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Restrictions on Driving in GermanyLow Emission Zones (LEZ / Umweltzonen) Banish Older Cars from Cities
Low-Emission Zones (LEZ), or Umweltzonen, are banishing older, polluting passenger cars from many German cities such as Berlin, Cologne and Stuttgart with more to follow.
Travelers planning to drive in Germany should take note of new regulations that are coming into force to clean up the air in especially cities. Low-Emission Zones (LEZ), or Umweltzonen in German, are becoming the norm in polluted areas with both German and foreign-registered cars affected.
What Are Umweltzonen or Low-Emission Zones in German cities?Umweltzonen are parts of some German cities that may only be entered by vehicles displaying stickers (Feinstaubplaketten) confirming that the car is not emitting small particles with exhaust fumes. Although based on European Union regulations aimed at reducing pollution in heavily populated areas, the enforcement and requirements for low emission zones are not uniform in Europe (nor in Germany for that matter). Low-emission zones in Germany are marked by square white signs with a red ring containing the word Umwelt with ZONE added directly below the red ring. Directly underneath this sign is second sign with the word “frei” and colored circles indicating which vehicles may enter the zone.
Where Are Umweltzone Restrictions Enforced?Umweltzonen are mostly in major cities but even smaller towns such as Leonberg, Pleidelsheim, Rechlinghausen, and Tübingen have restriction zones. Major cities already enforcing Umweltzone restrictions include Berlin, Cologne (Köln), Hanover, and Stuttgart. Many more German cities will follow by the end of 2008. Restrictions will be sharpened and increased in 2010 and 2012 by which time only cars with green stickers will be allowed in some cities. Requirements for Obtaining a Sticker (Feinstaubplakette)All cars entering an Umweltzone must display a sticker (Feinstaubplakette) in the windscreen to confirm that the vehicle complies with the emission standards.
For cars registered in Germany, and foreign-registered cars where the emission information is readily available from the vehicle’s registration papers, emission standards known as Euro 1, 2, 3, and 4 are used to determine the applicable sticker color. Other foreign-registered cars obtain stickers based on the date of the first registration of the vehicle. The basic requirements for Feinstaubplaketten are:
Diesel cars fitted with a particulate filter obtain the sticker one class higher than those without filters. Petrol cars without a catalyst cannot obtain a sticker. Most exemptions to the requirements are not applicable to foreign visitors. However, vehicles of heavily impaired or disabled persons, as well as vehicles over 30-years old, can be exempted but individual applications are necessary. Where Can Feinstaubplaketten Be Purchased?Feinstaubplaketten can be bought from many car dealers, car registration offices, and many garages. In some cases, tourist information offices and even hotels within an Umweltzone obtain stickers for potential guests. Car registration documents may generally be faxed, scanned and emailed, or copies mailed – certified copies are not required.
The fine for not displaying a sticker inside an Umweltzone is €40 (payable on the spot) and a point against the license holder in the German register.
The copyright of the article Restrictions on Driving in Germany in Germany Travel is owned by Henk Bekker. Permission to republish Restrictions on Driving in Germany in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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