Vehicle registration offices are the bodies responsible for managing the registration, licensing, documentation and administrative inspection of vehicles, as well as driving licences and certain procedures related to road traffic.
Although their functions are similar across Europe, each country uses a different name and organises these services differently.
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What are vehicle registration offices and what do they do?
Vehicle registration offices are public bodies responsible for monitoring and regulating vehicles and drivers within each country.
Their main functions include:
- Registering new or imported vehicles
- Processing changes of ownership
- Issuing vehicle registration certificates
- Processing deregistrations and exports
- Processing driving licences
- Recording roadworthiness tests and type approvals
- Monitoring vehicle-related taxes and fees
In the import and export of cars within Europe, these offices are essential for regularising the vehicle’s administrative status.
What are the vehicle registration offices called in each European country
Below, you will find a table listing the registration offices in each country, followed by the main functions of these offices (for the countries with the highest number of imports):
Spain
In Spain, the main body is the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT).
Its provincial traffic offices handle registrations, transfers, roadworthiness certificates and procedures relating to drivers and vehicles.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration (permanent and temporary)
- Vehicle information
- Change of ownership
- Issuing of licences
- De-registration
- Tax management
- Import procedures
Germany
In Germany, the traffic offices are known as Zulassungsstelle or Kraftfahrzeug-Zulassungsstelle.
These offices are responsible for:
- Registering vehicles
- Issuing number plates
- Managing documentation
- Processing exports
- Issuing temporary number plates
Each city or administrative district usually has its own Zulassungsstelle.
France
In France, many procedures are now handled by the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS), although they were traditionally the responsibility of the prefectures.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Issuing the carte grise
- Change of ownership
- Registration of imported vehicles
Italy
In Italy, the main body is the Pubblico Registro Automobilistico (PRA), managed by the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI).
The Motorizzazione Civile is also involved.
They are responsible for:
- Administrative vehicle registration
- Registration
- Transfers
- Type approvals
- MOT tests
Portugal
In Portugal, responsibilities are shared between the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) and the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN).
Their functions include:
- Registration
- Changes of ownership
- Type approvals
- Licence management
- Registration of imported vehicles
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the responsible agency is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
The DVLA is responsible for:
- Vehicle registration
- Driving licences
- Road tax
- Changes of ownership
- Imported and exported vehicles
Belgium
In Belgium, the competent body is the Direction pour l’Immatriculation des Véhicules (DIV) in French or Dienst voor Inschrijving van Voertuigen in Dutch.
It manages:
- Registration
- Administrative changes
- National vehicle register
- Imported vehicles
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the competent authority is the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW).
Its main functions are:
- Vehicle registration
- MOT tests
- Type approvals
- Transfers
- Import and export
Austria
In Austria, procedures are usually carried out through the Zulassungsstellen, supervised by the regional authorities.
Functions:
- Registration
- Change of ownership
- Administrative registration
- Issuing of number plates
Switzerland
In Switzerland, each canton has an office known as the Strassenverkehrsamt.
These offices handle:
- Registration
- Roadworthiness certificates
- Inspections
- Driving licences
Poland
In Poland, the responsible offices usually belong to the local administration and are known as Wydział Komunikacji.
They are responsible for:
- Vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Transfers
- Imported vehicles
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, procedures are carried out at municipal vehicle registries, known as Registr vozidel.
Functions:
- Car registration
- Licensing
- Administrative changes
Romania
In Romania, the main body is the Direcția Regim Permise de Conducere și Înmatriculare a Vehiculelor (DRPCIV).
It handles:
- Driving licences
- Vehicle registration
Hungary
In Hungary, the responsible offices form part of the public administration and are usually called Kormányablak.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Transfers
- Administrative procedures
Sweden
In Sweden, the competent body is Transportstyrelsen.
It manages:
- National vehicle register
- Licences
- Type approvals
- Inspections
Norway
In Norway, the responsible authority is Statens vegvesen.
