Questions and answers - Central Register
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Questions and answers - Central Vehicel Register
As a precautionary measure, it is pointed out that the vehicle owner must initiate the decommissioning. The following only refers to the procedure if this has not been done.
Every month, the KBA receives a report on the vehicles that were previously registered in Germany and re-registered in the previous month. If the transmitted vehicle data is correct and the vehicle is still registered in Germany, the responsible registration authority receives a notification from the KBA. The registration authority de-registers the vehicle after checking the facts. The tax office and your insurance company will be informed about the decommissioning and will contact you.
If your vehicle has been re-registered in another EU country for more than two months and has not yet been taken out of service in Germany, you can contact the registration authority responsible for you to obtain information on how to proceed.
Legal basis: Article 5 (2) of Directive 1999/37/EC and Section 13 (6) of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV).
If the vehicle is to be re-registered in Germany and the foreign registration certificate cannot be presented in full or there are questions regarding German registration law, please contact the German registration authority where you wish to register the vehicle. This authority can send a corresponding request to the foreign registration authority via the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA). The answer will then be forwarded to the German registration authority.
Legal basis: Section 7 (2) of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV), Article 5 (2) of EC Directive 1999/37
If the vehicle is to be re-registered in another EU country and the German registration certificate cannot be presented in full or there are questions about registration law abroad, please contact the foreign registration authority where the vehicle is to be re-registered. If necessary, the foreign authority will send an inquiry about the facts of the case to the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) and receive a reply.
Legal basis: Article 5 (2) of EC Directive 1999/37
Please contact your competent licensing authority directly. You can find the contact information of the registration authorities in the
.You will receive all necessary information from the registration authority.
Legal basis: § 1 Road Traffic Act (StVG) in conjunction with § 6 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)
No, you no longer need them. On 01.03.2007, the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) came into force. This means that the obligation to provide an extract from the Central Vehicle Register (ZFZR) (clearance certificate) in the absence of the registration certificate Part II (vehicle title) no longer applies.
The registration authorities are connected online with the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) and can check all data required for vehicle registration. Please contact the registration authority responsible for your place of residence.
This question can only be answered by the responsible registration authority, which alone decides on the allocation of official license plates. In many cases, the registration authorities already offer their own portals that provide the option of reserving license plates. You can find out more about this on the homepage of the relevant registration authority.
In the event of a transfer, change of license plate or decommissioning, an automated process immediately generates a message to the registration authority responsible for the previous license plate. This authority electronically retrieves the message from the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) for processing in the local registration procedure. The processing time until the license plate is released again depends on the internal program processes of the registration authority. The KBA has no influence on this.
Please contact your responsible registration authority directly.
The registration authorities have a direct link to the Central Vehicle Register (ZFZR) and can check all required data if necessary.
Legal basis: § 1 Road Traffic Act (StVG) in conjunction with §§ 6, 14 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) further §§ 29 & 21 StVG
Please contact the manufacturer of the vehicle or your registration authority, who will inform you of the further requirements for issuing a new or replacement type approval.
Only the holder of the ABE (manufacturer of the vehicle or sole distributor) can issue a replacement under certain conditions. A certificate from the registration authority responsible for your place of residence must be submitted to this authority stating that, according to the documents of this registration authority, the operation of the vehicle has neither been prohibited due to technical defects, nor has the operating permit been withdrawn. The confirmation of an officially recognized expert that the presented vehicle still corresponds to the approved type is also sufficient.
If the manufacturer of the vehicle or the sole distributor no longer possesses any documentation and is therefore unable to issue a replacement, an individual expert opinion by an officially recognized expert is required before the vehicle can be put into service. The expert opinion must be submitted to the registration authority, which will note "Operating permit issued" on it.
Further information, especially for vehicles manufactured in the former GDR, can be found here.
In the case of vehicles with registration plates, the data in the ZFZR must always be deleted seven years after the vehicle has been taken out of service and has not been re-registered for road traffic since then. In the case of vehicles with insurance license plates, the data in the ZFZR must always be deleted seven years after the end of the traffic year (February 28/29 of a year).
