Procedure descriptions

Apply for a changeable number plate

You have two vehicles of the same vehicle class and with the same dimensions of the licence plates?

You can obtain an interchangeable number plate for them.
As an alternative to the seasonal number plate, it enables further flexible vehicle use.

Examples of possible vehicle combinations:

  • two passenger cars
  • one car and one motor home
  • two motorbikes
  • two light trailers

Note: Of the vehicles registered with interchangeable number platesuone or both of these vehicles may also be classic cars with H-plates.

You cannot use the vehicles at the same time. You may not park the vehicle that does not have the full licence plate onpublic roads or car parks,but only in garages or on private property.

Tip: Insurers should mention the restricted use in the präshould take this into account when calculating premiums. Check with your insurance company.

Hint: The changeable number plate does not affect the amount of vehicle tax.

Forms/Online Services

Responsible authority

the registration authority in whose district you have your main place of residence, place of business or place of business

Is the registration authority

  • for a city district: the city administration
  • for a rural district: the district administration office
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Achern [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Kehl [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Lahr [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Offenburg [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Wolfach [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]

Details

Prerequisite

The vehicles must be two vehicles of the same vehicle category with the same number plate size of the following categories:

  • M1 (motor vehicles for the carriage of passengers and not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat)
  • L (for example, motorbikes, light quadricycles and certain quadricycles)
  • Class O1 trailers (up to 750 kg maximum permissible mass)

In the following cases you cannot obtain a changeable number platela:

  • two vehicles of different classes (e.g. a car and a motorbike)
  • Vehicles with
    • Seasonal number plates
    • Short-term number plates
    • Redn Number plates
    • Greenn Licence plate
    • Export licence plates

The following also applies:

  • They must not have any fees and expenses in arrears from previous registration processes.
    In the case of arrears of more than 30 euros, thesthe licensing authority may not register your vehicle until you have paid the arrears. If the amount is less than 30 euros, thesthe licensing authority may decide whether or not to register the vehicle.
  • You must not have a vehicle tax debt of five euros or more. When calculating the amount, late payment surcharges, interest and late fees are alsotaken into account.
  • If someone is to represent you in the registration of your vehicle, you must give this person a written power of attorney. This must also include a declaration of consent that the registration authority may inform the authorised person of any overdue fees and expenses. Your representative must present the power of attorney and identify themselves.

Procedure

You or your representative must apply to the competent registration authority for the issue of the interchangeable number plate. The registration authority of the district in which you have your main residence, place of business or branch office is responsible.

If an application form is necessary, you can obtain it in advance from the registration authority and fill it out at home. Depending on what your registration authority offers, a download form or an online service via the internet may be available.

The registration authority may require you to present your vehicles.

The registration authority will issue your vehicles with the change identiithe registration authority will assign the change plates to your vehicles and affix the stickers (main inspection and stamp sticker) to the licence plates.

Tip: You can usually have the licence plates produced while your application is being processed. To do this, contact the private providers, who are usually located near the registration officesare usually located near the licensing authorities. In the case of interchangeable number plates, these may have to be ordered in advance.

The registration authority will automatically inform your insurance company.

Required documents

The application for the allocation of a changeable number plate relates to two vehicles and can trigger various registration processes (e.g. new registration, deregistration, re-registration with and without change of owner, re-registration relating to one or two vehicles). Which documents you have to submit therefore varies from case to case.

You will find a list of the documents required for the individual registration processes on our website:

Contact your registration authority for more information.

Costs

Fees are charged according to administrative expenses. As the application for the allocation of a changeable number plate relates to two vehicles and can trigger different registration processes, the fees vary from case to case.

Note: In the case of interchangeable number plates, the fees for registration, change of identification number, change of number plate type and transfer from another administrative district - with and without change of owner - increase by 6 euros per vehicle.

Legal basis

Verordnung über die Zulassung von Fahrzeugen zu Straßenverkehr (Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung-FZV):

  • § 9 Absatz 2 Zuteilung von Kennzeichen
  • § 10 Absatz 2 Nummer 7 Besondere Kennzeichen

Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt)

Release note

Machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 13.07.2026