Driving without or with an expired operating licence is an administrative offence; the registration office may also prohibit operation and cancel the licence plate. In addition, the liability insurance cover may lapse if the operating licence or individual licence has not been issued.
The operating licence according to § 21 StVZO is only valid in Germany. The registration certificate part I (formerly the vehicle registration document) serves as proof of a vehicle's operating licence. This must be carried on the vehicle.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority can issue you with proof of a general operating licence for vehicles manufactured in the former GDR. This applies to
- Mopeds (mokicks, mopeds)
- Bicycles with auxiliary motor
- Light motorbikes from the former GDR that were first put on the road before 1 March 1992
- motorised ambulance chairs from the former GDR that were first put on the market before 1 March 1991
- trailers from former GDR production that do not require a licence