Procedures
Re-registration online: putting a deregistered car back on the road
Was your vehicle deregistered and should it go back on the road? How online re-registration works, which documents you need and where its limits lie.
Updated on 29 October 2026 · 5 min read
Typical reasons for re-registration
You apply for re-registration when a vehicle has been taken out of service and is to be used on public roads again. Common reasons are a winter break for a convertible or motorcycle, a lengthy repair, a stay abroad or the purchase of a used car that has already been deregistered.
The vehicle remains recorded at the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority), just without a valid registration. That is why the procedure can often be completed without visiting an authority, as long as the vehicle documents carry the necessary security codes.
Which documents you should have ready
After deregistration, the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (registration certificate part I, the vehicle registration document) contains a note on the decommissioning. It nevertheless remains the key document for re-registration, so do not throw it away.
- Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I with 7-character security code
- Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (registration certificate part II, the German vehicle title) with 12-character security code
- new eVB number (electronic insurance confirmation) from your motor insurer
- proof of a valid HU (Hauptuntersuchung, the periodic roadworthiness inspection)
- bank details for the SEPA mandate for vehicle tax
- ID card or passport for the photo ident
Common pitfall: the HU inspection
The HU deadline keeps running while the vehicle is laid up. If it has expired in the meantime, the authority will not re-register the vehicle. You must then first catch up on the inspection.
Without registration, you may not simply drive to the testing station. Options include transport on a trailer, an inspection by a mobile testing service or a short-term number plate. Short-term plates are not available online; they are applied for in person at the registration authority.
Will I get my old registration number back?
After deregistration, many registration authorities reserve the previous number for the last keeper for a certain period. Each authority sets the length of this period itself. If the deregistration falls within this period and the plates are still available, you can often continue to use the number.
If the period has expired or the vehicle has been sold in the meantime, a new number is assigned. A personalised number is also possible, for which an additional official fee of €12.80 applies.
If you still have the old plates, keep them until the decision. Only then is it clear whether the previous number will be assigned again or whether you need new plates.
Insurance and technical condition after a lay-up
Many motor insurers automatically switch the policy to a so-called dormant insurance after deregistration, often for up to 18 months. Your no-claims discount is generally retained. Before re-registering, ask your insurer whether the policy will be reactivated and request the new eVB number.
After a long period off the road, a technical check before the first drive is also worthwhile. The registration says nothing about whether the vehicle is roadworthy after months in the garage.
- charge or replace the battery
- check tyre pressure, tread depth and tyre age
- check the brakes for seized, rusted components and inspect fluid levels
Where online re-registration reaches its limits
If the decommissioning was many years ago, the vehicle data may already have been deleted from the central register. Older vehicle documents issued before 2015 also often have no security codes. In both cases, re-registration is only possible in person at the registration authority.
At Zulassung24, re-registration costs €134.90, including the official basic fee and 19% VAT. The decision on the application is made by the competent registration authority.
Frequently asked questions
How long may a vehicle remain deregistered?
There is no maximum period for a vehicle to remain off the road. However, the longer ago the deregistration, the more likely it is that the data is missing from the register or the HU has expired, which rules out the online route.
Do I need new seals on the plates?
Yes. On deregistration, the registration seals (Stempelplaketten) are removed or become invalid. After a positive decision, the registration authority sends you new seals by post, which you attach to the number plates.
Can I re-register a deregistered car directly in my name if I have bought it?
Yes, re-registration can be combined with a change of keeper. For this, you need both registration certificates with legible codes, your own eVB number and a valid HU.
What does re-registration cost in total?
The procedure itself costs €134.90 at Zulassung24. The only additions are items you choose yourself, such as new plates for €29.90 or a personalised number with an official fee of €12.80. Tax and insurance resume from the date of registration.