered in the register.

Step by step

Take out motor vehicle liability insurance and request the eVB number

The first step does not take place at the authority but with the insurer: without proof of insurance the vehicle registration office must not register the vehicle under § 6 FZV. Take out the motor vehicle liability insurance at least one day before the planned registration appointment and have the eVB number sent to you; most providers deliver it within a few minutes by email or SMS. When taking out the policy, have the vehicle identification number, the type codes (HSN/TSN from the CoC) and the expected registration date ready.

Choose the registration route: online via i-Kfz or in person

Since 1 September 2023, stage 4 of internet-based vehicle registration (i-Kfz) has also made full new registration possible online; the rollout is complete, and the procedure is available in all 16 federal states and at almost all around 440 vehicle registration authorities. The online route costs €12.80 instead of €30.00 and saves you the search for an appointment. Requirements are an identity card, an eID card or an electronic residence title with the eID function activated and a six-digit PIN together with the AusweisApp and an NFC smartphone or card reader — alternatively a BundID account with an ELSTER certificate. Also check the issue dates of your documents: Part I on or after 1 January 2015, Part II on or after 1 January 2018, each with a concealed security code. If one of these requirements is missing, book an appointment at the vehicle registration office of your place of residence; in large cities, appointments are often booked out several weeks in advance.

Optional: check and reserve a personalised licence plate (Wunschkennzeichen)

The distinguishing sign depends on your registration district; you may choose the identification number yourself, provided it is free. Through your vehicle registration authority’s reservation portal you check availability in real time and secure the combination for a limited period. The surcharge is €10.20, with advance allocation or reservation adding €2.60 under Nr. 230 of the fee schedule — €12.80 together. Without a reservation, the authority allocates the next free number; details can be found under reserving a personalised licence plate.

Have the licence plates embossed

The plates are only embossed once the identification number has been fixed or reserved. At a plate maker right next to the vehicle registration office, a pair usually costs around €20 to €40 — the prices are set freely and are not subject to any fee ordinance. Online plate makers are significantly cheaper, at around €3 to €15 per pair plus postage; here you need a few days’ lead time, which is why this option is especially worthwhile for a reserved personalised licence plate. Make sure the plates comply with the standard and are the correct format for your vehicle.

Online route: submit the application in the i-Kfz portal

You start the procedure via your vehicle registration authority’s portal and identify yourself using the eID function or via BundID. You then uncover the concealed security codes on Part I and Part II — scratch carefully, as a damaged code makes online registration impossible — and enter the codes together with the eVB number, the IBAN for the SEPA mandate and the desired identification number. You pay the fee of €12.80 plus €0.30 for the sticker holder by ePayment. After successful review, you receive the registration decision electronically; the vehicle may be used in road traffic immediately. The sticker holder, the stamp sticker and the registration certificate Part I are then sent by post. Further background is published by the Federal Ministry under internet-based vehicle registration.

In person: present the documents and pay the fee

At your in-person appointment you present all the documents in the original. The caseworker checks your identity and place of residence, the right to dispose of the vehicle using Part II, the proof of insurance via the eVB number and the SEPA mandate, and records the technical data from the certificate of conformity. The fee of €30.00 under Nr. 221.1 of the fee schedule becomes due immediately; ask in advance about the accepted means of payment, because many offices accept only an EC card or cash. The actual process at the counter usually takes only a few minutes, provided the documents are complete.

Have the licence plates allocated and sealed

After allocating the identification number, the vehicle registration authority attaches the stamp sticker (Stempelplakette) to the rear licence plate, which assigns the licence plate to the registration district and is secured against unauthorised removal. If a periodic roadworthiness test is due, the HU sticker is additionally added to the rear plate. A separate AU sticker no longer exists: it was abolished on 1 January 2010, and the exhaust emission inspection (Abgasuntersuchung, AU) has since been part of the periodic roadworthiness test. For online registration, you attach the sticker holder sent to you yourself.

