Apply for a Temporary License Plate

Issuance of Temporary License Plates

Temporary license plates with no restrictions may be issued if:

• the vehicle has a valid operating permit,
• proof of a valid general inspection/safety inspection is provided, and
• the applicant has their primary residence in Jena or the vehicle to be transported is located in the Jena registration district.

Use of Temporary License Plates

Temporary license plates are issued on demand for one-time, vehicle-specific use for the following purposes:

• Test drives
• Vehicle transport

Temporary license plates generally cannot be issued for vehicles that are already registered. The only exception applies to vehicles with seasonal license plates. In such cases, the temporary license plate may be used outside the seasonal period, for example, for trips to the repair shop or to transport the vehicle to another storage location.

Temporary license plates are valid only within Germany

Temporary license plates are generally valid only within the Federal Republic of Germany. Temporary license plates are recognized only in isolated cases in other countries of the European Union (EU). Therefore, we recommend applying for an export license plate for transport trips abroad. We cannot tell you in which EU countries a temporary license plate is currently recognized. If necessary, please check with the relevant embassy in advance to determine whether the vehicle may be driven in that country with a German temporary license plate.

Vehicles without a valid general inspection, safety inspection, or operating permit

Vehicles without a valid general inspection (HU) or safety inspection (SP)

For vehicles without a valid HU or SP, travel is permitted only to an inspection facility in Jena or a neighboring district and back to the vehicle’s location. If the vehicle is not certified as free of defects, journeys may also be made—as an exception—to have identified defects repaired immediately at a suitable facility in Jena or a neighboring district and back to the vehicle’s location.

This does not apply to vehicles that have been classified as unsafe for traffic or a hazard to traffic. These vehicles may no longer be moved under their own power.

Vehicles without a valid operating permit (BE)

Vehicles without a valid BE may only be used for the following trips:

• Trips directly related to obtaining a new BE
• Trips within the district of the registration authority responsible for the vehicle’s location, or to an adjacent district and back to the location

The registration authority must note the above restrictions in the vehicle registration certificate.

Registration Period

The registration period always begins on the date the license plate is issued and ends on the date specified in the yellow field. Temporary license plates are limited to a maximum of 6 days. After the expiration date, vehicles bearing such plates may no longer be driven or parked on public roads or in public places.

• General documentation regarding the vehicle owner (see Downloads)
• Electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) approved for temporary license plates
• Vehicle documents (Certificate of Registration, Part I or Part II) in original or as a copy
• Proof of a valid general inspection or, if applicable, safety inspection (HU/SP), either the original or a copy
• Proof of the vehicle’s location (e.g., purchase contract, invoice)
• If applicable, the vehicle registration form for a civil law partnership (GbR and eGbR) (see Downloads)

• § 16a FZV (Definition)
• Appendix 4, Section 6 of the FZV (Design of License Plates)