A removable trailer attachment may too remain on the vehicle when driving without a trailer. There is no law and no ordinance requiring the trailer hitch to be removed. However, there is one exception: A detachable towbar must be removed if this is stated in the vehicle documents as a condition made, for example if the ball head of the trailer hitch covers the vehicle registration number when driving without a trailer. The question of what happens in a rear-end collision, i.e. whether it is caused by an increase in the so-called operational hazard complicity if another vehicle drives into the vehicle and is damaged more extensively by the protruding, detachable towbar than if the towbar had not been installed. Basically, a trailer hitch needs one type approval, but an entry in the vehicle documents is no longer required. It is sufficient the carrying the installation and operating instructions as proof of the type approval.
