The registration plate of an e-scooter, the insurance plate (Versicherungskennzeichen), often gets lost in everyday use. It may have come loose when you parked, or you simply cannot find it when you look at the scooter. Without a valid plate you should not ride the scooter in public traffic, and you should not wait before acting. This guide explains what to do now and in which order.
Short answer: If you have lost the plate of your e-scooter, contact the insurer that issued the plate first. It will tell you the replacement procedure, the costs and the processing time. Until the replacement is in your hands, do not ride the scooter on public roads. Last updated: November 2026.
What matters most
- An e-scooter needs a valid insurance plate to be ridden on public roads.
- You handle the replacement mainly through your liability insurer.
- Keep your contract number, the details of the scooter and, if you know it, the plate number ready.
- We do not state a fixed amount for the replacement, because it depends on the insurer and the procedure. Ask directly.
- In case of theft, also report it to the police so that the incident is documented.
This guide is for students and young adults who use an e-scooter and have lost its plate. It describes the general procedure. The exact terms of your contract always take priority, and if something is unclear, your insurer is the right contact.
Why the insurance plate matters
The plate is the visible sign that the scooter is covered by liability insurance. It links the vehicle to a specific contract. According to the Federal Ministry of Transport, the amendment to the Electric Micro Vehicle Regulation (Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-Verordnung) was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on 6 February 2026. Article 1 took effect on 1 April 2026, and the remaining articles take effect on 1 March 2027. The Ministry’s page says nothing about loss or replacement of the plate. How a replacement works is therefore set by your insurer, and this guide does not reproduce a general official procedure for it.
After an accident, the link between scooter, plate and contract is what counts. If the plate is missing, the rider may have to explain why they cannot show it, and the other party or the police will ask specific questions. An existing contract only helps you if you can prove it. That is why it pays to clarify a loss early, even if the scooter has never been involved in an accident.
Which details you need for the replacement
Whether you report by phone, online or in writing, your insurer will ask for similar details. The overview below helps you gather them in advance. If you cannot find a detail, say so openly instead of guessing. A wrong date or a wrong serial number usually delays the procedure considerably.
| Detail | Purpose | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Contract number | Assigns your request to the correct contract | Insurance documents or online account |
| Name and address of the keeper | Confirms who holds the contract | Contract documents, identity card |
| Manufacturer and model of the scooter | Identifies the vehicle | Operating manual, proof of purchase |
| Serial number of the scooter | Assigns the scooter clearly | Type plate or frame |
| Plate number, if known | Speeds up the search in the records | Old letters, photo of the scooter |
Step by step: how to report the loss
The following procedure applies regardless of which provider insures you. Write down the steps, so that you can later prove when you reported what.
- Do not ride the scooter in traffic until you have clarified the status with your insurer.
- Report the loss to your liability insurer and describe when and where you last saw the plate.
- Ask about the replacement procedure, the costs and the processing time. Ask for written confirmation.
- Note the date, the person you spoke to and a possible case number before you end the call or close the page.
- Attach the new plate only once you actually hold it, and keep the proof with your contract documents.
What if the plate was stolen?
In case of theft of the scooter or the plate, you should also file a police report. The report documents the incident and helps if questions about insurance cover, ownership or a fine come up later. Whether your insurer requires a police report is stated in your contract terms. If in doubt, ask before you close the matter.
A theft does not change the obligation to carry an insurance plate. Even in that case you need a valid proof again for the scooter. Therefore document everything you know about the incident, such as the place, the time and the condition of the parking spot.
Can I ride on provisionally?
No, not on your own initiative. A sticker with the old number you have applied yourself is not valid proof, and it does not replace insurance cover. If your insurer offers a provisional confirmation, it only applies to the extent that the insurer sets out in writing. Ask for that confirmation and carry it with you until the plate is replaced.
What does the replacement cost?
We deliberately do not name a fixed sum. Costs depend on the insurer, the contract and the procedure, and they can change. Ask specifically for the amount, whether a fee is set out in the contract, and how payment works. Once you have the sum in writing, you have a reliable basis for your budget.
Why you should not postpone the matter
A scooter without a visible proof attracts attention sooner than many people expect. Checks, accidents and questions from insurers often start with the plate. If you can only say that the plate is gone, you lose time. If you can present a matter with a date and a case number, you appear prepared and the status is clarified much faster.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a new plate myself or stick on a copy?
No. A proof of this kind is not made by the rider. A sticker with the old number does not help you in an emergency, because it cannot be matched with your contract. Have the replacement clarified officially, even if it takes a few days.
Do I have to report the loss immediately?
Which deadline applies is set out in your contract and the terms, so we do not name a number here. Regardless of that, the earlier you report, the easier the matter is to resolve. A report with a date is useful even if the replacement is not ready yet.
Does my insurance cover continue if the plate is missing?
That depends on your contract and the individual case. A missing plate does not automatically mean that the contract has ended. Clarify the status directly with your insurer before you ride the scooter again. A verbal answer is not enough, so ask for it in writing.
Is the vehicle registration office the right contact?
For the insurance plate, the insurer is usually the first contact. Questions about registration or structural changes to the scooter go to the competent authority. If you are not sure which office is responsible, start with your insurer, which can redirect you.
What changes if I have switched providers?
Then the contract number of the current contract counts. The new insurer is the right contact, to whom you reported the change. Keep the proof of the switch together with the confirmation of the start date, so that you can present both.
So what do you do now
- Do not ride on until you have clarified the status.
- Report the loss to your insurer and keep the details from the table ready.
- Have the costs, the procedure and the processing time confirmed in writing.
- In case of theft, also file a report with the police.
- Attach the new plate only after you have received it and keep the proof.
Related reading
- Günstig unterwegs im Studium: Tickets, Roller und Führerschein im Überblick
- E-Scooter-Versicherungskennzeichen: Was 2026 und 2027 gilt
- E-Scooter ohne Versicherung: Welche Folgen drohen
- E-Scooter-Haftpflicht: Was nach einem Unfall zu tun ist (in German)
- E-Scooter-Versicherung: Worauf Studierende beim Abschluss achten
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
