Apply for a temporary number plate
If you are the owner of a vehicle that requires registration, you must not drive it on public roads without a registration certificate.
If you only need registration for a short period, you can apply for a temporary number plate, for example for:
- Test drives
- Transport journeys
A test drive gives prospective buyers the opportunity to test the vehicle. Transport journeys are used to move the vehicle to another location, for example when it is being sold.
You can also use the temporary number plate to drive a vehicle that has a seasonal number plate but is currently outside its specified period of use.
The short-term number plate begins with the identification number ‘03’ or ‘04’. You may only use the number plate once. Once the registered period has expired, it is no longer valid. You will receive a vehicle registration certificate along with the temporary number plate. You may only use the number plate for the vehicle specified in the vehicle registration certificate.
Responsible authority
the registration authority in whose district you have your main residence, business premises or branch, or the registration authority for the location of the vehicle. If you are not registered in Germany, the authority responsible is that of the place of residence or place of stay of an authorised representative. The registration authority is,
- for an urban district: the city council
- for a rural district: the district administration.
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
- You can apply for the temporary number plate in person or authorise someone else to do so on your behalf.
- Your vehicle has an EU type-approval or an individual operating permit.
- You must be able to provide evidence that a general inspection (HU) and, where applicable, a safety inspection (SP) have been carried out.
- Your vehicle must have third-party motor insurance valid for the duration of the temporary registration.
- If your vehicle does not have an EC type-approval or operating licence, the journeys you make are intended to secure an operating licence. To do this, you must only drive within the district of your vehicle registration authority or an adjacent district.
- If your vehicle does not have a valid general inspection (HU) or safety inspection (SP), it will only be issued with a temporary number plate
- for the journey to the nearest testing centre
- for the journey to the nearest garage
- If your vehicle is not roadworthy, you are not permitted to drive it.
Procedure
If you wish to use your vehicle for test drives or to drive it to another location, you can apply for a temporary number plate from your local vehicle registration authority.
You may also authorise a representative, such as a car dealer, to act on your behalf by providing them with a written power of attorney.
Provided all the necessary documents are in order and the applicable fee has been paid, a number plate combination can be allocated on the spot. You will then receive a special vehicle registration certificate from the registration authority.
Using the details provided by the registration authority, you can have a number plate made. In most cases, there are private dealers not far from the registration authorities where you can have the temporary registration number printed onto a number plate straight away.
Deadlines
Validity period: 6 days
If you have taken out motor vehicle liability insurance for only five days, you must not use your vehicle for any longer than that.
Required documents
- Identity document, for example a valid identity card or passport, and, where applicable, a certificate of residence
- if acting on behalf of another person, additionally:
- written power of attorney
- a valid identity card or passport belonging to the authorised person
- if you, as the applicant, are not registered as resident in Germany, you must name an authorised representative to receive the documents; the following is required for this:
- Identity document of the authorised representative
- In the case of vehicle owners who are minors, the following are also required:
- A declaration of consent and identity documents of the legal guardians
- In the case of legal entities or companies:
- Extract from the commercial register,
- business registration certificate or
- extract from the register of associations
- Confirmation of motor vehicle third-party liability insurance
- Proof of roadworthiness (vehicle documents, certificate of conformity)
- Proof of a valid general inspection and, where required, a safety inspection (inspection report)
Costs
Fees are set in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOst).
Miscellaneous
You can have the number plates embossed by a company, which is usually located near the vehicle registration office. Alternatively, you can order the number plates from an online shop of your choice.
The number plates must not be reflective, obscured or dirty, and must be fitted to the vehicle in accordance with legal requirements.
Temporary number plates are generally not valid abroad, but are accepted by some EU countries. You should check in advance whether your destination country accepts temporary number plates.
You will receive the temporary number plate on the day you apply. It is not possible to have it backdated.
Legal basis
Fahrzeugzulassungsverordnung (FZV):
- § 42 Probefahrten und Überführungsfahrten mit Kurzzeitkennzeichen
- Anlage 4 Ausgestaltung der Kennzeichen
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 31.07.2026