Overview
In Germany, cars have to have two identical number plates which are to be fixed on the front and back of the car. Both number plates carry a tax-badge showing that the car is registered. The rear number plate also holds a TÜV (Safety Check) sign, the front plate an ASU (Emission Check) sign. The registration number is allocated during registration, the first (two) letter(s) for the city, the following ones and the number at random. For a fee of 11 € you can choose those middle letters and numbers according to your preference, provided they are available.
- TÜV
- ASU
- Insurance
- Car papers (Fahrzeugschein)
- Car papers (Kraftfahrzeugbrief)
TÜV
TÜV means "Technischer Überwachungs Verein" (Technical Control Association). A car registered in Germany has to have a TÜV check every two years (new cars 3), where the vehicle is checked for technical safety. This includes steering, brakes, tire profile, corrosion, etc. After the check, you either get a new TÜV stamp on your rear number plate (that marks the next TÜV date), or you get a protocol of the parts which need to be fixed before you may come back. You have four weeks to have the repairs done and come back. Always carry the protocol in your car while you still have not had the repairs carried out (See below to find out why).
ASU
A car needs to have its exhaust fumes checked every year (apart from brand new cars, where the first check is after three years). This check is called ASU (AbgasSonderUntersuchung). Emissions are checked in the exhaust pipe. They may not exceed certain limits. Again you will get a stamp on your front car-plate and a protocol which should be carried with your car papers. Note : When registering your car in another town, you need to show the ASU. ASU can be done in any car garage, TÜV is only done by certain garages and by local authorities. It is illegal to use a vehicle without valid TÜV and ASU on public roads. The vehicle is not insured and, if you are caught, the police can confiscate it.
Insurance
In Germany, the law prescribes that a car has to be insured at least with a liability insurance. Take proof of your insurance (Versicherungsdoppelkarte) when registering your car. If the car is not insured, you are not allowed to use it. If you do, and are caught, your car will be confiscated and you will be fined.
Types of insurance:
- Liability (Haftpflicht) a must
- Damage to own car (Teilkasko) (Partial cover, advisable for older cars)
- Damage to own car (Vollkasko) (Full cover, advisable for new cars) voluntary
- Passenger insurance (Insassen-Unfallvers.) voluntary
- Legal insurance (Rechtschutzversicherung) voluntary
Car papers (Fahrzeugschein)
The "Fahrzeugschein" contains your car's registration data (make, year, registration No., etc.). It must always be carried with you when driving (do not leave it in the car !!!).
Car papers (Kraftfahrzeugbrief)
If you buy a car in Germany, you receive the "KFZ-Brief" after full payment. This has to be changed when registering the car to show you as the new owner. In the KFZ-Brief you can see how many people have owned the car before you. Please keep it somewhere safe at home, as this is a legal document (you can get a new one if you lose it, but it will cost you dearly). When in a police check, you will have to show the following papers:
- Passport or ID card
- Driver's license
- Fahrzeugschein
- ASU protocol
If one or several are missing, you will have to show them to your local police station by a given deadline and also pay a fine.