Low-emission zone in Dortmund
On 1 October 2008, Dortmund was one of the first German cities with a low-emission zone. Since 1 January 2012 this zone is part of the larger low-emission zone of the Ruhr area. Below we tell you everything you need to prepare for your visit. Wondering in which other German cities an emissions sticker is necessary? Look at this list for an overview of all low-emission zones. More about the emissions sticker itself can be found here.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.
Map of the low-emission zone in Dortmund
On the map above you can see which parts of Dortmund belong to the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area. These parts are colored orange. If you want to drive your vehicle within this zone, an emissions sticker is necessary. As you can see, the low-emission zone of the Ruhr also extends further to the west. For a map of the entire zone, please look at our page about the Ruhr area.
Exceptions
In Dortmund there are a few exceptions within the low-emission zone where you will not receive a fine, even if you drive without a sticker. The most important exception is the northern harbor of Dortmund, which can be reached by the Fürst-Hardenberg-Straße and by the Mallinkrodtstraße. This last street connects the A45 to the southern part of the harbor. The Fürst-Hardenberg-Straße and the Mallinkrodtstraße are indicated on the map by the two red lines.
A second important exception is formed by the highways. As everywhere else in Germany, these are not part of the low-emission zone. In Dortmund the highways concerned are the A40 and the A45, corresponding to the blue lines on the map. If you enter and leave the low-emission zones on one of these highways, an emissions sticker is not necessary. Do keep in mind that east of junction Dortmund-West, you can only leave the A40 within the city.
Parking outside the low-emission zone
If you have not been able to obtain an emissions sticker on time or if your vehicle is not eligible, there are still a few possibilities to park outside the low-emission zone. Your best options are parking lots next to a station of the S-Bahn, such as Hauptfriedhof on the Westfalendamm (1), Knappschaftskrankenhaus on the Hörder Straße (2) and finally station Pothecke on the Brackeler Hellweg (3)
If you approach Dortmund from the north, west or south, finding a place to park close to a station of the S-Bahn is more difficult. Almost all stations with large parking lots lie within the low-emission zone. Of course you can park in cities even farther away, but that will take more time than driving around to the east and choose one of the places to park that we mentioned above.
Which emissions sticker do you need in Dortmund?
In Dortmund the green emissions sticker is necessary, just like in all other cities that lie within the Ruhr area. If your vehicle does not have this sticker, or if it has an older red or yellow sticker, you will be fined €100.
Availability of the emissions sticker for Dortmund
The easiest way to obtain your German emissions sticker is to order it online, for which you can use the order form on our website. A photocopy of your vehicle registration will be necessary. If your vehicle is eligible, the sticker will be sent to your home address within one working day. Payment options include credit card, Apple Pay and SEPA bank transfer.
In case you only found out about the emissions sticker at the last moment, you can still pick it up along the way at vehicle inspection companies such as DEKRA or TÜV. The sticker can also be bought at many larger car dealerships. As with ordering online, a copy of your vehicle registration certificate is necessary. Keep in mind that vehicle inspection companies tend to be closed during the weekend.
What is there to see and do in Dortmund?
Even though Dortmund is more than a thousand years old, it wasn’t until the industrialization of the 19th century that it turned into a large city. This is why you will only find a few medieval buildings, such as the Reinoldikirche. Most of the city consists of residential areas separated by industrial areas. Dortmund does however have many excellent museums to offer, such as the Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, the Museum für Naturkunde and the Deutsches Kochbuchmuseum which is about cook books. From the Florianturm, a 200 meters high television tower, you have an excellent view over the city.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.