Air quality plans are in place for areas with poor air quality. Air quality plans contain measures to improve air quality. Low emission zones are one possible measure in such air quality plans. Low emission zones reduce particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution. Vehicles with high pollutant emissions are not allowed to drive in low emission zones.
If you want to drive your vehicle in such an environmental zone, you must purchase a fine dust sticker/environmental sticker. The sticker is available in three different colors, each of which is assigned to a pollutant group. Your vehicle is classified into one of the pollutant groups according to the emission code numbers. These can be found in the vehicle documents.
Note:
Environmental zones are indicated by a special traffic sign. The additional sign shows the colors of the stickers that allow vehicles to drive freely in the specific environmental zone.
The low emission zone was introduced in Mainz on February 1, 2013. According to the signage, only vehicles with a green fine dust sticker are allowed to enter the low emission zone.
On October 1, 2025, the low emission zone in Mainz will be abolished and the fine dust sticker will no longer be necessary.
The following motor vehicles may enter the low emission zone without a green fine dust sticker:
- mobile machinery and equipment
- work machines
- agricultural and forestry tractors
- two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles
- Ambulances, doctor's cars with the appropriate "doctor emergency service" marking (in accordance with Section 52 (6) of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations)
- Motor vehicles used to transport persons who are severely disabled, helpless, or blind and who can prove this by means of the "aG," "H," or "Bl" markings entered in their severely disabled person's pass in accordance with Section 3 (1) Nos. 1 to 3 of the Severely Disabled Person's Pass Ordinance
- Vehicles for which special rights can be claimed in accordance with Section 35 of the Road Traffic Regulations (e.g., police, fire department)
- Vehicles belonging to non-German troops from non-signatory states to the North Atlantic Treaty who are stationed in Germany as part of military cooperation, provided they are used for journeys for urgent military reasons
- Civilian motor vehicles used on behalf of the German Armed Forces, provided that the journeys are urgent and necessary for the fulfillment of the German Armed Forces' sovereign tasks
- Vintage cars (in accordance with Section 2 No. 22 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance) with an H or 07 license plate, as well as vehicles registered in another EU/EEA member state or Turkey, provided they meet equivalent requirements
Application:
Appointment:
- with online appointment in advance
