How much is insurance for a short-term number plate in Germany?
In short
How much is insurance for a short-term number plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) in Germany? Usually 30 to 130 euros for the five days, liability only. Add 13.10 euros for the registration office and about 10 to 30 euros for the plates, so 60 to 130 euros in total. Damage to the car itself is only covered if you request comprehensive cover (Vollkasko) separately.
Published prices for insurance, fees and plates in Germany.
Example
Typical range
Liability for five days, cheap tariffs
from about 30 to 35 euros
Liability for five days, with more cover
up to about 130 euros
Registration office fee
13.10 euros
Making the plates
usually 20 to 30 euros
Total cost with insurance
about 60 to 130 euros
As of October 2026, from guides on short-term plates and the Vehicle Registration Ordinance.
That the no-claims class plays no role and that an accident does not affect your regular policy is
a guide value from quoting practice; the terms of the tariff decide.
We obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Used car bought 250 kilometres away
A buyer collects a deregistered used car with a valid roadworthiness test and drives it home the same day. He takes liability only, as the car is older.
eVB for five days, liability
about 45 euros
Registration office fee
13.10 euros
Plates
about 25 euros
Total
about 83 euros
Credit if he then insures the car with the same insurer
up to 45 euros less
The transfer costs about 83 euros, with the credit closer to 40 euros. Damage to the car on the way would not be covered without Vollkasko. Calculation with guide values.
What the price is made of
A short-term number plate has three cost blocks: the electronic insurance confirmation (eVB, elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung), the fee at the registration office (Zulassungsstelle) and the plates. Insurance is the largest and most variable part. It is charged as a fixed amount for the five days, not as an annual premium.
Cheap tariffs start at around 30 euros, with more cover you pay up to around 130 euros. Many insurers credit this amount if you then insure the car with them permanently. Ask about it before you get the eVB, as the short-term plate may then cost little more than the fee and the plates.
Item
Cost
eVB for five days, liability
about 30 to 130 euros
Registration office fee
13.10 euros
Making the plates
usually 20 to 30 euros
Vollkasko for the transfer
on request only, price by quote
Credit when you take out a regular policy
possible with many insurers
What the insurance covers and what not
The required cover is third party liability (Kfz-Haftpflicht). It pays for damage you cause to others with the car, meaning other vehicles, people and property. Damage to the car you are moving is not covered.
Partial cover (Teilkasko) is usually not available for a short-term plate. Some insurers offer Vollkasko on request. This makes sense mainly for a new or expensive car on a long drive. For an older car going 20 kilometres to the inspection station, liability is enough.
What you may use the plate for
Under section 42 of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance (Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung) the short-term plate is meant for test drives and transfer drives. It is valid at most until the fifth day after issue and only in Germany. To drive the car abroad you need an export plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen).
Without a valid roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung, often called TÜV), or if it expires before the plate does, you may only drive to the inspection station, to the repair of defects found there and back, within your own or a neighbouring district. A weekend trip or a holiday is not allowed. Driving on after expiry means driving uninsured, which can be a criminal offence under the Compulsory Insurance Act (Pflichtversicherungsgesetz).
How to get the eVB
Insurers issue the eVB online or by phone, often within minutes by email or text message. Say that you need it for a short-term plate, as there are separate tariffs. An eVB can only be used once: for the later permanent registration you need a new one.
Bring your ID or passport with registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), the eVB, proof of the roadworthiness test and, if you are buying the car, the purchase contract or vehicle papers to the registration office. If the car is still registered, it must be deregistered first.
When you do not need a short-term plate
If the car you buy is still registered, you can often re-register it directly to your name and drive home with your own plates. The car does not have to be at the registration office for this. You save the short-term plate and have your regular policy straight away.
If you only drive a car in certain months, a seasonal plate (Saisonkennzeichen) is the right choice, not a short-term plate. If the distance is long and the roadworthiness test has expired, transport on a trailer or by a towing service is often the only legal option.
Step by step
Check whether the car is still registered; if so, re-register it directly instead.
Check that the roadworthiness test is valid for the whole trip.
Request an eVB for a short-term plate and ask about the credit.
For an expensive car on a long drive, request Vollkasko as well.
Go to the registration office with ID, eVB and vehicle papers and have the plates made.
Only drive for the transfer or test drive and arrive before the expiry date.
Checklist
eVB for a short-term plate in hand
Roadworthiness test valid, or drive only to the inspection station
Car deregistered beforehand
Purchase contract or vehicle papers with you
Vollkasko clarified if the car is worth a lot
Expiry date on the plate in view
Common mistakes
Using the plate for a day trip or holiday
Driving abroad with a short-term plate
Continuing to drive after the expiry date
Assuming damage to the car itself is covered
Trying to reuse the eVB for the later registration
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does my no-claims class matter?
Usually not.
Insurance for a short-term plate is a fixed amount.
An accident normally does not affect your regular policy, but the tariff terms take priority.
Who pays if I have an accident with a short-term plate?
Liability pays the other party's damage.
You pay for damage to your own car unless you added Vollkasko.
Can I drive abroad with a short-term plate?
No.
The plate is only valid in Germany.
For export you need an export plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen).
Can I extend a short-term plate?
No.
It is valid at most until the fifth day after issue.
If you need more time, apply for a new one with a new eVB.
Can I drive without a valid TÜV?
Only to the inspection station, to the repair of defects found there and back,
within your own or a neighbouring district.
How quickly do I get the eVB?
Usually right away, online or by phone, sent by email or text message.
Still allow some time in case the insurer has questions.
