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Vehicle license plates; obtaining an insurance license plate for small vehicles

Certain smaller motor vehicles do not require registration to be used on public roads, but only an operating license and an insurance plate.

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Procedure details

For operation on public roads, only an operating license and an insurance plate are required for the following motor vehicles:

  • Small motorcycles, such as mopeds and mopeds, which have an engine capacity of no more than 50 cm3 and do not travel faster than 45 km/h.
  • Electric bicycles with pedal assistance at speeds above 25 km/h or pedal-independent motor assistance above 6 km/h up to max. 45 km/h.
  • Segways and similar mobility aids with an electric drive and a maximum speed of up to 20 km/h.
  • Quads and trikes with a maximum speed of up to 45 km/h determined by their design and a maximum cubic capacity of 50 cm3.
  • E-scooters with an operating license and a maximum speed of 45 km/h.
  • Motorized ambulance chairs
  • Mopeds and mopeds from GDR production with a maximum speed of up to 60 km/h that were already insured before 01.03.1992.

The insurance license plate proves that motor vehicle liability insurance exists for the respective motor vehicle in the corresponding insurance year.

The insurance license plate is issued directly by the motor vehicle insurers. It is valid for one insurance year from March 1st to the end of February of the following year.

The insurance license plate consists of a plate with a unique identification number, the traffic year and the symbol of the responsible association of motor vehicle insurers. If no association is responsible, the plate bears the symbol of the insurer.

The vehicle complies with the construction and operating regulations and there is motor vehicle liability insurance in accordance with the compulsory insurance law.

  • The insurance company requires the following data:
    • Keeper data
    • details of the vehicle category, type of bodywork and make of the vehicle, as well as the vehicle identification number

The owner concludes an insurance contract with a domestic insurance company that is authorized to operate motor vehicle liability insurance. After conclusion of the contract and payment of the insurance premium, the insurer provides the holder with the insurance license plate together with a corresponding certificate for the respective traffic year.

For storage in the Central Vehicle Register of the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the applicant shall provide the insurer with the holder's data, details of the vehicle class, type of bodywork and make of vehicle, as well as the vehicle identification number, and provide proof of these details on request.

Insurance premium

The insurance license plate and the certificate lose their validity at the end of the traffic year.

The vehicle driver must carry the certificate of insurance license plate and hand it over to the responsible persons for inspection on request.

  • Motor vehicle; information on vehicle registration

    With a few exceptions, motor vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than six kilometers per hour and their trailers must have an official license plate as soon as they are used on public roads.

  • Vehicle license plates; information
    The vehicle registration number (vehicle license plate), also known colloquially as the license plate, is assigned to the vehicle by the registration authority (vehicle registration office).
Status: 03.03.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Verkehr
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