Applying for the first registration of a vehicle from an EU member state

If you have purchased a new vehicle in an EU member state or a contracting state of the European Economic Area (EEA), you generally need a licence to use it on German roads.

New vehicles are vehicles that

• have never been authorised within Germany or abroad.

Used vehicles are vehicles that

• were already authorised in an EU Member State or in a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA) and therefore had at least one previous owner.

You or your representative submit the application for this initial registration to the local vehicle registration authority.

The licence allows you to drive the vehicle on public roads and park it in public areas.

All newly registered vehicles receive a licence plate with a Euro field. You have the option of reserving a licence plate of your choice for the vehicle if it is free and available.