Low Emission Zone - Environmental Badges in Dusseldorf and Germany

For the improvement of air quality in zones with particular exposure to fine particles, such as city centres, Dusseldorf, some main roads or traffic junctions, local authorities and cities in Germany are decreeing a traffic ban.

On February 15, 2009, the State Capital Düsseldorf will introduce a Low Emission Zone, a so-called Umweltzone. As from this date, vehicles wanting to enter the city centre must display a low-emission sticker.
Objective of the designation of a Low Emission Zone is the sustainable reduction of air pollution in the city centre.

Stickers can be obtained at the price of 5 € from the Straßenverkehrsamt, Zulassungsstelle (motor vehicle registry), Höher Weg 101 (additional counter) from Mon - Wed and Fri from 7.30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and on Thu from 7.30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The stickers can also be bought from testing stations run by TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or GTS, as well as from car repair shops authorized to carry out emission tests.

You need to present your motor vehicle registration certificate, part 1 (formerly ‚Kfz-Schein’) and € 5 in cash. The pollutant category of your car will be determined on the basis of this certificate. Sticker colours are red, yellow or green and carry the license number of your car. All of these stickers entitle you to circulate in the Low Emission Zone with your vehicle.

Failure to display the appropriate sticker in the marked area can result in a 40 € fine and a demerit point in the central traffic offence register in Flensburg.

Where can I get a sticker and how do I know which one I need?
Stickers can be purchased from all TÜV stations. A TÜV expert will be able to tell you which badge you need from your vehicle registration certificate. Here you will find the vehicle key that will provide you with information concerning emission class. You can either purchase the sticker at a TÜV STATION or order it from the web site of tuev-nord.de.


Where are emissions stickers valid?
The emissions stickers are valid throughout Germany. You can find all current environment zones on the web page of tuev-nord.de.


Will I have to renew the sticker?
No, the validity period of the sticker is unlimited. You will only have to renew the sticker if you move house and acquire a new licence plate. The licence plate number must be the same as the number on the emissions sticker.


What happens if I drive in an low emission/ environmental zone without a sticker?
This is a regulatory offence and costs 40 Euros. If you possess a German driving licence you will additionally incur 1 point, which will be registered at the Federal Office of Motor Transport.


What if I come from another country? Do I still need a sticker?
If you come from another country and drive in or through identified environmental zones then your vehicle must have an emissions sticker. You can acquire one of these at your nearest TÜV STATION or from a TÜV partner establishment, or alternatively you can order it from the website of tuev-nord.de.


Where do I attach the sticker?
Attach the sticker to the windscreen so that it can be seen with ease, but so that it does not block the view of the driver. It is best to do this from the inside on the passenger side, at the bottom right.

Three Steps to your Environmental Badge (= Emissions Sticker):