Cologne's Low-Emission Zone: What Applies to Stranded Vehicles?

The basic rule

Within Cologne's designated low-emission zone, only vehicles with a green environmental sticker may drive. This has applied since 1 July 2014. Driving in the zone without a valid sticker, certificate, or exemption is an administrative offence carrying a €100 fine. The zone was expanded in 2019; which streets currently belong to it is stated by the city of Cologne.

Which vehicles don't need a sticker

Lawmakers have set exceptions for certain vehicles. They may drive in the zone even without a sticker, certificate, or individual written exemption. According to the city, these include, for example, ambulances and vehicles with special rights. Beyond that, individual exemptions can be applied for from the city on a case-by-case basis.

What we don't know

Whether towing and roadside-assistance vehicles are generally exempt from the sticker requirement in Cologne is something we haven't been able to reliably confirm. So we won't claim it unprompted, and we won't state it as fact. If this matters for your situation, ask the city of Cologne (the regulatory office or the environment and consumer protection office). If your vehicle needs to be taken out of the low-emission zone and you don't have a green sticker, tell us on the phone.

What this means for your vehicle

• Vehicle with a green sticker: you drive as normal. The low-emission zone doesn't play a special role for you during transport.
• Vehicle without a sticker, or with a different colour: you may not drive into the low-emission zone. If it's broken down inside the zone, tell us so we can work out together how to get it out.
• After the repair: if your car needs to drive back through the city itself, it must meet the zone's requirements.
• Foreign licence plate: ask the city how the rules apply to your vehicle.

What the green sticker is

The green particulate sticker is issued to vehicles with low emissions. How it's issued and which vehicles qualify is explained on the city of Cologne's pages about the particulate sticker. The sticker is displayed on the windscreen and must be permanently affixed, otherwise the vehicle counts as unstickered in the zone. If you only discover after a breakdown that your vehicle doesn't have a green sticker, it's worth checking your documents and calling the vehicle registration or environment office.

What to do if you're unsure

1. Check your registration document and sticker.
2. Ask the city of Cologne whether your street is within the low-emission zone.
3. Tell us where your vehicle is and which sticker it has.
4. Have the vehicle transported on a flatbed rather than driving it out of the zone yourself.

Where it matters in Cologne

The low-emission zone covers large parts of the city. For the districts and Rhine bridges, see the overview at Cologne: Districts & Rhine Bridges, and specifically for the city centre, Towing Service Cologne City Centre. Different rules apply on the motorways around Cologne, see Cologne motorway ring.