Receive the registration certificate Part I and keep the documents safe

At the end you receive the registration certificate Part I, which must be carried when driving the vehicle and shown on request. Keep Part II safely at home, as it proves the right to dispose of the vehicle and, if lost, can only be replaced through a chargeable public notice procedure. The motor vehicle tax is then set by the competent Hauptzollamt by official notice (Bescheid) and collected via the SEPA mandate you have given; a first indication is provided by the motor vehicle tax calculator of the customs administration. Check the details in Part I immediately after receiving it — transposed digits in the vehicle identification number or incorrect holder details can be corrected at short notice.

Fees & costs

Service	Amount
Registration or re-registration in person (Nr. 221.1)	€30.00
Internet-based registration via i-Kfz (Nr. 221.1.1)	€12.80
Sticker holder (disbursement for i-Kfz)	€0.30
One-day registration (Tageszulassung) in person (Nr. 221.1.2)	€45.90
One-day registration (Tageszulassung) online (Nr. 221.1.3)	€14.90
Personalised licence plate: surcharge + reservation (Nr. 230)	€10.20 + €2.60
Licence plates (pair) at a licence plate maker in person	approx. €20–€40
Licence plates (pair) from online makers	approx. €3–€15 plus postage
Short-term licence plate (Nr. 221.4)	€10.20
Export licence plate (Nr. 221.3)	€31.40
Red licence plates (Nr. 221.5)	€25.60–€205.00
Motor vehicle tax (annual, Hauptzollamt)	Depending on cubic capacity, CO₂ emissions and first registration date

The registration fees are not a matter of local law: they are set out in the fee schedule of the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Annex to § 1 GebOSt) and therefore apply in Flensburg just as they do in Munich. Statements such as “€26 to €30, depending on the local authority” are factually wrong and suggest a margin for comparison that does not exist. Only the disbursements can vary — for example €0.30 for the sticker holder, postage for sending by post, or the freely calculated prices of licence plate makers.

Realistic total calculation for a new registration: in person you pay a fee of €30.00 plus €20 to €40 for the plates, so around €50 to €70 in total. Via the online procedure, the same process drops to a fee of €12.80 plus €0.30 for the sticker holder and the plates — around €33 to €53, depending on where you buy the plates. A personalised licence plate adds €12.80 (€10.20 surcharge plus €2.60 for advance allocation or reservation of the identification number). Registration services that take the trip to the authority off your hands charge their fee on top; it is not an official fee and is freely negotiable.

In person, payment is usually made by EC card or cash — only a few offices accept credit cards. In the i-Kfz procedure, payment runs via the ePayment system of the respective federal state; without successful payment the application is not processed. The motor vehicle tax is not part of the registration fee: it is set separately by the competent Hauptzollamt and collected annually in advance via the SEPA mandate. For cars, its amount depends on cubic capacity, fuel type, CO₂ emissions and first registration date; purely electric vehicles are temporarily tax-exempt under § 3d KraftStG, with the extent and duration depending on the date of first registration — the binding information is provided by the Hauptzollamt. A first indication is provided by the motor vehicle tax calculator of the customs administration.

Important notes

Online registration is the standard, not the exception. With stage 4 of internet-based vehicle registration, new registration has also been possible fully online since 1 September 2023. The rollout is complete: the procedure is available in all 16 federal states and at almost all around 440 vehicle registration authorities, and the vehicle registered online may be used immediately.

The document issue dates decide success or failure. For i-Kfz, the registration certificate Part I must have been issued on or after 1 January 2015 and Part II on or after 1 January 2018, each with a concealed security code. Older forms have no code; with these, only the counter route is possible. Check the issue date before you start the online procedure.

eID is more than the identity card. Besides the identity card, the eID card for EU citizens and the electronic residence title also work, each with the online identification function activated and a six-digit PIN. Alternatively, the portals accept a BundID account with an ELSTER certificate.

