Registering vehicles online is a feature that's underexplored in Saxony, according to a transport ministry report. The report reveals that a whopping 95% of such administrative procedures are still handled in person within a year, with several districts falling behind in digital services. Specifically, vehicle registrations cannot be processed digitally in Görlitz, Bautzen, Mittelsachsen, Erzgebirge, Vogtland, and Nordsachsen.
Nationwide, the internet-based vehicle registration (i-KfZ) was used approximately 1.21 million times within a year. The districts of Ingolstadt in Bavaria and Hildburghausen in Thuringia lead the way, with 21.1% and 20.4% of administrative procedures handled digitally respectively.
The main reason for opting for the online service is the savings both in time and money. Online vehicle registration costs 16.30 euros compared to 30.60 euros at the counter, while deregistration online costs 2.70 euros compared to 16.80 euros at the counter.
Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing (FDP) views this as a significant step towards modernizing administration and easing the burden on citizens, authorities, and businesses. He urged unconnected municipalities to introduce this service and advocated for stronger promotion of the offer.
Despite Saxony lagging behind, digitization of vehicle registrations is on the rise nationwide. But the process is still a work in progress, with EU requirements and technical advancements playing crucial roles in full implementation.
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Online registration has been available since October 1, 2019, under certain conditions. These include the car's first registration being after January 1, 2015, and the new owner having a digital ID card (e.g., Elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel for expats). Costs can vary, with the cost of registering a car in Germany ranging between 30 and 60 euros.
Digital registration can streamline the process by eliminating the need for physical documents and reducing paperwork. The German government is also working on digitizing essential driving documents, including vehicle registration certificates, to modernize vehicle documentation and enhance road safety. However, fully implementing digital driver's licenses and vehicle registrations depends on EU regulations and technical advancements.
