Anyone who operates a road transport vehicle in the Czech Republic for more than 185 days in the given calendar year must have the vehicle registered.(1)

A “road transport vehicle” is a self-propelled or towed vehicle designed for the road carriage of passengers, animals or goods. Road transport vehicles are divided into the following basic categories: motorcycles, passenger cars, buses, trucks, special-purpose vehicles, trailers and other road transport vehicles.(2)

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(1) Act No. 56/2001 concerning road traffic as amended.
(2) Act No. 56/2001 concerning road traffic as amended.

3.1. General rules

To be recognized as a motor vehicle of a person enjoying privileges and immunities, the vehicle must display the registration mark prescribed by the laws and regulations concerning motor vehicle registration.(3)

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(3) Directive No. 343/2014 concerning vehicle registration (Sections 23 and 29).

3.1.1. Categories of registration marks

The registration marks of motor vehicles of persons enjoying privileges and immunities include the following two-letter codes indicating the category to which the owner belongs:

• Diplomatic missions, consular posts, members of the diplomatic staff, consular officers, their family members, and offices of international organizations – the fourth and fifth characters in the line are the letters “CD”,
• Members of the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission or consular post and their family members – the fourth and fifth characters in the line are the letters “XX”,
• Members of the service staff of a diplomatic mission or consular post and members of the staff of offices of international organizations – the fourth and fifth characters in the line are the letters “XS”,
• Persons performing the functions of an honorary consul in terms of the applicable international treaties – the fourth and fifth characters in the line are the letters “HC”.

Vehicles being deregistered and exported may display a temporary registration plate.

3.1.2. Registration – basic rules

Motor vehicles being purchased through a hire-purchase agreement will not be registered because the owner of the vehicle is the hire-purchase company. Hire-purchase companies are not entitled to use the registration marks designed for persons enjoying privileges and immunities, and vehicles not owned by diplomatic agents and missions cannot be accorded diplomatic immunity.

The number of motor vehicles registered in the name of the mission must be in proportion to the number of registered members of the mission’s diplomatic staff. In case the mission has no more than two diplomatic staff members, it is possible to register one extra motor vehicle in order to facilitate the performance of the functions of the mission.

A member of the diplomatic staff or administrative and technical staff may have no more than two motor vehicles registered in his/her name.

The terms and conditions that apply to owners who want to export their motor vehicles from the Czech Republic before the end of their posting are subject to reciprocity. The existence of reciprocal terms and conditions must be confirmed by a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State.

In case a departing staff member does not deregister his/her motor vehicle and return the number plate before his/her final departure from the Czech Republic, the registration of vehicles owned by the diplomatic mission, consular post or international governmental organization and by its remaining staff members will be suspended until the vehicle in question is deregistered and the number plate returned. It is important to note that vehicles being deregistered and exported may display a temporary registration plate – see the section on “Terminating the registration of vehicles owned by persons enjoying privileges and immunities”.

Requests for the registration of motor vehicles owned by persons enjoying privileges and immunities are considered in the light of the owner’s traffic offence record.

3.1.3. Inalienability period

The “inalienability period” rule applies to motor vehicles purchased on a VAT-free or VAT-refund basis(4) in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State and motor vehicles imported on a duty-free and VAT-free basis(5) from a third country. An owner who wants to lease, lend, pledge or transfer such vehicle or take it out of service before the end of the inalienability period must pay up the VAT (if the vehicle was purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State) or the VAT and import duty (if the vehicle was imported from a third country). The length of the inalienability period is determined on the basis of reciprocity.

The inalienability period will be entered in the registration certificate (“Osvědčení o registraci vozidla. Část II. /Technický průkaz/”) upon registration.

In case the motor vehicle was imported on a duty-free basis, the amount of the VAT and import duty to be paid by the owner will be calculated on the basis of the current value of the motor vehicle.

In case the motor vehicle was purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State, the amount of the VAT to be paid by the owner will be calculated pro rata according to the time remaining until the end of the inalienability period. In case the person to whom the vehicle is transferred enjoys privileges and immunities, no VAT back payment will be charged.

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(4) Section 80, paragraph 13 of Act No. 235/2004 concerning the value-added tax as amended.
(5) Section 237b of Act No. 13/1993, the Customs Act, as amended.

