Efficient registration: Make optimal use of your insurance number when registering your car
14 May 2025
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Without the correct insurance number, registering a car in Germany is impossible. This seven-digit code is your first step to participating in road traffic. Learn how you can speed up this process by up to fifty percent with the right preparation.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The insurance number (eVB number) is a seven-digit code and is mandatory for vehicle registration in Germany as proof of liability insurance.
The eVB number is free of charge, issued by the insurer, and is usually valid for three to six months, but no more than two years.
In addition to new registrations, the eVB number is also required for changes of registration, change of ownership, re-registration, and short-term licence plates, and can only be used once.
Basics of the Insurance Number: What You Need to Know
The electronic insurance confirmation, or eVB number, is a seven-character code. It serves as digital proof of motor third-party liability insurance for the registration authority.
Without this number, vehicle registration in Germany is not possible. The first two characters uniquely identify the insurer.
The remaining five characters of the eVB number are randomly generated. Since the first of March 2008, it has replaced the traditional paper form. This change has fully digitised the process.
Communication between insurers and registration authorities has significantly accelerated. All relevant data is centrally stored at the GDV.
Registration authorities access this database. This reduces the administrative workload by an estimated thirty percent.
The application for the eVB number itself is usually free of charge. Costs are incurred only with the actual registration. Many insurers provide the eVB number immediately after the online application is submitted. This rapid issuance is a significant advantage.
Use Cases: When an Insurance Number is Absolutely Necessary
The insurance number for car registration is required for various procedures. The most common instance is the registration of a brand-new vehicle. Without a valid eVB, no registration plate will be issued.
This also applies to a car with over 100 horsepower. A new eVB number is necessary for change of ownership as well. If you buy a used car, you will need a new eVB.
Similarly, a current eVB is required for the re-registration of a decommissioned vehicle. This also applies to cars that have only been deregistered for six months.
A re-registration due to moving to a new registration district also requires an eVB number. For short-term registration plates, such as for a transit journey, a special eVB is necessary.
The following situations require an eVB number:
Registration of a vehicle (e.g., a new car with zero kilometres).
Re-registration upon change of ownership (e.g., sale to a private individual).
Re-registration of a decommissioned vehicle (e.g., after a six-month seasonal break).
Re-registration due to moving to another registration district (e.g., from Berlin to Munich).
Application for seasonal registration plates (valid for at least two months).
Application for short-term registration plates (valid for a maximum of five days).
Entry of technical modifications requiring a new operating license (e.g., an engine modification with a twenty percent power increase).
Please note that each eVB number can only be used once for a specific procedure. Reuse for a second vehicle is not possible. The electronic insurance confirmation is thus vehicle- and procedure-specific.
Validity and Costs: Timeframe and Financial Aspects of the eVB Number
The validity period of an eVB number varies according to the insurance company. A typical duration is three to six months.
However, the maximum validity is two years, i.e., 730 days. For some providers, the number is valid for 250 days, for example.
The registration must take place within this period. Once used for a registration process, the eVB number immediately becomes invalid.
The issuance of the eVB number itself is free of charge for the vehicle owner. There are no direct fees incurred. This applies even if the vehicle is ultimately not registered.
The cost of car insurance only becomes due when the vehicle is successfully registered. The insurance contract must then be concluded. The free provision of the eVB number is a customer-friendly service.
If you do not use the eVB number within its validity period, it automatically expires. This happens at no cost.
If you need a new number afterwards, you can easily apply for it again. It is advisable to request the eVB only when the appointment is foreseeable. For example, four weeks before the planned date.
The Path to the Insurance Number: Optimising Application and Receipt
Applying for an insurance number is now a digital and swift process. Most insurers offer online applications. This often takes place directly when taking out a motor liability insurance.
After entering the data, the eVB number is often delivered within a few minutes. This usually happens via email or SMS. With some providers, it even appears immediately after completing the online process.
For the application, you typically need the following information:
Details of the vehicle owner and, if applicable, the different policyholder (name, address, date of birth).
Type of vehicle (car, motorcycle, trailer, etc.).
Information about the vehicle, if already known (HSN/TSN, Vehicle Identification Number - VIN). These can be found in the registration certificate Part I or Part II.
Desired insurance coverage (at least liability).
The immediate availability of the eVB number after an online application is a significant advantage. It enables quick vehicle registration. If problems arise, a corrected eVB number can often be issued over the phone within minutes.
Good preparation of the required documents can shorten the entire process by up to a day. For example, if all documents are readily available.
Practical Guide: Correctly Using the Insurance Number at the Registration Office
With the received insurance number, the first step towards vehicle registration is completed. You present the seven-digit eVB number at the registration office.