New cars do not need a periodic roadworthiness test. The first HU of a brand-new car is not due until 36 months after first registration, then every two years after that. An HU inspection report only needs to be presented if the due date does not follow from the registration certificate Part I — in practice, therefore, for used cars and re-registrations.

There is no longer an AU sticker. The sticker for the exhaust emission inspection was abolished on 1 January 2010; the AU has since been part of the periodic roadworthiness test. The licence plate therefore now only carries the HU sticker and the stamp sticker of the vehicle registration authority.

The eVB number is a single-use ticket. It is intended for single use only and, depending on the insurer, is valid from three months to two years, typically six months. After an aborted registration process, a change of insurer, or for a second vehicle, request a new number — this is free of charge and usually takes only minutes.

Driving before registration is expensive and a criminal offence. Anyone who puts an unregistered vehicle into operation pays €70 under Nr. 175 of the catalogue of fines (Bußgeldkatalog). More serious is the lack of insurance cover: driving without motor vehicle liability insurance is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG. For transfer drives, therefore, use a short-term licence plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) — it costs €10.20 under Nr. 221.4 and needs its own eVB.

Special cases with their own procedure. For vehicles used for only part of the year, the seasonal licence plate (Saisonkennzeichen) is worth considering; for electric vehicles with special rights, the E-Kennzeichen; for export, the export licence plate (€31.40 under Nr. 221.3); and for classic cars (Oldtimer), the H-Kennzeichen. Red licence plates for dealers and workshops cost between €25.60 and €205.00, depending on scope, under Nr. 221.5.

What counts is your place of residence, not the place of purchase. Registration takes place at the authority for the holder’s place of residence or seat; anyone who has just moved first registers their address at the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office). In the event of a later move or sale, the procedures Ummeldung (change of address), change of holder and vehicle deregistration (Außerbetriebsetzung, commonly called Abmeldung) follow.

Changes relating to the motor vehicle tax run via customs. The vehicle registration office only accepts the SEPA mandate and forwards it. Notify the competent Hauptzollamt of a new bank account or a revocation of the mandate, and send applications for tax exemption or deferment there too — applications made at the vehicle registration office have no effect and lead to returned direct debits.

Common mistakes

eVB number missing or already used

Without a valid eVB the authority must not register the vehicle under § 6 FZV — the appointment ends without result and you have to book a new one, in large cities often only weeks later. Particularly tricky: a number already used for another vehicle or for an aborted procedure is used up and will be rejected.

Attempted online registration with documents that are too old

If Part I was issued before 1 January 2015 or Part II before 1 January 2018, the concealed security code is missing and the i-Kfz procedure fails. You lose not only time but also the price advantage: instead of €12.80, €30.00 becomes due at the counter appointment. Check the issue date before you start.

Security code damaged while scratching it off

The concealed codes on Part I and Part II may only be uncovered once and carefully. If the code is illegible, online registration with that document is permanently excluded; a replacement is only available through reissuing the registration certificate, which is chargeable and, for Part II, entails a lengthy procedure.

Unnecessary TÜV appointment for the new car

Many holders book a periodic roadworthiness test before new registration because they assume a general HU obligation. For brand-new vehicles this is unnecessary: the first HU is not due until 36 months after first registration. The appointment costs money and time without advancing the registration by a single step.

Having the plates embossed before allocation

Anyone who has the plates embossed on the off-chance risks the identification number having been allocated to someone else in the meantime — the plates are then scrap metal and have to be paid for again. Reserve the combination you want in advance for €2.60 or wait for the authority to allocate the number before going to the plate maker.

SEPA mandate forgotten, or the account is not in the holder’s name

Under § 13 Abs. 1 KraftStG, registration without a direct debit mandate is not permitted; the authority rejects the application. If the account is in another person’s name, that person must sign the mandate — a verbal agreement or a bare IBAN is not enough. Exceptions exist only in cases of significant hardship and in cases of tax exemption.

