If you want to transfer a vehicle abroad, you sometimes need an export license plate. This applies in the following cases:

• Your vehicle is
  • subject to registration but has been taken out of service
  • not subject to registration but requires a license plate, but does not yet have one

This applies regardless of whether you are moving your vehicle

• under your own power or
• as a trailer.   

With the export license plate, you will receive vehicle documents and, upon request, an international registration certificate. The export license plate is valid for a maximum of one year, and the vehicle must have a valid general inspection during this period. Both are valid for a limited time for the transfer of the vehicle.

You can obtain the export license plate from your local vehicle registration authority.

You must meet the following requirements:

• The owner of the vehicle has their primary residence in Mainz or abroad
• The company headquarters or branch office is located in Mainz or abroad
• If your place of residence, company headquarters, or branch office is located abroad, you must designate a person authorized to receive the vehicle who is resident in Mainz.
• The vehicle must be presented
• The general inspection must be valid for the entire allocation period.
• There must be no outstanding motor vehicle tax arrears.
• All outstanding fees incurred in connection with registration must be paid.
• Vehicle taxes must be paid for the period of validity of the export license plate. This requires either a direct debit mandate for the vehicle tax or, after consultation with the registration authority, you can also pay the tax directly at the Mainz customs office (Obere Austraße 6, Building 25, 55120 Mainz). It is also possible to pay the tax on site, provided that you also purchase insurance and license plates at the store.

You must submit the application in person or through an authorized representative.

You must make an appointment during opening hours. The deadline for export license plates is always 30 minutes before the regular closing time!

Please use the online appointment scheduling service for this purpose.

An export license plate is subject to motor vehicle tax for the period of validity, but for at least one month.

Vehicle registration now only possible with direct debit authorization for motor vehicle tax

Anyone who registers a new vehicle or re-registers an existing one must issue a direct debit authorization for motor vehicle tax to the Ulm Main Customs Office. The direct debit authorization for motor vehicle tax is only valid for the registered vehicle and expires when the vehicle is deregistered.

Due to the switch to the SEPA direct debit procedure, you must generally submit a SEPA direct debit mandate for the collection of motor vehicle tax with each registration. The SEPA direct debit mandate valid for the Mainz registration authority can be found in the "Forms" section at the bottom of this page and in paper form on site.

Applications and information on tax relief for a vehicle can be found at www.zoll.de. Applications for tax relief due to severe disability can be submitted to the registration authority as part of the registration process. To do so, you must present the original copy of your severe disability card.

Outstanding fees at the registration authority

Registration is dependent on you having paid all outstanding fees incurred in connection with the registration. You can pay outstanding fees on site during the registration process.

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

• Proof of liability insurance for your vehicle; the insurance is limited to one year
• Proof that the vehicle is roadworthy:
  •  Valid inspection sticker from a completed general inspection (HU)
  •  Emissions test (AU), if applicable
• Registration certificate part I, also known as the vehicle registration document
• If applicable, an international registration certificate for your vehicle

The fees are charged in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt). Specific information on this can be obtained from the local registration authority responsible.

Cash / EC