Its functions include:
- Registration
- Inspections
- Licences
- Management of imported vehicles
Denmark
In Denmark, the main body is Motorstyrelsen.
It handles:
- Vehicle registration
- Taxes
- Registration
- Imports
Finland
In Finland, the competent authority is Traficom.
Functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Licences
- Transport supervision
Ireland
In Ireland, vehicle-related procedures are handled by the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
They manage:
- Registrations
- Licences
- Driver registration
Greece
In Greece, responsibility lies with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport through its regional offices.
Functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Registration
- Transfers
Croatia
In Croatia, vehicle-related procedures are handled by the Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova (MUP), i.e. the Ministry of the Interior.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Issuing of roadworthiness certificates
- Transfers of ownership
- Registration of imported vehicles
Slovakia
In Slovakia, procedures are handled by the Dopravný inšpektorát, known as the police traffic departments.
They are responsible for:
- Vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Issuing of documentation
- Administrative changes
Slovenia
In Slovenia, procedures are handled by local administrative units known as Upravna enota.
Functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Transfers
- Document management
- Administrative registration
Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, the competent authority is the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA).
It manages:
- Vehicle registration
- Type approvals
- Registration
- Import and export
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, responsibility lies with the Ministry of the Interior through the Traffic Police, known as KAT.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Administrative control
- Management of vehicle registration certificates
Estonia
In Estonia, the responsible authority is the Transpordiamet, also known as the Estonian Transport Authority.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Management of driving licences
- Type approvals
- Imported vehicles
Latvia
In Latvia, the competent body is the Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija (CSDD).
It is responsible for:
- Administrative vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Roadworthiness tests
- Issuing of licences
Lithuania
In Lithuania, traffic and registration functions are the responsibility of Regitra.
Functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Changes of ownership
- Driving licences
- Registration of imported vehicles
Serbia
In Serbia, vehicle-related procedures fall under the Ministry of the Interior, known as Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova (MUP).
It manages:
- Registration
- Vehicle registration
- Driving licences
- Administrative transfers
Iceland
In Iceland, the competent authority is Samgöngustofa, the Icelandic Transport Authority.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Type approvals
- Licence management
- Administrative supervision of transport
Malta
In Malta, the responsible authority is Transport Malta.
Main functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Administrative registration
- Road licences
- Management of imported vehicles
Cyprus
In Cyprus, vehicle-related procedures fall under the Department of Road Transport.
It is responsible for:
- Vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Transfers
- Driving licences
Albania
In Albania, the competent body is the Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Shërbimeve të Transportit Rrugor (DPSHTRR).
Functions:
- Vehicle registration
- Licensing
- Type approvals
- Administrative management of transport
Frequently Asked Questions
We answer the most common questions about vehicle registration offices in Europe.
Do all European vehicle registration offices do the same thing?
Not exactly. Although the basic functions are similar, each country organises its administrative responsibilities differently.
Which office do I need to contact to import a car into Spain?
Usually, the DGT, the tax authorities and the Spanish ITV are involved. Additionally, documents issued by the vehicle registration office in the country of origin may be required.
What is the German Zulassungsstelle?
It is the German agency responsible for registering and licensing vehicles, as well as issuing number plates and administrative documentation.
Does the British DVLA still operate in the same way after Brexit?
Yes, it remains the body responsible for vehicle registration and documentation in the UK, although some import procedures into the European Union have changed.
Do European vehicle registration authorities allow online procedures?
More and more countries are offering digital services for registrations, transfers and administrative applications.
What documents do vehicle registration authorities usually ask for?
They generally request:
- Identity document
- Sales contract
- Vehicle registration certificate
- MOT certificate
- Certificate of Conformity (COC)
- Proof of payment of taxes or fees
What happens if the vehicle comes from another European country?
It will be necessary to complete an import and registration process in accordance with the regulations of the destination country.
