Breakdown Near Kehl and Strasbourg: What Applies Across the Border

Two countries, one bridge

The Europe Bridge between Kehl and Strasbourg is a four-lane road bridge from 1960. From the A5 you reach Kehl via the Appenweier exit and the B28, see Towing Service Offenburg. If your vehicle breaks down on one side and the garage is on the other, a breakdown quickly becomes a cross-border case.

On French motorways: not something we can do

According to the German motoring organisation ADAC, private breakdown services aren't allowed to help directly on French motorways. You must use the emergency phones or call 112, and an official towing service will come and take the vehicle to the nearest garage. Towing fees there are set by law and paid on the spot. On country roads and in towns it's different. In practice: for motorway breakdowns in France, we can't help you directly, but for questions about transport starting from the border area, get in touch.

Hi-vis vests and warning triangles in France

In France, a hi-vis vest must be kept in the vehicle and put on before getting out in a breakdown or accident. On motorways, you're not supposed to set up a warning triangle; all occupants wait behind the crash barrier instead. That's different from the German approach, see Breaking down on the motorway. If you commute between the two countries, it's worth knowing the rules on both sides.

Strasbourg's low-emission zone

Strasbourg and 32 other municipalities of the Eurométropole form a low-emission zone. Only vehicles with a French Crit'Air sticker may drive there; vehicles without a sticker, or with Crit'Air 5, are excluded. German environmental stickers aren't recognised in France. According to the city of Kehl, a ban on Crit'Air 4 has applied since 1 January 2024, the transition period for Crit'Air 3 ends in late 2026, and further restrictions follow from 2028. The bans don't apply on motorways and major bypass roads. This matters if your vehicle needs to drive back into the city itself after a repair. Check the current rules before you drive, since they and their deadlines change.

What we can do for you

• Roadside assistance and towing on the German side, for example in Kehl, Appenweier and Offenburg.
• We speak German, French, Dutch and English. If you're coming from France and break down in the Ortenau, you can speak to us in French.
• We discuss cross-border transports case by case: tell us the vehicle, pickup location and destination.

Documents to have ready

Useful for any vehicle transport: ID, registration document, licence plate, and proof of insurance if you have it. For vehicles without registration or with export plates, the process is different, so tell us this in advance.