Applying for the first registration of a vehicle from a third country (new registration)

If you have purchased a used vehicle in a country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you need a licence to use it on German roads.

Your vehicle is considered a used vehicle if it was already registered in the country of origin and therefore had at least one previous owner.

You or your representative can apply for registration at the local vehicle registration authority.

Vehicles with EC type approval comply with the European directives for the approval of vehicles, their components and systems. If you can present a certificate of conformity for the EC type approval, the so-called CoC document, this simplifies the approval process.

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

All newly registered or re-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.