Efficiently to registration: Make the most of your insurance number when registering your car
14.05.25
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Without the correct insurance number, registering a car in Germany is impossible. This seven-digit code is your first step towards taking part in road traffic. Find out how, with the right preparation, you can speed up this process by up to fifty per cent.
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, is issued by the insurer and is usually valid for three to six months, but for a maximum of two years.
In addition to new registrations, the eVB number is also required for re-registrations, changes of vehicle ownership, re-registrations and short-term number plates, and can only be used once.
Basics of the insurance number: What you need to know
The electronic insurance confirmation, or eVB number for short, is a seven-digit 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 identify the insurer uniquely.
The remaining five characters of the eVB number are randomly generated. Since 1 March 2008, it has replaced the cover note. This change fully digitised the process.
Communication between insurers and registration offices has become significantly faster. All relevant data are held centrally by the GDV.
Registration offices access this database. This reduces administrative effort by an estimated thirty per cent.
Applying for the eVB number itself is usually free of charge. Costs are only incurred upon actual registration. Many insurers provide the eVB number immediately after an online application. This quick receipt is a major advantage.
Use cases: When an insurance number is absolutely required
The insurance number required to register a car is needed for various processes. The most common case is the first registration of a brand-new vehicle. Without a valid eVB, no licence plate will be issued.
This also applies to a car with an engine output of over 100 hp. A new eVB number is also required when the registered keeper changes. If you buy a used car, you will need a new eVB.
A current eVB is also required for the re-registration of a vehicle that has been taken off the road. This also applies to cars that were deregistered for only six months.
A change of registration due to a move to a new registration district also requires an eVB number. For short-term plates, for example for a transfer journey, a special eVB is necessary.
The following situations require an eVB number:
First registration of a vehicle (e.g. a new car with zero kilometres).
Change of registration when the registered keeper changes (e.g. sale to a private individual).
Re-registration of a vehicle that has been taken off the road (e.g. after a seasonal break of six months).
Change of registration when moving to another registration district (e.g. from Berlin to Munich).
Application for seasonal plates (valid for at least two months).
Application for short-term plates (valid for a maximum of five days).
Registration of technical modifications that require a new operating licence (e.g. an engine conversion with a 20 per cent increase in performance).
Note that each eVB number can only be used once for a specific process. It cannot be reused for a second vehicle. The electronic insurance confirmation is therefore linked to the vehicle and the process.
Validity and costs: Timeframe and financial aspects of the eVB number
The validity period of an eVB number varies depending on the insurance company. A period of three to six months is common.
However, the maximum validity is two years, or 730 days. With some providers, the number is valid for 250 days, for example.
Registration must take place within this period. Once used for a registration process, the eVB number immediately loses its validity.
Issuing the eVB number itself is free of charge for the vehicle owner. There are no direct fees. Even if the vehicle is ultimately not registered.
The costs for motor vehicle insurance are only incurred once the vehicle has been 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 period of validity, it expires automatically. This happens at no cost.
If you then need a new number, you can easily apply for one 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 the application and receipt process
Applying for an insurance number is now a digitalised and fast process. Most insurers offer online application. This often happens directly when taking out a third-party motor insurance.
After entering the details, the eVB number is often issued within a few minutes. This is usually sent by email or SMS. With some providers, it even appears directly after completing the online application.
For the application, you usually need the following information:
Details of the vehicle owner and, where applicable, the differing policyholder (name, address, date of birth).
Vehicle type (car, motorcycle, trailer, etc.).
Details of 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 scope of cover (at least third-party liability).
Immediate availability of the eVB number after the online application is a decisive advantage. It enables quick vehicle registration. Should problems occur, a corrected eVB number can often be issued within minutes by telephone.
Good preparation of the required documents can shorten the entire process by up to one day. For example, if all documents are to hand.
Practical guide: Using the insurance number correctly at the registration office
With the insurance number you have received, the first step towards registering the vehicle has been completed. Present the seven-digit eVB number at the registration office.
The staff use this code to retrieve the stored insurance data. However, the eVB number alone is not enough. Further documents are absolutely required.
These include a valid identity card, the registration certificate Part I and II. Proof of a valid general inspection (HU) is also necessary for vehicles over three years old.
The process on site usually comprises four steps. These include document checking and allocation of the licence plate.
Embossing the plates and attaching the seal stickers are also part of it. Many registration offices also offer i-Kfz registration.
