Re-registering a motor vehicle (with change of owner and WITHOUT taking the number plate with you)

Procedure

• An application for registration must be submitted to the registration authority. The application can also be made a representative (eg car dealer) with a written power of attorney.
• If a desired license plate is desired, reservation, already before the new registration personally, in writing or by telephone as well as on-line service over Internet can take place.
• By the registration of the vehicle on the new vehicle owner a new Zulassungsbescheingung part I (in former times: Fahrzeugschein) is issued. It may also be necessary to issue a registration certificate Part II (formerly: Fahrzeugbrief).
• In the event of a change of owner within Bremen, the previous license plates can continue to be used. In such a case, an existing fine dust sticker also retains its validity.
• If the used vehicle was last registered in a different registration district, new license plates and, if necessary, a new fine dust sticker are required.
• The insurance company is automatically informed by the registration authority about the allocation of the license plate.

Appointments can be reserved online at any time via www.service.bremen.de/dienststelle/termine or by telephone Mon-Fri from 07:00-18:00 on the following telephone numbers:

Vehicle Registration Authority: (0421) 361-88668 or (0421) 115.

Citizens Service Center-North: (0421) 361-88644 or (0421) 115

Tip:
License plates can be produced during the registration process. Private providers have set up near the registration authorities for this purpose. The cost of the plates is not included in the fees. The license plates are stamped by the registration authority, i.e. they are provided with stickers for the main inspection and the registration district.

Legal bases

• § 13 Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz (KraftStG)
• § 6a Abs. 8 Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG) iVm § 1 Gesetz zur Beitreibung von Gebühren- und Auslagenrückständen bei der Zulassung von Fahrzeugen im Land Bremen (Beitreibungserleichterungsgesetz Kfz-Zulassung – BEG HB)
• Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt)
• § 15 Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV)

More information

If the ZB II is in the possession of a third party (e.g. leasing bank), it must be sent to the licensing authority. The change can only be made once the document has been received by the authority. As a rule, the ZB II is available at the licensing authority 2 to 3 weeks after it is requested. After completion, it is returned to the sender. The costs for storage and return are usually borne by the holder.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) regulate which vehicles are subject to registration.

An amendment to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act came into force on July 1, 2010. The following changes apply to registrations from July 1, 2010:

• When registering a vehicle, a SEPA direct debit mandate is required for the collection of vehicle tax. A SEPA direct debit mandate issued for the first taxation is also valid for subsequent years.
• Motor vehicle tax exemption or reduction due to severe disability:
  Severely disabled people with the "H", "BI" or "aG" mark on their severely disabled person's pass continue to be exempt from motor vehicle tax. They do not have to submit a direct debit authorization based on the proof in their ID card. Further information can be obtained from the main customs office in Bremen.

Electronic insurance confirmation (eVB):
You can obtain the confirmation of insurance for motor vehicle liability insurance from the insurance company of your choice. In most cases, you can request the insurance confirmation by telephone from your insurance company.

Since March 1, 2008, the insurer can provide you with an insurance confirmation with a 7-digit alphanumeric VB number, which the registration authority uses to retrieve the insurance data electronically from the central database of the German Insurance Association.