The process of registering new vehicles in Germany undergoes fundamental changes next year with the introduction of an electronic car insurance confirmation system (eVB) in conjunction with a PIN number.

Instead of the familiar Doppelkarte the PIN code will serve as proof that the driver is in possession of adequate third party cover (Haftpflicht). This number will be passed onto the driver by telephone, text message or email. The local vehicle registration office (Kfz Zulassungsstelle) simply checks out the data after inputting the seven digit PIN. In principle the idea of a paperless system is very attractive: no documents should means nothing can go astray but not everyone is convinced.

The Auto Club Europa has formally requested that all registration centres that are not applying the new system initially publicize this fact. ACE anticipates that not all centres will be equipped with the required computer systems in time for the roll out of the new system. As a consequence many drivers would have to wait 2 days anyway until their Doppelkarte arrives in the post. However, those drivers who have been forewarned about the lack of preparedness can at least make an informed decision as to whether the old insurance card is still necessary or whether the new PIN will suffice. ACE hopes to shame the registration authorities into modernizing their systems by bringing the matter into the public domain while there is still some time to implement changes.

In theory the system should work like this: when the driver notifies the registration centre of his PIN they will then verify this immediately and notify the KFA (Kraftfahrtbundesamt) - the federal licensing authority. The KFA will no longer have to record this information by hand which will certainly cut waiting times although, as before, registration certificates and MOT (TÜV) documentation will have to be submitted as normal.

When car insurance ( Autoversicherung) is changed over to a new provider the underwriter will be able to notify the local registration authorities directly through the KBA. In effect this means that the customer would not have to approach the registration office (Zulassungsstelle) thanks to the new procedures saving both time and expense. In more general terms the changes will yield benefits for environment as a whole: 340 tonnes less correspondence will be sent pertaining to car registrations in the Federal Republic next year!

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