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The answer is maybe, but most likely no. Decals are only required if traveling into environmental green zones (inner city zones with high pollution levels).
Today, only three cities in Germany − Berlin, Hannover and Köln − require you to have a sticker. The stickers are not required on major highways and autobahns that go through these cities. Unless motorists have immediate plans to travel through the inner cities of Berlin, Hannover or Köln, there isn’t an immediate need for the “Umweltzone” decal and vehicle registration officials ask drivers to wait until it is time to renew their vehicle registration to obtain the Umweltzone decal.
In the coming months, a few more German cities will require these stickers. Mannheim is scheduled to post zones March 1 and is the only city near the KMC to implement this proThe answer is maybe, but most likely no. Decals are only required if traveling into environmental green zones (inner city zones with high pollution levels).
Today, only three cities in Germany − Berlin, Hannover and Köln − require you to have a sticker. The stickers are not required on major highways and autobahns that go through these cities. Unless motorists have immediate plans to travel through the inner cities of Berlin, Hannover or Köln, there isn’t an immediate need for the “Umweltzone” decal and vehicle registration officials ask drivers to wait until it is time to renew their vehicle registration to obtain the Umweltzone decal.
In the coming months, a few more German cities will require these stickers. Mannheim is scheduled to post zones March 1 and is the only city near the KMC to implement this program. Kaiserslautern is not projected to implement green zones as of press time.
Motorists must pay attention to environmental green zone entrance signs, which are square with the familiar red circle on a white background. The word “Umwelt” is centered in the red circle and “Zone” is underneath in large letters. Especially pay attention to the smaller sign marked “Frei” posted beneath; it identifies the colors of vehicle decals allowed into the zone. The green zone departure signs are the same as the entrance signs, but with the familiar slash identifying the departure of a zone. Penalties for zone infractions in Berlin, Hannover and Köln are currently €40.
The decals, issued by U.S. Army Europe vehicle registrations, are issued based upon model year. They are issued in three colors: red, yellow or green. Gasoline engine vehicles (model year 1993 and newer) will receive green colored decals. Diesel engine vehicles (model year 1997 and newer) will receive one of the three colors of stickers based on the model year. These diesel vehicles will eventually require future emission system upgrades to meet Category 4 green sticker emission standards for environmental zones.
Vehicles older than model year criteria can’t be issued decals from USAREUR. Older vehicles may only receive decals after emission system upgrades. Decals must then be issued directly from a certified local emission repair shop and only after passing host nation emission standards tests. Motorcycles and government vehicles are currently exempt per instruction.
KMC residents should go to vehicle registration for the decal only if they reasonably expect to drive within a green zone. The new emission zone decals are in very limited supply. In the coming weeks, USAREUR will be receiving additional decals to supply the KMC’s needs.
USAREUR Registrar of Motor Vehicles is the point of contact for the new city specific Umweltzone stickers. Visit http://rmv.hqusareur.army.mil for more specific details on vehicle registration requirements.
(Courtesy of KMC Vehicle Registration)
