Apply for a short-term licence plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen)

KFZ-Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) · Vehicle transfer

In person€10.20 feeValid until the 5th following dayKBA

The short-term licence plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) is a time-limited licence plate for test drives, inspection drives and transfer drives with a vehicle that is not registered in the regular way. The legal basis is the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung, FZV), § 42 FZV. The classic use case is buying a used car: you collect the vehicle from the seller and drive it to your place of residence in order to register it there in the normal way. Equally common are drives to the periodic roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung, HU — commonly called ‘TÜV’), test drives before the purchase, and drives to the workshop.

The administrative fee is federal law and amounts to €10.20 — set out in the fee schedule for measures in road traffic (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 221.4: “decision on the allocation of a short-term licence plate”). On top of that come the equally nationwide uniform fees for stamping the licence plates (€2.60, Nr. 228) and for the stamp sticker (€0.70 or €1.20, Nr. 228.2), bringing the total to €13.50. The figure of €13.10, which circulates widely, cannot be derived from any combination of the official fee items in this form and should not be confused with the administrative fee.

Two further points are regularly misrepresented. First, since 1 April 2015, a passed periodic roadworthiness test and — where required under § 29 StVZO — a safety inspection have been a statutory requirement for the allocation (§ 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV); a short-term licence plate “without TÜV” exists only with a heavily restricted purpose of travel. Second, the plate is not yellow: it is a regular white licence plate with black lettering, on which only the right-hand field showing the expiry date has a yellow background.

Last updated12 October 2026

Legal basis§ 42 FZV · GebOSt Nr. 221.4

VerificationChecked by AmtsDeutschland.de

Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information website: we are not the vehicle registration office, not an authority, and not paid advice — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in simple terms; the competent authority is always binding. All information is provided without guarantee. The administrative fee and the further fees for stamping and the stamp sticker are nationwide uniform; only the prices for plates and insurance may vary. We are neither lawyers nor tax advisers: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.

At a glance

Costs€10.20 feeNationwide uniform under GebOSt Nr. 221.4; with further fees, plates and insurance, around €60–180 in total

ValidityUntil the fifth following day§ 42 Abs. 4 Satz 2 FZV — up to six calendar days including the day of issue; no extension is provided for

MethodIn person at the ZulassungsstelleNo official i-Kfz online procedure; HU, SP and the eVB number are required

What you may use a short-term licence plate for

The short-term licence plate is not a substitute for registration but a narrowly limited exception. Three purposes of travel are permitted: the test drive to establish and demonstrate the vehicle’s fitness for use, the inspection drive to carry out the Hauptuntersuchung or safety inspection, and the transfer drive to another location. Everyday journeys, holiday journeys or permanently driving an unregistered vehicle are not covered by this.

This restriction of purpose has an immediate effect if one of the three allocation requirements of § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 FZV is missing. If a type approval or individual approval is missing (Nr. 1), only journeys connected with obtaining a new operating licence are permitted under § 42 Abs. 6 FZV — and even these only within the district of the competent vehicle registration authority or into an adjoining district. If the proof of the periodic roadworthiness test and safety inspection is missing (Nr. 2), the restriction under § 42 Abs. 7 FZV applies. The third requirement — motor liability insurance under § 1 PflVG (Nr. 3) — is indispensable; without an eVB number, no allocation takes place.

The short-term licence plate must be distinguished from two similar types of plate. The export licence plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) is intended for permanently moving a vehicle abroad and is issued with its own, longer period of validity and its own insurance cover. Red licence plates are permanent plates for vehicle businesses that regularly carry out test drives, inspection drives and transfer drives; private individuals do not receive them. Anyone who only uses their vehicle seasonally is better served by the seasonal licence plate (Saisonkennzeichen).

Required documents

When allocating under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 FZV, the Zulassungsstelle checks three things: the identity and authorisation of the applicant, the approval status of the vehicle, and the insurance cover. If one of the following documents is missing, the process is aborted or the licence plate is only allocated with the restricted purposes of travel under Abs. 6 and 7. Bring the documents in the original – copies and phone photos are generally not accepted.

