Wegweiser Vehicle keepers · Duties and rights around the car Deutsch

🚗 Overview for vehicle keepers

The duties and rights private car keepers have in Germany, and where to find the details in this Wegweiser.

keeper duties registration insurance driving licence fine overview

In brief

If you keep a car, you have duties towards several bodies. The car must be registered and insured. It must go for its main inspection. Vehicle tax is due. You also need a valid driving licence.

Mistakes can lead to a fine, points or a driving ban. Many deadlines are short. For example, you have only two weeks to lodge an objection (Einspruch) against a fine notice.

This Wegweiser explains the topics in plain language. Under each topic you will find an in-depth section with legal bases. What applies after a road accident is covered in the Wegweiser Verkehrsunfallopfer (road accident victims) and is not repeated here.

Step by step

  1. Organise your documentsHave your registration certificate, proof of insurance and driving licence ready.
  2. Note the datesEnter the main inspection, your insurance cancellation date and the driving licence exchange deadline in your calendar.
  3. Open your post straight awayFine notices and hearing forms have deadlines that start on delivery.
  4. Choose a topicUse the search or the categories and read the matching page.

Deadlines

2 weeks
Objection (Einspruch) against a fine notice after delivery§ 67 OWiG
24 months (car, after the first inspection)
Interval between main inspectionsAnlage VIII StVZO, Nr. 2.1.2.1.2
Watch out – common mistakes
  • This Wegweiser reflects federal law. State law and local rules were not researched.
  • The responsible authorities (registration office, fines office, driving licence office) differ locally.
  • Deadlines often start on delivery or when a decision becomes final, not on the date of the letter.
  • Information, not legal advice.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Structure of the law

Registration and operation are governed mainly by the Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (Vehicle Registration Ordinance, FZV) and the Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, StVZO). The insurance obligation is in the Pflichtversicherungsgesetz (Compulsory Insurance Act, PflVG) and the Versicherungsvertragsgesetz (Insurance Contract Act, VVG). Vehicle tax is governed by the Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz (Motor Vehicle Tax Act, KraftStG). Traffic violations fall under the Straßenverkehrsgesetz (Road Traffic Act, StVG), the Ordnungswidrigkeitengesetz (Administrative Offences Act, OWiG) and the Bußgeldkatalog-Verordnung (Fine Catalogue Ordinance, BKatV). Driving licences are governed by the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (Driving Licence Ordinance, FeV). Purchase, garage and financing are covered by the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (Civil Code, BGB).

Scope

Damages, liability and settlement after an accident are covered by the Wegweiser Verkehrsunfallopfer. This guide deals with everyday keeper duties.

State law

Not researched: registration office fees, responsibilities of fines offices, local low-emission zones and municipal parking rules.

Who is responsible
  • Local registration authority (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle)
  • Local driving licence authority
  • Fines office (see notice)
Further reading
Registration, change of address, deregistration and i-KfzFine catalogue, points and driver fitness registerAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Overview for vehicle keepers“?
The duties and rights private car keepers have in Germany, and where to find the details in this Wegweiser.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 2 weeks: Objection (Einspruch) against a fine notice after delivery (§ 67 OWiG)
  • 24 months (car, after the first inspection): Interval between main inspections (Anlage VIII StVZO, Nr. 2.1.2.1.2)
What should I do first?
  • Organise your documents: Have your registration certificate, proof of insurance and driving licence ready.
  • Note the dates: Enter the main inspection, your insurance cancellation date and the driving licence exchange deadline in your calendar.
  • Open your post straight away: Fine notices and hearing forms have deadlines that start on delivery.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • This Wegweiser reflects federal law. State law and local rules were not researched.
  • The responsible authorities (registration office, fines office, driving licence office) differ locally.
  • Deadlines often start on delivery or when a decision becomes final, not on the date of the letter.
Evidence
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz, gesetze-im-internet.de, FZV, StVZO, StVG, OWiG, PflVG, KraftStG, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Internetbasierte Fahrzeugzulassung, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Wegweiser Verkehrsunfallopfer (scope), retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.