German 'H' license plate disadvantages and advantages:
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The H license plate: the accolade for vintage cars

The historic license plate, what the "H" stands for, was introduced in Germany in 1997. The reason for the introduction was to define and protect automotive heritage. Since then, the license plate can only be attached to classic vehicles that are at least 30 years old. If you would like more information on this, please read our article on When does a car become a classic car?

If you are already an old hand in the field of classic cars, then read on and find out the disadvantages and advantages of the H license plate.

H license plate disadvantages

• Possible limitations in the case of changes and individualization: The H license plate establishes the status as a technical cultural asset worth preserving. Tuning measures or individualizations are therefore excluded.

• The test process can be complex. In order for a vehicle to actually be recognized as a worthy vintage vehicle, it must prove its originality through an expert opinion. The vehicle age (first registration) and the originality of your vehicle are closely examined. The whole procedure will cost you around 100 euros.

• You may pay more than with a normal permit. For petrol engines up to about 800ccm³ displacement, i.e. a small car like the BMW Isetta or the Fiat 500, the approval for an H license plate is not worthwhile. Here the normal approval is cheaper and you save yourself the entire approval procedure. With diesel vehicles, on the other hand, it's always worth it!

H license plate advantages

• Admission with the H license plate as a quality feature: The basic idea behind the H license plate is to protect the vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck) from deterioration and consumption - the main focus is therefore the maintenance of motor vehicle cultural assets.

• The biggest advantage of the H license plate for most owners of a classic car is simply that the the age and condition of your collector's item can be officially recognized as historic. A classic car with an H license plate is officially a "motor vehicle cultural asset".

• The state rewards this with savings in vehicle tax. You also save one or two euros if you call an H license plate your own. As mentioned above, the annual vehicle tax is a flat rate of 191.73 euros. Vehicles with large-volume engines in particular benefit enormously from this accommodation.

• Car insurance is also lower with some insurance companies if the vehicle has an H license plate.
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• The H license plate does not restrict the use of the vehicle. In contrast to the 07 license plate, it is a full approval that is valid worldwide.
• Environmental zones may also be entered without a catalytic converter and without a green sticker. Because you can retrofit a cat, but you don't have to do it because of the originality.

Requirements for enjoying the H license plate benefits

If the H license plate has more advantages than disadvantages for you and your classic car, then you should also apply for it . You can now read about the costs involved and the requirements that need to be met from the comfort of your own home.

In order to obtain the H license plate, the first thing to do is a so-called classic car report according to § 23 StVZO required. You can get that from various testing organizations such as TÜV, DEKRA or GTÜ. Similar to the main inspection, the vehicle must be presented and around 100 euros must be paid for it. As the owner of a classic vehicle, you are often asked during the main inspection whether you would like to take part in the acceptance test according to §23.

The following points are checked:

• Appropriate first registration at least 30 years ago or more

• Originality of the vehicle and the Technology

• The originality of any existing modifications must be given. To do this, the expert checks whether the conversion was possible and customary at the time.

• The vehicle must be worth preserving, which is determined by a recognized expert.

• The vehicle must also be in good and well-kept condition, but a certain patina is allowed.

• The classic vehicle must not have any recognizable defects within the meaning of the StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations).

• The expert will document the condition of the vehicle with some photos.

• ID card or passport

• alternatively: current confirmation of registration

• Electronic insurance confirmation number (eVB number)

• Vehicle registration document and vehicle registration document / registration certificate Part I and Part II

• Positive vintage car report §23

• Test report of the valid main inspection (HU), does not have to be new

• Previous license plate number (if the vehicle is currently registered)

Information on the vehicle registration document: Normally, old documents are confiscated and destroyed at the registration office. But with classic cars, the old documents can represent a certain historical value and also increase in value when resold. It is therefore better to keep the vehicle registration document and the vehicle registration document. You can apply to most registration offices to have the invalidated documents handed over to you. In any case, you should clarify this beforehand.

If the vehicle closes through use in such a way that it loses its status as a cultural asset, the H license plate will be confiscated. Many registration offices expect a new report according to §23 when the vehicle is registered, e.g. after purchase or longer deregistration. This is to ensure that the vehicle still meets the criteria for issuing an H license plate.

For many years it was not possible to combine historic license plates and seasonal license plates. That is liberalized today. If your registration office offers this, you can also register your vehicle with an H license plate for a limited period of time. When registering, make sure you have a correctly issued EVB (insurance confirmation number) .

If you are interested in an 07 license plate and the registration procedure for this, then take a look at our associated guide.

What does an H license plate look like?

An H license plate has the same dimensions as a regular license plate. Therefore, it has a height of 130 millimeters and a width of 520 millimeters. Also by default, the EU symbol and country code is located on the left edge. The only difference is the "H" at the very back end of the shield. The board can have 8 digits and can be an optional license plate.