If you participate in an event with your vehicle that focuses on the presentation and maintenance of historic vehicles, you can apply for a red classic car license plate for your classic car. An operating permit and registration for the vehicle are not necessary. You can also use the red classic car license plate in the following cases:

• Test drives and transfer trips,
• Workshop visits, and
• Trips to refuel and for exterior cleaning.

The red classic car license plate is therefore an alternative to the H license plate for the special occasions mentioned above. Everyday driving is not permitted with this license plate.

The red classic car license plate consists of a distinguishing mark and an identification number that always begins with "07." The red classic car license plate is a transferable license plate. This means that you can register several historic vehicles with one license plate and drive them alternately. However, you may not use several vehicles at the same time.

In addition to the red classic car license plate, you will receive a vehicle registration booklet. You must carry this with you every time you drive. You must keep a continuous record of all trips in a trip logbook. You must note the following:

• Date of the trip, its start and end,
• the driver (last name, first name) with address,
• type and manufacturer of the vehicle,
• the chassis number, and
• the route traveled.

You can make the entries after the journeys. You do not need to carry the journey logbook with you.

Please note the following requirements:

• The applicant must have their primary residence in Mainz.
• The applicant's reliability must be guaranteed. The registration authority is responsible for checking and determining this.
• There must be no outstanding motor vehicle tax arrears.
• All outstanding fees incurred in connection with registration must be paid.
• Vehicles must have been first registered at least 30 years ago. The date of first registration is decisive!
• A classic car appraisal in accordance with §23 StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations) is available.

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

Please make an appointment in advance. To do so, please use the online appointment scheduling system (see link at the bottom of this page).

• In order to be able to use the red license plates continuously, you must submit a written application for renewal in good time before the expiry date (14 days in advance), presenting the logbook and the vehicle registration document. The registration authority will not send you a special request or reminder regarding the expiry date. It is your responsibility to submit the application in good time.
• As soon as the validity period has expired, you must immediately hand over the license plates and vehicle registration documents to the registration authority. A new application is then required for reissuance.

• Once all the documents have been submitted and reliability has been verified, allocation usually takes place within 7 to 14 days.
• If you include a telephone number on the application, we will inform you as soon as the processing is complete.

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