Legal basis: § 44 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)
Immediately report the loss to your responsible registration authority.
The registration authority will then initiate the so-called bidding procedure. The number of the registration certificate Part II (vehicle registration document) is published in the electronic traffic gazette (Official Gazette of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV)). If the publication (bidding) is unsuccessful, you will receive a replacement registration certificate Part II from your responsible registration authority 14 days after publication. The KBA will not issue a release or a new replacement registration certificate Part II.
Legal basis: § 12 Para. 4 Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV)
No, this option does not exist. The inclusion of an additional postal address for the vehicle owner is not provided for in the Central Vehicle Register (ZFZR).
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) is required by the Road Traffic Act (StVG) and the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) to store information on the vehicle owner in the ZFZR.
Legal basis: § 33 StVG in conjunction with § 30 FZV
2 years and six months
- in the case of decisions for administrative offenses affecting traffic safety (for example, cell phone offenses).
5 years
- in the case of decisions concerning administrative offences that are particularly detrimental to traffic safety (e.g. alcohol related offences)
- in the case of decisions concerning criminal offenses offenses withdrawal of the driving licence or without an isolated period of ineligibility for the issuance of a driving licence
10 years
- in the case of decisions for criminal offenses with withdrawal of the driving licence or with an isolated period of ineligibility for issuance of a driving licence.
4 or 5 points
- Admonishment and notice to voluntarily attend a driving aptitude seminar.
6 or 7 points
- Warning and advice to participate voluntarily in a driving aptitude seminar. It is also pointed out that in this case there will be no deduction of points and that if eight points are reached, the driving licence will be withdrawn.
8 or more points
- Withdrawal of the driving licence.
- as serious A offenses (for example: speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or disregarding the right-of-way rules)
- as less serious B-crimes (for example: technical vehicle defects)
Questions and answers - Register of Driver Fitness
StVG)
Entries about traffic violations in the Register of Driver Fitness will be deleted after the expiry of fixed periods plus an overlay period of one year. The deletion is ex officio and does not need to be requested.
Periods of redemption / traffic violations (§ 29 Road Traffic Act (StVG) only in German)
As a matter of principle, the redemption period starts with the date of legal effect. In the case of court decisions involving a revocation of the driver's license or an isolated ban period, the eradication period begins on the day the driver's license is issued, but no later than after five years from the date of legal effect.
The Register of Driver Fitness and the The Driver Fitness Assessment System are important instruments to protect the general public from unsuitable drivers. The storage in the driving suitability register is a warning signal and should be used to check one's own behavior and to change it positively.
Once a certain number of points has been reached, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) informs the road traffic authority responsible for the road user.
Measures of the Road Traffic Authority (§ 4 paragraph 5 Road Traffic Act (StVG) only in German)
Driving license law is the responsibility of the individual federal states. Your questions about the driver's license will be answered by the road traffic office (driver's license authority) responsible for your place of residence.
If you have up to five points, you can reduce one point by voluntarily participating in a driving aptitude seminar (§ 4 Paragraph 7 Road Traffic Act ((StVG)). The driving aptitude seminar consists of a traffic educational and a traffic psychological sub-measure. The driving aptitude seminar consists of a traffic pedagogical and a traffic psychological part. In the traffic pedagogical part, knowledge about road traffic law and traffic-safe behavior is imparted. In the traffic psychology part, driving behavior is analyzed with the aim of correcting behavior in the interests of road safety. Points can only be reduced once within five years.
For more information, please contact the relevant road traffic office (driving license authority).
§ Section 29, paragraph 6, sentence 2 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) stipulates that the entries in the register of driver fitness (FAER) concerning criminal offenses or misdemeanors listed in Annex 13 to Section 40 of the FEV are "retained" for one year after expiration of the redemption period. This is called the overlay period.
