Procedure descriptions
Apply for an export number plate
If you wish to transfer a vehicle abroad, you may sometimes need an export number plate. This applies in the following cases:
Your vehicle is
- subject to registration but not yet registered, or
- exempt from registration but required to have a number plate, yet does not yet have one
This applies regardless of whether you are
- under its own power or
- as a trailer.
With the export number plate, you will receive vehicle documents and, if required, an international registration certificate. The export number plate is valid for a maximum of one year, and the vehicle must have a valid general inspection during this period. Both are valid for a limited period for the purpose of transporting the vehicle.
You can obtain the export number plate from your local vehicle registration authority.
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Do you wish to take your vehicle abroad permanently? Then you require an international registration with an export registration number.
Note: Once you have received an export registration number, you are obliged to pay taxes for the duration of its validity (at least one month). Should you not have a bank account in Germany, please make enquires of your licensing authority concerning the procedures for payment of vehicle tax.
Forms/Online Services
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 a city district: the city council
- for a rural district: the district administration.
Kfz-Zulassungsbehörde [Landratsamt Heidenheim]
Contact
Telefon (0 73 21) 3 21-24 16
Details
Prerequisite
- You wish to permanently register your vehicle abroad.
- Your vehicle is
- subject to registration but not registered, or
- exempt from registration but requires a number plate and does not have an allocated number plate.
- valid third-party liability insurance in accordance with the Act on Third-Party Liability Insurance for Foreign Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Trailers
- You must not have any outstanding fees or charges from previous registration procedures. If you have outstanding payments of more than EUR 30.00,theregistration authoritymaynot register your vehicle until you have settled these. If the amount is less than EUR 30.00,theregistration authoritymaydecide whether or not to register the vehicle anyway.
- You must not have any outstanding motor vehicle tax debts of five euros or more. Late payment penalties, interest and late payment surcharges are alsotaken into accountwhen calculating the amount.
- The vehicle must have a valid certificate of the general inspection (HU) . If thedue date for the general inspection fallsbeforethe expiry oftheexport registration, you must submit the inspection report from an officially recognised inspection organisation regarding the new general inspection.
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The requirements for the registration of the vehicle are as follows:
- You must not have any fees and expenses outstanding from previous registration processes.
In case of payment arrears of more than 30 euros, the licensing authorities may not register your vehicle until you have settled the amount. In case of payment arrears of less than 30 euros, the licensing authorities can decide whether they will register the vehicle anyway or not. - You may not have any vehicle excise duty debts of 5 euros or more. When calculating the amount, default supplements, interest and lateness surcharges are taken into account.
- Should somebody represent you during the registration process of your vehicle, you must issue them with written power of attorney. This power of attorney must contain a statement of consent that the licensing authorities may inform the representing person of outstanding fees and charges on your part. Your representative must show the power of attorney and identify himself or herself.
- The vehicle must have valid proof of the main inspection (MI) by the end date of the export registration. Should the due date be before the main inspection, you must submit the inspection report of an officially recognised monitoring organisation concerning the new main inspection.
Procedure
You or your representative must apply to the relevant registration authority for the issue of an export number plate. Depending on the services offered by your registration authority, you can either download a form or use an online service.
The registration authority may require you to present the vehicle.
If the vehicle was previously registered, the registration will be cancelledswill de-register the previous number plates. You will then be issued with the export number plate for the duration of your third-party liability insurance, up to a maximum of one year.
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You or your representative must apply for the issuing of an export registration at the competent licensing authority. Depending on what is offered by your licensing authority, a form for downloading or an online service via the Internet are available.
The licensing authority may request that you show the vehicle.
Should the vehicle have been previously registered, the licensing authority will cancel the previous registration number. You will then receive the export registration number for the duration of the third party liability insurance, for a maximum of one year.
Tip: You can obtain the registration plates from private providers. You can usually find these near the licensing authorities.
Deadlines
- Validity period: 1 day(s) – 1 year(s)
Note: The export registration number and the accompanying Part II of the registration certificate are valid for a limited period and apply only for the duration of the vehicle’s transfer. The maximum period of validity is one year.
Required documents
- A valid identity card or passport (a residence permit need only be presented in conjunction with a valid national passport)
- if represented by a proxy: additionally
- written power of attorney
- Declaration of consent stating that information regarding vehicle tax liabilities or outstanding fees may be disclosed.