Valid identity card or passport. The identity document required is that of the person applying for the licence plate, not necessarily that of the vehicle’s owner. Anyone identifying themselves with a passport should additionally bring a current registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) from the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office), because the passport does not show a home address. The document must be valid at the time of the appointment; an expired identity document is not sufficient.
eVB number for a short-term licence plate. The electronic insurance confirmation is a seven-digit code issued to you by a motor liability insurer and retrieved electronically by the vehicle registration authority; it proves the insurance cover required under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 FZV in conjunction with § 1 PflVG. Expressly request an eVB for a short-term licence plate — an eVB for regular registration is a different contract and will be rejected. The eVB can only be retrieved for a limited time, which is why you should request it only shortly before the appointment.
Registration certificate Part II (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II, formerly Fahrzeugbrief). It proves the vehicle’s identity and the last registered holder and, for a used car purchase, is held by the seller, or, for financed vehicles, often by the bank. Without this document, the authority cannot identify the vehicle beyond doubt. For brand-new vehicles, the certificate of conformity (CoC) or the manufacturer’s data confirmation takes the place of Part II.
Registration certificate Part I (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I, formerly Fahrzeugschein), where available. It is required if the vehicle was already registered or is currently deregistered, and contains the technical data as well as the previous licence plate. If Part I has been lost, a replacement copy or a statutory declaration is needed beforehand — clarify this before the appointment, as it otherwise delays the process by days.
Proof of the passed periodic roadworthiness test. The HU report from the testing organisation must be submitted, not just the sticker on the licence plate; it has been an allocation requirement under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV since 1 April 2015. The HU must remain valid for the entire period of validity of the short-term licence plate — if it expires earlier, the same restrictions apply as for a missing HU. You can obtain the report from TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or KÜS.
Proof of the safety inspection, where required. Under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV, the safety inspection ranks equally alongside the Hauptuntersuchung, but is only required for the vehicle types for which it is prescribed under § 29 StVZO – in particular heavy commercial vehicles, buses and certain trailers. It is not required for passenger cars and motorcycles. If in doubt, ask the competent vehicle registration authority in advance which documents are required for your vehicle type.
Proof of type approval or individual approval. What is required is evidence that the vehicle corresponds to an approved type or holds an individual approval (§ 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 FZV) – depending on the vehicle, the CoC certificate, the data confirmation, or the report of an officially recognised expert. For modified vehicles or imports without EU type approval, this proof is often missing. In that case, the licence plate is only allocated for drives to obtain a new operating licence within the authority’s own district or an adjoining one.
Power of attorney and the holder’s identity document, for representation. Anyone applying for the licence plate on behalf of another person needs a written power of attorney as well as a copy of the identity document of the person granting it. This is the normal case for a used car purchase, when the buyer collects the vehicle from the seller. For company vehicles, a current extract from the commercial register (Handelsregisterauszug) or the trade registration is additionally required.
Means of payment for the fees. Due are the administrative fee of €10.20 and the further fees for stamping and the stamp stickers. Which means of payment are accepted — cash, girocard, credit card or SEPA direct debit — depends on the competent authority; some registration offices accept card payment only.

Step by step

With complete documents, the entire process rarely takes longer than an hour, but it is split between two locations: the vehicle registration authority and the plate maker. Plan the appointment so that you can start the transfer journey on the same day — the period of validity runs from the day of allocation.

Check the requirements under § 42 Abs. 1 FZV

Before anything else, clarify three questions: does the vehicle have a type approval or an individual approval? Is there a valid HU report — and, where required under § 29 StVZO, proof of an SP? Is there motor liability insurance in place? Only if all three points are met will you receive a short-term licence plate without any restriction on the purpose of travel. When buying a used car, check the HU due date on the Fahrzeugschein or on the sticker before you drive to the seller; if the HU has expired, ideally have it carried out on the spot.

Obtain the eVB number for a short-term licence plate

Request the electronic insurance confirmation from a motor liability insurer and expressly point out that it is for a short-term licence plate. Issuance usually takes place within a few minutes by email or SMS. The premium is not regulated by law and depends on the insurer, the vehicle type and the age of the driver; novice drivers and powerful vehicles cost significantly more. At the same time, ask whether the cover also applies in the intended destination country, if the journey crosses the border.

