Note: The license plate image is an excerpt from the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV).

For test drives or transfer journeys, a short-term license plate can be requested for the use of an unregistered vehicle. A short-term license plate is valid for a maximum of 5 days (including the day of application). It is not possible to request a license plate for a future date.
The short-term license plate may only be used by the applicant for their own needs. It is not permitted to pass it on to third parties.

Since April 1, 2015, an unregistered vehicle may be used for test drives or transfer trips if

• it has type approval or an individual vehicle approval has been granted,
• insurance cover exists and
• it has a short-term license plate.

This means that a short-term license plate is no longer assigned to a person, as was previously the case, but is already linked to a specific vehicle by the registration authority.

Application

• In person
• Representation by an authorized representative

In-person

• By appointment during opening hours 
• With an online appointment made in advance (see link in the "Service" section at the bottom of this page)

Requirements

• The applicant is resident in Mainz (main place of residence) or the vehicle is located in Mainz
• The vehicle must be known to the registration authorities (type or individual vehicle approval)
• Proof of a valid general inspection (HU)/safety inspection (SP) must be provided (must be valid until the expiry date!)
• The vehicle must be specifically identified (VIN, manufacturer, vehicle class, and type of body).
• The vehicle must be deregistered

Exceptions

• Journeys without a general inspection are possible in the following cases:
  - To carry out the general inspection and return
  .- The testing center must be located in the registration district that issued the license plate or in an adjacent district.
  - The registration authority of the vehicle's location is always responsible for assigning the license plate.
  

  If the general inspection is passed, both return trips and transfer to the desired location are possible. The general inspection report must be carried and presented on request. The restriction entered in the certificate does not have to be deleted by the registration authority.

  If the general inspection is not passed, journeys to the nearest workshop in the registration district that issued the license plate or in an adjacent district for the immediate repair of significant or minor defects are possible. This does not apply to vehicles that have been classified as unsafe for road use during the inspection.

• Journeys with vehicles without type or individual vehicle approval are possible in the following cases:
  - To obtain an expert opinion and return
  .- The inspection center must be located in the registration district that issued the license plate or in an adjacent district. 
  - The registration authority of the vehicle's location or an immediately adjacent district is always responsible for assigning the license plate.
  
  After receiving the necessary expert opinion, the operating permit must be issued by the registration authority. The restriction entered in the certificate will be "officially" deleted after the expert opinion has been submitted. Only then may the license plate be used for further transfer.

• Registration districts adjacent to the city of Mainz: Mainz-Bingen district, Wiesbaden, and Groß-Gerau district.

• If the vehicle is registered "normally" within the validity period, you must return the temporary license plates and the vehicle registration certificate to the registration authority.
• You may only operate the vehicle on public roads until the expiration date indicated on the license plate.
• Using the temporary license plate beyond the specified period is a criminal offense punishable by law as driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
• If you are planning to transport a vehicle abroad, the export license plate is the recommended type of license plate.
• If you nevertheless wish to use a temporary license plate for transporting the vehicle abroad, please note that while EU member states are expected to recognize the German temporary license plate and the accompanying documents, there is no guarantee. We at the registration authority cannot confirm whether the license plate will actually be accepted in the respective destination country. Use of the license plate in other EU countries is therefore at your own risk.

Outstanding fees with the registration authority

Registration is contingent upon your payment of all outstanding fees incurred in connection with the registration. You can settle any outstanding fees on-site as part of the registration process.

• Section 42 Vehicle Registration Ordinance
• Schedule of Fees for Measures in Public Road Traffic (GebOSt)

Usually immediately upon arrival, waiting time depends on how busy it is.

• The applicant’s original valid ID card or passport; proof of address, if necessary, provided the address is not listed on the ID
• Certificate of Registration Part I (vehicle registration certificate) or Part II (vehicle title) or COC or expert opinion pursuant to §21 StVZO or expert opinion pursuant to §13 EG-FGV, in each case either the original or a clearly legible copy
• Electronic insurance confirmation for temporary license plates
• Inspection report from the most recent (still valid) general inspection, either as an original or a clearly legible copy
  —proof of the general inspection via a stamp in the Certificate of Registration Part I (vehicle registration certificate) is only possible if the original is presented
• Inspection report and inspection logbook for the safety inspection (vehicles subject to mandatory safety inspection)
• The vehicle’s location must be substantiated, e.g., purchase contract, invoice; this applies in particular to trips without a valid general inspection (HU) or safety inspection (SP) or for the purpose of obtaining an operating permit (see exceptions)

If represented by an authorized representative, additionally

• Identification document of the authorized representative(s) (and of the principal!)
• Signed power of attorney

If residing abroad, additionally

• Designation of an authorized recipient residing in Mainz (form at the bottom of this page)
• Original valid ID card or passport of the authorized representative

For commercial registration, the following additional documents are required

• For companies registered in the Commercial Register
  • Extract from the Commercial Register (from the local court) / Business registration (neither older than 3 years)
  • Power of attorney from the managing director(s) or authorized signatory(ies) with ID (copy) for registration by a third party
  • Identification of the authorized representative(s)

• For independent professionals (e.g., attorneys, doctors)
  —current certificate from the tax office

• For professions requiring a business registration (e.g., sole proprietorships)
  —Business registration (not older than 3 years; if necessary, have its validity confirmed by the Trade Licensing Office)

• For associations (e.V.)
  —Extract from the register of associations
  —Power of attorney for the representative(s) with ID (copies) if registration is being handled by a third party
  —ID of the authorized representative(s)

• For civil law partnerships (GbR)
  - List of all partners (partnership agreement)
  - Power of attorney and declaration stating the natural person to whom the registration is to be issued (signed by all partners)
  - Identification documents for all partners

• Fee: €13.10
• plus costs for license plates and insurance
• There are no fees for motor vehicle tax.

Cash / EC