Applying for the re-registration of a vehicle to a new owner

You can apply for re-registration in the name of another holder at the local vehicle registration office or online.

If you wish to apply for re-registration on site at the registration authority:

• You or your representative visit the registration authority during opening hours.
• You present the necessary documents on site.
• You can decide whether you want to continue using the vehicle's previous licence plate or whether you want to select a new licence plate.
• The registration authority will check the documents.
• After a successful check, the registration authority will issue a new registration certificate Part I and give it to you together with the new stickers (main inspection and stamp sticker).
• The licensing authority issues or amends the registration certificate Part II and hands it over to you.
• You pay the fees incurred for the re-registration at the registration authority.
• The registration authority then automatically informs your insurance company that the vehicle has been re-registered.

If you want to apply for re-registration online:

• you apply for re-registration online via the internet-based vehicle registration (i-Kfz). To do this, you go through the process step by step and enter the correct data.
• You prove your identity using one of the following identification methods:
• Natural persons with an identity card (nPA), an electronic identity card (eID card or an electronic residence permit, eAT) with activated eID function including six-digit PIN and smartphone with free "AusweisApp2" or via card reader. Alternatively, the BundID with ELSTER certificate or nPA/eID/eAT authentication can be used.
• Legal entities require the BUND company account with ELSTER certificate.
• The online process must be completed with immediate payment via the respective payment service provider to which you will be automatically forwarded.
• The authorisation authority checks your entries and validates them.
• After a successful check, the registration authority will assign a licence plate to your vehicle. You will receive a provisional registration certificate.
• Drive off immediately: You can download and print out the registration certificate and the provisional registration certificate. The temporary registration certificate must be affixed to the vehicle behind the windscreen. If additional embossed licence plates with the vehicle's assigned number plate are attached to the vehicle and the printed registration certificate is carried along, you can drive off immediately or take part in road traffic. The provisional registration certificate is valid for 10 days.
• The registration authority will prepare the registration documents and send them to you by post together with the stickers (main inspection and stamp sticker) within ten days. After receiving the documents, you immediately affix the stickers to the licence plate with the number plate allocated by the registration authority.

The registration authority will automatically inform your insurance company that the vehicle has been registered.