The staff retrieves the stored insurance data using this code. However, the eVB number alone is insufficient. Additional documents are absolutely necessary.
These include a valid ID card, the registration certificate Parts I and II. Proof of a valid main inspection (HU) is also necessary for vehicles over three years old.
The on-site process generally includes four steps. These involve document verification and allocation of the license plate.
The embossing of the plates and affixing of the stamp badges are also part of this. Many registration offices accommodate i-Kfz registration.
Since the first of September 2023, vehicles can be registered online. They can then be used for up to ten days with a digital notice. This reduces the waiting time by several days.
Providing the correct and complete eVB number is crucial. A typo can cause delays of up to one hour. Check the number carefully.
By the way, the insurance policy number is something else. It only becomes relevant after the contract has been concluded, not for the registration itself.
Expert Knowledge: Understanding Legal Frameworks and Special Cases
The obligation to have motor vehicle liability insurance is enshrined in law. Section one of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) mandates this. Every owner must maintain such insurance domestically.
The insurance number (eVB number) serves as proof of this mandatory insurance. Driving without valid coverage is a criminal offence.
This can be punished with fines of up to 180 daily rates. Imprisonment of up to one year is also possible, according to section six of the PflVG.
There are special eVB numbers for certain types of number plates. Temporary plates are valid for a maximum of five days for test or transfer journeys.
A separate eVB is required for these. Seasonal plates are valid for at least two to a maximum of eleven months per year. A specific eVB is also required here.
Export vehicles with export plates do not receive an eVB number. Instead, they receive a yellow insurance confirmation card.
Our expert tip: Clarify any uncertainties regarding the eVB number in advance with your insurer. This is applicable, for example, to modified vehicles with significant changes.
This can prevent later issues at the registration office. Delays of up to one working day are thus reduced. An understanding of the insurance terms is helpful in this regard.
After approval: What happens with your insurance number
Once your vehicle has been successfully registered with the eVB number, it has fulfilled its purpose. It then ceases to be valid for further registration processes.
You no longer need the specific seven-digit eVB number. The confirmed insurance cover seamlessly transitions into the regular motor insurance contract.
Your insurer will send you the insurance certificate (policy). This document details everything about your contract. The insurance policy number on this document then becomes your central reference. It is used for all insurance-related matters such as claims.
The registration office electronically records all data through the eVB number. This information is transmitted to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
In the event of a later change of insurer, your new insurer will generate a new eVB. Data is automatically transmitted to the registration office.
For a simple change of insurer, no new eVB submission is necessary, provided that the vehicle and owner remain the same and are registered. Data exchange takes place in the background.
This saves you at least one visit to the authorities. Keep your insurance certificate safe. It serves as permanent proof of your insurance cover.
The eVB number is simply a one-off digital key for registration. For the premium rate, the conditions and your no-claims discount class in the insurance certificate are decisive.
Optimize your insurance coverage with professional advice
More useful links
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides information about the Central Vehicle Register (ZFZR), which records all relevant vehicle data in Germany.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of the Electronic Insurance Confirmation (eVB), its function, and significance for vehicle registration.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides details on digital vehicle registration (i-Kfz), enabling online vehicle registration.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) supplies current statistics and data on vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) publishes monthly statistics on new vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers tabular overviews of new motor vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) releases press statements on current new registration figures.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides information on statistics and the current vehicle population in Germany.
FAQ
What exactly is the insurance number needed to register a car?
The insurance number, officially known as the eVB number, is a seven-digit code that electronically proves to your registration office that your vehicle has liability insurance. Since 2008, it has replaced the previous paper slip.
In which situations do I absolutely need an eVB number?
You need an eVB number for the initial registration, re-registration (e.g., when moving or changing ownership), re-registration of a decommissioned vehicle, application for short-term or seasonal license plates, and for registering technical modifications.
How and where can I apply for an insurance number?
You can request the eVB number from your car insurance, usually easily online. After providing your personal details and vehicle information, the number is often sent immediately by email or SMS.
What additional documents do I need at the registration office besides the eVB number?
In addition to the eVB number, you will need your identity card/passport, the registration certificates Part I and II (vehicle registration document/certificate) and proof of the last main inspection (for vehicles older than three years).
Does my eVB number expire if I don't use it?
Yes, if you do not use the eVB number within its validity period (usually 3-6 months, maximum 2 years), it will automatically expire without any costs. You can then apply for a new one if needed.
Is the eVB number the same as the insurance policy number?
No, the eVB number is a temporary code for registration. The insurance policy number is your contract number and only becomes relevant after successful registration and contract conclusion. You can find this on your policy.