3.2. Applying for motor vehicle registration – role of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A person enjoying privileges and immunities must first register his/her motor vehicle with the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the next step, he/she must submit the required documents to the Ministry of Transport(6). The Ministry of Transport will enter the vehicle in its Road Transport Vehicles Register and will issue the two-part registration certificate) (“Osvědčení o registraci vozidla. Část I.” and “Osvědčení o registraci vozidla. Část II. /Technický průkaz/”) and the registration plate.

In case the owner of the motor vehicle cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person, the person dealing with the Ministry of Transport on the owner’s behalf will need an a legalized letter of authority from the owner. However, in case the owner’s sending State is a Contracting Party to the European Convention on the Abolition of Legalisation of Documents Executed by Diplomatic Agents or Consular Officers, it is sufficient to present a letter of authority certified by the mission’s diplomatic agent or consular officer.

As of 1 January 2015, the above exemption from the legalization requirement applies to the missions of the following countries: Federal Republic of Germany, French Republic, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Hellenic Republic, Ireland, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kingdom of Norway, Portuguese Republic, Republic of Austria, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Italy, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Poland, Republic of Turkey, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Swiss Confederation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(Note: The above list is subject to change depending on the ratification status of the European Convention.)

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(6) This chapter concerns documents required for registration with the Diplomatic Protocol. Documents required by the Ministry of Transport are listed in chapter 3.3.2.

3.2.1. A motor vehicle that was operated by its present owner in another EU Member State for more than 6 months before registration in the Czech Republic

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel“(7)
• photocopy of the national registration certificate

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(7) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.2.2. A motor vehicle purchased by a mission or by a staff member in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State

This category includes:

• new motor vehicles – the term “new motor vehicle” refers to a motor vehicle purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State in cases where the supply takes place within 6 months of the date of first entry into service or where the vehicle has travelled for no more than 6,000 kilometres,
• second-hand motor vehicles – the term “second-hand motor vehicle” refers to a vehicle purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State in cases where the supply takes place more than 6 months of the date of first entry into service or where the vehicle has travelled for more than 6,000 kilometres.

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel”(8)
• photocopies of the invoice and purchase contract
• photocopy of the national registration certificate
• original of the endorsed VAT exemption certificate “Potvrzení o osvobození od daně z přidané hodnoty” (for new motor vehicles purchased in an EU Member State)(9)

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(8) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms
(9) Section 19, paragraph 6 of Act No. 235/2004 concerning the value-added tax as amended.

3.2.3. A motor vehicle imported by a mission or by a staff member from a third country

This category includes motor vehicles purchased and/or operated in a non-EU country by a person enjoying privileges and immunities and then brought by the same person to the Czech Republic.

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel”(10)
• customs declaration(11) endorsed by the Customs Office or, if appropriate, by another customs office in the Czech Republic
• photocopy of the invoice (for a newly purchased vehicle) or of the national registration certificate (for a vehicle that was already in service in a third country)

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(10) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms
(11) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.2.4. Replacing a lost, damaged or stolen registration plate

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed notification form “Oznámení o ztrátě, zničení nebo odcizení tabulky s registrační značkou”(12)
• photocopy of both parts of the Czech registration certificate

(Note: Damaged registration plates must be returned to the Ministry of Transport)

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(12) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.3. Terminating the registration of vehicles owned by persons enjoying privileges and immunities

3.3.1. Transferring a vehicle to another owner

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis změny vlastníka nebo provozovatele silničního vozidla”(13)
• photocopy of both parts of the Czech registration certificate
• letter from a tax office or customs office certifying that the former owner has paid up the VAT and import duty (in cases where the vehicles is being transferred before the end of the inalienability period).

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(13) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.3.2. Exporting a motor vehicle from the Czech Republic; registration plates and insurance

Vehicles being exported should display a temporary registration plate. Temporary registration plates and documents issued for this purpose need not be returned to the Czech authorities upon expiry. They are valid for three months starting from the first day of the month following the month in which they were issued. The validity period is shown on the registration plate. The change of the registration mark is entered in the Czech registration certificate. Part II of the Czech registration certificate showing the history of the vehicle will remain with the owner.

The insurance of motor vehicles being exported from the Czech Republic is the owner’s responsibility.

