07 License plate: Is the red license plate worth it ?

Approval 07 license plate: requirements, fees and application

The German federal government introduced the 07 license plate at the beginning of the 1990s. The reason was the emission-based taxation of vehicles, which would have made most collector's vehicles unaffordable. In the course of this amendment, the red number plate enables vehicles with vintage status to be “short-term registered”. The use of the 07 license plate is therefore not a license in the legal sense.

The red license plate with the numbers 07 has since been considered an alternative to the classic H license plate. But what is the difference between the two panels, how do you apply for the red license plate and what conditions do you have to meet if you don't want to pay high fines? The Limora team answers these questions and more.

07 license plate: requirements and requirements

In order for a vehicle owner to receive an 07 license plate, there are a few requirements to be met, but these may vary depending on the registration office and state. For the sake of completeness, you will find all possible conditions that can be found throughout Germany here:

1. The vehicle must be at least 30 years old. This means that the first registration must be at least 30 years ago.
2. Vehicles to be entered must be identifiable. For example through ZB1 and ZB2. Some registration offices also allow foreign or expired registration papers.
3. As with the H license plate, there must be a positive vintage car report in accordance with Section 23 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO).
4. Every trip must be in be documented in a logbook, which must be presented on request.
5. The vehicle tax for the red classic car license plate is, as with the H license plate, a flat rate of 191 euros per year (46 euros for motorcycles) and must of course also be paid.
6. An insurance confirmation for red license plates (eVB number) is required, some registration offices would also like to see the policy.
7. An informal written application with justification of the need is required .
8. A direct debit authorization for motor vehicle tax (SEPA or combined mandate with IBAN and BIC) is required.
9. To ensure that the license plate is not misused, a police certificate of good conduct must also be presented at the time of registration.
10. A suitable private parking space must be presented.
11. The statement from the Flensburg points account must be presented and must not contain many entries.

07 license plates: costs and fees

The fees for issuing a red 07 license plate are currently 118.80 euros (as of 01/28/2022). When registering, you will also receive a logbook and a vehicle registration document for the registered classic cars. A new issue for a logbook is currently around 5.00 euros. If something changes in your vehicle inventory and a new vehicle registration document has to be issued as a result, the fee for this is currently 11.80 euros. The 07 license plate is also issued for motorcycles.

Apply for an 07 license plate - how does it work?

In order to apply for the 07 license plate, all of the above requirements must be met. In addition, the classic documents must be provided, which are always required at every registration office. This includes:

• ID papers of the vehicle owner
• Registration certificate part I (vehicle registration) and II (vehicle registration) for every motor vehicle that is to drive with the 07 license plate
  
• Proof of ownership of the vehicles to be registered
  

The application for the red license plate is then made depending on your place of residence at your registration authority on site, in the district or district office.

It is definitely worth contacting the admissions office in advance to check whether all the relevant documents are available. Some vehicle registration authorities have different requirements and sometimes charge much higher fees for the allocation. A call can not only save time, but also money.

Is the 07 license plate a replacement for the H license plate?

No. An 07 license plate does not offer nearly the possibilities that an H license plate brings with it. Because the use of the 07 license plate is very limited. You can only drive it...

• to classic car meetings
• participate in exhibitions
• take part in official exits and classic car rallies
• and make maintenance and repair trips.

The following are not permitted:

• private trips
• journey trips, commuting to work
• journeys from the meeting of oldtimers to the hotel

07 license plates: Who is allowed to drive and what else is there to know?

• 07 license plate on probation

Some registration offices have a one-year probationary period for the 07 license plate. If you don't get into debt in this first year, the approval can be extended indefinitely until revoked. 

• Zero points tolerance

Whoever has more than 5 points in the Flensburg traffic offenders file from the KBA gets pretty sure no red license plate. Sometimes there is even a zero-point tolerance.

• Fuel trips are taboo

Anyone who only drives quickly to fill up is committing a clear offense and risks a fine or even withdrawal the signs. However, if you fill up on the way to the workshop, then that's fine.

• Withdrawal for improper driving

• No parking in public spaces

The registration office does not ask for proof of a private parking space without reason. Because vehicles with a red license plate may only be parked on a private parking space.

• Investigation into tax evasion in the event of misuse

In the worst case, misuse can even be investigated for tax evasion, since the license plate then entails unjustified advantages.

• Complicity in accidents and assumption of costs

Anyone who drives against the conditions with their 07 license plate and is then also involved in an accident - it doesn't matter whether guilty or not - can be held accountable and despite comprehensive insurance bear the costs.

For whom is the red license plate worthwhile?

The 07 license plate is particularly worthwhile for people who own more than one classic. Because the red number plate is a kind of variable number plate that is not limited to a single vehicle.

Worth knowing: There is also a red dealer sign. Dealers, manufacturers and workshops benefit from this when vehicles that have not yet been registered have to be used for a test, inspection or transfer drive. This license plate is preceded by the numbers 06. For pure collectors, however, the 06 number is not available because it is only issued to active traders.

The advantages and disadvantages of the vintage 07 license plate

The advantages of owning an 07 license plate:

• As with the H license plate, you can drive into the environmental zone with an 07 license plate.
• The 07 license plate can be used on several vehicles will.
• You also get approval for vehicles that otherwise should no longer be moved due to their documentation.
  
• The annual main inspection ( HU) for vehicles with 07 license plate omitted. But the driver is responsible for the proper condition of the vehicle he drives.
  

The disadvantagesof the red change number:

• You are not allowed to drive abroad. In practice, this is  often done, but abroad is  sometimes with high fines and even with the confiscation of the vehicle to be expected. This applies, for example, to trips to France or the Benelux countries. For rallies and trips abroad, you should ask the organizer about his experiences and obtain the appropriate approval from the responsible foreign authority in advance.
• Applying for the number involves a not inconsiderable amount of bureaucratic effort connected.
• A logbook must be kept, which is quite cumbersome.
• Basically, the license plate has to be suspended every 7 years and then applied for again become. The KFZ letters, or ZB1 and ZB2 of the registered vehicles, expire after 7 years and must first be obtained again at great expense when the vehicle is sold.
• Some registration districts take advantage of this and supplement their requirements for allocation as they wish: e.g . the requirement for a regular general inspection, which has no legal basis. To avoid this, some experts advise submitting a written application for unlimited, unconditional 07 approval.

Conclusion: 07 license plates are worthwhile, especially for collectors

In addition to the official supervision that sometimes takes place and the sometimes strict conditions, the strongly restricted use speaks against the 07 license plate. However, if you own several classic or very old vehicles (e.g. without lighting system), then it is definitely worth applying for the red number. Because that way you can avoid the general inspection and can also officially present vehicles that are basically no longer roadworthy. But please always pay attention to road safety!

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Conclusion: 07 license plates are worthwhile, especially for collectors

In addition to the official supervision that sometimes takes place and the sometimes strict conditions, the strongly restricted use speaks against the 07 license plate. However, if you own several classic or very old vehicles (e.g. without lighting system), then it is definitely worth applying for the red number. Because that way you can avoid the general inspection and can also officially present vehicles that are basically no longer roadworthy. But please always pay attention to road safety!