In German cities, the fine particle sticker on the windshield is now standard practice. The environmental sticker is not compulsory, but it is required for driving in german environmental zones – with very few exceptions. The fine dust sticker has no effect on vehicle tax or vehicle insurance premiums.
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In the Federal Republic of Germany, there are currently 58 so-called environmental zones. These areas, which are mostly located in inner-city areas and conurbations, may only be entered by vehicles with low pollutant emissions. Fine dust stickers, also known as environmental stickers, have been introduced so that pollutant emissions can be recognized at a glance.
Depending on the level of pollutant emissions, cars are issued with a red, yellow or green fine dust sticker. The red sticker identifies vehicles with very high emission levels, while green stickers are issued to vehicles with comparatively low pollutant emissions. The yellow fine dust sticker is graded between red and green.
Graphic info: copyright: markus baumer. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 en via wikimedia commons
On access roads, a traffic sign indicates which vehicles are allowed to enter an environmental zone. Currently, 49 of the german environmental zones may only be entered with a green fine dust sticker (as of january 2016). In some environmental zones, vehicles with a yellow sticker are still permitted. Anyone who enters an environmental zone without a fine dust sticker must expect to pay a fine of 80 euros – even if the vehicle’s emission values would allow it to pass through.
Does every vehicle need a fine dust sticker??
There is no basic obligation to equip vehicles with fine dust stickers. The sticker is only required if you wish to enter an environmental zone. However, since all german cities except hamburg have established environmental zones, it is very likely that you will need a sticker sooner or later. The ruhr area is almost completely designated as an environmental zone. If you want to travel by car in this region, you will definitely need an environmental sticker.
For a good overview of all environmental zones in germany and the current regulations, see this map from the federal environment agency.
These vehicles can also be driven in environmental zones without a sticker
-
with H license plate
- Motorcycles and other two-wheeled motor vehicles (quads and trikes registered as cars, however, require a sticker)
- Vehicles for transporting severely disabled people with exceptional walking disabilities, bilateral amelia and phocomelia or with comparable functional limitations, as well as blind people
- Ambulances and vehicles of the fire department and doctors on duty
- Working machines and agricultural and forestry tractors
Electric cars also need a sticker to enter environmental zones – even though they do not emit particulate matter. The reason for this is that many electric cars are not recognizable as such at first glance. Electric cars always receive a green sticker.
Which fine dust sticker does my vehicle get and where do I get it??
You can find out which fine dust sticker is allocated to your vehicle from the key number stated in the vehicle registration document (since october 2005: registration certificate part I). The last two digits of the number are relevant. The color of the fine dust sticker can be determined using a tool from dekra, for example. Alternatively, you can find numerous assignment tables for key numbers on the internet, which can be used to determine the corresponding fine dust sticker.
You have numerous options for purchasing a fine dust sticker. The sticker is available:
- At vehicle registration offices
- In vehicle workshops that are licensed to carry out exhaust emission tests (AU)
- At TuV, dekra and other monitoring organizations
- From various suppliers on the internet
The vehicle registration document must be presented in order to obtain a fine dust sticker. This also applies to ordering the sticker online. A copy of the vehicle registration document must be sent by post, e-mail or fax.
The costs for the fine dust sticker are not uniformly regulated. the price is set by the respective provider itself. As a rule, you have to pay between five and ten euros for the sticker. However, some issuing offices charge considerably more.
Attaching and removing fine dust stickers
There are a number of rules to be observed when affixing the fine dust sticker:
- In any case, the sticker must be affixed to the edge of the inside of the windshield. In such a way that it is clearly visible from the outside and does not restrict the driver’s field of vision.
- As a rule, the sticker is affixed to the lower corner of the windshield on the passenger side. It is also possible to affix the sticker on the driver’s side, as long as it does not affect the driver’s field of vision.
- Many vehicles cannot be fitted in the upper area of the windshield: the visibility of the sticker is often restricted by a green wedge on the windshield.
