Münster exemptions

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Your source of information about Low Emission Zones and how they affect you when you drive in Europe. There are many Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in 10 European countries. Low Emission Zones are areas where vehicle access is limited by its emissions.

This website, www.lowemissionzones.eu, gives all the information you need to drive in LEZs in Europe. The information is available within 1-2 clicks from the homepage, either via the frontpage map or side and top menus.

To navigate the site, click on the map; use the tabs at the top to find Cities by A-Z or by Country, how to comply, and retrofitting details. This text also gives many links you can use to navigate the site.

Alternatively use the left hand menu to find out what are LEZs, and do why they exit, get an overview of LEZs, or use our 'Quick Guide'.

The ‘Quick Guide’ gives an overview table with all LEZs by country/city or start date, showing the most important facts at a single glance (emissions standard, vehicles, dates) and a link to full information. It also allows you to search LEZs by vehicle type affected: coach, lorry, camper van, van, car and motorcycle.

Overview of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in Europe

LEZs are implemented to improve air quality, and help meet the EU health-based air quality limits, particularly of particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and also Black Carbon) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Poor air quality kills over 310000 people in Europe each year - more than by road accidents – with human health costs of between €427 and €790 billion per year.

Which vehicles are affected?

The following table gives a summary by vehicles affected:

Vehicle type	LEZs	Vehicle standard 2011	Future standard
Lorries only	Netherlands	Euro 4(PM)	Euro 4 (1/7/13)
	Austrian A12 motorway	Euro 2/3
	Mont Blanc Tunnel, FR/IT	Euro 1
Heavy Duty Vehicles	London, UK	Euro 3(PM)	Euro 4(PM) (3/1/12)
	Denmark	Fit filter if <Euro 4
	Sweden	8 years old / Euro 3
	Prague, CZ	Euro 2
All 4+ wheelers	Germany	Euro 2-4(PM) & Euro 1 petrol
All vehicles	Italy	Euro 1-3 / no 2-stroke motorcycles
Local buses under agreements	Norwich, UK	Euro 3(NOx)
Local buses under agreements	Oxford, UK	None	Euro V (1/1/13)
Vans	London, UK	None	Euro 3 (3/1/12)
	Germany	Euro 2-4(PM) & Euro 1 petrol
	taly	Euro 1-3 / no 2-stroke motorcycles

Operating hours: Most LEZs operate permanently, the exemption is Italy, where LEZs sometimes operate at peak or other selected times.

Do I have to register before entering? In Germany and Sweden you will need to buy a sticker. Danish vehicles need to purchase a sticker for the Danish LEZs, foreign vehicles need to carry proof of the vehicle emissions standard. Foreign vehicles are required to register with London’s LEZ (as the national database does not include their details). Entry to the Prague LEZ is by permit. Some Italian LEZs require stickers, and you need to pay to enter the Milan Ecopass area. In many cases registration is possible by Internet or post. More information on registering can be found on our 'Where do I need to register' page.

Other LEZs are enforced with cameras reading the vehicle number plates (Netherlands, London), or by police controlling the vehicle papers (Italy, A12, Mont Blanc Tunnel), or local agreements (Norwich, Oxford (UK)).

LEZs are also called Environment Zones, or in a selection of European languages: Umweltzonen, Fahrverbote, Milieuzones, Lavutslippssone, Norway, Miljozone, Miljözon, Zielone Strefy, Nízkoemisní Zóny, ZAPA (Zone d'Action Prioritaire pour l'Air, zone environnementale), Zona de Bajas Emisiones.

LEZs currently exist in 8 countries, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic. They are also in planning in other countries.

If your vehicle does not meet the emission standards required, you can buy a newer vehicle, use a different vehicle, or modify your vehicle's engine, for example by fitting a diesel particulate filter. You can find more about the different options from our how to comply page.

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Münster exemptions

Exemptions until 31 December 2010:
- All vehicles with a parking permit for Trade, Commerce and Businesses under the ‘Runderlasses III B-3-78-12/2’ of the Building and Traffic ministry from 16th April 2007. The permit, or that for disabled drivers should be clearly displayed in the vehicle.
- Diversions signed from the exempted motorway
- These exemptions are issued by the town of Münster. Where the LEZ authorities have mutual recognition agreements with Münster, then these exemptions will also be valid there.

Exemptions that need to be applied to – valid until 30.06.2010
- Residents, if their main residence is inside the LEZ “Bewohner-Ausnahmegenehmigung“. A displayed residents parking permit will be sufficient if an exemption has not been applied for.
- For businesses inside the LEZ „Gewerbe-Ausnahmegenehmigung“

Exemptions – valid until 31.12.2010 at the latest
- Buses that operate in the public interest, (eg, public buses, school transport, travelling to exhibitions and events, individual cases of vehicle access). The length of exemption is dependent on the need. This exemption must be paid for.

Exemptions – for a period of 6 months
- Distribution of important goods and services to the population, in particular:
- Requirements of food shops
- Requirements of Pharmacies
- Requirements of old peoples homes, hospitals and other public facilities
- Requirements of weekly markets
- Travel to undertake essential services, in particular trips:
- To repair and maintain technical equipment needed for operations
- To deal with damage to buildings, including the removal of water, gas and electrical damage
- For social and nursing support services,
- To exercise overwhelming and urgent interests of individuals, especially for:
- The need for doctor visits (eg, dialysis patients and others)
- Shift work for those of who are not able to use public transport or a bicycle,
- The maintenance of manufacturing and production processes, such as
- The supply and disposal of construction sites,
- Goods delivered to manufacturing plants and shipping of goods from the production plant for operational purposes including the transport, if alternatives are not available,
- For other public interest reasons, such as
- Passing through of heavy loads,
- Reaching exhibitions or events.

The duration of the exemption is limited to the time necessary and need demonstrated. These exemptions are only available on a daily, or short time period.

Exemptions – for a period of 1 year
Exemptions are available for a year, but all the following requirements need to be met. The exemption must be paid for.
A.
Retrofitting of the vehicle [link to http://lowemissionzones.eu/retrofitting-mainmenu-149] is not technically possible because such a system is not currently available in the market or the retrofit is not economically feasible
or
a replacement vehicle has been ordered, but delivery has not yet occurred and the delay is not the fault of the person who ordered the replacement.
AND
B.
The requirements set out above under exemptions for up to 6 months.

Exemption for special vehicles
A special permit be granted for a period of 5 years may be available for special vehicles because of their special technical features (eg, test van, media special-purpose vehicles), if it can be proved that retrofitting will not be available in the long term and a replacement compliant vehicle is not economically feasible.
The exemptions must be paid for and are extendable under the same conditions as in the initial application.

II.6 Exemption for the direct marketing of agricultural products
Farmers who sell via direct marketing with their own transport vehicles at the fresh market may apply for an exemption. It must be proved that there is no retrofit available and the replacement by a less polluting alternative vehicle is not economically feasible. The exemption is limited to the drive to and from the market, and carries must be paid for.

Disclaimer:
These exemptions are listed for your guide only. They are not officially translated, and are current as of winter 2009/10. The original on the city/regional/national website is the only accurate source.

Disclaimer