Driving a Car in Germany

Do you know the procedures required to drive a car in Germany?
We will guide you through all steps from purchasing a car to driving the car.

Step 1: Deciding a Car and Purchasing

There are various purchasing options and prices, such as purchasing from authorized dealers, used car dealers, auctions on the internet and individual sales. Choose the option that best suits you.

Get your German vehicle registration (Zulassungsbescheinigung) immediately after the purchase. This registration certificate was held by the previous holder, and there are two types, I and II, which contain detailed information about automobiles.

What is an vehicle registration document (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I / II)? Teil I, also known as Fahrzeugschein. In addition to detailed information about the vehicle such as vehicle type and exhaust gas class, information about the owner (address, license plate, etc.) are noted. You need to carry it with you whenever you drive a car. Teil Ⅱ, also known as Fahrzeugbrief. Information about the automobile is described here as well, but different to Teil I, Teil II contains information about the previous owner. You don’t have to carry it with you when driving.

Step 2:Choosing the Car Insurance

In order to drive the purchased car, it is necessary to register it at the Land Transport Office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle). You are required to purchase an car insurance as a preliminary step to registration.

There are various insurance companies in Germany, and there are several ways to apply for one, such as through brokers, agencies, and the Internet. After selecting an insurance company, we will make a quote. When requesting a quote, you will need your vehicle registration document or HSN / TSN.

At Jcom, our experienced Japanese staff will take care of everything from quotations to contracts and in case of an accident. Please coontact us when applying for insurance. You can find our detailed guide to arranging an insurance here.

What is HSM and TSN? A code to identify the vehicle, which is stated on the vehicle registration document. The HSN (Herstellerschlüsselnummer) gives information on the automobile company, and the TSN (Typschlüsselnummer) gives information such as the car model and the registration date of the first year.

Step 3: Obtain an eVB (Electronic Insurance Certificate)

The insurance company will issue an eVB after you checked the quote and decided on insurance coverage.

What is eVB (Electronic Insurance Certificate)? A temporary insurance certificate issued by an insurance company. When registering a car, it must be submitted to the Land Transport Office.

Step 4. Registering Automobiles and Issuance of License Plates

Registration will be done at the Land Transport Office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle) near your residence. After the registration, a vehicle registration document (Zulassungsbescheinigung I / II) and a license plate will be issued with the insuree as the owner. This procedure is usually performed by a dealer or a registered agent.

Step 5: Start Driving

You can drive your car after taking car delivery. Traffic rules may differ from those in your country. Please be careful when driving.

Step 6:Contracting Car Insurance

After registration (delivery), you will be able to drive the car, but there are still important procedures that you should not forget. You will need to submit the registration data to the insurance company. The insurance company will then issue an official insurance policy (Versicherungsschein) and create a premium invoice (Rechnung).

Thank you for going through the procedures. Enjoy driving your new car in Germany!

The situation may differ depending on the insurance company and where you live. You take this as an general process, and we recommend you to always ask your insurance company or the according government office when proceeding.