If an official or private vehicle registered with special plates is sold in Germany or exported from Germany, it must be deregistered directly at the vehicle registration centre and, if applicable, the necessary customs-related steps should be undertaken (see Circular Note 01/2022 of 18 January 2022 – Ref. 701-701 AM 15 Allg. (vehicles)).

If members of a diplomatic mission or career consular post are posted abroad or leave the mission’s or post’s employ, and if they own more than one vehicle, all vehicles registered in their name with special plates must be deregistered.

Vehicles are deregistered directly at the vehicle registration centre.

Cover plates

Where, in exceptional cases, cover plates have been issued for an official vehicle or a private vehicle belonging to a member of a diplomatic mission or career consular post, these plates must likewise be returned to the registration centre which issued them prior to the sale or export of the vehicle.