The overlay period is intended to ensure that offenses which have an effect on the points total can still be used to determine the total points total, even if the storage in the FAER does not take place until after the expiration of the redemption period of an already stored points-relevant decision.
Decisions within the overlay period may only be transmitted to the competent driving licence authority for the purpose of ordering measures pursuant to the regulations on Probationary driving licence (§ 2a STVG) or for the purpose of taking measures pursuant to the The Driver Fitness Assessment System (§ 4 paragraph 5 STVG).
If a private person requests information about himself or herself, or if a commissioned lawyer requests information about his or her client (private information), the decisions that are already in the overlay period are also included in the provision of information.
An independent regulation for traffic education measures during the two-year probationary period should additionally strengthen the special preventive effect of entries in the Register of Driver Fitness (FAER). If necessary, a discovery will take place much earlier for novice drivers in comparison to the normal The Driver Fitness Assessment System. In case of conspicuity, the two-year probationary period is extended to a maximum of 4 years.
Under the aspect of accident prevention, a further evaluation of the entry in the FAER is carried out for novice drivers during the probationary period in addition to the The Driver Fitness Assessment System (§ 2 a Road Traffic Act (StVG only in German))
The evaluation of criminal offenses and misdemeanors is carried out according to Appendix 12 to § 34 of the Driving License Ordinance (FEV) (only in German).
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) notifies the driving licence authority at the first A or after the second B offense (§ 2 c STVG), regardless of the points status.The responsible driving licence authority initiates the appropriate measures for driving licence.
Sanction level | Traffic violation | Measures taken by the driving license authority |
---|---|---|
1st stage | One A offense or two B offenses | Participation in a postgraduation seminar is ordered and the probationary period is extended by two years. |
2nd stage | One more A offense or two more B offenses | Warning and attendance at traffic psychology counselling is recommended. |
3rd stage | One more A offense or two more B offenses | Driving licence is revoked. |
During the probationary period, final expungement of a misdemeanor from the Register of Driver Fitness does not occur until the probationary period expires.
You can apply for your information from the Register of Driver Fitness digitally, by mail or directly on site. For more information, please visit: Your score
You can apply for your information from the Register of Driver Fitness digitally, by mail or directly on site. For more information, please visit: Your score
If you are domiciled abroad, you must state the foreign address in the application. The information will then be sent there.
If the information is required in English, this must be noted on the application. The information will then be provided in English.
For more information, please visit: Your score
- Driver's license classes,
- Exchange of an old driver's license,
- replacement driver's license after loss or theft,
- validity periods,
- renewal,
- New issuance of a driver's license after revocation,
- Exchange of a foreign driver's license for a German driver's license
Questions and answers - Central Register of Driving Licences
German driver's licenses exchanged abroad are usually returned via the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) to the German driver's license authority (Straßenverkehrsamt) that issued the license. Therefore, the KBA does not retain driver's licenses.
If you have your main residence back in Germany, contact the German driving license authority responsible for your current place of residence to exchange the foreign driving license. It is not permitted to hold several valid driving licenses at the same time.
For example:
Which office can I contact?
The driving license authority responsible for your place of residence (Road Traffic Office) is responsible for all questions relating to driving license law.
The address directory of the driving license authorities is available to you free of charge (only in German).
The KBA stores driving license data for all EU driving licenses (plastic cards in credit card format) issued since 01.01.1999. It is the same data that is recorded on the driver's license. The data is stored in the Central Driver Driving Licences (ZFER). You can find the request form and all relevant information here: Information from the Central Driver Driving Licences Register.
Information on older driver's licenses (gray, pink, GDR) cannot be provided, as this data is only available at the driver's license authority (road traffic office) of the city or district that issued the driver's license.
The driving license authorities have the possibility to directly access (online) the data stored in the KBA regarding the new driving licenses and to provide information in this regard.
As a federal authority, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) is responsible for the central registration of driving license data and the provision of information to authorized bodies or private individuals regarding their personal data.