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents: (in case the motor vehicle is being exported from the Czech Republic before the end of the inalienability period – a deadline after which the vehicle can be sold, lent, leased or pledged – the verbal note must state the date on which the owner’s posting to the Czech Republic will come to an end):

• completed application form “Žádost o přidělení registrační značky na vývoz”(14)
• photocopy of both parts of the Czech registration certificate

The terms and conditions that apply to owners who want to export their motor vehicles from the Czech Republic before the end of their posting are subject to reciprocity. The existence of reciprocal terms and conditions must be confirmed by a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State.

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(14) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.3.3. Laying up a vehicle (taking a vehicle temporarily off the road and/or out of use)

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis změny údajů v registru silničních vozidel”(15)
• photocopy of both parts of the Czech registration certificate

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(15) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.3.4. Scrapping an end-of-life vehicle

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o vyřazení vozidla nebo zápis zániku vozidla”(16)
• photocopy of both parts of the Czech registration certificate
• document proving that the vehicle was brought to an authorized treatment facility (“Potvrzení o převzetí autovraku do zařízení ke sběru autovraků”, also known as “doklad o ekologické likvidaci vozidla”)
• letter from a tax office or customs office certifying that the owner has paid up the VAT and import duty (in case the vehicle is to be scrapped before the end of the inalienability period).

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(16) The form can be downloaded from www.mzv.cz/protokol under Formuláře/Forms

3.4. Motor vehicle registration fees

Persons enjoying privileges and immunities are granted exemptions from the registration fees on a reciprocal basis.(17)

In the absence of a reciprocal exemption, the following administrative fees are charged for the registration of motor vehicles and issuance of registration plates:

Entering a vehicle in the Road Transport Vehicles Register, changing the owner or operator of a road transport vehicle

• motorcycles up to 50 cc: CZK 300
• motorcycles above 50 cc, including motorcycles with sidecars or trailers and three- or four wheeler motorcycles: CZK 500
• motor vehicles with at least four wheels: CZK 800
• trailers weighing 750 kgs or less: CZK 500
• trailers weighing more than 750 kgs: CZK 700

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(17) Section 8 of Act No. 634/2004 concerning administrative fees as amended.

Replacing a lost, damaged or stolen registration plate; changing the registration mark

• CZK 200 for one registration plate + CZK 50 for registering a change of the alphanumeric identifier

Entering a change in the registration certificate and in the Road Transport Vehicles Register

• CZK 50 per one change

Replacing a damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen registration certificate; replacing a damaged, lost or stolen roadworthiness certificate(18)

• CZK 100 (unless the applicant needs the new document because his/her posting to the Czech Republic has been prolonged – upon the issuance of a new ID card)

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(18) The roadworthiness certificate is a document certifying the roadworthiness of vehicles that are not subject to registration. It is called “osvědčení o technické způsobilosti vozidla” or “technické osvědčení vozidla”.

Laying up a vehicle (taking a vehicle temporarily off the road and/or out of use)

• CZK 200

When the vehicle is being sold to a person enjoying privileges and immunities, the seller must pay the recycling charge as required by the Waste Management Act. This does not apply to M1 and N1 category vehicles that meet at least the Euro 3 emission limits. The amount of the charge will be determined by the Ministry of Transport.

To pay the above administrative fees, the applicant must buy a duty stamp and attach it to the application form. Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Transport (not to the Diplomatic Protocol). Duty stamps can be bought at any Czech Post office.

No fees are charged for the issuance of temporary registration plates for vehicles being deregistered and permanently exported, and for the issuance of special one-off (paper) registration plates with a limited validity period.

Contact details
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Loretánské náměstí 5, Praha 1
Diplomatic Protocol
Fax: 224 182 073
Contact person: Kristýna Sipko
tel: 224 183 034
e-mail: kristyna_sipko@mzv.cz

Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, Nábřeží L. Svobody 12, Praha 1
Fax: 225 131 670
Contact person: Pavla Kamenická
tel: 225 131 402
e-mail: pavla.kamenicka@mdr.cz

3.5. After registering a vehicle with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - documents to be submitted to the Ministry of Transport

3.5.1. A motor vehicle that was operated by its present owner in another EU Member State for more than 6 months before registration in the Czech Republic

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• national registration certificate from another EU Member State,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (where appropriate),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test (“doklad o technické prohlídce” issued by vehicle testing stations - “STK - stanice technické kontroly” and “SME –stanice měření emisí”),
• green card (third party insurance),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person,
• request for exclusion from roadworthiness testing (according to Section 35a, paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act(19), the Ministry of Transport may grant exemptions from the technical requirements listed in paragraph 1 (a)-(d) if
• the owner will export the vehicle upon his/her final departure from the Czech Republic, or
• if another member of the mission will apply for re-registration of the vehicle)

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(19) Act No. 56/2001 concerning road traffic as amended.