Registration certificate Part II kept in the vehicle

Part II proves the right to dispose of the vehicle and, if stolen from the vehicle, is worth real money to the thief. Its loss forces you into a chargeable public notice procedure with a waiting period of several weeks, during which selling the vehicle is practically impossible. Only Part I is to be carried in the vehicle.

Driving off before sealing and registration are complete

The vehicle may only take part in road traffic once the licence plate has been allocated, the seal affixed and the registration decision issued. Anyone who drives before that risks €70 under Nr. 175 of the catalogue of fines and, in the event of a claim, full personal liability.

Going to the wrong authority

The competent body is the vehicle registration authority at the holder’s place of residence or seat, not the one at the location of the car dealership. Anyone who goes to the wrong office, or has not yet registered their new address, is turned away and must first obtain the Meldebestätigung (official confirmation of registration).

Frequently asked questions

What does registering a vehicle cost in total in 2026?

In person you pay a registration fee of €30.00 under Nr. 221.1 of the fee schedule plus licence plates for around €20 to €40, so around €50 to €70 in total. For internet-based registration, the fee falls to €12.80 plus €0.30 for the sticker holder, so you should budget around €33 to €53 in total. A personalised licence plate costs an additional €12.80.

What is an eVB number and how long is it valid?

The electronic insurance confirmation is a seven-character alphanumeric code whose first two characters identify the insurer; it proves to the vehicle registration authority the insurance cover required under § 6 FZV. You receive the eVB from your motor vehicle insurer, usually within a few minutes. Depending on the insurer, validity ranges from three months to two years, typically six months, and the number is intended for single use only.

Can I register a vehicle fully online?

Yes. Since stage 4 of internet-based vehicle registration on 1 September 2023, new registration has also been fully possible online; the rollout is complete and the procedure is available in all 16 federal states and at almost all around 440 vehicle registration authorities. The vehicle registered online may be used in road traffic immediately; the sticker and the registration certificate Part I are sent by post.

Does a new car need an HU for registration?

No. Brand-new cars only need to undergo their first periodic roadworthiness test 36 months after first registration and are registered without proof of an HU. An HU inspection report only needs to be presented if the due date of the periodic roadworthiness test does not follow from the registration certificate Part I, so typically for used vehicles and re-registrations.

Why does online registration fail so often?

The most common reason is the document issue dates: the registration certificate Part I must have been issued on or after 1 January 2015 and Part II on or after 1 January 2018, because only these forms contain the concealed security codes. If the code is missing or was damaged while being uncovered, the procedure fails and you must appear in person or apply for a replacement document.

Which stickers go on the licence plate?

The stamp sticker of the vehicle registration authority goes on the rear licence plate and, if a periodic roadworthiness test is due, the HU sticker as well. A separate AU sticker no longer exists: it was abolished on 1 January 2010, and the exhaust emission inspection has since been part of the periodic roadworthiness test.

What does a personalised licence plate cost?

The surcharge for a personalised licence plate is €10.20, with advance allocation or reservation of the identification number under Nr. 230 of the fee schedule adding €2.60. Together that is €12.80, which is added to the registration fee.

At which authority must I register the vehicle?

The competent body is the vehicle registration authority at the holder’s place of residence or seat, not the one at the location of the car dealership. Anyone who has just moved therefore first registers their address at the Bürgeramt, because the vehicle registration office needs the current address and the distinguishing sign of the licence plate follows the registration district.

What happens if I drive without registration?

Anyone who puts an unregistered vehicle into operation commits a regulatory offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit), which incurs a regulatory fine of €70 under Nr. 175 of the catalogue of fines. The lack of insurance cover weighs far more heavily: driving without motor vehicle liability insurance is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG and can be punished with a criminal fine (Geldstrafe) or imprisonment.