The KBA is not the superior authority of the driving license authorities and can therefore not issue instructions to these authorities. It cannot make any divergent decisions or issue exemptions. You should therefore contact the superior authority of the driving license authorities in your federal state. Your driving license authority can name the responsible office for you.
All driver's licenses issued in Germany are produced by a central office (Bundesdruckerei Berlin). The local driver's license authority orders the driver's license there directly (online).
Driving licenses that have been revoked are deposited with the locally responsible driving license authorities, i.e. not with the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA). Submit an application for a new driver's license to the driver's license authority responsible for your place of residence (Road Traffic Office). They will inform you about the further procedure.
- The basic and the refresher training in accordance with Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the ADVANCED DANGEROUS GOODS (ADR) training and/or.
- The basic and refresher training in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.
These shorten the necessary duration of a class for the accelerated basic qualification BZW. continuing education.
- Driver qualification certificates issued in Germany (from May 23, 2021),
certificates of participation (expected from October 25, 2021) for
- basic qualifications,
- accelerated basic qualifications,
- further training courses, and
- other specially completed measures
Questions and answers - Register of Professional Drivers Qualification
Your local driver licensing authority is your contact in these cases.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) shall provide drivers with information on the contents of the Register of Professional Drivers Qualification concerning them free of charge upon written or electronic request (§ 25 BKrFQG).
In addition to the standard examination, there are easier examination conditions for persons with certain prerequisites, namely for so-called lateral entrants and switchers.
Transitional entrants are drivers who already hold a certificate of professional competence in accordance with the occupational access regulations for Goods Transport and passenger transport.
Transitioners are drivers who already have a basic qualification for trucks (driver's license classes C, C1, C1E, CE) or buses (driver's license classes D, D1, D1E, DE) and then acquire the other basic qualification for buses or trucks.
In these special cases, a smaller amount of training must be completed in order to obtain a driver qualification certificate (FQN).
The special cases only include the shortening of the basic qualification or the accelerated basic qualification and therefore have no influence on the further training.
These regulations do not apply to drivers who hold a driving licence or have held a driving licence that has been revoked, relinquished, or expired, provided that the driving licence is one that was.
1. was issued before September 10, 2008 and is valid for categories D1, D1E, D, DE or an equivalent category;
2. was issued before September 10, 2009 and is valid for classes C1, C1E, C, CE or an equivalent class.
The obligation to undergo further training remains (§ 4 BKRFQG).
The FQN does not expire if the driving licence expires due to withdrawal, renunciation, etc. However, it can only be used in conjunction with a valid driving licence. This means that, for example, during a roadside check, both the FQN and the associated driving licence must be carried.
After RENEWAL of the driving licence, however, a new FQN can then be applied for at the responsible driving licence AUTHORITY. This has the advantage that the driving licencenumber on the driving licence is identical to that on the FQN.
When a driving licence is RENEWED, the existing serial number of the FQN will remain as it is not related to the driving licence. If a new FQN is applied for, only the issue number will be incremented by 1.
Basic qualification
The basic qualification is acquired by passing a theoretical and practical examination at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) (§2 ABS. 1 Nr. 1 BKRFQG) or by completing a vocational training as a professional driver or as a specialist in driving (§2 ABS. 1 Nr. 2 BKRFQG). The basic qualification is acquired in relation to specific driving license classes. For the initial qualification, the previous acquisition of a driving licence is not required. The initial qualification must be acquired in Germany if the driver is resident here (§ 6 No. 1 BKRFQG).
Accelerated basic qualification
The accelerated basic qualification is acquired by attending classes at a recognized training facility and passing a theoretical exam at an IHK. It is acquired in relation to specific driving license classes. For the accelerated basic qualification, the previous acquisition of a driving licence is not required. The accelerated basic qualification must be acquired in Germany (§ 6 No. 1 BKRFQG).
