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Red license plate (dealer license plate)

The red license plate is intended for dealers (e.g. vehicle manufacturers, dealers, garages) for test, inspection and transfer drives of otherwise unregistered vehicles. The assigned license plate number always begins with "06". Multiple use is also possible.

  • Basic information

    The license plate entitles you to the following journeys:

    • Test drives: journeys to determine and prove the serviceability of the vehicle (§ 2 No. 23 FZV)
    • Test drives: journeys to have the vehicle tested by an officially recognized expert or tester for motor vehicle traffic or test engineer of an officially recognized inspection organization, including the journey of the vehicle to the test location and back (§ 2 No. 24 FZV)
    • Transfer journeys: journeys to transfer the vehicle to another location (§ 2 No. 25 FZV)
    • For a necessary journey for refueling and exterior cleaning on the occasion of a journey according to the above-mentioned points as well as for a necessary journey for the purpose of repair or maintenance of the vehicle concerned (§ 41 para. 1 FZV)

    Journeys for other purposes are not permitted with this license plate!

    Important:

    Red license plates (dealer license plates) can only be taken out of service at the registration authority that issued them.

    Requirements

    • Reliability of the applicant, to be proven as a rule by:
      • Information from the Federal Central Criminal Register (certificate of good conduct)
      • Information from the central trade register
      • Information from the driving aptitude register at the Federal Motor Transport Authority
    • Registered motor vehicle-related business operation
    • Proof of the need for red license plates for dealers
    • There must be no outstanding fees and expenses from previous transactions
    • No motor vehicle tax arrears (including ancillary tax payments, such as interest, late payment penalties)

    In the event of payment or tax arrears, the central vehicle registration authority may not register the vehicle until these have been settled.

  • Procedure
    • An informal application is usually sufficient for the allocation of a red dealer license plate. This can be submitted in writing or in person to the central vehicle registration authority. A representative can also be appointed with a written power of attorney.
    • From 15.05.2025, the submission of applications, renewals of vehicle registration books due to time limits etc. for red permanent license plates will only be possible via the commercial counter in BSC-Stresemannstraße between 07.00 - 09.00. You can make an appointment at the central vehicle registration authority by calling 115 to apply for new red permanent license plates and to collect the vehicle registration booklet and seal the license plates. Appointments are possible every Thursday from 08:00 to 09:30. The appointment time is 30 minutes. Please bring the required documents and the completed application form available under Forms with you to the appointment, which will be collected at the same location after three working days in the case of new applications or after prior notification in the case of existing files.
    • Once the applicant's background check has been completed (approx. 4 - 6 weeks), the licensing authority will issue a vehicle registration booklet.
    • The insurance company is automatically informed by the central vehicle registration authority about the allocation of the license plate.
    • From 15.05.2025, full vehicle registration books will be renewed via the BSC-Stresemannstraße and the BSC-Nord. The documents can be handed in at the BSC-Stresemannstraße at the commercial counter between 07:00 and 09:00. The regulations for commercial registration services and car dealerships apply at BSC-Nord

    Tip:

    License plates can be produced after registration. Private providers have set up shop near the registration authority for this purpose. The costs for the plates are not included in the fees. The license plates are stamped by the registration authority, i.e. provided with stickers for the registration district.

    Note:

    Commercial registration requests are also accepted within the drop-off times of the counter for commercial customers and car dealerships of the BSC-Stresemannstraße department.

    More information

    Vehicles with this license plate are tax-privileged and are subject to a flat-rate motor vehicle tax in accordance with the German Motor Vehicle Tax Act (Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz, KraftStG).

  • Necessary Documents
    • Business registration
    • for legal entities:
      • In addition: extract from the commercial register and identity card of all managing directors or authorized signatories
    • in case of representation with written power of attorney
      • Additionally: identity card or passport of the authorized person
    • electronic insurance confirmation (eVB)
    • Direct debit authorisation for motor vehicle tax (SEPA Direct Debit Mandate)
    • written explanations of needs
    • Proof(s) of the application for access to the register
      • Information from the Federal Central Criminal Register (certificate of good conduct document type O)
      • Information from the central trade register
    • Valid original identity card, passport or national passport including the electronic residence permit (eAT) of the applicant vehicle owner

  • Competent Department

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    25,60 EUR bis 205,00 EUR

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

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This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct. 17.11.2025

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