Deregistered or without a valid inspection — how to move the vehicle legally from A to B
Without valid registration a vehicle may not be moved — except on a flatbed.
An expired inspection is not the same as deregistered
A vehicle without a valid main inspection (TÜV expired) is still registered. You may drive it to the garage or to the inspection centre — but only straight there. Detours are not allowed.
If the vehicle is checked and the TÜV has been expired for more than two months, you risk a fine and points. Even so: you are allowed to drive as long as you are on the way to the inspection.
A deregistered vehicle, on the other hand, may no longer take part in traffic at all — not even to the inspection centre. Here you need a short-term registration plate or transport on a flatbed.
The options
If the vehicle is not registered, you have three options: a short-term registration plate, a red dealer plate (only for dealers and garages) or transport on a flatbed.
Short-term registration plate
A short-term registration plate is valid for five days and allows transfer and test drives. You get it from the registration office — for which you need a valid TÜV. Without a valid inspection there is no short-term plate.
Anyone caught with a short-term plate despite having no valid inspection risks a fine and points. Some people try it anyway — we advise against it.
Red dealer plate
Red plates may only be used by dealers, garages and inspection organisations. As a private individual you cannot get one. Anyone who uses one anyway (e.g. borrowed from an acquaintance) commits a criminal offence.
Transport on a flatbed
The safest and most legal method: we load your vehicle onto one of our flatbed trucks, secure it and take it wherever you want. No plate needed, no TÜV needed, no risk.
The vehicle is not driven — it sits on the loading bed. This way you avoid all legal problems and protect the drivetrain, gearbox and tyres.
When transport pays off
Bought a vehicle but no valid inspection: transport.
Vehicle sold and the buyer wants it collected: transport.
Vehicle needs to go to the garage but is deregistered: transport.
Vehicle has been standing for months and needs to be moved: transport.
You don’t want to take any risk: transport.
What you should prepare
When we collect your vehicle, we need clear access. Park the vehicle so that we can reach it with the tow truck. In tight underground car parks it can sometimes be a squeeze — call us beforehand and we’ll discuss whether it fits.
Empty out the vehicle. Anything loose can shift during transport. It’s best to take documents and valuables with you right away.