Registration, Re-registration, Deregistration

Regardless whether you have bought a brand new car or a “new used” car, you have to register it before the first drive. This section will inform you what different options there are when registering your car and which procedure comes into question.

Registration of a brand new vehicle

If you have bought a brand new vehicle, you will find everything worth knowing about the registration process in the procedure description "Registering a Vehicle". Frequently the dealer where you have bought the vehicle will also offer to register it.

Registration of a used vehicle

You have just bought a used vehicle and would like to carry out all formalities as quickly as possible? In this case, different procedures come into question depending on the situation:

• Buying a car which is still registered
  If you have bought a used vehicle, which is still registered on its previous owner, you have to transfer the registration to your name at the responsible registration authorities as quickly as possible. It does not matter whether the vehicle is already registered in an urban or rural district or your place of residence or another one.
  Please read the procedure description "Transferring Ownership – Registration after Purchase of a used Car" to find out which documents have to be presented and what else you have to pay attention to.
  
  In addition, the procedure description "Re-registering a Vehicle" also gives you information on how to proceed if you have bought a used car abroad and want to register it in Baden-Württemberg.
  
  Note: Both buyer and seller are obliged to inform the registration authorities without delay of the change in ownership of a vehicle which is still registered. More details are explained in the procedure description "Duty to notify the Authorities when selling your Vehicle”.
• Buying a vehicle which has already been deregistered
  If the used vehicle which you have purchased has already been deregistered by the previous owner, then you have to reregister it in your registration district. The procedure description “Re-registering a Vehicle” gives you more detailed information.

Moving House

When moving to another urban or rural district, you have to reregister your vehicle.You can find more details in the procedure description "Re-registering a Vehicle (the vehicle is to be moved to a different district)".

If you move within the same urban or rural district you can keep your old licence plate. In this case, you only have to register your new address in the vehicle documents.

Deregistering a Vehicle

If you do not intend to use your vehicle for a longer period of time, you can deregister it. You can get more information in the procedure description "De-registering a Vehicle (Putting it out of Action)".

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Verkehrsministerium released it on 16.08.2021. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.

In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.