An increasing number of European cities and regions are considering introducing low-emission zones with the aim of reducing the use of heavily polluting vehicles and improving air quality. Since we cannot list them all here, let’s look at a few examples. The Crit’Air environmental badge is mandatory in some parts of France (such as Paris) and temporarily required in certain areas, depending on pollution peaks. You can order one at www.certificat-air.gouv.fr (allow 2 weeks for delivery). In Germany, meanwhile, environmental zones were first introduced in 2008 and require a green, yellow or red (depending on the vehicle's emissions) Umweltplakette sticker to be displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle. It is also worth noting that most German cities now prohibit vehicles that fail to display a green sticker. You can order one from the ACL (allow 10 days for delivery). Furthermore, Germany introduced the first driving bans on diesel vehicles, which also apply to vehicles with an anti-pollution sticker, in December 2018. For information on the current situation contact the ACL or visit www.adac.de (in German). There are LEZs (low emission zones) in force in Belgium in the cities of Brussels and Antwerp, with the city of Ghent launching its own initiative on 1st January 2020, the Walloon Region set to introduce a gradual ban in its towns and cities between 2020 and 2023 and Mechelen following suit by the middle of the year. These are designated areas (usually city centres) in which vehicles are no longer allowed to travel unless they have been registered free of charge online (including vehicles registered abroad). Use the Euro category to find out whether you are permitted to enter a LEZ. This European environmental standard (indicated by a number ranging from 1 to 6) reflects the levels of polluting substances that the vehicle emits and can be found on your car's certificate of compliance. Since the rules vary from one city/region to another, each has its own website (e.g. www.lez.brussels/fr (Brussels) and www.walloniebassesemissions.be (the Wallonia region). Don’t hesitate to contact us at the ACL on +352 450045-1 or by e-mail at acl@acl.lu to help you navigate the jungle that is European tolls and other taxes for using public roads. Useful information on this topic can also be found on our website under "Vignettes, tolls and environmental zones".
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