Apply for a seasonal license plate

A seasonal license plate documents an annual, limited operating period during which the vehicle is considered registered. The period is determined by the owner. It must be at least 2 months and may not exceed 11 months. The period of operation always begins on the first day of the first month specified (top number) and ends on the last day of the last month (bottom number).

Registration, License Plate, Insurance, and Tax Requirements

All provisions of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance generally apply to vehicles with seasonal license plates. Consequently, these vehicles are subject to the registration requirement, the license plate requirement, the (year-round) insurance requirement, and the tax requirement.

Parking the Vehicle

The vehicle may only be driven and parked on public roads and in public places during the period of operation. Outside this period, the vehicle may only be parked on private property or other non-public areas. Violations constitute an administrative offense (Section 48(9) FZV).

Operating Period—Binding Nature and Changes

The vehicle owner is bound to the selected operating period. Operating the vehicle outside the operating period constitutes an administrative offense (Section 48(1a) FZV).

A change to the operating period that requires notification (e.g., changing the period from April through October to March through November) may be made at any time. The assigned letter/number combination remains the same; however, new license plates are required due to the changed period.

If the vehicle is to be used outside the operating period, the seasonal license plate must be replaced with a regular license plate, or the operating period must be changed. It is possible at any time to switch a normally registered vehicle to a seasonal license plate and vice versa.

If the vehicle’s mandatory inspection is due in a month outside the operating period, it must be performed during the first month of the next operating period.

Insurance

For seasonal license plates and when changing the period of operation, you must provide an electronic insurance confirmation number (eVB) as proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance.

• Certificate of Registration, Part I (Vehicle Registration Certificate)
• Certificate of Registration, Part II (Vehicle Title)
• License plate number, if the vehicle is registered
• Certificates of the currently valid general inspection (original)
• Electronic insurance confirmation (eVB)
• SEPA direct debit authorization for the collection of motor vehicle tax
• If applicable, notification of special vehicle use (see Downloads)
• General documentation regarding the vehicle owner (see Downloads)
• If applicable, a declaration regarding the use of a business address in connection with the registration of vehicles for sole proprietorships and self-employed individuals (see Downloads)
• If applicable, form for vehicle registration under a civil law partnership (GbR and eGbR) (see Downloads)

The cost of registering a vehicle with a seasonal license plate depends on the specific type of registration (transfer of ownership, re-registration, etc.).

The minimum fee for issuing a seasonal license plate is €27.40.

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

• § 9, para. 3, FZV
• Appendix VIII, Section 2.6 of the StVZO (Extension of the Deadline for the General Inspection)
• Appendix 4, Section 5, FZV (Design of License Plates)