- Valid identity card or passport of the authorised representative
- In the case of minors: additionally, a declaration of consent and identity documents of the legal guardians
- In the case of legal entities or companies:
- an extract from the commercial register or
- business registration certificate or
- an extract from the register of associations
- Declaration regarding the collection of motor vehicle tax (SEPA direct debit mandate)
- Registration certificate, Part I (formerly vehicle registration document)
- Registration certificate, Part II (formerly the vehicle title; where applicable, a confirmation of deregistration issued before 1 October 2005)
- Insurance certificate for vehicles intended for export
- Proof of a valid general inspection (HU), if the vehicle is more than three years old or was previously registered as a hire car, taxi or similar, for the entire duration of the export registration. This must be provided by the most recent HU report or as recorded in the Certificate of Registration Part I.
- For owners resident abroad, a confirmation of residence is required if the foreign address is not stated on the identity document
Notes: People with severe disabilities who have the code ‘H’, ‘BI’ or ‘aG’ on their severe disability card remain exempt from motor vehicle tax. They do not need to provide a direct debit authorisation.
You can obtain the insurance certificate for motor vehicle third-party liability insurance from the insurer of your choice. In most cases, you can request this by telephone. The insurer will be notified automatically.
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- Valid personal identity document or passport
- Additionally in case of representation:
- Written power of attorney
- Valid personal identity document or passport of the representative
- In case of minors: additional declaration consent and identity documents of the parents/guardians
- In case of legal persons/companies:
- excerpt from the Commercial Register,
- Business Registration or
- excerpt from the Register of Associations (Vereinsregisterauszug)
- SEPA direct debit mandate for payment of vehicle tax (Erklärung zum Einzug der Kraftfahrzeugsteuer (SEPA-Lastschriftmandat))
- Certification of registration part I (previously: registration certificate)
- Certification of registration part II (previously: registration certificate)
- Confirmation of insurance for vehicles to be exported
- Proof of a valid main inspection (MI) by means of the last MI report, in case of registered vehicles: additional registration number
- In case of vehicles which are put out of service: additional old vehicle documents and, if applicable, a confirmation of de-registration issued prior to 1 October 2005
Note: Disabled persons with the mark "H", "BI" or "aG" in their disabled person's identity document continue to be exempted from vehicle excise duty. They do not need to provide a direct debit mandate.
Note: The confirmation of insurance concerning the third party liability policy can be obtained from the insurance company of your choice. You can usually request this by telephone. The insurance will be automatically informed.
Costs
Fees are set in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOst).
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Depending on time taken for administration: from 26.80 EUR
Note: Additional costs will be incurred for the number plates.
Miscellaneous
If you have been issued with an export number plate, you are liable for the duration of its validity (at least one month)u. To do so, you must either use a German bank account with a SEPA direct debit mandate, or, alternatively, pay the tax in advance at the relevant main customs office.
Since February 2014, the Federal Customs Administration has been responsible for the taxation of motor vehicles. Information and forms relating to ‘motor vehicle tax’ can be found on the Customs Administration’s website.
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The Federal Customs Administration has been responsible for the taxation of vehicles since February 2014. Information and forms concerning the subject of "vehicle tax" can be found on the Internet pages of the Customs Administration.
Legal basis
Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV):
- § 45 Fahrten zur dauerhaften Verbringung eines Fahrzeuges in das Ausland
Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen um Straßenverkehr (GebOst)
Ergänzung
- § 19 Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) (Fahrten zur dauerhaften Verbringung eines Fahrzeugs in das Ausland)
- § 1 Gesetz über die Verweigerung der Zulassung von Fahrzeugen bei rückständigen Gebühren und Auslagen (Fahrzeugzulassungsverweigerungsgesetz) (Verweigerung der Zulassung)
- 5. Gesetz zur Änderung des Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetzes
- § 13 Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz (Feststellung der Besteuerungsgrundlagen, Nachweis der Besteuerung und Zulassungsverweigerung bei Steuerrückständen)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 18.06.2026
Supplement by Landratsamt Heidenheim
Contact
Bürger- und Standesamt (Bürgeramt)
eMail buergeramt@heidenheim.de
Telefon (0 73 21) 3 27-33 42
Fax (0 73 21) 3 23-33 32