Vehicles: Particulate Matter Sticker
Service description
Air quality improvement plans are in place for areas with poor air quality. These plans include measures to improve air quality. Low-emission zones are one possible measure under such air quality improvement plans. Low-emission zones reduce particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution. Vehicles with high emissions are not permitted to drive in low-emission zones.
If you wish to drive your vehicle in such an environmental zone, you must purchase a fine particulate matter sticker/environmental sticker. The sticker comes in three different colors, each corresponding to a specific emissions group. Your vehicle’s classification into one of these emissions groups is determined by its emission code numbers, which you can find in your vehicle’s registration documents.
Note: Environmental zones are indicated by a separate traffic sign. The supplementary sign specifies the colors of the stickers that allow vehicles to drive freely within that particular environmental zone.
Procedure
Tip: Some cities and counties offer online services. You can use these to order an emissions sticker. You can pay by direct debit, bank transfer, or credit card. The sticker will be mailed to you. Please refer to the websites for the exact regulations.
Prerequisites
To obtain an emissions sticker, your vehicle must meet the criteria for emissions groups 2, 3, or 4.
You cannot obtain a sticker for vehicles in emission class 1. These are
- Gasoline-powered vehicles without a regulated catalytic converter and
- Older diesel vehicles that meet the Euro 1 emissions standard or lower.
What documents are required?
Vehicle Registration Certificate (for older vehicles) or Certificate of Registration, Part I (for newer vehicles)
What fees apply?
Special information for the Fulda districtIf you need a fine-particulate emissions sticker, you can purchase one for €5 at the vehicle registration office.
What deadlines do I have to observe?
none
Processing time
none
In most cases, you'll receive the sticker right away.
Legal basis
What else should I know?
If you plan to drive into an environmental zone, try to purchase a fine-particulate matter sticker/environmental sticker as early as possible. If there are any delays and you do not have a fine-particulate matter sticker/environmental sticker, you are not permitted to drive into the environmental zone.