Be careful when affixing
Be careful when affixing the sticker and, if necessary, have a second person check the position of the sticker from the outside before affixing it. Once affixed, the sticker can no longer be removed without being destroyed. Once a sticker has been removed, it no longer complies with the legal requirements and must be replaced.
fine dust stickers sometimes adhere very stubbornly to the windshield. If, for example, you have purchased a used vehicle and want to remove the sticker with the previous license plate, soaking it with glass cleaner beforehand can be helpful. It is best to use a ceran field scraper to remove the sticker with as little residue as possible.
Validity of the fine dust sticker and special features for foreign vehicles
Fine dust stickers are valid for all environmental zones in the Federal Republic – regardless of where they were purchased. There is no time limit on validity. However, if the registration plate is no longer legible or no longer applicable, the sticker must be replaced.
Environmental zones in other countries, for example in denmark, the netherlands and austria, may not be used if they only have a german fine dust sticker. As a tourist, you also need an environmental sticker from the respective country. This also applies to foreign vehicles in Germany: these cars also require a German fine dust sticker if they are used in environmental zones. Vehicle owners from abroad can order fine particle stickers online before entering germany. However, it is also possible to purchase a foreign license plate locally without any problems.
Control of fine dust stickers
Fine dust stickers affixed to vehicles are checked as part of the main inspection (HU), which is due every two years. If the color of the fine dust sticker does not match the actual pollutant class, this is considered a significant defect. This means that no inspection sticker (also known as a TuV sticker) is issued. A fine particle sticker on which the registered license plate is not legible or does not match the license plate of the vehicle is only assessed as a minor defect. In such cases, the inspection sticker is issued subject to the condition that the defect be remedied immediately.
Within environmental zones, the police and the public order office check fine dust stickers. If the authorities notice that the registration number on the sticker does not correspond to the vehicle’s license plate, this is considered an administrative offense and is punishable by a fine of 40 euros. Vehicle owners who have only recently re-registered their car have a chance of being successful with an objection to the fine. However, not every municipality is accommodating. A fine may also be imposed for faded license plate registrations.
Anyone who deliberately equips his vehicle with a false fine dust sticker, for example in order to be able to drive into environmental zones, is liable to prosecution. Relevant judgments are still pending, but this is likely to be a documentary offense that can result in substantial fines and, in the event of a repeat offence, imprisonment.
Legal basis
The establishment of environmental zones, which may only be entered with a fine dust sticker, is the responsibility of cities and municipalities in the Federal Republic of Germany. The EU’s air quality directive requires vehicles to comply with certain emission limits, or else the EU will impose fines. Environmental zones are intended to help reduce pollutant emissions – especially particulate matter in the air – in order to avoid these EU sanctions.
air quality directive of the european union
The basis for the establishment of environmental zones is the air quality directive of the european union. This is based on the European air quality directives (1996/62/EC and 2008/50/EC) and the corresponding limit values (Directive 1999/30/EC).
Implementation in Germany is based on the 35. Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (35. Bimschv). Among other things, this ordinance also regulates the issuance of fine dust stickers, which is why it is also colloquially referred to as the "sticker ordinance".
Regulations on practical implementation can also be found in section 41 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (stvo).
Previous amendments to the law
In the course of the still relatively short history of environmental zones in germany, there have already been a number of amendments. Initially, for example, there was a general driving ban in environmental zones for vintage cars, which generally have no chance of obtaining a fine dust sticker due to their high pollutant emissions. Only since the end of 2007 has the exemption for vehicles with H-plates been in effect. Even vehicles with a G-certificate could not initially be issued with a fine dust sticker. Only with a decree from 14.11.2007 owners of affected vehicles can get the sticker. Further changes are not out of the question, especially in view of technical progress in the automotive industry.
At first, vehicles with stickers of all colors were allowed to drive in environmental zones. The restrictions were gradually tightened in all environmental zones. With a red fine dust sticker, it is no longer permitted to drive in a German environmental zone. Yellow stickers are now only permitted in a few areas.
Whether a vehicle is equipped with a fine dust sticker or not has no direct influence on the vehicle tax and the amount of the insurance premiums. However, the color of the fine dust sticker depends on the pollutant class of the vehicle, and this in turn is relevant for the amount of the vehicle tax.