Motor vehicle: Registration certificate Part I (vehicle registration document)
Performance specification
The registration certificate Part I has replaced the vehicle registration document. The person entered in the registration certificate Part I is the keeper of the corresponding vehicle. The term "keeper" originates from § 833 BGB. According to this, the keeper is anyone who uses the vehicle for their own account (i.e. pays the costs and can actually dispose of the vehicle; this is often not the owner of the vehicle. The registration certificate part II is therefore not proof of ownership, but ultimately only facilitates the registration processes, as it is assumed that the person holding the registration certificate part II is authorised to dispose of the vehicle.
There is no general obligation to exchange the old vehicle registration certificate for the new registration certificate part II. A new vehicle registration certificate is automatically exchanged if a new one has to be issued anyway (e.g. because it has been lost, regardless of whether the old vehicle registration certificate is still available or if a new registration certificate Part I has to be issued.
Invalidated registration certificates Part I (vehicle registration certificates) will be returned to the holder after the vehicle has been taken out of service.Legal basis
What else should I know?
The transfer of entries in the "Remarks" field of the previous vehicle registration certificate to the new registration certificate part I sometimes causes problems. In principle, the new field 22 of the registration certificate part I is used to transfer these entries. If there is not enough space there, a supplementary sheet is issued, sometimes also attached. Check that all information is transferred correctly when the new documents are issued and complain about any discrepancies as soon as possible.
If you instruct a third party to deregister your vehicle, they will need a written authorisation from you; they must also present your identity document (in the original) to the registration office. The third party must have the correct identity document with them in order to identify themselves.
Who do I need to contact?
Contact the registration office of your district or independent city. The responsibility depends on the place of residence of the vehicle owner (main residence according to the identity card).
In the case of legal entities, it shall be the registered office of the principal place of business or the registered office of the branch; this shall also apply to a general partnership, limited partnership or a registered merchant.