Prerequisites
- Your main residence is in Germany.
- For applicants residing outside Germany:
If you are not resident in Germany, you will need an authorized recipient who must be registered in Hamburg. The authorized recipient (a natural person) can receive notifications from the LBV on your behalf. They must be present in person when applying for the export license plate.
Documents required
- a valid original identity card or passport (with current registration confirmation if you are resident in Germany)
- an insurance certificate for export license plates (issued only in paper form)
- the registration certificate part I (vehicle registration document)
- the registration certificate part II (vehicle registration document)
- the valid test certificate of the main inspection (HU), if an HU was already required for the first time, see the registration certificate part I if applicable;
- if the vehicle is still registered: the official registration numbers (number plates)
- an EC card
- the appointment confirmation
Additionally, if the vehicle owner does not submit the application in person:
- a legibly completed power of attorney in the original and a legible color copy of the ID card (identity card or passport) of the principal
- the authorized representative's ID card in the original
- Original SEPA mandate from the principal for the collection of vehicle tax, if applicable, with an account holder other than the applicant (if the tax is to be paid not by the owner themselves but by a so-called third party willing to pay, a copy of the third party's ID card is required).
additionally for companies:
- Company proof in the form of a commercial register extract, business registration or association register extract (for associations)
Additionally for new vehicles:
- CoC paper or EEC certificate of conformity
Please note
- Vehicle tax must also be paid from the beginning of the requested period.
- If direct debit authorization for payment of vehicle tax is not possible, approval cannot be granted. However, a SEPA combined mandate for direct debit has also been permitted for foreign accounts since February 1, 2014.
- Furthermore, the State Office for Transport (LBV) reserves the right to conduct an identity check of the vehicle in individual cases. In this case, the vehicle must be presented to the LBV.
- Export abroad: If you plan to export your vehicle abroad, we recommend deregistering it in Germany beforehand. Further information on exporting abroad can be found under "Links."
Deadlines
The license plate is only valid for the requested period and, in principle, for a maximum of one month, provided that the vehicle insurance and the last general inspection are also valid for that period. Otherwise, the validity period will be reduced accordingly.
In justified individual cases, the license plate can also be applied for for a longer period. This can be clarified at the local LBV.