Which documents do you need for the short-term plate?

Yes, your vehicle must have a valid general inspection (HU) so that you may take part in road traffic.

If the inspection has expired or is otherwise invalid, the vehicle may no longer be moved.

For the registration you must present the following documents.

1. Registration certificate
2. Identity card or passport with registration certificate of residence
3. Inspection documents
4. EVB number
5. Registration certificate part I/part II

If you are a company or an association, you should bring the trade licence or the proof of association.

If you register on behalf of a third party, you must bring a signed power of attorney.

You receive the EVB number from us after you have taken out your insurance with us.

For a short-term plate (5-day plate) you need the following at the registration office:

• eVB number (electronic insurance confirmation)
• Identity card or passport
• Vehicle documents (registration certificate part I/II or CoC paper)
• Valid inspection report (general inspection, HU/TÜV)
• Power of attorney, if someone acts on your behalf

Key facts:

• Vehicle-specific: the plate is tied to one specific car.
• Inspection: without a valid general inspection, only direct trips to the testing station within the registration district are allowed.
• Costs: approx. €13 administration fee + plates and insurance (often approx. €60-100 in total): Detailed breakdown

Steps to apply:

1. Insurance: request an eVB number from an insurer for short-term plates.
2. Registration office: take the documents to the registration office where you live or where the vehicle is located
3. Plates: have the short-term plates (starting with 04) made and mount them on the vehicle.

Validity: 5 days from assignment. Other periods are possible depending on the insurance.

Yes, you can receive a short-term plate immediately on the day of application if you present all required documents in full. These include: an electronic insurance confirmation (EVB number), your identity card or passport with registration certificate of residence, the vehicle documents and, if applicable, proof of a valid general inspection.

Validity begins immediately on the day of assignment and cannot be postponed to a later date.

The plate is then valid for a maximum of five days plus the day of application, i.e. six days in total. Keep this in mind in particular when applying before a weekend or public holidays.

Applying on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday is not possible, as the registration offices are closed then.

You can, however, register at the vehicle's location if there is no public holiday there (another federal state).

No, without vehicle documents it is not possible to obtain a short-term plate.

Since 2015 you can only apply for short-term plates if you have the vehicle documents.

A registration with a short-term plate is suitable for this, as the trip to the nearest testing station can become possible if all requirements are met.

Alternatively: transport on a trailer or by a towing service.

The application is made by whoever transfers the vehicle or puts it into operation. In practice this is usually the buyer or the person transferring it.

The seller applies only if they transfer the vehicle themselves or do a test drive. What matters is not the ownership role but the actual use and responsibility for the trip.

Yes, a short-term plate can be applied for without a purchase contract.

What matters is not the purchase contract but the proof of the vehicle and its identifiability. As a rule, vehicle documents such as registration certificate part I or II, an EVB number and an identity document are required.

A purchase contract may be requested as proof of the right of disposal, but it is not a mandatory legal requirement in every case.