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Registering a motor vehicle

Motor vehicles are registered and license plates are assigned at the Vehicles Licensing Authority at the Citizens Service Center.

Required documents:

  • Logbook / motor vehicle certificate of title (Kfz-Brief)
  • Proof of insurance
  • Residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)
  • Passport or identification card

If you want to register a used car, you will also need:

  • Vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugschein)
  • Number plates
  • TÜV/AU (mechanical and exhaust control)

If the car is imported from abroad, additional documents are required.

A motor vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) must be paid, unless you are exempt from taxes. Vehicles must also pass a safety inspection by the Technical Supervision Agency (TÜV). The TÜV safety inspection has to be carried out every two years. EU nationals only need vehicle registration papers and a valid EU identification card.

Making an appointment:

Please contact the Vehicles Licensing Authority at the Citizens Service Center, Stadthaus, Berliner Platz 2, (Phone: 0228 776677) for further information.

Diplomats/Officials of International Organiations:

To register your private vehicle, please enquire beforehand at the Protocol Division/Bonn Office of the Federal Foreign Office (Außenstelle Protokoll Bonn), Adenauerallee 99-103 (entry via Tempelstraße), 53113 Bonn, Phone: 01888-17-4695. The necessary formalities will be explained to you there. For further information, visit www.auswaertiges-amt.de.