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Procedure descriptions

Applying for a replacement of the roadworthiness certificate for individual vehicles following its loss

Every motor vehicle or trailer must be accompanied by a Certificate of Registration Part I (formerly: vehicle registration certificate) and Part II (formerly: vehicle title); in the case of vehicles exempt from registration, an operating licence or the CoC document (Certificate of Conformity). If any of these documents are lost or stolen, you must report this immediately to your local registration authority and apply for a new registration certificate or type-approval certificate. In the event of theft, you must also report the theft to the police without delay.

Responsible authority

The registration authority in whose district you

have

your main residence, place of business or branch office

is:

  • for a city district: the city council
  • for a rural district: the district administration
Landratsamt Karlsruhe

Details

Prerequisite

Loss or theft of the vehicle registration document

Procedure

You must apply to your local vehicle registration authority for a new certificate of roadworthiness.

  • If the vehicle’s technical data is already on file at the district registration office, a replacement document can be issued immediately.
  • If the technical data for the vehicle is not on file, you must apply for a certificate of compliance from the registration office. This certificate of compliance must then be submitted to the manufacturer, who can issue a replacement type-approval certificate.

If the manufacturer no longer exists or the vehicle was self-built, the certificate of compliance must be submitted to a testing organisation. The testing organisation will draw up a technical report. With this report from the testing organisation, the registration office can issue the replacement type-approval.

Deadlines

The claim must be made as soon as possible after the loss is discovered or after the loss has been reported to the police.

Required documents

  • A valid identity card or passport
  • If available, Part I of the registration certificate (formerly: vehicle registration certificate) or Part II (formerly: vehicle title)
  • for commercial vehicles: additional relevant supporting documents
  • In addition, if acting on behalf of another person:
    • written power of attorney
    • Valid identity card or passport of the authorised person
  • In the event of a replacement: test report confirming a valid general inspection in accordance with Section 29 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO)
  • In the event of loss:
    • Declaration of loss, or, where applicable, a statutory declaration
    • from the person responsible
    • possibly a confirmation from the vehicle owner
    • In the event of loss by an association or company: extract from the Commercial Register, business registration or extract from the Register of Associations
  • in the event of theft: confirmation from the police that a theft report has been filed

Costs

Fees are set in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOst).

Miscellaneous

Please check with your local vehicle registration authority to find out which documents are required in your specific case. In some cases, the registration authority may require you to submit an affidavit regarding the loss of the vehicle registration document. Many registration authorities provide a form for the affidavit, which can be downloaded. If Part II of the registration certificate is held by a financial institution, please check with the registration authority regarding the procedure. If the manufacturer no longer exists or the vehicle was self-built, a certificate of compliance from a testing organisation must be submitted. The testing organisation will draw up a technical report. With this report from the testing organisation, the registration office can issue a replacement roadworthiness certificate. If the technical data for the vehicle is not on file, a certificate of compliance must be applied for from the registration office. With the certificate of compliance, the manufacturer can issue a replacement type-approval certificate. If, after the replacement document has been issued, you find the registration document or type-approval certificate that you thought had been lost, you must hand the old document in to the registration authority as soon as possible.

Legal basis

Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG):

  • § 5 Verlust von Dokumenten und Kennzeichen

Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO):

  • § 19 Erteilung und Wirksamkeit der Betriebserlaubnis
  • § 21 Betriebserlaubnis für Einzelfahrzeuge

Verordnung über die EG-Genehmigung für Kraftfahrzeuge und ihre Anhänger sowie für Systeme, Bauteile und selbständige techniche Einheiten für diese Fahrzeuge (EG-Fahrzeuggenehmigungsverodnung - EG-FGV):

  • § 13 Einzelgenehmigung für Fahrzeuge

Release note

Machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 14.08.2026