Twitter
Facebook
In recent years, signs with the word “Umwelt” have sprung up across Germany to indicate the boundaries of environmental zones within many cities.
In order to enter these zones, motorists must display windshield stickers, or vignettes, to indicate their vehicle meets specific emission standards. Failure to display the appropriate vignette can result in a fine and documentation on the driver’s record.
Fortunately, these stickers can be acquired locally for little or no cost, allowing worry-free travel within the increasing number of environmental zones.
The establishment of these zones in 2008 was a response to Germany’s inability to meet European Union air purity standards within its cities. There are currently more than 40 cities with environmental zones, including Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Stuttgart and Mannheim.
These zones, located in downtown areas, are clearly indicated by traffic signs showing which levels of vignette is allowed in that city. There are three possible colors of vignette that a vehicle can obtain: a green one certifying the vehicle is environmentally acceptable, a yellow one for less acceptable vehicles, and a red one for those that are even less acceptable. Yellow and red stickers will eventually be phased out, after which all vehicles permitted in the environmental zones will need a green sticker.
Gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles without catalytic converters are unable to get any kind of a sticker and are not permitted in the environmental zones.
All gasoline-powered cars with catalytic converters will get a green sticker.
So will the best of the diesel-powered vehicles with converters. Diesels, however, present a greater pollution hazard, and many only get yellow or red stickers.
The following vehicles are exempt from the vignette requirement: two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles, vehicles driven by or carrying passengers with certain disabilities or mobility impairments, and vintage cars older than 30 years with an “H” in the registration number.
The penalty for failing to meet environmental zone requirements is a €40 fine and one penalty point on the driver’s license.
To avoid this possibility, drivers may want to acquire the appropriate sticker for their vehicle before traveling around Germany. They can be purchased for €5 to €15 at local vehicle registration authorities, or military members can obtain them for free by showing their vehicle registration at Kapaun Motor Vehicle Registration.
By taking the time to acquire the proper vignette, motorists can travel freely within all German cities, knowing they have complied with local laws and helped to protect the environment.