3.5.2. A motor vehicle purchased by a mission or by a staff member in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State

New motor vehicles

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• national registration certificate from another EU Member State,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (where appropriate),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test (“doklad o technické prohlídce”) in case the national roadworthiness test is not recognized in the Czech Republic,
• green card (third party insurance),
• original of an endorsed VAT exemption certificate (for new motor vehicles purchased in an EU Member State),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

Second-hand motor vehicles

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• national registration certificate from another EU Member State,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (where appropriate),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test (“doklad o technické prohlídce”
• green card (third party insurance),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

A motor vehicle purchased by a mission or by a staff member in a third country

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (if issued), with a Czech translation,
• national registration certificate from a non-EU country (if issued), with a Czech translation ,
• document confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test upon import (“doklad o dovozové technické prohlídce”),
• request for exclusion from roadworthiness testing (according to Section 35a, paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act(20); the Ministry of Transport may grant exemptions from the technical requirements listed in paragraph 1 (a)-(d) if
• the owner will export the vehicle upon his/her final departure from the Czech Republic, or
• if another member of the mission will apply for re-registration of the vehicle)
• green card (third party insurance),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

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(20) Act No. 56/2001 concerning road traffic as amended.

Replacing a lost, damaged and stolen registration plate

• completed notification form “Oznámení o ztrátě, zničení nebo odcizení tabulky s registrační značkou” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• Czech registration certificate (Part I) ,
• registration plates,
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

Transferring a vehicle to another owner (who does not enjoy privileges and immunities)

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis změny vlastníka nebo provozovatele silničního vozidla” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part I) ,
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check for the purpose of
• transfer to a new owner (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”), not older than 14 days,
• document confirming the legal basis for the change of title (certificate of probate, document confirming that the vehicle was purchased at auction, etc. ),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot
  visit the Ministry of Transport in person,
• letter from a tax office or customs office certifying that the owner has paid up the VAT and import duty (in case the vehicle is to be transferred before the end of the inalienability period).
• registration plates.

Exporting a motor vehicle from the Czech Republic

• completed application form “Žádost o přidělení registrační značky na vývoz” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• ID card
• old registration plates,
• Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• Czech registration certificate (Part I),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”), not older than 30 days,
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person,
• in case the motor vehicle is being exported from the Czech Republic before the end of the inalienability period – a deadline after which the vehicle can be sold, lent, leased or pledged – the verbal note must state the date on which the owner’s posting to the Czech Republic will come to an end

Laying up a vehicle (taking a vehicle off the road and/or out of use)

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis změny údajů v registru silničních vozidel” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• green card (third party insurance),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part I) ,
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

Scrapping an end-of-life vehicle

• completed application form “Žádost o vyřazení vozidla nebo zápis zániku vozidla” enorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• verbal note
• Czech registration certificate
• document proving that the vehicle was brought to an authorized treatment facility (“Potvrzení o převzetí autovraku do zařízení ke sběru autovraků”, also known as “doklad o ekologické likvidaci vozidla”) – this document may be issued in another EU Member State
• a certificate of destruction (“doklad potvrzující zničení silničního vozidla”),
• all registration plates,
• letter from a tax office or customs office certifying that the owner has paid up the VAT and import duty (in case the vehicle is to be scrapped before the end of the inalienability period).
• Registering other changes
• completed application form “Žádost o zápis změny údajů”,
• verbal note,
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part I) ,
• ID card,
• other documents proving the changes to registered data,
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

Replacing a registration certificate

• verbal note,
• completed application form “Žádost o vydání nového dokladu”,
• verbal note,
• damaged registration certificate,
• undamaged part of the registration certificate,
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

3.6. Annexes

To download on the website www.mzv.cz/protocol - Formuláře / Forms