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Classic car certificate for the H plate (H-Kennzeichen)

Technical testing centre or monitoring organisation · § 23 StVZO

On siteIncludes the HUFrom 30 years

Two provisions share this subject, and anyone who reads only one is looking for the answer in the wrong place. The requirements are not set out in § 23 StVZO but in § 2 Nr. 22 FZV: a classic car (Oldtimer) is a vehicle that “first entered into service at least 30 years ago”, largely corresponds to its original condition, is in a good state of preservation and “serves to preserve automotive cultural heritage”. The procedure, by contrast, is governed by § 23 StVZO.

And that is where the sentence stands that resolves most misunderstandings: “As part of the assessment, an examination to the extent of a periodic roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung, HU — commonly called ‘TÜV’) under § 29 must also be carried out.” The classic car certificate (Oldtimer-Gutachten) therefore does not replace the HU — it includes it. Anyone who approaches it expecting a historic vehicle to be judged more leniently is mistaken: the technical examination is the same, and the assessment of the state of preservation is added to it.

A sentence up front, because it sets the roles straight: TÜV and DEKRA are not authorities. Annex VIII StVZO transfers the Hauptuntersuchung to two private, state-recognised figures — the officially recognised experts or examiners for motor vehicle traffic (aaSoP) of the technical testing centres and the test engineers (PI) of the officially recognised supervisory organisations. They certify, they do not impose sanctions. Who may prohibit the operation of a vehicle is set out in § 29 StVZO and is a different body: “the authority competent under state law”. The Bußgeldstelle, in turn, imposes the regulatory fine. Three roles, three addressees.

The third point concerns the division of roles and saves unnecessary trips: the certificate is issued by the testing centre or monitoring organisation. The H plate, by contrast, is allocated by the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) — on the basis of the certificate. Two bodies, two appointments, and in that order.

Last updated29 August 2026
Legal basis§ 23 StVZO, § 2 Nr. 22 FZV
VerificationChecked against StVZO, FZV, FeV and BetrSichV
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information website: we are not TÜV, DEKRA or any other testing organisation, 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. No legal advice and not an official authority. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document official procedures and check the information against the official source – this is information, not legal or tax advice.
Minimum age30 years§ 2 Nr. 22 FZV
IncludesFull HU§ 23 StVZO
CriterionState of preservationLargely original
Licence platesZulassungsstelleNot the testing centre
Required documents

What you need

Registration certificate Part I and Part II (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I / Teil II, ZB I / ZB II)

They establish the date of first registration — the starting point for the 30 years. If Part II is missing, establishing the vehicle's history becomes considerably more laborious.

Evidence of the vehicle's history

Earlier documents, invoices, restoration records, photographs. They support the assessment of the original condition, which, alongside the technical examination, determines the outcome.

Evidence of modifications and replacement parts

Changes are not inherently harmful, but they must suit the vehicle and its era. Period modifications are assessed differently from modern ones.

A vehicle in a condition fit for presentation

Because the assessment includes a full HU, the same requirements apply to brakes, lighting and the frame as for any other vehicle.

Time for the appointment

The assessment takes longer than an ordinary HU, because the assessment of originality and state of preservation is added to the technical examination.

Step by step

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Check the date of first registration

    What matters is at least 30 years since the vehicle first entered into service, measured against the date of the assessment. If even one year is missing, the appointment is premature.

  2. 2

    Assess the state of preservation honestly

    § 2 Nr. 22 FZV requires a largely original and well-preserved condition that serves to preserve automotive cultural heritage. Significantly deviating modifications work against this.

  3. 3

    Prepare the vehicle's technical condition as for an HU

    The assessment includes an examination to the extent of the HU. Brakes, lighting, tyres and corrosion matter here just as much as usual.

  4. 4

    Have the certificate drawn up

    Responsibility lies with an officially recognised expert, examiner or test engineer. The result is a certificate, not a plate.

  5. 5

    Take the certificate to the Zulassungsstelle

    Only there is the H plate allocated. The fee is based on the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt), not on the price of the certificate.

Fee information

Costs and payment

Requirements and responsibilitiesTwo provisions, two bodies
Minimum age30 years
ConditionLargely original, well preserved
PurposePreservation of cultural heritage
ScopeIncluding HU under § 29
Certificate byaaSoP or PI
Plate byZulassungsstelle

The testing centre calculates the charge for the certificate; the fee for allocating the plate is based on the fee schedule of the Zulassungsstelle. Two separate items.

Good to know

Important notes

The most common misconception: that the classic car certificate replaces the HU. It does not replace it — § 23 StVZO expressly requires an examination to the extent of an HU to be carried out as part of the assessment. A historic vehicle is not judged more leniently from a technical point of view.

The 30 years are not set out in § 23 StVZO but in § 2 Nr. 22 FZV. Anyone who looks for the requirements in § 23 finds only the procedure there — which is why so much half-correct information circulates on this subject.

Not every modification is harmful, but the standard is the largely original condition. Period changes are regularly assessed differently from modern ones — which is why documentation of the vehicle's history is not an optional extra but evidence.

The H plate is allocated by the Zulassungsstelle, not the testing centre. The certificate is the basis, not the decision.

Avoid these mistakes

Common mistakes

Assuming the HU is dispensable. It is part of the assessment, not an alternative to it.

Presenting the vehicle too early. The 30 years run from the date the vehicle first entered into service.

Looking for the requirements in § 23 StVZO. They are set out in § 2 Nr. 22 FZV.

Assuming modern modifications are unproblematic. The standard is the largely original condition.

Expecting the plate from the testing centre. Only the Zulassungsstelle can allocate it.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

How old must a vehicle be for the H plate?

At least 30 years. § 2 Nr. 22 FZV defines a classic car as a vehicle that, at the time of its assessment, first entered into service at least 30 years ago, largely corresponds to its original condition, is in a good state of preservation and serves to preserve automotive cultural heritage.

Does the certificate replace the HU?

No, it includes it. § 23 StVZO expressly provides that an examination to the extent of a periodic roadworthiness test under § 29 must also be carried out as part of the assessment. Technically, a classic car is therefore judged by the same standards as any other vehicle; the assessment of originality and state of preservation is added to this.

Who draws up the certificate?

An officially recognised expert or examiner, or a test engineer — that is, the technical testing centre or a recognised monitoring organisation, not an authority. The H plate itself is then allocated by the Zulassungsstelle on the basis of the certificate.

Are modifications grounds for exclusion?

Not necessarily. What matters is whether the vehicle largely corresponds to its original condition. Period changes are regularly assessed differently from modern modifications. Documentation of the vehicle's history — old papers, invoices, photographs — is therefore useful and often decisive.

What does the whole thing cost?

There are two separate items. The testing centre or monitoring organisation calculates the charge for the certificate itself; there is no official tariff for this. The fee for allocating the H plate, by contrast, is charged by the Zulassungsstelle under the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic.

How often must a classic car go for an HU?

Registration with an H plate does not exempt the vehicle from the recurring HU. The interval is governed by Annex VIII StVZO; the assessment itself includes a full examination under § 29. Ask the testing centre about the interval that applies to your vehicle.

Related official procedures

Periodic roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung)
First after 36 months, then every 24
No official tariff
Modification approval (Änderungsabnahme)
Otherwise the operating licence lapses
§ 19 Abs. 3 StVZO
Vehicle valuation
Value for sale, damage or devolution of an inheritance
Private commission

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