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How is a car with red number plates insured in Germany?

In short

In Germany, a car with red number plates is insured through a motor liability policy for the plate itself, not for one particular car. It covers whichever unregistered vehicle the plate is on. How much tax applies: EUR 191.73 a year. Damage to the car you are driving is only covered by partial or comprehensive cover that you add separately.

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How is a car with red number plates insured in Germany?

What it costs

Publicly quoted costs around red number plates in Germany, as of 2026.

Example	Typical range
Vehicle tax for red plates, cars and other vehicles	EUR 191.73 a year
Vehicle tax, motorcycles only	EUR 46.02 a year
Registration office fee for issuing the plate	about EUR 30 to 200, depending on the office
Plates	about EUR 10 to 20
07 plate with expert report, police certificate and plates	about EUR 250 to 450 one off
Liability for a dealer plate	from about EUR 495 a year
07 classic car plate, example VW Beetle	about EUR 83 a year

As of October 2026, from the Motor Vehicle Tax Act and publicly quoted guide figures.

The premium for a dealer plate depends heavily on the number and value of vehicles moved and on

who drives.

That a claim only affects the red plate policy is a guide value from quoting practice;

the policy terms decide.

We obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Collector with three classic cars and one 07 plate

Three vehicles that mostly go to meets and the workshop. This is how the costs add up in the first year.

Plate with expert report and plates, one off	about EUR 250 to 450
Vehicle tax for the one plate	EUR 191.73
Liability for the plate	about EUR 80 to 200
Comprehensive cover for the most valuable car	on request

About EUR 520 to 840 in the first year without comprehensive cover, then about EUR 270 to 390 a year for all three. The liability premium is a guide value from our quoting practice.

How insurance works with red plates

With a normal plate you insure one specific car. With red plates it is the other way round: the plate is insured. Motor liability covers damage you cause to others, whichever unregistered vehicle you are moving with it. Without liability cover under the Compulsory Insurance Act (Pflichtversicherungsgesetz) you may not drive with red plates, and the registration office asks for the insurance details when it issues them.

Liability never pays for the car you are driving. If you move customer cars, new cars or valuable classics, you need partial cover (Teilkasko) or comprehensive cover (Vollkasko) for that. Many insurers offer it with red plates, but not all.

Plate	Who gets it	Permitted trips
05	testing bodies and inspection organisations	test drives during inspections
06	reliable manufacturers, workshops, dealers	test, trial and transfer drives
07	owners of classic cars aged 30 years or more	classic car events with the drive there and back, trial, transfer and workshop drives
Short term plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen)	anyone, for one vehicle	trial and transfer drives, five days at most

06 plates for businesses

Under section 41 of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV), the registration office can issue red plates to reliable vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, workshops and dealers, for a limited period or subject to withdrawal. There is no legal right to them. Test, trial and transfer drives are allowed, as are necessary trips to refuel, for exterior cleaning, repairs and maintenance.

For every trip you must record the plate, date, start and end, the driver with address, the manufacturer, the vehicle identification number and the route. The records must be kept for one year. Anyone who uses the plate for private trips or lends it to others risks the registration office withdrawing it.

07 plates for classic cars

The red classic car plate starts with 07 and is governed by section 43 FZV. It allows trips to events for historic vehicles including the drive there and back, plus trial, transfer, workshop and refuelling trips. Each classic car gets its own page in the vehicle logbook, and the logbook must be on board for every trip.

For collectors with several vehicles this can pay off: one plate, one tax of EUR 191.73 and one liability premium for all of them. It is not meant for everyday driving or a Sunday drive without an event. If you drive a single classic regularly, a historic plate (H-Kennzeichen) usually suits you better.

When you do not need red plates

If you are a private person who just wants to bring a car you bought home, a short term plate is the right route, not red plates. And if you only drive a classic in summer, combining a historic plate with a seasonal plate (Saisonkennzeichen) is usually the better choice.

Not every insurer accepts red plates either. Some do not offer a policy for them at all, because the plates only go to businesses and classic car owners. Allow time to find cover before you apply at the registration office.

Step by step

Check whether you really need red plates or whether a short term, seasonal or historic plate will do.
Find an insurer that accepts red plates and get the insurance confirmation.
For a 07 plate, get an expert report for each classic and a police certificate of good conduct.
Apply at the registration office with a reason and proof of insurance.
Enter the vehicle in the logbook before every trip and record the trip.
Add partial or comprehensive cover to the plate for valuable vehicles.

Checklist

Motor liability for the red plate in place
Partial or comprehensive cover sorted for valuable vehicles
Vehicle logbook in the car
Every trip recorded with driver, route and times
Trip matches a permitted purpose
Records kept for one year

Common mistakes

Using red plates for shopping or a holiday
Assuming damage to the car you drive is covered by liability
Lending the plate to friends or customers for private trips
Not entering trips in the logbook
Applying for a 07 plate instead of a historic plate for one car you drive often

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Can a private person get red plates?

Only the 07 plate for classic cars first registered at least 30 years ago.

The 06 plate is reserved for businesses.

Does the insurance cover any car the plate is on?

Yes, the plate is what is insured.

A 07 plate may only be used on the classics entered in its logbook.

Do I need a roadworthiness test (TÜV) for red plates?

No.

Under section 41 FZV the rule on the general inspection does not apply to these trips.

The vehicle still has to be safe to drive.

Does an accident with red plates affect my private car insurance?

Usually not, because red plates have their own policy.

A claim then counts against that policy.

Can I drive abroad with a 07 plate?

That depends on the country and the insurer.

Check before you go whether the country accepts the plate and whether the policy applies there.

How long are red plates valid?

The registration office issues them for a limited period or subject to withdrawal.

When the period ends or you no longer need them, you return plate and logbook.

Sources

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