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Hi, I'm in the process of organising an import from Germany. I've been managing reasonably well with the help of BabelFish translation! However, I seem to have hit a bit of a misunderstanding.
The dealer is giving me 5 days' insurance on trade plates, as I understand it. I had hoped to cross to England at the end of the 5 days on his insurance, having hung around hopefully ironing out any problems that might occur and getting used to it. At which time my UK insurance would kick in - if I ever get any!
However, when I said I'd still need the number plates beyond the 5 days, he has replied saying 'Für Ihre Reise zurück gelten unsere Nummernschilder. (5Tage)'. Do you think he's saying I can't use the number plates after the 5 days? Even though I wouldn't be looking for any insurance with them? How has it worked for other people? I know from reading here that folk have their UK comprehensive insurance kick in as soon as they land on UK soil but presumably they still keep the trade plates on till they get home.
Am I creating a problem where there isn't one?
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Hi
The plates should be temporary german plates for export and you can specify length of time they are valid up to 28days but of course the insurance is third party until you hit UK.
Colin
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The dealer does not Issue the plates, you have to carry out the change of ownership at the local traffic office ,In person! you then visit a small cabin nearby who will make the plates (15days) and sell you Insurance to cover your journey to uk. the above is for used vehicle only.
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The dealer does not Issue the plates, you have to carry out the change of ownership at the local traffic office ,In person! you then visit a small cabin nearby who will make the plates (15days) and sell you Insurance to cover your journey to uk. the above is for used vehicle only.
..same applies to new vehicles, too; except of course, you register the vehicle to yourself, as the new owner. I bought and imported my own new Concorde from Germany and the process could not have been easier. I was rather delighted at the lack of mystique!
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I think that what JWW is meaning, some dealers lend you the garage trade plates and let you use their insurance to cover you fully comprehensive to the ferry as the german tourist plates are only third party, but what do you do when you reach this side for no plates. Pelicanpete, what did you do and were you covered fully comprehensive on the continent?
Derek
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...some dealers lend you the garage trade plates and let you use their insurance to cover you fully comprehensive to the ferry as the german tourist plates are only third party, but what do you do when you reach this side for no plates.
I didn't know there were 2 different classes of trade plates. I think then that he's probably giving me his own business plates hopefully with comprehensive cover. But then, what do I do for plates when the 5 days runs out? - I need some!
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I didn't know there were 2 different classes of trade plates. I think then that he's probably giving me his own business plates hopefully with comprehensive cover. But then, what do I do for plates when the 5 days runs out? - I need some!
There are not 2 but 3!
In Germany there are three different kinds of number plates for trading, testing and relocation of vehicles:
1. "Real" trade plates ("Händlerkennzeichen"):
Red characters on white background. They are only issued to registered traders. Traders use them if they want to transfer a vehicle on its own wheels via the public highway, or to let customers make a test ride. Trade plates come with a generic insurance, and the trader can put the plates to any vehicle he wants. This generic insurance is very expensive, so no trader will ever hand them out to buyers for an extended period.
2. Short-Time number plates ("Kurzzeitkennzeichen"):
Black characters on white background. On the right edge a yellow field which shows the expiry date. Every rightful owner of a vehicle can apply for them at any vehicle registration desk. They are used to transfer vehicles over longer distances both for commercial and private sales, and sometimes for private test rides. They are always valid for 5 days.
Officially they are only valid in Germany! But some EU countries (e.g. Austria, Netherlands) tolerate their use.
3. Export number plates ("Ausfuhrkennzeichen"):
Black characters on white background. On the right edge a red field which shows the expiry date. Every rightful owner of a vehicle can apply for them at any vehicle registration desk. They are used to export vehicles on their own wheels both for commercial and private sales. The expiry date can be chosen in agreement with the registration desk between 1 and (I think) 4 weeks.
They are internationally valid.
If you drive with a vehicle with a number plate according to 2. or 3. with has expired, it is the same as if you drive without any registration at all. Most countries will consider this as a punishable act.
Now: What you need is 3. and what your dealer offers you is 2. So you have to tell him that you do not want a "Kurzzeitkennzeichen" but a "Ausfuhrkennzeichen". Some dealers are not used to people exporting their vehicles, so they might not be aware of the difference.
Best Regards,
Gerhard
______________________________________________________________ Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. (Finagle´s law)
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