Gather the documents and arrange an appointment

Have your identity document, eVB number, registration certificate Part I and II or CoC, the HU proof and, where applicable, the SP proof, and any power of attorney ready. Whether the competent Zulassungsstelle requires an appointment or offers walk-in hours depends on the competent authority – in larger cities, appointments are often booked out weeks in advance, while smaller rural districts often work without appointments. As a rule, the competent authority is the vehicle registration authority at the applicant’s place of residence or registered seat; many authorities also allocate short-term licence plates at the vehicle’s location.

Apply for the allocation and have the expiry date set

At the counter, staff record the vehicle data, retrieve the eVB electronically and allocate the identification number. Under § 42 Abs. 4 Satz 1 FZV, this consists exclusively of digits and begins with “03” or “04” — which lets any police patrol recognise a short-term licence plate immediately. At the same time, the expiry date is set: under § 42 Abs. 4 Satz 2 FZV, it must be calculated as the end of the fifth day following the allocation. Say when the journey will actually take place — the date cannot be moved afterwards.

Pay the administrative fee and further fees

The fee for the decision on the allocation amounts to a nationwide uniform €10.20 (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 221.4). On top of that come two further fees under the same fee schedule: €2.60 for stamping the licence plates (Nr. 228) and €0.70 or €1.20 for the stamp sticker (Nr. 228.2). These items appear separately on the fee notice; together they amount to €13.50 — not the widely quoted €13.10, which does not occur in this form in the current fee schedule.

Have the plates embossed and stamped

With the allocated identification number, you go to a plate maker, who embosses the plates to DIN 74069 (October 2022 edition) and fits the yellow expiry field. This service is private and not officially regulated; the price depends on the provider and is usually higher at businesses directly at the Zulassungsstelle than in online shops. You then return to the authority, which stamps the plates — they are only valid once stamped.

Receive the Fahrzeugschein and fit the licence plates

For vehicles with a short-term licence plate, § 42 Abs. 5 FZV requires a separate “Fahrzeugschein for vehicles with a short-term licence plate” to be issued, following the model in Anlage 14. It must be carried on every journey and handed over on demand to the competent persons; any restrictions under § 42 Abs. 6 and 7 FZV are noted on it. Under § 42 Abs. 3 Satz 3 FZV, the plates themselves do not have to be permanently fitted — a provisional mounting is sufficient, as long as the plates are held securely and remain fully legible at all times.

Register the vehicle normally before the date expires

Use the period of validity to complete the regular registration or to properly deregister the vehicle. After the printed expiry date, the vehicle may no longer be put into operation on public roads (§ 42 Abs. 4 Satz 3 FZV); nor may the holder order or permit it to be put into operation after that. No extension is provided for — if more time is needed, a new short-term licence plate must be allocated, with a new fee and new plates.

Fees & costs

Unlike with civil-status certificates, this fee is not a matter of state law: the fee schedule for measures in road traffic (GebOSt) applies uniformly nationwide, most recently amended by Article 6 of the ordinance of 12 August 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 236). A registration office may therefore not charge more for the allocation than the tariff rate; the nationwide uniform fees for stamping and the stamp stickers come on top. Differences between cities arise only in the privately calculated plate prices and the insurance premium.

Item	Amount
Administrative fee for the allocation (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 221.4)	€10.20
Stamping the licence plates (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 228)	€2.60
Stamp stickers (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 228.2)	€0.70 or €1.20
Licence plates (pair, DIN 74069)	Depends on the plate maker — no officially fixed fee
Motor liability insurance for the period of validity	Depends on the insurer — not regulated by law
Realistic total cost	Approx. €60–€180

Range of the total cost. The range of around €60 to €180 arises almost entirely from the insurance premium. It depends on the vehicle class, engine power, age and no-claims class of the driver and is not regulated by law — § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 FZV merely refers to the existence of liability insurance under § 1 PflVG, without setting premiums. Obtain two to three quotes, therefore, before requesting the eVB.

