Driving a diesel vehicle on fine-dust or NO₂ ban days (Feinstaub- oder NO₂-Fahrverbotstage): a traffic offence under German law
In Germany, driving a diesel vehicle on designated fine-dust or NO₂ ban days (Feinstaub- oder NO₂-Fahrverbotstage) is considered a legal offence and is sanctioned under the broader concept of Fahrverbote – traffic bans imposed to reduce air pollution.
What are “fine-dust or NO₂ ban days”?
These measures are part of urban air quality action plans in German cities, especially where the legal limits for particulate matter (PM10) or nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) have been exceeded (4liberty.eu).
On such days, temporary access restrictions can be imposed on certain vehicles – in particular older diesel cars – in order to quickly lower emissions in sensitive areas.
Legal basis
On the basis of § 40 (emission control law) in conjunction with road traffic regulations and key rulings by the Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht) in February 2018, local authorities are empowered to impose diesel traffic bans and access restrictions when statutory air pollution limits are exceeded.
Violations are usually recorded by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems or by random checks carried out by the police.
How high are the fines?
Fines vary from city to city:
| City | Violation | Approximate fine |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Entering the Umweltzone without a valid Plakette* | 80 € (en.wikipedia.org, cleanenergywire.org, umweltbundesamt.de) |
| Hamburg | Breach of a local diesel driving ban | 25 € |
| Stuttgart / Darmstadt | Driving a diesel that is banned in the zone | 80–108.50 € |
| Munich | Violation of temporary access restrictions | 100–128.50 € |
* Applies to both petrol and diesel cars within environmental zones (Umweltzonen), depending on the environmental sticker (Plakette).
Points and driving bans
As a rule, no points in the Flensburg register are imposed unless the violation is combined with dangerous driving behaviour.
However, in cases of repeated offences or serious breaches (e.g. driving a heavy vehicle that is explicitly banned), points may be added and more stringent driving bans may be ordered.
How to avoid committing an offence
Make sure your car has a valid green environmental sticker (Plakette) and meets Euro 4/5/6 standards, and check whether it is affected by a local diesel ban.
Check your city’s official websites or navigation apps for temporary driving restrictions before you travel.
If you own an older diesel (Euro 5 or older), consider:
using public transport (tram, metro, bus) where possible,
or applying for an exemption if available (e.g. local residents, emergency vehicles, certain tradespeople).
Conclusion
Driving a diesel car on fine-dust or NO₂ ban days is not just a minor administrative issue; it is part of a broader environmental policy strategy in Germany, backed by clearly defined fines and access rules.
This approach reflects:
a firm commitment to air quality limits,
active promotion of cleaner modes of transport,
and a possible future expansion of restrictions, potentially affecting selected Euro 6 diesel vehicles as well (de.wikipedia.org).
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information may occur. Please treat the information in this article as an initial reference and always consult the competent authorities for binding and up-to-date guidance.
