Applying for the first registration of a vehicle from a third country (new registration)

Have you purchased a vehicle outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) and would like to use it within Germany? Then you must apply for a registration for German road traffic.

If you have purchased a used vehicle in a country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you need a registration in order to use it on German roads.

Your vehicle is considered a used vehicle if it was already registered in the country of origin and therefore had at least one previous owner.

You or your representative apply for registration at the local vehicle registration authority.

Vehicles with an EC type approval comply with the European directives for the approval of vehicles, their components and systems. If you can present a certificate of conformity for the EC type approval, the so-called CoC document, this simplifies the registration process.

Once the vehicle has been registered, you can drive it on public roads and park it in public areas.

All newly registered or re-registered vehicles receive a license plate with a Euro field. You have the option of reserving a license plate of your choice for the vehicle if it is free and available.

To apply for admission, you will need all the required documents in the original or as a certified copy:

• completed registration application
• Identity card or passport with registration certificate
• Declaration of authorization to receive documents if you are not resident in Germany
• SEPA direct debit mandate for vehicle tax
• Foreign vehicle documents, purchase contract or import certificate
• Full certificate from a technical inspection authority with technical data sheet in accordance with the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), which is not older than 18 months
  • if the report identifies deviations from the legal requirements: Exemption permit
• COC paper (Certificate of Conformity; EC Certificate of Conformity) or data confirmation from the vehicle manufacturer
• Customs clearance certificate or proof of customs clearance
• Electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) as proof from the insurance company that the vehicle is covered by liability insurance
• Proof of a valid general inspection in accordance with the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO)
  • Alternatively: foreign test report in German that complies with EU requirements
• foreign registration certificate
• foreign license plate
  • As a rule, you will receive the license plate back in order to deregister your vehicle in the country of origin if necessary.

If companies apply for registration, they also need

• Business registration or excerpt from the commercial register as well as personal documents of the authorized representatives

If you are an association applying for registration, you will also need

• Extract from the register of associations and personal documents of the authorized representatives

If another person is applying for the license on your behalf, they will also need

• informal written power of attorney, including personal documents of the person granting the power of attorney and the authorized person

• The vehicle has an EU type approval or the foreign vehicle documents and certificates for obtaining the operating license.
• You must be able to provide proof of a valid general inspection for the vehicle.
• The vehicle meets the other requirements of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) and the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO).
• You must provide bank details and be able to agree to a SEPA direct debit procedure in the event of a tax liability.