Payment methods and incidental costs. Which means of payment are accepted depends on the competent authority; many vehicle registration offices have abolished cash payment. If you engage a private vehicle registration agent for the official procedure, their service fee is added – it is a private-law charge and has nothing to do with the GebOSt. For comparison: the regular first registration of a vehicle costs €30.00 under GebOSt Nr. 221.1, and only €12.80 under the internet-based procedure under Nr. 221.1.1.

Reductions and exemptions. The fee schedule does not provide for any general reduction for the allocation of short-term licence plates; in particular, there is no cheaper online rate, because no internet-based fee number exists for Nr. 221.4. Whether exemption provisions apply in an individual case — for example for certain public bodies — depends on the competent authority and should be clarified in advance.

Important notes

The following points are expressly stated in § 42 FZV but are missing from almost all short guides — and it is precisely on these points that roadside checks go wrong.

Calculate the period of validity correctly. Under § 42 Abs. 4 Satz 2 FZV, the expiry date must be calculated as the end of the fifth day following the allocation. If the plate is allocated on a Monday, it therefore ends at the close of the following Saturday — including the day of issue, that is up to six calendar days. The ADAC therefore puts it as “a maximum of six calendar days”; the widespread statement of “exactly five days” shortens the period unnecessarily. The FZV does not provide for an extension.
Without a valid HU or SP, only journeys to the testing centre. If the proof under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV is missing, § 42 Abs. 7 Satz 1 FZV permits only journeys to a testing centre in the district of the competent vehicle registration authority or into an adjoining district, and back to the vehicle’s location. The same restriction applies if the HU or SP deadline expires before the end of the period of validity of the short-term licence plate. A 400-kilometre transfer is thereby excluded.
Repair drives are permitted after a failed HU. If the inspection does not certify that the vehicle is free of defects, § 42 Abs. 7 Satz 2 FZV additionally permits drives for immediate repair at a suitable facility within the authority’s own district or an adjoining one. This does not apply, however, to vehicles classified as unsafe or dangerous to traffic (Satz 3) – these may not be driven at all any more and must be towed.
Without type approval or individual approval, only journeys for the operating licence. If the approval under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 FZV is missing, § 42 Abs. 6 FZV permits only journeys connected with obtaining a new operating licence — likewise limited to the district of the vehicle registration authority or an adjoining district. In practice, this concerns modified vehicles, home-built vehicles and imported vehicles without EU type approval.
The licence plate is not transferable. Under § 42 Abs. 3 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV, it may only be used on the vehicle for which it was allocated. Anyone who wants to transfer two vehicles one after another needs two allocations — remounting the plate “because there are still days left” is a regulatory offence and simultaneously ends the insurance cover.
Carry the separate Fahrzeugschein under Anlage 14. § 42 Abs. 5 FZV requires a separate “Fahrzeugschein for vehicles with a short-term licence plate”. It must be carried on every drive and handed over on request; the restrictions under Abs. 6 and 7 are also noted on it. At a check, the vehicle’s registration certificate Part I is therefore not sufficient on its own.
This is how to recognise a genuine short-term licence plate. It consists of the registration district’s distinguishing sign under § 9 Abs. 1 FZV and an identification number that consists exclusively of digits and begins with “03” or “04” (§ 42 Abs. 4 Satz 1 FZV). The plate is white with black lettering and a black border; only the right-hand field with the expiry date is yellow with black lettering (Anlage 4 FZV, Abschnitt 6 Nr. 4). In this field, the day appears at the top, the month in the middle, and the year at the bottom.
The plates do not need to be permanently fitted. § 42 Abs. 3 Satz 3 FZV exempts short-term licence plates from the obligation of permanent fitting. This is practical if the vehicle has no suitable mounting – however, the plates must be held securely and remain fully legible, otherwise you risk being cited for obscured or illegible licence plates.
Seasonal licence plate: driving outside the operating period. Under § 42 FZV, vehicles with a seasonal licence plate (Saisonkennzeichen) may be put into operation outside their operating period with a short-term licence plate — provided the seasonal licence plate is not carried at the same time. For the motorhome that needs its HU in January, this is the clean way to do it.
Journeys abroad are not generally prohibited, but are risky. § 42 FZV contains no restriction to domestic travel; whether the licence plate is recognised is decided by the destination country, and the insurance cover must be proven via the International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card). Some neighbouring states accept the short-term licence plate, others — among them France, Italy and Spain — not reliably; there is a risk of refusal of entry and heavy fines, up to and including seizure of the vehicle. Check the destination country and the insurance cover before every journey abroad; the export licence plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) is intended for permanently moving the vehicle abroad in any case.
There is no official online procedure. The internet-based registration procedures under §§ 18 to 32 FZV cover first registration, day registration, re-registration (Wiederzulassung), changes due to a change of holder or residence, and vehicle deregistration (Außerbetriebsetzung, commonly called Abmeldung) — the short-term licence plate is not among them, and the GebOSt also has no internet-based fee number for Nr. 221.4. Anyone ordering online is engaging a private registration service, which carries out the official procedure for an additional fee. Whether your Zulassungsstelle accepts forms digitally in advance depends on the competent authority.
Once the expiry date has passed, that's it. § 42 Abs. 4 Satz 3 and 4 FZV prohibits both driving after expiry and the holder ordering or allowing it. The driver's offence is a regulatory offence under § 77 Nr. 1 FZV, the holder's under § 77 Nr. 2 FZV, each in conjunction with § 24 Abs. 1 StVG; the specific amount of the fine is set out in the catalogue of fines and should be enquired about at the competent authority.

