City Centre Pollution Check

[bluest2]

Hi,

I will be travelling north to south through Germany during August/September and I am starting to make plans on where to visit. I have read about a new system being introduced into some German cities, maybe spreading to more as time goes on (I think Cologne was mentioned). The article I read said that cars wanting to drive in these cities would require a sticker confirming that the car had passed a special exhaust emissions check. This check would be carried out at a German MOT-style garage. The rules would apply to foreign and domestic vehicles equally. There woud be fines for people not displaying the sticker.

Firstly, is it true and how can I find out which areas are operating this scheme? Are there specific road signs so I don't accidentally stray into one of these zones.

Finally, As I'll probably only be in the country for a few days, I'm assuming it's not worth having the emissions check carried out. Would you agree?

[Benni]

Hello bluest2 !
I hope that you have a pleasant drive and time in germany.
Here is some info, some general, and a link for you down at the bottom :

Well, it (madness) has arrived, in Germany :

[b][i]Already from March 1, 2007 onwards,
vehicle restrictions in "environmental green zones"
can be issued in cities and local districts in Germany.
Therefore the respective zones were specially marked
as being "green zones" by the city or municipality.
The first environmental green zones are coming into force
as of January 1, 2008 in the cities Berlin, Cologne, and Hanover.
As from this date on german as well as foreign vehiceles
are no longer permitted to enter these zones without the environmental badge[/i][/b]

So vee tolt yuh, better get sis niu mercedes or else...........

The thing is, you must get your non-catted car to be certified
"as of originally good substance", needs to get an "a" to "c" grade
on a scala up to "e", "a" = mint and "e" = ratty shed
This document can cost €100 and more,
and then you get a plate with an "H" (for historic) on the side, like F-UK 666 H .
You are only allowed to drive this car then if the purpose for the drive is
"to keep the historical value" or to and from historically important car meetings.
So not as daily driver anymore, even if you just drive to the gas station
to fill up you can collect a hefty fine.
If you drive to the gas station to check tire pressure, though,
it is OK, as with that you "keep the historical value" of the car...........
You are not allowed more than 5000 Km per year,
and need a driver´s logbook.
And you must have at least one "clean" car as daily driver registered.

Welcome to "green" germany, where the particles emitted by traffic
are about 12% of the tortal emission,
and that mostly by diesels, tire wear dust and brake linings dust.

You brits still think that germany is "Car Country #1" ???

Cheers,
Benni

more cities and regions will do this in the future , info here :
https://umwelt-plakette.de/sprachauswahl_foreignsh...

[bluest2]

Thank you Benni, the link was very useful. There is quite a lot of stuff in English but it leaves me with a couple of questions.

I am planning to visit Stuttgart so it looks like I will need an Umwelt-Plakette. The good thing is that because I have a newer car I should be able to order one on-line before I go.

On the map it looks like the green zones are very large, is this correct? I thought it was just for the city centres.

Do you know how long the Umwelt-Plakette is valid for?

From your post, it sounds like all the fun is being sucked out of owning a classic car.

[Benni]

Right now, it is only the three cities mentioned before
where you need them right now, the map looks a bit into the future.
As for Stuttgart, better get one, you buy it once,
and it is valid for the car´s lifetime.

The classic clubs had to do a lot of lobbying just to get
this "historical vehicles exeption" through legislation,
as originally all "old cars" were simply forbidden in green zones.
Regards,
Benni

[bluest2]

If the sticker last for the life of the car, and there is no test required for my car, what is the point? Surely the authorities will know from the make/model of vehicle that it is ok.

I think it says that Stuttgart gets the green-zone from March so I will definitely need one. All I need now is for the new Porsche Museum to be finished and I'll be happy.

[Benni]

bluest2 said:

If the sticker last for the life of the car,
and there is no test required for my car,
what is the point?

making moneyprotecting the environment from the particle-hooligans

bluest2 said:

Surely the authorities will know from the make/model of vehicle that it is ok.

Yes, send/mail them your car data, as required in the link posted above,
and you should be fine, after being fined for the sticker.
What is almost amusing is the 10€ extra for having your reg number printed on the sticker,
rather having it hand-written.........issed:
Cheers,
Benni

[baz7175]

As far as how big the zones are, you will find the signs up anywhere that the zones begin to let you know you're entering the "safe" area...I know my new Corsa is in the level 4 bracket, but haven't checked into the Monaro yet myself, but if I'm along the road to Koln then I'll just take the wee pocket rocket anyway

[brayash]

To continue this, I work in Koln, but have no idea where the 'restricted area' starts. I have a 1988 205 Gti so no chance of passing any emmissions rules. How obvious are these signs? I must admit I drove in to the centre the other day to take a friend to the train station and was oblivious to to this whole legislation 0 and I don't think I saw any signs.

If it helps I come off the A57 at Ehrenfeld and work on Widdesdorfer Str. I have no idea how to check this stuff...

[bluest2]

I was just going to have a look on the link posted by Benni again to see if there is any more info but the site appears to have been taken down. Maybe they've abandoned the whole thing as utterly rediculous, maybe.

[Benni]

brayash said:

To continue this, I work in Koln, but have no idea where the 'restricted area' starts.
I have a 1988 205 Gti so no chance of passing any emmissions rules.
How obvious are these signs?
I must admit I drove in to the centre the other day
to take a friend to the train station and was oblivious to to this whole legislation 0 and I don't think I saw any signs.

If it helps I come off the A57 at Ehrenfeld and work on Widdesdorfer Str. I have no idea how to check this stuff...

Hi brayash !
The info about the green zone is here:
http://www.stadt-koeln.de/en/lowemissionzone/artic...

http://www.stadt-koeln.de/imperia/md/content/pdfda...
5,5 MB download, zoom in map to see details.
HTH,
Benni

[Benni]

bluest2 said:

I was just going to have a look on the link posted by Benni again
to see if there is any more info but the site appears to have been taken down.
Maybe they've abandoned the whole thing as utterly rediculous, maybe.

Hi blues2 !
The site is really unaccessible, don´t know why.
But the green zone still exists, for Stuttgart look here :
http://www.stuttgart.de/sde/menu/frame/top.php?sei...

Maybe ask your RAC how to buy the sticker, I could not find anything on their site.
HTH,
Benni

[JMGS4]

Have read through the Stuttgart site and there is only one way to get this, that is to go to the Stuttgart TüV with ALL your Original GB paperwork! , pay up to €160 (if they consider it a "difficult" case, €53 if it's simple), then you can drive into Stuttgart...non-germans cannot apply online..

In other words give Stuttgart a miss..theres little to see in the boring swabian capital anyway.......
BTW Motorways and the expressways through the town (B10) are excused.

[brayash]

Hi Benni!

Cheers for the links!! Thankfully I'm outside of the zone, so that's a bit of weight off my shoulders. Was starting to worry as I'm beginning to notice the green stickers on everyone's windscreen...

[bluest2]

JMGS4 said:

Have read through the Stuttgart site and there is only one way to get this, that is to go to the Stuttgart TüV with ALL your Original GB paperwork! , pay up to €160 (if they consider it a "difficult" case, €53 if it's simple), then you can drive into Stuttgart...non-germans cannot apply online..

In other words give Stuttgart a miss..theres little to see in the boring swabian capital anyway.......
BTW Motorways and the expressways through the town (B10) are excused.

The original link, that doesn't work now, had instructions for buying on-line. Surely they wouldn't stop this, it makes it very difficult for a short term visitor, especially as it's a modern car so they will know it's quite clean anyway.

The reason we were stopping at Stuttgart was to see the new Porsche Museum, if it's finished. I've not done my research yet but maybe there is somewhere nice to stay, not too far away and get the train into the City.

[Benni]

Link works again :
https://umwelt-plakette.de/sprachauswahl_foreignsh...

The porsche museum is due to be finished "in second half of 2008" .
For hotel reservations, try hrs.de , they have a language button,
and offer reduced prices when reserving online.
Cheers,
Benni

[JMGS4]

bluest2 said:

JMGS4 said:

Have read through the Stuttgart site and there is only one way to get this, that is to go to the Stuttgart TüV with ALL your Original GB paperwork! , pay up to €160 (if they consider it a "difficult" case, €53 if it's simple), then you can drive into Stuttgart...non-germans cannot apply online..

In other words give Stuttgart a miss..theres little to see in the boring swabian capital anyway.......
BTW Motorways and the expressways through the town (B10) are excused.

The original link, that doesn't work now, had instructions for buying on-line. Surely they wouldn't stop this, it makes it very difficult for a short term visitor, especially as it's a modern car so they will know it's quite clean anyway.

The reason we were stopping at Stuttgart was to see the new Porsche Museum, if it's finished. I've not done my research yet but maybe there is somewhere nice to stay, not too far away and get the train into the City.

BlueSt2. The Stuttgart site states categorically that foreigners (i.e. non-german registrations) cannot reserve/buy on-line. This is because they cannot accept foreign paperwork or check it without physically seeing the originals in their offices!!! You can also reckon with the fact that you'll have to get an official legally binding translation into german of all paperwork (which can cost derly!)... I know how obstructive german Beamten can be!!! (they are not allowed to understand another language unless they are an official court-recognised translator)

One way around the stickers is to use the Park and Drive parking places on the dge of the town and use public transport to get in (public transport here is not smelly, dirty, expensive and unpunctual like the UK!)

[bluest2]

JMGS4 said:

bluest2 said:

JMGS4 said:

Have read through the Stuttgart site and there is only one way to get this, that is to go to the Stuttgart TüV with ALL your Original GB paperwork! , pay up to €160 (if they consider it a "difficult" case, €53 if it's simple), then you can drive into Stuttgart...non-germans cannot apply online..

In other words give Stuttgart a miss..theres little to see in the boring swabian capital anyway.......
BTW Motorways and the expressways through the town (B10) are excused.

The original link, that doesn't work now, had instructions for buying on-line. Surely they wouldn't stop this, it makes it very difficult for a short term visitor, especially as it's a modern car so they will know it's quite clean anyway.

The reason we were stopping at Stuttgart was to see the new Porsche Museum, if it's finished. I've not done my research yet but maybe there is somewhere nice to stay, not too far away and get the train into the City.

BlueSt2. The Stuttgart site states categorically that foreigners (i.e. non-german registrations) cannot reserve/buy on-line. This is because they cannot accept foreign paperwork or check it without physically seeing the originals in their offices!!! You can also reckon with the fact that you'll have to get an official legally binding translation into german of all paperwork (which can cost derly!)... I know how obstructive german Beamten can be!!! (they are not allowed to understand another language unless they are an official court-recognised translator)

One way around the stickers is to use the Park and Drive parking places on the dge of the town and use public transport to get in (public transport here is not smelly, dirty, expensive and unpunctual like the UK!)

From the the link Benni has kindly provided it is clearly possible for foreigners to purchase the badge. There is a section in the on-line shop where you can can upload scanned images of the registration documents etc. It would seem that, as long as the vehicle in question is fairly new, they can determine whether it will pass or not from the emissions information published by the manufacturer.

JMGS4 - As you have found some information saying it is definately not possible for a foreigner to buy the badge on-line, I am a little cautious of uploading documents such as this, and making payments, is there anyway I can check the authenticity of the site found by Benni?

[Benni]

Hi badge-blues sufferers !

Well, they seem to be a company making its profit
by charging the -german and foreign- customer a little more
than actually required by the badge-issuing authorities.
You can get the sticker for 5-10€ but have to apply personally for it
(physically being there)at TÜV or DEKRA stations or local authoroties.
I do not know how this can be done with british car registration papers,
for these stations or authorities rely on the "key numbers" in german papers.

As I see it, they charge 30€ for the badge and handling
(or 40 if you want the fancy "Your number printed not written" option),
you have to send this money together with your papers beforehand.
If your car is too old/not clean enough,
they refund the money, but keep 15€ for their "investigation charge".

I can understand your fear of rip-off (or fraud),
but they have a "contact" button to write an email.
They are also listed in the "impressum" and a whois check provides result.

By the way, I do not work for them.....

HTH,
Benni

[bluest2]

Benni said:

By the way, I do not work for them.....

The thought never crossed my mind Benni, you've been most herlpful Just wondered about the website. So they effectively act as an agent on my behalf. When I first saw the web site I thought it was the official government one, which is why I was suspicious. I may contact them with some questions nearer the time. Be interesting to know what % of applications are successful.... At €15 every time they don't have to worry too much about the applications being successful.

It may well be more convenient all round (badge, parking, navigation etc.) to stay out of the City and get train/bus as required.

What is the country around Stuttgart like? My friend has borrowed my Lonely Planet book so I feel a bit lost! We like beautiful villages, small hotels and of course, good driving roads.

[Benni]

(I will ask the mods to make this a stickie in the "germany" section)

Now THIS is cool :
The city of cologne has a very informal way of supplying these stickers to foreigners.
Just send a phptocopy of your papers to

KFZ-ZULASSUNGS-STELLE
MAX-GLOMSDA-STRASSE 4
51105 KÖLN
(which is the official car registration authority for cologne)
Phone: oo49 / 221 / 221-26635 and 221 / 221-26692
Fax: oo49 / 221 / 221-26435
E-Mail: [e-mail]

and write an informal letter asking them to issue a "green zone" sticker for your car.
It could be a good idea to write "green zone sticker" on the envelope under the adress.
Please include a crossed cheque (wd?) or 5 € in cash (note preferred, I guess) and,
if you are nice (and want the sticker sent to your correct adress) a self-adressed envelope.

This sticker will allow you to enter ANY of the "green zones" in germany.
The sticker is valid for your car as long as you have it.

If you have a GASOLINE-powered car registered (first time) after Jan 1st, 1993 ,
and it has some kind of catalytic converter, then you will get a GREEN sticker,
which is good for now and the next years to come.
[No sticker for older, non-catted cars (classics) at the moment,
maybe ask your local "classic car" club
if you want to drive an oldtimer-rally in germany, they might know more.]

If you have a DIESEL-powered car registered (first time)
before Dec 31st, 1996, then you will not get any sticker at all.

If the car is registered between Jan 1st, 1997 and up to Dec 31st, 2000 ,
than you will get a RED sticker, which is good for now, but who knows how long.

If your car is registered after Jan 1st, 2001 up to Dec 31st, 2005,
you will get a YELLOW sticker, which is better than a red one,
you may drive into the green zone for a longer time than the poor red-labeled guy.

If your car is registered after Jan 1st, 2006, then you will get a GREEN sticker,
which means you may drive into the green zone for now and years to come.

When you look at the traffic signs signaling the entry of a "green zone"

then you will see all three colors of sticker allowed now.
This may change in the future, and the "cleaner" the car,
the better are your chances of entering the zone.
But how and when these regulations are made more strict,
nobody knows at the moment, so better a red sticker than none.

But even then you are still sitting on the wrong side of the car..........

HTH,
Benni


Please do not sue me if this does not work out as stated here,
I tried my best and would like to read if anyone has success in getting the sticker