Process
Deregister a car online in Germany: process, requirements, timing
Deregister your car online without an appointment: which security codes you need, how the deregistration works step by step and how long it usually takes.
Updated on 29 October 2026 · 5 min read
In short: deregistration without a trip to the authority
Today a vehicle can be deregistered entirely online. The official German term for this is Außerbetriebsetzung (taking the vehicle out of service). You enter three security codes, the licence plate number and your keeper details, and there is no need for an appointment at the registration office. Filling in the form usually takes about ten minutes.
Abmeldung24 is a private online service, not a public authority. As a registered bulk customer of the KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority), we transmit your deregistration to the responsible registration authority. The review and the decision take place there: the authority issues the official notice confirming the deregistration.
Which requirements must be met?
Online deregistration works if your documents and licence plates carry concealed security codes. This is generally the case for vehicles registered or re-registered on or after 1 January 2015. Older vehicle registration certificates and seals without a code are not sufficient for the online procedure.
You do not need the online ID function, an eID PIN or a card reader. You do not upload any scans or photos either. The codes themselves are the proof that you have the registration certificate and the plates in your hands.
- Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (registration certificate part I, commonly called Fahrzeugschein) with a 7-character security code
- both licence plates, each with a 3-character code under the official seal sticker
- the current official registration number, for example B-AB 1234
- the keeper details exactly as entered in the registration certificate
Step by step: how the deregistration works
Only uncover the codes once you actually want to carry out the deregistration, and keep all documents to hand. The process itself consists of five stages:
- Enter the licence plate: district code, letters and numbers exactly as shown on the plate.
- Enter the security codes: the 7-character code from the registration certificate and the two 3-character codes from the front and rear plates.
- Add the keeper details and optionally decide whether you would like to reserve the registration number.
- Check your details and pay: the fixed price includes the official fee.
- Transmission to the registration authority: once it has decided, you receive the official notice digitally.
How long does it take to receive the notice?
Many deregistrations are checked fully automatically. If the registration number, codes and keeper details match the register, the notice is usually available shortly after transmission. However, nobody can promise a fixed processing time, because the decision is made by the authority.
The system forwards some cases to the registration authority's caseworkers for manual review. This can then take a few working days. For you this means: do not schedule the deregistration for the last day before a sale or a deadline, but leave yourself some buffer.
What changes after the notice?
From the moment of deregistration, the vehicle may neither be driven nor parked on public roads. So keep it on private property, in a garage or in a rented parking space. The licence plates lose their validity, and you can then dispose of them yourself.
You do not need to take separate care of insurance and vehicle tax: the information about the deregistration is sent electronically to the insurer and to German customs, which collects vehicle tax. Nevertheless, keep the registration certificate and the vehicle title (Fahrzeugbrief) in a safe place, as you will need both documents for any later re-registration.
Three pitfalls you should rule out in advance
Most rejections have trivial causes. A quick check before you start saves you a second attempt and unnecessary waiting.
- Outdated registration certificate: after a move or a change of keeper, only the most recently issued certificate with its new code is valid.
- Swapped seal codes: as soon as you uncover them, note which code belongs to the front plate and which to the rear plate.
- Diverging keeper details: copy your name and address exactly as they appear in the registration certificate, including double surnames or several first names.
Frequently asked questions
Can I deregister my car online at the weekend too?
Yes, the form is available around the clock. Whether the notice is issued immediately or only on the next working day depends on whether the registration authority decides automatically or provides for a manual review.
Do I need the ID app for online deregistration?
No. The online ID function is not required for deregistration. The three security codes prove that you have the registration certificate and the licence plates.
What do I do if I want to register the car again later?
For a re-registration, new registration or transfer of registration, use our sister platform Zulassung24. Have the vehicle title (Fahrzeugbrief) ready, which is not needed for the deregistration itself.
Does the vehicle have to be in a particular place for the deregistration?
No, the location plays no role in the online procedure. All that matters is that the vehicle is no longer driven or parked on public roads after the deregistration.