Low-emission zone in the Ruhr area
Since 1 January 2012, the Ruhr area is one large low-emission zone within which an emissions sticker for your vehicle is necessary. On this page you can read everything that is relevant about the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area. Will you also travel to other parts of Germany? Then you may find this list of all low-emission zones useful. Head over to the homepage for more about the emissions sticker in general.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.
Map of the low-emission zone in the Ruhr area
The orange zone on the map is the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area within which an emissions sticker is necessary. Below is a list of all major cities that make up the Ruhr area, corresponding to the letters on the map. Click on the name of a city for a detailed map and information about the regulations.
- Bochum
- Bottrop
- Castrop-Rauxel
- Dortmund
- Duisburg
- Essen
- Gelsenkirchen
- Gladbeck
- Herne
- Herten
- Mülheim
- Oberhausen
- Recklinghausen
Exceptions
The low-emission zone of the Ruhr has some exceptions where you do not need an emissions sticker. The most important exception is formed by the harbor of Dortmund. The sticker is also not needed on the highways, called Autobahn in German and distinguished by the letter A preceding the route number. The following highways lie within the Ruhr area: the A2, the A3, the A40, the A42, the A43, the A45, the A448, the A52 and the A59.
Be aware that two of these highways turn into a Bundesstraße within the low-emission zone. These are the A40 past junction Dortmund-West and the A52 close to Gladbeck. Do you leave these highways and continue on the B roads, then you will still need an emissions sticker. On the part of the B223 that connects the A516 with the A42 in Oberhausen, you will not need a sticker.
Parking outside the low-emission zone
Because the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area is the largest of Germany, it is not always easy to park outside the zone and continue to your destination by public transport. For some cities this is a possibility however. Please select the city within the Ruhr area that you want to visit from the list above for more detailed information.
Which emissions sticker do you need in the Ruhr area?
For all cities within the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area, the green emissions sticker is the one you need. If you do not have an emissions sticker or if you have one of the older yellow or red stickers, you will be fined €100.
Availability of the emissions sticker for the Ruhr area
If you already have bought a green emissions sticker, it is not necessary to buy a new one for the Ruhr area. This is because German emissions stickers are always valid in all of Germany. If you do not have a sticker, you can buy one at vehicle inspection companies and at most larger car dealerships. You will need to bring your vehicle registration certificate. The obvious advantage is that they will issue your sticker immediately. The sticker usually is not available at gas stations.
It is also possible to buy your emissions sticker in advance and have it sent to your home address. Fill out the order form on this website and your emissions sticker will be issued for you in Germany within one working day, after which it will be sent to you by postal mail. Payment options include various credit cards and SEPA bank transfer. Although delivery times depend on your country, you will usually receive the sticker a few days after you place your order.
What is there to see and do in the Ruhr area?
About a century ago the Ruhr area was the largest industrial agglomeration in the world. Today it is still the most populated part of Germany, but many of the former factories have become tourist attractions instead. Among these are the coal mines of the Zeche Zollverein and the furnaces that are now part of the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord. Cities such as Duisburg, Essen, Bochum and Dortmund each offer their own attractions that often include large shopping malls and museums.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.