Digital vehicle registration document explained: The most important questions and answers

The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is taking the first step toward digitizing vehicle documents: Starting in the second half of the year, every car owner will be able to digitally save their vehicle registration document, officially known as the Registration Certificate Part 1, on their smartphone. A pilot phase with 2,500 testers is currently underway. The digital driver's license, however, is still a long way off.

Users need the iKfz app, which was developed by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) and the Federal Printing Office (Bundesdruckerei). Currently in the pilot phase, the app is not yet available in the Google Play Store or the App Store. It is expected to be available in the second half of the year. To apply for the digital vehicle registration document, owners also need an electronic identity card (eID) with online functionality and the associated PIN. Alternatively, they can use a QR code, which is issued during vehicle registration.

Not really. The digital vehicle registration document is a legally recognized alternative to the paper version in Germany. It is valid for traffic checks and can be presented at repair shops. However, there are three major exceptions:

1. The digital version is currently not valid abroad. Drivers must therefore carry their paper vehicle registration document with them when traveling until further notice.
2. For the general inspection (HU), inspection centers still require the vehicle registration document on paper. TÜV Nord tells RND: "According to the requirements of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, the sticker and stamp (adhesive seal) belong directly together. Therefore, a final general inspection with sticker allocation is currently not possible without presentation of the original vehicle registration document." Legal adjustments are still necessary before full recognition.
3. If a vehicle is to be re-registered with the registration authority, owners must also bring the vehicle registration document on paper, according to the KBA, because only there can the necessary security code be found.

It's possible to share the digital vehicle registration document with any number of other people. This way, for example, several family members can use a car without constantly swapping vehicle registration documents. Furthermore, a user can save multiple digital vehicle registration documents in the app. This is convenient.

The ADAC also points out that the risk of loss or theft is lower with the digital version. If a car owner loses the green-yellow A-7 leaflet, they must currently reapply for the license at the licensing authority. This costs between €10 and €50, depending on the region.

The i-Kfz app meets high data protection standards. However, as with any digital application, there are risks. Firstly, subcontractors of the Federal Printing Office have access to certain data; some of these companies are not located in Germany and are subject to different data protection guidelines. Secondly, when the app is downloaded, the data is transmitted to the US companies Apple and Google, where the level of data protection is different. Finally, there is also a security risk posed by the users themselves: The KBA expressly excludes liability for the transfer of the digital document to third parties. Therefore, anyone who shares their vehicle registration document with others also bears the consequences.

Yes, but that could take many years. According to a draft EU law (4th European Driving Licence Directive ), member states will be required to provide their citizens with a uniform digital driving licence in the future. If the law is passed, the EU Commission will have one year and the member states another 4.5 years to implement it.