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Oldtimer

What to pay attention to with Oldtimer registration

There are several possibilities for oldtimer fans to bring their automobile treasures into road traffic for a reasonable price. This depends on the age, the condition of the vehicle, and its use. Anyone who wants to use his 1973 Volvo 1800 ES, or 64 "trunk-fin Daimler" every day, is served best by the so-called H-license plate. But costs can also be minimized with seasonal and red permanent license plates. In individual cases especially with historic "Minis" like the BMW Isetta with its 250 cubic centimeter displacement we recommend normal registration.

Oldtimer-license plate (H-license plate)

Oldtimers refers to vehicles that are at least 30 years old and are considered "vehicle cultural treasures".
The vehicle owner can use his veteran without special restrictions.
The annual tax rate is a lump sum of just 46.02 Euro for motorcycles and 191.73 Euro for cars or trucks.

What is a cultural treasure?
For this, the vehicle user must obtain a TÜV expert opinion in accordance with § 21c of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) and the "Guideline for the assessment of Oldtimer vehicles". Here, the TÜV-experts check whether the veteran is still in good condition and is primarily in original conditions or has been properly restored. A former fire department or military truck, which now serves as a recreational vehicle, is therefore usually not an original; a Porsche engine does not belong in a VW-bug and poorly maintained vehicle also have slim chances.
In addition, the TÜV-specialists check the following:

If the vehicle still has a valid type approval, it is sufficient if its safe condition has been documented by the main inspection (HU).
If there is no type approval, the TÜV-expert checks whether the vehicle generally complies with the StVZO-regulations ("type approval for individual vehicles"). Here, the conditions at the time of the first registration and any necessary retrofits are in effect.

If the assessment is positive, the automobile registration office grants the veteran a special "type approval as an oldtimer". This makes the owner eligible for the Oldtimer-license plate. The form corresponds to the recognized Euro-plate, upon which an "H" is stamped on the right edge (H = historic vehicle).

By the way: The benefits of an oldtimer license plates cannot be combined with those of a red permanent license plate or a seasonal license plate. Temporary decommissioning is possible, however such as for a winter pause.

Red permanent license plate

The "Red license plate for repeated use" from the 49th Special Ordinance to the StVZO offers the same tax advantages as the oldtimer license plate, meaning annual rates of 46.02 Euro for motorcycles and 191.73 Euro for cars or trucks, but has a definite disadvantage: It may only be used on certain occasions (see restrictions).
If a fan has several oldtimers, he can "show" them alternately with the same red permanent license plate. This does not increase taxation.
The vehicle does not need an official registration (§ 18 StVZO) or a valid type approval. Main inspections are not prescribed, but the TÜV-experts recommend the check for safety reasons.

An assessment is only required if:

no vehicle papers exist
the technical description in the papers is incomplete
the vehicle is to be put on the road in Germany for the first time
the registration office cannot evaluate its condition

Restrictions

The vehicle may only be moved on public roads for special oldtimer-meetings and not in everyday traffic!
According to the StVZO, these are "Events, which are for the presentation of oldtimer vehicles and the maintenance of 'automobile cultural treasures'" meaning shows, parades, club meetings, etc.
The related trips to and from the site are covered, as well as test drives and transfer trips.
Automobiles or motorcycles may be taken to the garage for necessary maintenance work or repairs.

Prerequisites

The oldtimer must usually be at least 20 years old.
The registration office checks whether the applicant is "dependable". This means that he must have an official certificate of good conduct and possibly present a current excerpt from the Flensburg traffic register.
In addition, the owner must present proof of ownership and prove the technical data of the vehicle. If the certificate of title to a motor vehicle is missing which is often the case other documents must be presented, such as the purchase agreement or an expert assessment.
If all of these conditions are fulfilled, the applicant receives the red permanent license plate and the stipulation that a logbook must be kept.
If he owns several oldtimers, which he wants to use alternately, he must have a "special motor vehicle registration certificate" made out for each vehicle.

Seasonal license plate

The seasonal license plate is sometimes even more advantageous from a taxation point of view than the Oldtimer- or red permanent license plate:

During the validity period, the vehicle can be used at will in everyday traffic.
During the operational pause, the vehicles are considered to be temporarily withdrawn from public traffic not decommissioned. This does away with registration and cancellation with the registration office and saves money.
The owner is liable for taxes only for the selected period of use.

Conditions

The seasonal license plate allows regular registration for at least two and a maximum of eleven complete months in a year. The validity period is noted on the right side of the license plate, such as 04 10 = April to October.
The vehicle is only registered in the noted period. During the rest phase, it must be parked on private property. Use and parking on public grounds are strictly prohibited.
The seasonal registration cannot be split. For example, it is not permissible to register the vehicle from March to May and then from July to October.
Since the vehicle is not decommissioned, the StVZO-regulations must also be complied with during the rest phase. For example, sale of the vehicle must be immediately reported to the registration office.
It is also sensible to not schedule the prescribed obligatory inspections like the main and emissions inspection during the rest phase otherwise, they must be done within the first month of the seasonal license plate use. Test drives and transfer trips during the rest period are only permissible with a "temporary license plate".
Caution! Those who use their vehicle outside of the registration period, is driving illegally, which can have penal and liability law results.

Regular registration

The regular registration offers unlimited possibilities for using the oldtimer. The vehicle can be registered and cancelled as desired.
But, if one considers a tax rate of 25.36 Euro for gasoline automobiles and 37.58 Euro for diesels for every 100 cubic centimeters (or part thereof) of displacement (for vehicles without a catalytic converter), this becomes a very expensive project. Only owners of small cars can save money. Thus, a BMW Isetta with its 250- cubic centimeter engine costs only 76.08 Euro (3 x 25.36 Euro) in taxes. With the H-license plate, the lump sum of 191.73 Euro would be due.

Special characteristics
According to the stipulations of the StVZO, an oldtimer could almost never be registered as regular. Because: The technical equipment of older models such as lighting, safety belts, turn signals, or window glass usually no longer fulfills current requirements.
However: The provisions, which a vehicle must fulfill, depend upon the time of the first registration. Exception: subsequently required retrofits such as blinkers.
In the case of imported vehicles, the registration depends upon an evaluation by an officially recognized expert.

Insurance
Liability insurance must also be taken out on oldtimers. Many insurance companies offer special veteran rates, which are well under the normal rates. There are no no-claims-bonuses here, but sometimes special rates for members of manufacturer clubs. Most insurance companies demand that the vehicle be at least 20 years old and that there be an additional everyday automobile in addition to the oldtimer.
It is also sensible to take out full-coverage, but at least partial coverage, insurance. The basis for this is the individual market value. Up to a certain limit, a self-estimate is usually enough. Otherwise, a value assessment from the TÜV-experts must be presented. So-called abbreviated appraisals are usually sufficient.

Help
The competent oldtimer specialists of the TÜV-service stations can help you with more than the necessary regulations. They can also give you tips for upcoming expensive restoration or overhaul work.