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What does "Kurzzeitkennzeichen" mean in English?

Legal, Transportation • 
Last updated on 9 April 2024

Kurzzeitkennzeichen, literally translated as “short-term license plate,” is a temporary registration used for vehicles in Germany.

What is “Kurzzeitkennzeichen”?

Kurzzeitkennzeichen are temporary license plates issued in Germany for specific short-term uses of a vehicle. They are typically used for driving a vehicle that is not currently registered, such as for transfer drives after a vehicle purchase, for test drives, or for driving to a vehicle inspection appointment (TÜV). These plates are valid for a maximum of five days and are bound to a specific vehicle[4][13][17].

More information about “Kurzzeitkennzeichen”

Since 2015, to obtain a Kurzzeitkennzeichen, proof of a valid general inspection (Hauptuntersuchung, or HU) is required. If the vehicle does not have a valid HU, the use of the Kurzzeitkennzeichen is restricted to driving within the registration district or to the nearest district for the purpose of obtaining an HU. The plates are recognized within the EU and in some non-EU countries, but it is advisable to check the specific regulations of the destination country[4][13][17][18].

Here are some additional terms that are related to Kurzzeitkennzeichen:

  • Hauptuntersuchung (HU): A mandatory technical inspection for vehicles in Germany to ensure roadworthiness.
  • TÜV: Technical Inspection Association in Germany that conducts the Hauptuntersuchung.
  • Ausfuhrkennzeichen: Export license plates used for permanently exporting vehicles from Germany[16].
  • Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I und II: Vehicle registration documents in Germany[3].

Kurzzeitkennzeichen are an essential part of vehicle transfers and inspections in Germany, facilitating the legal and temporary use of unregistered vehicles.

Sources

[1] https://cars-help.com/en/how-to-buy-a-car-from-germany/ [2] https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/fileadmin/Media/PDF/publications/etudes_et_rapports/Etudes_EN/Cross_border_car_purchases_and_registration.pdf [3] https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/buying-used-car-in-germany [4] https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/autokennzeichen/kurzzeitkennzeichen/ [5] https://deckungskarten.eu/epages/336c867f-595e-43e2-a6b1-9050125999a8.mobile/en_GB/?Locale=en_GB&ObjectPath=%2FShops%2F336c867f-595e-43e2-a6b1-9050125999a8%2FCategories%2FHaeufige_Fragen_FAQ [6] https://www.car-go.nl/en/import/buying-a-car-in-germany/ [7] https://www.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/6r5eba/exporting_used_car_transit_number_plates/ [8] https://www.autodna.com/blog/how-to-import-cars-from-germany/ [9] https://kurzzeitkennzeichen.express/en [10] https://deckungskarten.eu/insurance-5-day-plates [11] https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/auto-kaufen-verkaufen/kfz-zulassung/ueberfuehrungskennzeichen/ [12] https://www.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/13i6fuf/urgent_help_needed_can_i_drive_my_stolen_now/ [13] https://www.tuningblog.eu/en/kategorien/tuev-gesetze-verbote/gelbes-kurzzeitkennzeichen-422229/ [14] https://frankfurt.de/themen/sicherheit-und-ordnung/vorgaben-und-regeln/fuer-das-auto/zulassungsangelegenheiten/gebuehrenuebersicht-fuer-die-zulassung-von-fahrzeugen [15] https://kurzzeitkennzeichen.express/en/blogs/ratgeber/kurzzeitkennzeichen [16] https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/auto-kaufen-verkaufen/import-export/ausfuhrkennzeichen-zollkennzeichen/ [17] https://www.tuningblog.eu/en/kategorien/tipps_tuev-dekra-u-co/kurzzeitkennzeichen-beantragen-357865/ [18] https://www.kennzeichenbox.de/kfz-ratgeber/kurzzeitkennzeichen [19] https://forums.finalgear.com/threads/i-have-a-question-for-our-german-members-about-export-license-plates.51554/ [20] https://kurzzeitkennzeichen.express/en/products/versicherung-fur-kurzzeitkennzeichen