Motor vehicle trailer – applying for registration
You should apply for registration of your motor vehicle trailer at the registration authority responsible for the area in which you are resident or have your place of business. Motor vehicle trailers can be registered in the name of private individuals and legal entities or companies as vehicle owners, including:
- companies,
- public authorities or
- associations.
Motor vehicle trailers are exempt from the registration requirement if they
- are not used for journeys at speeds exceeding 25 km/h and are either
- are towed behind tractors or self-propelled machinery for agricultural or forestry purposes,
- used as caravans or luggage vans in the fairground trade, or
- as mobile construction huts.
In addition, the following are exempt from the registration requirement, regardless of speed limit:
- work machines,
- specialised trailers for the transport of sports equipment, animals for sporting purposes or lifeboats,
- trailers used by the fire service and civil protection agencies,
- single-axle trailers towed by motorcycles, mopeds and motorised wheelchairs, and
- seated carts towed behind single-axle agricultural or forestry tractors or machinery.
Note: For a motor vehicle trailer that is already registered, provided it has not been completely taken off the road in the meantime, you only need to submit an application for re-registration in the event of a change of owner.
Responsible authority
Your local licensing authority.
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
- The trailer must be of an approved type or an individual approval must have been granted.
- Third-party liability insurance for your motor trailer
- You must not have any outstanding fees or charges from previous registration procedures.
- If you have outstanding payments of more than 30.00 EUR, registration will not be granted until you have settled the debt
- Registration may be refused if the outstanding amount is less than 30.00 EUR but more than 10.00 EUR. This is at the discretion of the registration authority.
- You must not have any motor vehicle tax arrears of 5.00 EUR or more. Late payment penalties, interest and late payment surcharges are also taken into account when calculating the amount.
Procedure
You must apply for your licence in person:
- Check with your local registration authority to find out which documents and forms are required.
- If possible, book an appointment or, if available, use the online service.
- Bring all the necessary documents and the relevant fee with you to your appointment.
- Your documents will be checked on the spot.
- If your application is approved, you will receive the following during your appointment:
- your personalised number plate,
- the stamped number plates and
- your registration documents.
Please note: You may also be represented by an authorised person. If you are not registered in Germany, you may only apply for the registration number if you name a person authorised to receive it.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
- For private individuals:
- a valid identity card or passport
- For legal entities/companies:
- Extract from the commercial register or
- business registration certificate or
- extract from the register of associations
- Certificate of Registration Part II (if available; otherwise, apply for a copy),
- Certificate of Conformity (COC) or
- Original individual approval certificate for the trailer,
- Report confirming that the general inspection has been successfully completed and is valid,
- electronic insurance certificate
Costs
For the registration of a trailer, the registration authorities levy fees in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).
Processing time
This varies depending on the registration office.
Miscellaneous
None
Legal basis
Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV):
- § 3 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Notwendigkeit einer Zulassung
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Bundesverkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 09.07.2026