Exemption authorisations for driving in the low emission zone

If you are a resident, severely disabled with a severely disabled parking permit, delivery traffic or already fall under the generally regulated exemptions (see "Who does not need an individual exemption"), you do not need to submit an application.

All other persons can apply for an individual exemption under certain conditions.

For the application you need

1. for journeys in the predominantly public interest, for example to supply the population with essential goods and services:
   All emergency, auxiliary and supply vehicles of local public transport need an order confirmation.
2. for journeys to fulfil individual interests that cannot be postponed:
   The exemption in the individual interest is not granted if another vehicle not covered by the ban is available to the applicant within a reasonable period of time.

• for the maintenance and repair of technical equipment necessary for operations, if not already exempted as a tradesperson in accordance with the general ruling:
  • Evidence
• Special vehicles, towing vehicles of showmen, vehicles used as workplaces with fixed superstructures/installations, heavy goods transporters:
  • Business registration or
  • Travelling trade licence
  • Order or
  • Confirmation of participation
• Vehicles for the commercial transport of severely disabled persons:
  • Business registration
  • Order confirmation
• necessary regular visits to the doctor, e.g. patients who cannot use public transport:
  • medical certificate
• Journeys by shift workers and other persons who cannot use public transport due to their working hours:
  • Employer's confirmation of working hours
  • see also: "Information for shift workers and social and care services"
    
• private hardship cases:
  • Journeys for a short period of time or in rare special cases (e.g. moving house):
    • written justification and proof (e.g. new tenancy agreement)
  • Journeys for special reasons for the family care of children under the age of 8 (regular journeys to a day nursery, day care centre, school are excluded: Crèche, daycare centre, school, leisure activities = "parent taxi"):
    • written justification
  • Private journeys to care for relatives:
    • Proof of care level (at least care level 1)
• other exceptions:
  • in the predominant and urgent individual interest, in particular persons who are dependent on travelling to the environmental zone for other reasons, but who are unable to purchase an alternative vehicle due to their financial circumstances (e.g. income below the seizure exemption limits or receipt of social benefits):
    • the social welfare notice or
    • proof of salary
    • written justification as to why the journeys to the environmental zone are necessary

If you are a resident, severely disabled with a severely disabled parking permit, delivery traffic or already fall under the generally regulated exemptions (see link: "Who does not need an individual exemption"), you do not need to submit an application.

All other persons can apply for an individual exemption.

For the application you need

1. for journeys in the predominantly public interest, for example to supply the population with essential goods and services:
   All emergency, auxiliary and supply vehicles of local public transport need an order confirmation.
   
2. for journeys to fulfil individual interests that cannot be postponed:
   The exemption in the individual interest is not granted if another vehicle not covered by the ban is available to the applicant within a reasonable period of time.

• for the maintenance and repair of technical equipment necessary for operations, if not already exempted as a manual labourer in accordance with the general ruling:
  • Evidence
• Special vehicles, towing vehicles of showmen, vehicles used as workplaces with fixed superstructures/installations, heavy goods transporters:
  • Business registration or
  • Travelling trade card
  • Order or
  • Confirmation of participation
• Vehicles for the commercial transport of severely disabled persons:
  • Business registration
  • Order confirmation
• necessary regular visits to the doctor, e.g. patients who cannot use public transport:
  • medical certificate
• private cases of hardship:
  • Journeys in a short period of time or in rare special cases (e.g. moving house):
    • written justification and evidence (e.g. new tenancy agreement)
  • Journeys for special reasons for the family care of children under 8 years of age (regular journeys to: Crèche, daycare centre, school, leisure activities = "parent taxi"):
    • written justification
  • Private journeys to care for relatives:
    • Proof of care level (at least care level 1)
• other exceptions:
  • in the predominant and urgent individual interest, in particular persons who are dependent on travelling to the environmental zone for other reasons, but who are unable to purchase an alternative vehicle due to their financial circumstances (e.g. income below the seizure exemption limits or receipt of social benefits):
    • the social welfare notice or
    • proof of salary
    • written justification as to why the journeys to the low emission zone are necessary

Applies to diesel vehicles with emission standards Euro 0 to Euro 5/ Euro V.

The general exemption for residents and delivery traffic as well as some other exemptions in accordance with the general ruling no longer apply.

Exemptions for driving in the extended environmental zone are to be granted exclusively

• in accordance with Annex 3 of the 35th BImSchV,
• by means of a general ruling with exemptions for certain vehicles or driving purposes
• through individual exemptions subject to a charge on the basis of
  § 1 Para. 2 of the 35th BImSchV

can be decreed or regulated.

You will find further details here in the second half of 2023.