Common mistakes

Each of the following mistakes has a concrete consequence: an aborted official procedure, lost period of validity, a fine or a lack of insurance cover.

Showing up without an eVB number or with the wrong eVB

Without the electronic insurance confirmation, no allocation takes place — the insurance cover is a mandatory requirement under § 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 FZV in conjunction with § 1 PflVG. The wrong eVB is just as common: a confirmation for regular registration does not cover the short-term licence plate and is rejected by the system. You lose the appointment and have to book a new one, often with weeks of waiting time in large cities.

Relying on a “short-term licence plate without TÜV”

Since 1 April 2015, proof of HU and, where required, SP has been an allocation requirement (§ 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV). Anyone who receives a licence plate without them may, under § 42 Abs. 7 FZV, only drive to a testing centre within the authority’s own district or an adjoining one and back to the vehicle’s location. If the vehicle is instead transferred across Germany, this is a regulatory offence, and in the event of a claim, considerable problems with the insurer are likely.

Fitting the licence plate to a second vehicle

Under § 42 Abs. 3 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV, the licence plate may only be used on the vehicle for which it was allocated. Switching it to a different vehicle is a regulatory offence under § 77 Nr. 26 FZV in conjunction with § 24 Abs. 1 StVG. In addition, there is no insurance cover for the second vehicle — in the event of an accident, you are personally liable for the entire damage.

Continuing to drive after the expiry date

Once the printed date has expired, the vehicle may no longer be driven on public roads; nor may the holder order or allow this (§ 42 Abs. 4 Satz 3 and 4 FZV). The driver's offence is a regulatory offence under § 77 Nr. 1 FZV, the holder's under § 77 Nr. 2 FZV, each in conjunction with § 24 Abs. 1 StVG; the amount of the fine is set out in the catalogue of fines and should be enquired about at the competent authority. There is no extension — what is needed is a new allocation with a new fee and new plates.

Leaving the separate Fahrzeugschein at home

For vehicles with a short-term licence plate, § 42 Abs. 5 FZV requires a separate Fahrzeugschein to be issued, following the model in Anlage 14, which must be carried on every journey and handed over on demand. Anyone who presents only the vehicle’s registration certificate Part I at a check cannot prove their entitlement. Continuing the journey may be prohibited until the document is produced.

Driving abroad without checking first

The widespread claim that short-term licence plates are only valid “in Germany” is not stated that way in the FZV — what matters is whether the destination country recognises them and whether the insurance cover for that country is proven. Several states, including France, Italy and Spain, do not recognise them reliably: there is a risk of refusal of entry and heavy fines, up to and including seizure of the vehicle. Anyone who wants to cross the border should clarify the destination country and the Green Card beforehand, or choose the export licence plate from the outset.

