Would you like to drive a vehicle that is not subject to registration on public roads, and does this vehicle not have EU type-approval or national approval? If so, you must apply for a certificate of roadworthiness.

The operating licence is part of the registration process for motor vehicles on public roads. An operating licence is confirmation that your vehicle complies with the relevant regulations.

Various vehicles that are exempt from registration require an operating licence in order to be used on public roads. These include, for example:

• self-propelled work machines and forklift trucks
• single-axle tractors for agricultural or forestry purposes
• light motorcycles
• two- or three-wheeled mopeds
• motorised wheelchairs
• Small electric vehicles such as e-scooters
• Trailers used in agricultural or forestry operations

Depending on the type of vehicle, you may be granted an operating licence with or without the allocation of a separate registration number.

The General Operating Licence (ABE) is issued by the manufacturer for vehicles produced in series.

You must apply for an Individual Operating Permit (EBE) if your vehicle, which is exempt from registration, does not have EU type-approval or any other national approval, such as an ABE. Examples of such vehicles include:

• self-built vehicles
• one-off productions
• vehicles from small-scale production runs
• vehicles from abroad without EU type-approval

To obtain an EBE, you must submit a report from an officially recognised expert or a technical service designated to test complete vehicles of the relevant vehicle class, which must include various test reports. These reports must prove that the necessary tests have been carried out and that the vehicle complies with the regulations.

You will be granted an indefinite operating licence. It will lapse if:

• you make modifications to the vehicle and the vehicle type approved in the operating licence is altered,
• there is a risk to road users,
• the exhaust emissions or noise levels deteriorate,
• you fail to comply with any conditions relating to fittings or attachments, or
• you take the vehicle out of service permanently.

Once the type-approval has expired, you may apply for a new type-approval by submitting a report from an officially recognised expert or a technical service designated to inspect complete vehicles of the relevant vehicle class. The final decision on the granting of a new type-approval rests with the competent authority under the relevant regional law.