Further training
The first further training must be completed five years after acquiring the basic qualification or the accelerated basic qualification (§ 5 ABS. 1 BKRFQG). The period for the first periodic training can be shortened to three years or extended to seven years to coincide with the end of the period of validity of the driving license classes (§ 5 ABS. 1 BKRFQG).
Continuing education is completed by attending classes at a recognized training facility in order to keep the skills and knowledge learned up to date. A further training course comprises a total of 35 hours of instruction.
These can be divided into five modules of seven hours each.
The further training or the individual modules can be completed in Germany, a member state of the EU or in Switzerland, provided that the driver is employed there.
The FQN is proof of the acquisition of the basic qualification, the acquisition of the accelerated basic qualification or the completion of a further training course (§ 7 ABS. 1 Berufskraftfahrerqualifikationsgesetz - BKRFQG) and replaces the entry of the key number 95 in the Drivers Certificate for applications since 23.05.2021.
The FQN is issued in card format similar to the Drivers Certificate
Creditable are:
The BQR stores
The BQR stores the data relevant for the driver qualification certificate or for the certificates of participation, but not the address of the person concerned.
The driver qualification certificate can also be issued in cases where it was previously not possible to enter the code number "95" in the driving license, e.g. in the case of foreign driving licenses. It is no longer necessary to collect the certificate from the authorities, as the driver qualification certificate can be sent directly to the driver. It can also be sent to an EU member state (with the exception of special areas).
A professional driver who has successfully obtained an initial qualification or an accelerated initial qualification or has completed a prescribed periodic training.
The Professional Driver Qualification Register (BQR) at the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) serves as a central register and is not responsible for answering questions regarding driving license law - as well as regarding professional driver qualification law.
The local driving licence authorities are responsible for the implementation of this legal matter. They receive applications for the issuance of a driver qualification certificate, check the prerequisites (participation in qualification measures, Recognition of special measures) and clarify legal and procedural questions.
The address list of the driving licence authorities is available to you free of charge.
An FQN has a validity of five years. The period of validity is based on the continuing education cycle of five years after completion of the (accelerated) basic qualification (§ 5 ABS. 1 BKRFQG).
With the introduction of the driver qualification certificate, the key number 95 previously entered in the driver’s licence will be replaced over a period of five years. The previous entries in the driver’s licence remain valid until the expiry of the period entered.
As of May 23, 2021, there will no longer be a key number "95" in the driver’s licence for new applications for professional drivers to prove professional driver qualification. Instead, professional drivers will receive a driver qualification certificate in the form of a card similar to the driver’s licence.
A professional driver can apply for his FQN at the driving license authority responsible for his place of residence (§ 7 para. 1 BKrFQG).
- Proof of residence in Germany and address
- German card driver's license or corresponding driver's license of a member state of the EU/EEA.
- Proof of identity (for example: identity card)
- Photograph
- Name, address and registered office of the workshop, tachograph manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer,
- birth and surnames, first names, date and place of birth of the entrepreneur or the person appointed to represent him by law, the articles of association or the company agreement,
- birth and surnames, first names, day and place of birth, current residential address and preferred language of the responsible specialist for whom the workshop card is requested,
- Recognition or assignment of the workshop in accordance with § 57b of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO),
- Training of the responsible specialist for whom the workshop card is being applied for in accordance with the tachograph and recording equipment training guideline
- Existing employment relationship with the responsible specialist for whom the workshop card is applied for.
Questions and answers - Generally valid for all card types
Further information can be found at the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM)
Tachograph cards are all types of cards with which a tachograph can be operated. They are driver cards, workshop cards, company cards and control cards.
