The three security codes

You only reveal the three security codes after paying. Revealing them cannot be undone and makes your number plates invalid immediately. That is why we ask for them last.

Check for free whether it works

The check costs nothing and you reveal nothing during it.

§ 1

Where they are

Two on the number plates, one on the registration certificate. The two on the plates are not the same.

Code 1 of 3

Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I

On the back, under a field with a covering layer. Seven characters.

still covered

Code 2 of 3

Seal at the back

Under the round seal on the rear plate. Three characters.

still covered

Code 3 of 3

Seal at the front

The same at the front, with a different code. Three characters.

still covered

§ 1b

What it looks like in real life

Three pictures, and the middle one shows the mistake almost everyone makes: the number under the film is NOT the security code.

Two close-ups of registration seals on number plates. On the left a film is being peeled off with the fingers, on the right the layer is being rubbed away with a coin, revealing a three-character code underneath. — **On the number plate**On the left a film is being peeled off, on the right the layer is being rubbed away with a coin. Both versions exist. Never use a knife.

Two photographs of the same field on a registration certificate. On the left with a red cross: the covering is still in place and only the document number is visible. On the right with a green tick: the covering has been removed and the actual security code is visible. — **The most common mistake**Left is wrong: the number next to the barcode is the document number, not the code. Right is correct: the real code only appears once you reveal it.

Two photographs of the green field on a Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I. On the left the layer is damaged and the code partly destroyed; on the right it is intact and clearly legible. — **On the registration certificate**On the left it was rubbed too hard and the code is damaged. On the right it is cleanly revealed. Pull slowly and photograph the code immediately.

Two versions are in circulation

A scratch field and a peel-off film look identical from the outside. You only notice which one you have when you touch it.

With the scratch field, rub with a coin, never a knife. With the film, lift the corner and pull slowly. Photograph the code immediately, before you type it over.

If the code is not legible

A German number plate on a vehicle, with the round registration seal.

§ 2

Why this is irreversible

The seal is destroyed when you reveal the code. From that moment your plates are invalid and you may not drive, even while the deregistration is still running.

That is why we ask for the codes last, after payment and on a separate page. Anyone who stops before that has destroyed nothing.

§ 3

Questions about the codes

My vehicle was registered before 2015.

Then the security codes may not exist. First check whether your seals have a silver field.

The code contains an O or a zero.

The codes never contain the letters I, O or Q. If it looks round, it is a zero.

I scratched too early.

Then your plates are invalid. Deregister the vehicle as soon as you can, and leave it parked until then.

Vehicles registered before 2015

First check whether it works for you

The check costs nothing and you reveal nothing during it.

Check for free whether it works