🔍 Main inspection (TÜV), emissions test, low-emission zone and tolls

When your car must go for its main inspection, what the defect classes mean and where the environmental sticker and tolls apply.

HU TÜV sticker defects re-inspection low-emission zone toll AU

In brief

A new car must go for its main inspection (Hauptuntersuchung, HU) after 36 months, then every 24 months. If there are significant defects, you do not get the sticker. You must fix the defects and bring the car for re-inspection within one month.

In low-emission zones you need a green sticker. Germany has no general toll for cars. Abroad, vignettes may be compulsory.

Step by step

Check the dateLook at the inspection sticker on the rear plate and in the registration certificate.
Do a quick check beforehandLook at lights, tyres, brakes and the exhaust system.
Read the reportThe inspection report names the defects and their class.
Re-inspectionFor significant defects, bring the car for re-inspection after the repair.

Deadlines

36 months / 24 months

First HU after first registration / thereafterAnlage VIII StVZO, Nr. 2.1.2.1.1 and 2.1.2.1.2

1 month

Re-inspection for significant defectsAnlage VIII StVZO, Nr. 3.1.4.3

€100, no points

Entering a low-emission zone without a valid stickerBKatV Anlage, lfd. Nr. 153

Watch out – common mistakes

For vehicles that are unsafe for traffic, operation is prohibited immediately and the sticker is removed (Nr. 3.1.4.5).
The rules on the emissions test (Abgasuntersuchung, AU) were not checked in full text.
Municipalities set up low-emission zones. To find out whether your city has one, check with the Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency) or the city (state law not researched).
Foreign toll systems (vignettes) change. Check with the operator before you travel.

In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Basic provision (§ 29 StVZO)

Keepers must have their vehicles inspected at their own expense at regular intervals in accordance with Anlage VIII in conjunction with Anlage VIIIa.

Deadlines and defect classes (Anlage VIII)

First inspection after 36 months (Nr. 2.1.2.1.1), then 24 months (Nr. 2.1.2.1.2). Classes: no defects (sticker, Nr. 3.1.4.1); minor defects (entry in the report, rectification, Nr. 3.1.4.2); significant defects (no sticker, re-inspection at the latest within one month, Nr. 3.1.4.3); dangerous defects (deadline of one month from the day of the main inspection, Nr. 3.1.4.4); unsafe for traffic (immediate prohibition of operation, Nr. 3.1.4.5).

Low-emission zone

Which cities have low-emission zones is shown by the UBA zone map (gis.uba.de/website/umweltzonen/). According to search hits, the green sticker is accepted everywhere. Anyone entering without a sticker pays €100, no points (BKatV, Anlage lfd. Nr. 153).

Tolls (search hits only)

According to search hits, Germany has no general car toll. Under the BFStrMG, the lorry toll applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes permissible gross weight. Austria and Switzerland require a vignette; details were not checked.

Not checked

Grace period after the sticker expires and the fine for an overdue HU.

State law (sample BY/NRW/BE)

Sample only, not complete; state law differs. Vehicle tax is federal law. Which cities in Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin have low-emission zones or driving bans depends on the local clean-air plans; these were not checked in full text, so please consult the UBA zone map and the city. Also not checked: responsibility of registration and fines offices under state law.

Who is responsible

Inspection organisations (officially recognised monitoring organisations)
Registration authority
Municipality (low-emission zone)

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Main inspection (TÜV), emissions test, low-emission zone and tolls“?

When your car must go for its main inspection, what the defect classes mean and where the environmental sticker and tolls apply.

Which deadlines and figures matter?

36 months / 24 months: First HU after first registration / thereafter (Anlage VIII StVZO, Nr. 2.1.2.1.1 and 2.1.2.1.2)
1 month: Re-inspection for significant defects (Anlage VIII StVZO, Nr. 3.1.4.3)
€100, no points: Entering a low-emission zone without a valid sticker (BKatV Anlage, lfd. Nr. 153)

What should I do first?

Check the date: Look at the inspection sticker on the rear plate and in the registration certificate.
Do a quick check beforehand: Look at lights, tyres, brakes and the exhaust system.
Read the report: The inspection report names the defects and their class.

What do I need to watch out for?

For vehicles that are unsafe for traffic, operation is prohibited immediately and the sticker is removed (Nr. 3.1.4.5).
The rules on the emissions test (Abgasuntersuchung, AU) were not checked in full text.
Municipalities set up low-emission zones. To find out whether your city has one, check with the Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency) or the city (state law not researched).

Evidence

Bundesministerium der Justiz, StVZO § 29 and Anlage VIII, retrieved 20 September 2026
Umweltbundesamt, Umweltzonenkarte (gis.uba.de/website/umweltzonen/); BKatV Anlage lfd. Nr. 153; Umweltplakette, search hits bussgeldkatalog.de and ADAC, retrieved 20 September 2026
Car tolls in Germany and neighbouring countries, search hits (including the ADAC toll page), retrieved 20 September 2026
State-law sample BY/NRW/BE: not checked in full text, retrieved 21 September 2026

As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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