Request red license plates

For dealers, workshops and manufacturers

Red number plates are allocated for recurring operational use to reliable motor vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, workshops, dealers for test, practice and transfer journeys on a temporary or revocable basis.

Unauthorised driving of a motor vehicle with red number plates

In the event of unauthorised driving of a vehicle with red number plates, the law provides for criminal charges to be brought against the driver of the vehicle in question and, if necessary, also against the keeper, in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Tax Act in conjunction with the Tax Code and an administrative offence in accordance with the Vehicle Registration Ordinance. The police also inform the local registration authority of the infringement. In the event of an infringement, the latter has the possibility of withdrawing the red number plates issued to dealers or manufacturers of vehicles.

For collectors of classic cars

Red number plates for vintage vehicles are allocated to reliable owners who participate with their vehicles in events that serve the presentation of vintage vehicles and the preservation of motor vehicle cultural assets. As a rule, the vehicles should be at least 30 years old or of particular historical value.

Red license plates are only to be used for the following purposes:

• Test drives
• Test drives
• Transfer journeys
• Arrival and departure journeys and participation in events
• Journeys for the purpose of vehicle maintenance and repair

Vehicle tax

The main customs office levies a flat-rate tax of 191.73 euros per year (46.02 euros for motorcycles).

For dealers, workshops and manufacturers

• Identity card or passport with registration certificate
• Business registration
• If applicable, extract from the commercial register
• Electronic insurance confirmation (evB number)
• Direct debit authorisation for vehicle tax
• Proof of having already applied for an official certificate of good conduct from the Citizen Service Centre.

For collectors of classic cars

• Identity card or passport with registration certificate
• Existing vehicle documents for the vehicle(s) applied for, classic car passport if applicable
• Proof of activity in classic car clubs or proof of registration for classic car events
• Electronic insurance confirmation (evB number)
• Direct debit authorisation for vehicle tax
• Proof of having already applied for an official certificate of good conduct at the bürgerservice (citizens' service)

The registration authority uses special adhesive seals with special security features for the vehicle documents. This increases the total fees by € 0.30 per adhesive seal used.

For dealers, workshops and manufacturers

• § 16 FZV, esp. para. 3
• Annex 10 to the FZV (design of vehicle registration booklet for red number plates)
• Annex 4 section 7 to the FZV (design of red number plates)

For collectors of vintage cars

• 49th exception VO zur StVZO (VkBl. 1994 Heft 19, S. 672)
• VkBl. 1995 issue 8, p. 248 (identification numbers, vehicle registration document)
• § 17 FZV (allocation)
• Appendix 4 Section 7 to FZV (Design of registration plates)