Budgeting for a €13.10 administrative fee

This amount does not occur in this form in the current fee schedule. The administrative fee for the decision on the allocation amounts to a nationwide uniform €10.20 (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 221.4); with the further fees for stamping (€2.60, Nr. 228) and the stamp sticker (€0.70, Nr. 228.2), the total comes to €13.50 — not €13.10. Anyone who does not keep these items apart cannot spot an inflated notice, and overlooks the service surcharge built into private providers' offers.

Scheduling the appointment too early

The period of validity begins with the allocation, not with the start of the journey. Anyone who collects the licence plate on Monday but plans the transfer journey only for the weekend gives up half the period and risks not being able to make the return trip in time. Collect the licence plate, therefore, on the day of the journey if possible, or the day before.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a short-term licence plate valid?

Under § 42 Abs. 4 Satz 2 FZV, the expiry date must be calculated as the end of the fifth day following the allocation. Counting the day of issue as well, this results in up to six calendar days. The FZV does not provide for an extension: after the expiry date, the vehicle may no longer be put into operation on public roads.

Do I need a valid HU for a short-term licence plate?

Yes. Since 1 April 2015, valid proof of a passed periodic roadworthiness test and – where required under § 29 StVZO – of a safety inspection has been a statutory requirement for the allocation (§ 42 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV). If this proof is missing, only journeys to a testing centre in the district of the competent vehicle registration authority or an adjoining district, and back to the vehicle’s location, are permitted under § 42 Abs. 7 FZV.

What does a short-term licence plate cost in total in 2026?

The administrative fee for the decision on the allocation amounts to a nationwide uniform €10.20 (GebOSt, Anlage, Nr. 221.4). On top of that come further official fees for stamping (€2.60) and the stamp sticker (€0.70 or €1.20), together €13.50, plus the cost of the plates and the insurance premium, which are not officially set. Realistically, total costs are around €60 to €180.

Are short-term licence plates yellow?

No. The plate itself is a regular white licence plate with black lettering and a black border; only the right-hand field with the expiry date is yellow with black lettering (Anlage 4 FZV, Abschnitt 6 Nr. 4). In this field, the top number denotes the day, the middle one the month, and the bottom one the year.

May I drive abroad with a short-term licence plate?

§ 42 FZV contains no express restriction to domestic travel; whether the licence plate is recognised is decided by the respective destination country. In addition, the insurance cover for the destination country must be proven, usually via the International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card). Several states – among them France, Italy and Spain – do not reliably recognise the short-term licence plate; there is a risk of refusal of entry and heavy fines, up to and including seizure of the vehicle.

Can I apply for a short-term licence plate online?

There is no official internet-based procedure for short-term licence plates. The i-Kfz procedures under §§ 18 to 32 FZV cover first registration, day registration, re-registration (Wiederzulassung), changes due to a change of holder or residence, and deregistration, but not the allocation under § 42 FZV; the GebOSt also has no internet-based fee number for Nr. 221.4. Online offers come from private registration services, which carry out the official procedure for an additional fee.

May I use the short-term licence plate on a second vehicle?

No. Under § 42 Abs. 3 Satz 1 Nr. 2 FZV, the licence plate may only be used on the vehicle for which it was allocated; it is not transferable. Anyone who fits it to another vehicle commits a regulatory offence under § 77 Nr. 26 FZV in conjunction with § 24 Abs. 1 StVG, and also drives without insurance cover for that vehicle.

How can you recognise a short-term licence plate?

It consists of the registration district’s distinguishing sign under § 9 Abs. 1 FZV and an identification number consisting exclusively of digits, which begins with 03 or 04 under § 42 Abs. 4 Satz 1 FZV. On the right follows the yellow field with the three-line expiry date. Under § 42 Abs. 3 Satz 3 FZV, the plates do not have to be permanently fitted to the vehicle.

What happens if I keep driving after the expiry date?

Once the expiry date has passed, the vehicle may no longer be driven on public roads, and the holder may not order or allow this either (§ 42 Abs. 4 Satz 3 and 4 FZV). The driver's offence is a regulatory offence under § 77 Nr. 1 FZV, the holder's under § 77 Nr. 2 FZV, each in conjunction with § 24 Abs. 1 StVG; the specific amount of the fine is set out in the catalogue of fines and should be enquired about at the competent authority. To continue driving, you need a regular registration or a newly allocated short-term licence plate.

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