Apply for a classic car licence plate (H licence plate) for a vehicle registered 30 or more years ago

Teaser

If you would like to use a classic car licence plate for your vehicle that was registered 30 or more years ago or was first put on the road, you can apply for this.

  • Service description

    Classic cars can be vehicles that were first registered or put on the road 30 years ago or earlier. Such vehicles, which largely correspond to their original condition and are in good condition, are motor vehicle cultural assets. Classic cars are often not intended for everyday use. However, there are historic vehicles with which you can take part in road traffic without restrictions. These vehicles have an "H" in the last position of the licence plate, which stands for "historic".

    An H licence plate comes with various advantages for you, for example:

    • Tax relief
    • Insurance benefits
    • Deviating regulations in environmental zones

    The registration authority will issue you with the H licence plate when you apply for a registration for a classic car. If you already have a registered vehicle and it is 30 years old, you can apply for a simple licence plate change.

    When registering your vehicle, you must submit an expert opinion for the classification of your vehicle as a classic car by an officially recognised expert. A general inspection (HU) is also carried out as part of this report.

    You must also affix the licence plates to classic cars in accordance with the legal requirements. Exceptions to the design and attachment must be legally permissible or entered in the registration certificate part I.

  • Procedure

    When applying in person:

    If you register your classic car with your local registration authority, you will be allocated a licence plate combination on site. The registration authority may require you to present the vehicle. With this allocation:

    • have the licence plates produced;
    • have the stickers affixed to the licence plates by the registration authority;
    • Attach the licence plates firmly to the vehicle at the designated points.

    When applying online:

    You can only apply for a classic car licence plate online if the vehicle has already had a classic car licence plate before. If you apply for a classic car licence plate via the i-Kfz portal:

    • the allocation of a classic car licence plate is entered directly in the Central Vehicle Register
    • you will receive the classic car licence plate as a notification by e-mail or as a download
    • Have the licence plates embossed
    • affix the registration authority stickers to the licence plates
    • Attach them properly to the intended location on the vehicle

    This applies to both types of application:

    When re-registering a vehicle, you can apply to have the previous licence plates reassigned. This also applies if you have reserved the licence plate for the re-registration of your vehicle.

  • Prerequisites

    • First authorisation at least 30 years ago
    • Good, largely original condition of the vehicle
    • qualified expert opinion that proves the characteristics of a classic car

    Additional requirements in the context of an authorisation procedure are

    • no outstanding fees and expenses from previous authorisations of more than EUR 30
    • No motor vehicle tax debts of EUR 5 or more, including all late payment penalties, interest and late payment penalties
    • in Hesse: no overdue fees and expenses from previous authorisations of more than EUR 10 (including any resulting late payment surcharges)

  • Which documents are required?

    • Expert opinion for the classification of a vehicle as a classic car by an officially recognised expert.
    • If a classic car licence plate is allocated as part of a registration procedure, the following documents are also required:
      • Vehicle registration document or
      • foreign vehicle documents or
      • the operating licence for unregistered vehicles
    • the EC Certificate of Conformity (CoC), or data confirmation or full expert opinion
    • Proof of ownership
      • Purchase contract or
      • Invoice
    • Proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance (eVB number)
    • Bank details for the direct debit mandate to pay the vehicle tax

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Lawsuit

  • What else should I know?

    The following information is available:

    Vehicles may not be moved or parked in public areas without a licence plate. The licence plates must not be reflective, covered or dirty and must be attached to the vehicle in accordance with the legal requirements.

    Certain licence plate combinations are blocked for specific countries.

    Certain licence plate combinations are blocked for specific registration authorities.

  • Short text

    • Classic cars are vehicles that were first registered or put on the road at least 30 years ago
    • Classic cars are given a licence plate with an "H" at the end, which stands for "historic"
    • An H licence plate is associated with various advantages, for example:
      • Tax relief
      • Insurance benefits
      • Deviating regulations in environmental zones
    • when the vehicle turns 30 years old, the old licence plate can be replaced
    • The classic car licence plate is allocated online or on site at the registration office

  • Issuing body

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

  • Typing

    3

  • Library entry status

    6

Who should I contact?

Contact the vehicle registration authority in your district or city.

Local jurisdiction is determined by

  • for natural persons, according to the place of residence of the vehicle owner (main residence according to the identity card),
  • in the case of legal entities, according to the registered office of the main or branch office; this also applies to partnerships entered in the commercial register (e.g. OHG and KG) or to a registered merchant.

Responsible departments