Register a Car in Germany Guide [2024] - Navigate Germany

Register your car in Germany with this guide and get yourself on the wheels.

Car Registration

Your car must be registered with the competent authority so you can use it without any issue. All German number plates have a code that tells about the car registration for example HH for Hamburg and B for Berlin. Your dealer will take care of the complete registration process after you make a purchase. If someone else is taking care of the registration process, you must give a power of attorney letter. If you want to complete the process yourself, you can do it by booking an appointment at your local vehicle registration office (Kraftfahrzeug Zulassungsstelle), if you bought it privately or imported it.

Register a New Car in Germany

When you get a new car, you must register it to drive on public roads in Germany. This process is known as “first registration” in the case of a new automobile.

Register a Used Car in Germany

When you buy a used car, you must register your car to become the owner of it. Car purchase contracts have a clause to specify this. If your vehicle is deregistered, you must re register it to change vehicle ownership.

Required Documents for Registration

Provide the below documents to register your car;

• Passport
• ID card
• Registration certificate
• Proof of ownership
• Vehicle insurance (eVB) number
• Certificate of conformity (optional)
• Foreign registration certificate (required, if applicable)
• Technical inspection (TÜV) certificate
• Payment of vehicle tax, SEPA has a direct debit requirement

Car Inspection Process (TÜV)

If you are buying a used vehicle, it must pass a general inspection (Hauptuntersuchung) to be registered in which the authorities will verify the roadworthiness. The cost of inspection is between 70 to 150 Euros, and takes only 30 minutes. If there is any issue, you have to fix it within four weeks and  reappear for the inspection. Your dealer can also handle this process but charge a fee for this service and you will get a mail with all registration papers. Vehicle inspections depends on the car’s age

New vehicles: First inspection after 36 months Used vehicles: Inspection after 24 month Older used vehicles: inspection after every 12 months if vehicle is older than seven years

Cost of Car Registration

The cost of car registration depends on the authority and district, and ranges between 30 to 60 Euros. The cost of registration may vary if you reserve a license plate of your choice and replace important missing documents. You need to pay the fee either through cash or an EC card to register your car.

Car insurance in Germany

Once you successfully pass the TÜV inspection, you will get a temporary number for your vehicle’s insurance. Apply for a bonus to get an “accident-free certificate” from your previous insurance company.

Vehicle Road Tax

The Customs office (Zollamt) will send you a tax notification after your vehicle registration that will inform you the quantity of vehicle tax you owe and the payment procedure.

Final Words

So, these are the steps to go through the initial registration process along with the required documents submission. TÜV car inspection is vital and your dealership or a private seller can also handle the registration process if you can pay a little extra.