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Answer · Vehicle registration

What do you need to register a car in Germany?

You register a car at the vehicle registration office (Zulassungsstelle) of the district where you live. You need your ID and proof of address, the vehicle's registration documents, a valid roadworthiness inspection, an electronic insurance confirmation number from your insurer, and a signed direct debit mandate so the tax office can collect vehicle tax. Without the insurance number, the office cannot register the car.

Last verified: 19 September 2026 · Settling in

At a glance

Where
The Zulassungsstelle for your registered address
Insurance
eVB number issued electronically by your insurer
Inspection
Valid periodic roadworthiness test (HU)
Tax
Direct debit mandate (SEPA) for vehicle tax
Address
Registration certificate for your German address
Plates
Issued at the office and sealed there

The documents in practice

  • Passport or ID card, plus your address registration certificate.
  • Registration certificate Part II (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II) for the vehicle.
  • Registration certificate Part I, if the car was previously registered.
  • Certificate of conformity or type approval for a new or imported vehicle.
  • Proof of a valid HU inspection.
  • The eVB number from your insurer — a short code, not a paper policy.
  • A signed SEPA mandate with your German bank details.
  • A written authorisation if someone else registers the car for you.

Buying used, moving, or importing

Buying a used car from a private seller means a change of ownership rather than a first registration, so bring both parts of the vehicle documents and the seller's details. Deregistration by the previous owner does not replace your registration.

Moving to another district with a car you already own requires an address change on the vehicle record; many districts now let you keep the existing plate. Importing a vehicle from abroad adds a technical check before registration, which is the step most people underestimate.

Costs you should expect

  • The registration fee charged by the district office.
  • The plates themselves, bought from a shop next to the office.
  • Vehicle tax, collected by direct debit after registration.
  • Insurance premiums, which start from the registration date.

Documents you need

  • ID or passport and address registration certificate
  • Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II (or type approval for a new vehicle)
  • Valid HU roadworthiness certificate
  • eVB insurance confirmation number
  • SEPA direct debit mandate for vehicle tax

Common mistakes

  • Arriving without an eVB number, which makes registration impossible that day.
  • Assuming an expired inspection can be sorted out later.
  • Registering without the seller having handed over Part II.
  • Forgetting to update the vehicle record after moving to another district.

What happens next

  • You receive the registration certificate and sealed plates at the office.
  • Vehicle tax is collected from the account on the mandate.
  • Your insurance cover runs from the registration date.
  • Keep Part II safe at home — it is the ownership document, not a paper for the glove box.

How Burokrat helps

Workflow support

Reading the answer is the first half. Burokrat turns it into a tracked workflow:

  • A personalized step-by-step path for your situation
  • A document checklist that shows what is still missing
  • Progress tracking across connected tasks
  • Reminders for deadlines and appointment dates
  • Source-cited guidance, with the official page behind each step
  • Trusted partner discovery where a professional is genuinely needed
Get your vehicle paperwork ready

Burokrat lists the documents, the office and the order of steps for your district.

Related questions

Can I register a car without a German bank account?
Vehicle tax is collected by direct debit from a SEPA account, so in practice you need an account that accepts SEPA debits. Ask the office what alternatives they accept before your appointment.
Do I need a German driving licence to register a car?
Registration is about the vehicle, not the driver. Driving it, however, requires a licence that is valid in Germany.
Can someone else register the car for me?
Yes, with a written authorisation, your ID document and the full set of vehicle papers.

Official sources

Last verified: 19 September 2026

This page is general information about a German administrative process. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice and it does not replace a decision by the responsible authority. Rules, fees and processing times change, and practice differs between cities and offices — always check the official source linked above for your own case.

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