Whether with or without a trailer: All motor vehicles registered in Germany require a vehicle registration certificate or registration certificate 1 and 2. In this article, we give you a detailed explanation of the vehicle registration certificate and reveal what the key numbers in the first part of the registration certificate mean and what information is important for driving with a trailer.

What is the vehicle registration certificate or the registration certificate part 1?

The registration certificate is required to put a motor vehicle into operation and to participate in road traffic. It is divided into registration certificate part 1 and part 2. These were introduced EU-wide in 2005 and replace the two documents vehicle registration certificate and vehicle title. Whether it is the technically permissible trailer load or the stationary noise in decibels - the first part of the registration certificate contains the most important technical information about the vehicle and must be carried along during the journey.

Where is a vehicle registration certificate applied for and what must be observed?

The registration certificate is issued by the responsible vehicle registration authority when registering road vehicles. The "old" vehicle registration certificates are also still valid, but they are then changed to the new format when you re-register. If you wish to apply for a new vehicle registration document, e.g. because technical changes have been made, you should again contact the registration authority responsible for your vehicle.

Is it allowed to carry a copy of the vehicle registration document?

No, according to § 11 para. 6 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FVZ), the original of the vehicle registration document must always be carried in the vehicle. Only on the basis of the original documents can it be checked whether corresponding authorisations really exist. If you only have a copy of the vehicle registration document with you instead of the original, a warning fine of €10 may be issued.

What do the key numbers in the vehicle registration document mean?

In order to simplify vehicle checks and to standardise vehicle documents, uniform letter and number combinations in the vehicle registration document, the so-called key numbers, have been defined within the EU. In addition, nationally relevant information is included in the registration certificate, which is indicated by numbering in brackets. In contrast to the old vehicle registration certificate, only the numbers and letters next to the boxes are shown on the front of the new vehicle registration certificate and the corresponding information is on the back of the document.

In this table you will find an overview and explanation of all key numbers in the registration certificate part 1.

Relevant information in the vehicle registration document for the trailer - where does it say what?

In order to safely tow a trailer with a passenger car, very specific load distributions and permissible weight specifications must be observed. In your vehicle registration document you will find the relevant specifications for the trailer, e.g. the permissible gross weight and the maximum trailer, support and axle loads:

Everything you need to know about trailer loads and their calculation can be found here.

Maximum trailer load in the vehicle registration certificate

To find out whether the towing capacity is exceeded or not, take the information on the towing capacity from the registration certificate part 1 under no. O.1 (unbraked) and no. O.2 (braked). If you have an older vehicle registration certificate, you will find the towing capacity under no. 28 / no. 29.

Maximum drawbar load and axle load in the vehicle registration document

When calculating the towable loads, the information on the drawbar load and axle load is also important. You will find the maximum drawbar load in kg under no. 13 and the permissible axle load per axle group in kg under no. 7.1 / 7.2. The permissible axle load in kg in the country of registration is given under no. 8.1 / 8.2.

Do you still have an old vehicle registration document? Then you will usually find the maximum drawbar load on a small plate on the inside of the rear panel or on the tailgate.

Permissible total weight and unladen weight in the vehicle registration document

Where does the unladen weight and other weight information appear in the vehicle registration document? The unladen weight of the vehicle in kg can be found under G and the permissible total weight in kg under F1. The permissible weight in the country of registration is listed under F.2.