Since 1 September 2023, vehicles can be registered online. They can then be used for up to ten days with a digital notification. This reduces the waiting time by several days.
The correct and complete entry of the eVB number is crucial. A typo can lead to delays of up to one hour. Check the number carefully.
The insurance certificate number is something else, by the way. 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 1 of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) stipulates this. Every vehicle owner must maintain such insurance within Germany.
The insurance number (eVB number) serves as proof of this compulsory insurance. Driving without valid cover is a criminal offence.
This can be punished with fines of up to 180 daily rates. Custodial sentences of up to one year are also possible, pursuant to Section 6 PflVG.
There are special eVB numbers for certain types of licence plates. Temporary plates are valid for a maximum of five days for test or transfer journeys.
A separate eVB is required for this. Seasonal plates are valid for at least two and up to eleven months per year. A specific eVB is also required here.
Export vehicles with export licence plates do not receive an eVB number. Instead, they receive a yellow insurance confirmation card.
Our expert tip: Clarify any uncertainties about the eVB number with your insurer in advance. This applies, for example, to tuned vehicles with significant modifications.
This can help avoid later problems at the licensing authority. Delays of up to one working day are thereby reduced. A knowledge of the insurance terms is helpful here.
Once your vehicle has been successfully registered with the eVB number, it has served its purpose. It is no longer valid for further registration processes.
You then no longer need the specific seven-digit eVB number. The confirmed insurance cover seamlessly transfers to the standard motor vehicle policy.
You will receive the insurance certificate (policy) from your insurer. This documents all the details of your contract. The policy number on this document then becomes your central reference. It is used for all insurance-related matters such as claims notifications.
The registration authority has electronically recorded all the data via the eVB number. This was transmitted to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
If you later switch insurers, your new insurer will generate a new eVB. Data is automatically transmitted to the registration authority.
For a simple change of insurer, no further eVB submission is necessary. This applies as long as the vehicle and keeper remain the same and are registered. The data exchange takes place in the background.
This reduces the effort for you by at least one trip to the authorities. Keep your insurance certificate in a safe place. It provides lasting proof of your insurance cover.
The eVB number is merely the one-off digital key that opens the door to registration. For the premium rate, the terms and your no-claims bonus class in the insurance certificate are decisive.
Optimise your insurance cover with professional advice
The correct insurance number for registering a car is only the first step. Optimal cover provides security and saves costs in the long term.
At nextsure, we understand individual requirements. Our experts analyse your situation. They help you choose the right cover.
There is often potential to save up to fifteen per cent. This is compared with standard rates.
From basic third-party liability cover to fully comprehensive insurance, the options are varied. Additional modules such as roadside assistance are available.
Professional advice ensures that you are neither underinsured nor overinsured. This is particularly important for niche vehicles, where standard solutions often do not fit.
We help you understand the type classes relevant to you and their impact. Get your personalised risk analysis now.
Have your insurance situation checked free of charge. Receive specific optimisation suggestions. This leads to better cover and possible savings.
More useful links
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides information about the Central Vehicle Register (ZFZR), which records all relevant vehicle data in Germany.
Wikipedia provides 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), which enables online registration of vehicles.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides up-to-date statistics and data on vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) publishes monthly statistics on new vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) provides tabular overviews of new motor vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) publishes press releases on current new registration figures.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides information on statistics and the current vehicle stock in Germany.
FAQ
What exactly is the insurance number needed to register a car?
The insurance number, officially the eVB number, is a seven-digit code that electronically proves to your registration authority that your vehicle has motor liability insurance. Since 2008, it has replaced the former double card.
In which situations do I absolutely need an eVB number?
You need an eVB number for new registration, re-registration (e.g. when moving or changing the registered keeper), re-registration of a deregistered vehicle, applying for short-term or seasonal licence plates, and for the entry of technical modifications.
How and where can I apply for an insurance number?
You can apply for the eVB number from your motor insurance provider, usually easily online. After providing your personal details and vehicle data, the number is often sent immediately by email or SMS.
What documents do I need in addition to the eVB number at the vehicle registration office?
In addition to the eVB number, you will need your ID card/passport, the registration certificates Part I and II (vehicle registration document/registration certificate) and proof of the most recent vehicle 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 expires automatically and at no cost. You can then apply for a new one if required.
Is the eVB number the same as the insurance policy number?
No, the eVB number is a temporary code for vehicle registration. The policy number is your contract number and only becomes relevant after successful registration and conclusion of the contract. You can find it on your policy.
