Applying for a permit to operate vehicle parts

If components are to be converted or fitted to a vehicle, the vehicle may only be operated on public roads if a valid operating permit has been issued for these vehicle parts. You can find out more here.

If components are to be converted or fitted to a vehicle, the vehicle may only be used on public roads if a valid operating permit has been issued for these vehicle parts. This applies, for example, to rims, special wheels, parking heaters, trailer couplings and many other extras. A number of requirements must be observed to ensure that the vehicle's operating license does not expire.

Conversions that affect the type of vehicle, modifications that worsen the exhaust performance or increase the noise level or modifications that could endanger other road users regularly lead to the vehicle's operating license expiring.

If the parts form a technical unit that can be dealt with independently in the approval procedure, the requirement for an operating license can be checked. The type approval may be restricted if the use of the parts can only be permitted on vehicles of a certain type, of a certain type or only with a certain type of installation or attachment. The validity of the type approval can be made dependent on acceptance by an officially recognized expert or inspector for motor vehicle traffic or by a motor vehicle expert as a condition.

It is generally advisable to only install or attach parts to vehicles for which a type approval for vehicle parts in accordance with § 22 a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), a general type approval for vehicle parts in accordance with § 22 StVZO or equivalent approval on the basis of EC directives or ECE regulations exists. It may also be necessary for the installation or fitting of parts for which a certificate exists to be approved. The certificate for the part indicates whether this is necessary. In addition, an operating permit for vehicle parts or the certificate must indicate for which vehicle types the part is suitable and how it must be fitted. Many technical modifications must be entered in vehicle documents (registration certificate part I, trailer register, etc.) by the registration office.

The registration authority can issue an individual type approval to the authorized person for vehicle parts that are not subject to mandatory type approval in accordance with Section 22a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, for which an officially recognized expert or inspector for motor vehicle traffic or an officially recognized monitoring organization has approved the installation or attachment and whose use does not contravene any traffic regulations.

The competent licensing authority

The competent licensing authority

not specified

The licensing authority can issue an individual type approval to the authorized person for vehicle parts that are not subject to mandatory type approval in accordance with Section 22a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, for which an officially recognized expert or inspector for motor vehicle traffic or an officially recognized monitoring organization has approved the installation or attachment and whose use does not contravene any traffic regulations.

Owners or other authorized persons are entitled to apply.

Action before the administrative court

• If the vehicle part intended for use does not belong to an approved type, an application for individual approval may be submitted to the competent approval authority on presentation of the report by an officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic or the above-mentioned inspection body.
• If the examination is positive, the approval authority will issue the individual approval by noting the following on the report of the officially recognized expert for motor vehicle traffic or the inspection body, stating the place and date: "Operating approval granted".
• Any restrictions or exemptions from the provisions of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations must be included in the note.
• If the vehicle part is used on a motor vehicle or motor vehicle trailer, the individual approval must be entered in the registration certificates and marked in any trailer registers issued.

not specified

not specified

not specified