Validity | Case | Costs | Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
5 years except for workshop card (1 year) and control card (2 years) | For first issuance | chargeable | Start of validity with date of personalization (production). |
In case of renewal due to damage or malfunction as warranty case | free of charge | Start of validity with date of personalization (production). End of validity always corresponds to that of the replaced card. | |
In case of replacement due to damage or malfunction outside the warranty period | chargeable | Start of validity with the date of personalization (production). This applies only to cards that do not have unnatural damage. For all others, the validity corresponds to the replaced card. | |
In case of renewal due to the expiry of the validity of the previous card | chargeable | Start of the validity of the new card one day after the expiry of the validity of the previous card. | |
For replacement due to theft or loss | chargeable | Start of validity with date of personalization (production). End of validity always corresponds to that of the replaced card. In the case of replacement due to theft or loss, no new validity period is to be set in accordance with § 5 of the Fahrpersonalverordnung (FPersV) (only in German)! | |
The warranty period for tachograph cards, except for workshop cards, is two years. |
You can obtain a tachograph card from the local issuing office. The address directory is available to you free of charge:
(only in German)
Questions and answers - The driver card
Further information can be found at the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM)
Simultaneous application depends on the organizational structure of each state.
If you wish to renew your driver card, submit an application to the locally competent office no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 working days before the expiry date.
The validity period of the new card immediately follows the expiration date of the old card. Please do not order your follow-up card too early, because if the old card is stolen or lost, the new card must also be confiscated and another card valid immediately must be applied for. This may result in unnecessary costs for you.
Please note, the expired card remains in your hands. You must carry it in your vehicle for at least 28 calendar days after expiration.
The applicant must submit the following documents:
(Section 5 (1) of the Fahrpersonalverordnung (FPersV))
The driver may only have a valid driver card.
Any misuse will be prosecuted and punished.
To apply for the driver card, a biometric photo as defined in Annex 8 of the Passport Ordinance must be submitted. High-quality photos are the prerequisite for proper processing of the image. A recent passport photo in color (35 to 45 mm) is required, in which the face is centered on the photo with a direct view into the camera. The background of the photo must be a single light color (ideally neutral gray) to provide a clear contrast to the face, hair and clothing. Applicants must always be photographed without headgear
The driver card is always the property of the driver. The chip on the driver card contains the driver's personal data in machine-readable form. Even if the employer has paid for the card, it does not become the property of the employer.
Questions and answers - The control card
Further information can be found at the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM)
The control card allows competent authorities (for example BAG, police, federal police) unrestricted access to stored data for monitoring driving and rest times.
Questions and answers - The company card
Further information can be found at the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM)
The company card identifies the company and enables the display, downloading and printing of data stored in the recording equipment. This information is for the purpose of disposition of the fleet and for operational controls.
Questions and answers - The workshop card
Further information can be found at the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM)
Yes, the issuance of a card can be refused if the legally specified requirements are not met. These include, for example, lack of suitability and reliability of the workshop and unqualified personnel.
The applicant must provide the following information and prove it with documents:
(Section 7 (2) of the Fahrpersonalverordnung (FPersV) (only in German):
List of institutions that have received workshop cards for the EC control unit (as of 01.01.2024)
Institutionen WerkstattkartenPDF, 2MB, File does not meet accessibility standards
(only in German)Workshop cards are the property of the workshop and are issued to qualified workshop personnel.
The PIN can consist of uppercase letters (entire alphabet, except vowels), numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) or uppercase letters and numbers. It always has six digits.
Workshop cards are only issued personally to qualified workshop personnel. Each person may only be the holder of one workshop card. If there are several employers (workshops), one workshop card may be issued per workshop.
The workshop card is used for testing or repairing, calibrating and programming the digital EC control unit, as well as for downloading the data and for data backup.
Questions and answers - Online register information
For more information about your online ID card, visit the ID card portal of the Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat.
If you want to use the online ID function of your ID document, you must exchange the five-digit transport PIN for a six-digit PIN of your own choice. You will receive the transport PIN by mail after you have applied for an online ID card. You can then easily change the PIN in the AusweisApp2. The AusweisApp2 will support you the first time you use it.
For more information on your self-selected six-digit PIN, visit the ID card portal of the Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat.
You can find out whether your device is NFC-enabled here (only in German).
For more information, visit the AusweisApp2 website.
You can find more detailed information, questions and answers about the online ID card on the ID card portal of the Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat.