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Low Emission Zones in Europe.
Vehicle emission LEZ regulations, emission
sticker and pollution badge requirements and locations.
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Cities throughout Germany and a number in Northern Italy are now participating
in, or soon will be, the Low Emissions Zone scheme to reduce pollution. London
has its own LEZ but so far this does not apply to private cars. Participating
cities in Germany require all vehicles, including cars, to display a
windscreen sticker confirming that the vehicle meets the necessary emission
standards. The stickers come in different colours which correspond to road
signs. If your vehicle does not display the right colour sticker you can be
fined 40 euros on-the-spot. In Germany the stickers are known as Umwelt Plakette
(Emission Badges).
The information on this page is relevant to Germany. At the time of writing
(May 2008) we can find no information on the LEZs in Northern Italy. Any
information on Italian LEZs or any others in Europe would be gratefully received
at info@drive-alive.co.uk.
In participating cities, Emission Badges are available from a wide range of
outlets including repair centres, car dealers, MOT (Tüv) stations and vehicle
licensing offices. The stickers cost between 5 and 10 euros, depending on where
you buy them, and are valid for the life of the vehicle and anywhere in Germany.
You will need to produce the Vehicle Registration Document and the latest MOT
certificate (if applicable).
There are several websites offering to supply stickers. One of the best and
cheapest is the
Cologne (Koln) City website where you can download a copy of their
application form in English and send it to them, whilst transferring the fee of
5 euro to their bank account, full details provided.
Green Zones: The cities participating in the Enviromental
Green Zone scheme are currently -
Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Hanover, Ilsfeld, Leonberg, Ludwigsburg, Mannheim,
Reutlingen, Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Stuttgart, Tübingen
July 2008: Frankfurt am Main (not confirmed), Regensburg (not
confirmed)
October 2008: Munich.
January 2009: Nuremberg
January 2010: Darmstadt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe,
Mühlacker, Pforzheim, Pleidelsheim
Dates TBA.: Augsburg, Braunschweig, Dresden, Duesseldorf,
Essen, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Ruhr Area, Ulm
Q. - Will my vehicle be examined when applying for a Emission Badge?
A. - Your vehicle maybe looked at very briefly by an
engineer, this is purely to establish the age and type of engine.
Q.- What do the colour categories represent?
A.- The four colour categories are directly linked to the
European emission standards, these are sets of requirements defining the
acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member
states. Euro 2 is Red, Euro 3 Orange and Euro 4 Green. Petrol vehicles with a
catalytic converter are always Euro 4 and will automatically be entitled to a
green badge.
Q.- Which vehicles will not be able to claim a badge?
A.- Vehicles without a catalytic converter or a particulate filter.
Q.- What can I do if a badge is refused?
A.- Failed, red or orange badge holders should upgrade their
vehicles with a catalytic converter, or for diesel engines a particulate filter.
Most upgraded vehicles will be able to claim a green badge which is necessary
for entering a green zone in 2010.
Q.- How is the scheme enforced?
A.- Anyone caught with out a valid Emission Badge within a Low Emission Zone,
either on the move or parking, will be fined €40. Enforcement will be managed by
the police, local authorities and traffic wardens.
All information on this page is provided as a
service to our clients. It is intended as a guide to the more important rules
for the different countries to which we offer driving holidays. It is not meant
to be a comprehensive document. We try and keep the information on this page
up-to-date, but we cannot be held responsible in any way for any consequences
arising from any inaccuracies. If you find a mistake or would like to send us
some additional information, please email
us. Your co-operation is appreciated.
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