Saisonkennzeichen

A Saisonkennzeichen is a German seasonal licence plate valid only within a fixed block of months printed vertically on the plate itself in German vehicle registration. It lets an owner register a car for part of the year and pay only for that part. The season is chosen at registration and can run from two to eleven consecutive months — for example 04/10 for April to October. Inside the season the car is fully registered and may be driven normally. Outside it, the vehicle may not be used on public roads at all, not even to drive to a workshop; it must be kept on private ground, and during that period KFZ-Steuer and insurance premium are not charged. Both are billed pro rata for the season length only, which is the main financial reason people choose it: a convertible or motorcycle used six months a year costs roughly half the annual tax and premium of a year-round registration. The season cannot be changed mid-year; changing it requires a new registration action at the Zulassungsstelle. Outside the season the car normally falls under dormant cover (Ruheversicherung) if it is stored on enclosed private ground.