Vehicle Registration Explained: All Fields & Their Meaning

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) serves to uniquely identify a vehicle worldwide and consists of 17 characters and numbers. The VIN is located in field E. The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier and identify the manufacturer and their nationality, digits 4 to 9 provide information about the model, series and/or engine type. The tenth digit represents the model year (NOT manufacturing year), the eleventh digit the country of production. The remaining digits (12-17) are the individual production number.

Registration certificate field E for the VIN
This is the Vehicle Identification Number. This 17-character number allows a vehicle to be uniquely identified worldwide. The number is stamped either in the chassis or in the body.

The first registration date in field B indicates when a vehicle was first registered, which is independent of the manufacturing date.

The national emission class is specified in field 14. It affects the amount of vehicle tax and whether certain environmental zones may be entered. The emission classes range from Euro 0 to Euro 6. The classification depends on the amount of pollutants emitted, the fuel type, and the vehicle's model year, as limit values have changed over the years. Electric vehicles have no emission class as they produce no active emissions during driving.

The power is specified in kilowatts (kW) in field P.2 of the vehicle registration. To calculate horsepower (HP), multiply the kW value by 1.36. Example: 100kW x 1.36 = 136 HP.

In Germany, all vehicles must be presented to a testing organization (e.g., TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ) at regular intervals to prove general road safety. This is done through the main and emissions inspection (HU/AU). The inspection interval is usually 24 months for private cars. Exceptions: After first registration, the first HU/AU is due after 36 months, for rental cars and taxis always after 12 months. The due date for HU/AU is specified in field X of the vehicle registration. If an HU/AU was performed after issuing the vehicle registration, this is marked with a stamp/sticker on the back under 'further HU:'. Our app reminds you in time for your next inspection.

The manufacturer code (HSN) is located in field 2.1 and identifies the vehicle manufacturer with a four-digit number combination. Each manufacturer has been assigned one or more number combinations by the Federal Motor Transport Authority. In combination with the TSN, a vehicle type can be identified without doubt, which is particularly important for workshops, insurance companies, and similar players in the automotive industry. With the Fahrzeugschein App you always have HSN and TSN at hand.

The type code (TSN) consists of three letters and five numbers. The letters indicate the model, the numbers provide information about body type, engine, and fuel type.

Field P.3 specifies the fuel type or energy source, field 10 contains the corresponding code for further details, e.g., for hybrid drives or retrofitted gas systems. This information is particularly important for the driver to avoid using the wrong fuel. With our fuel logbook you can track your fuel costs and consumption.

Field 12 specifies the size of the fuel tank in cubic meters (m3). With the Fuel Cost App you can analyze your actual consumption per fill-up.

The curb weight in kilograms (kg) can be found under point G. This represents a theoretical value consisting of the vehicle's weight, a full tank, a 75 kg driver, as well as on-board tools, spare wheel, first aid kit, and warning triangle.

Field T shows the registered maximum speed in km/h. However, this is only a guideline - the actual value may vary up or down due to road gradients or weather conditions.

The engine displacement can be found in field P.1, the value is given in cubic centimeters (cm3). Engine displacement has a major influence on vehicle tax, as larger displacement usually results in higher emissions.

The CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions in g per km are specified in field V.7. Combined with engine displacement and emission class, this determines the vehicle tax amount. CO2 is one of the most climate-damaging pollutants produced by combustion engines. Our Fahrzeugschein App automatically calculates your vehicle tax based on these values.

The vehicle's stationary noise level in decibels (dB) is specified in field U.1.

The maximum permissible towing capacity is described in fields O.1 and O.2.