Applying for a vehicle to be taken out of service
Service description
If you want to deregister your vehicle, you must apply for a deregistration. This applies to
- Authorised vehicles
- Vehicles without registration
- Trailer
The vehicle must have previously been allocated a licence plate number.
Once you have deregistered the vehicle, you may no longer drive it on the road or park it in public areas.
You can submit the application in person or through your representative to the competent licensing authority.
If you have deregistered the vehicle, you no longer have to pay insurance or taxes. The registration authority will inform your vehicle insurance company and the customs administration that the vehicle has been deregistered.
Vehicles that have a licence plate number and are taken out of service do not automatically retain their licence plate number. The licence plate is then released again by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) and can be assigned to another owner or vehicle.
If you want to use the licence plates again, you should have them reserved.
Prerequisites
You can decommission your vehicle,
- if you intend to sell it,
- if you are temporarily not using it or
- if you have it scrapped.
Which documents are required?
You must submit the following documents if you wish to decommission the vehicle and it is not to be recommissioned:
- if available: completed application form
- Registration Certificate Part I (Vehicle Registration Document), including a list of trailers where applicable
- Licence plates for validation by the registration authority
If you are taking a vehicle in classes M1, N1 or L5e, which requires registration, off the road and do not intend to put it back on the road in Germany, you must also provide the following supporting documents:
- Proof of utilisation, i.e. an official certificate confirming that the vehicle has been disposed of properly
- additional certificate of destruction if the vehicle was disposed of abroad within the European Union (EU)
- Registration certificate part II (vehicle registration document), if this has been issued
What deadlines do I have to observe?
This time limit applies if you have your licence plate reserved in order to use it again later.
Period of validity: 12 months
Processing time
Processing usually takes place immediately.
Legal basis
- Section 16(1) of the Ordinance on the Registration of Vehicles for Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration Ordinance – FZV)
- Section 17 of the Ordinance on the Registration of Vehicles for Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration Ordinance – FZV)
- Section 24 of the Ordinance on the Registration of Vehicles for Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration Ordinance – FZV)
- Section 25 of the Ordinance on the Registration of Vehicles for Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration Ordinance – FZV)
- Appendix: Fee Schedule No. 224 – Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt)
Legal remedy
Lawsuit