by Stefan Dorner, maut1.de - 22 December 2023
Every year again! At the turn of the year, there are also lots of changes, rules and laws for drivers that need to be observed in order to avoid stress, costs and hassle. maut1.de lists the 10 most important things that will apply on German roads from 2024 in its new blog and also takes a look at neighbouring countries.
1) Fuelling will become significantly more expensive
In August, the German government decided to increase the price of CO2 emissions - from 30 to 45 euros per tonne. This will now come into force on 1 January 2020 and will primarily affect drivers of vehicles with diesel and petrol engines (98 percent of the more than 42 million registered vehicles). The price per litre will rise by around 10 cents for petrol and 11 cents for diesel.
2) No more subsidies for e-cars
The CO2 tax is actually intended to encourage people to switch to electric cars. Just 1.3 million were registered on 1 October. However, over 900,000 of these were plug-in hybrids - vehicles with a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor. Political aspirations and reality are miles apart. Now the German government has also cancelled the environmental bonus for the registration of e-cars. This was up to 4500 euros net for vehicles with a purchase price of 40,000 euros.
3) Daily vignette for Austria
Austria introduces the one-day vignette on its motorways. This means that day trippers no longer have to buy a 10-day motorway tax sticker. This is particularly interesting for skiers. And for those who want to avoid sticking the sticker to the windscreen (and the annoying scratching off afterwards): e-vignettes are now also available, for example on www.mautwelt.de.
4) Mobile phone speed cameras throughout Germany?
Anyone caught using a mobile phone at the wheel in Germany will have to dig deep into their pockets: they will be fined 100 euros and will also receive a point in Flensburg. A pilot project is currently underway in Rhineland-Palatinate that uses a so-called monocam system to check on a large scale who has their mobile phone to their ear while driving.
It is quite possible that this system will be introduced nationwide in the foreseeable future - as is already common practice in the Netherlands. With or without monitoring - maut1.de says: Keep your mobile phone away from the wheel!
5) Winter tyres only with Alpine symbol
In Germany, so-called situational winter tyres are mandatory. This means that in snow, ice and slush, tyres bearing the Alpine symbol (snowflake with mountain pictogram) or an M+S marking must be fitted to the rims. Otherwise you could be fined upwards of 60 euros.
From October 2024, however, winter and all-season tyres that only have M+S certification may no longer be used in winter. The transition period is coming to an end and in future only the Alpine symbol will count. One more tip: winter tyres should be on your car from October to Easter. And even if the legal minimum tread depth is only 1.6 millimetres, the experts recommend 4 millimetres.
6) Driving licence exchange for those born between 1965 and 1970
The compulsory exchange for the standardised EU driving licence in cheque card format is entering the next round: all old licences issued between 1965 and 1970 must be exchanged by 19 January 2020. To do this, you must present a valid identity card or passport, a biometric passport photo and the old driving licence. A fee of 25 to 30 euros is also payable. Anyone who does not comply with the exchange deadline will have to pay 10 euros if they are checked.
7) Truck toll obligation for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
The CO2 tax not only affects car drivers (see point 1), but also lorries. As early as 1.12.23, the German government raised the truck toll to 200 euros per tonne. As of 1.7.24, this surcharge will not only be levied on large trucks, but also on vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes.
In view of the current economic situation and the lack of alternative drive systems in the logistics sector, maut1.de criticises both taxes because they have a full impact on prices and therefore on consumers. At least for campers, Managing Director of maut1.de Julian Schmelzer can reassure them: "Motorhomes are exempt from the agreed weight reduction in the toll."
8) Black box and assistance systems
From July 2024, every newly registered car or commercial vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with an Event Data Recorder (EDR). This black box, which is familiar from aeroplanes, is intended to provide important data for reconstructing the crash in the event of an accident. The data is only stored for a short period of time, starting 300 milliseconds before the collision and ending five seconds afterwards.
The EDR is not only intended to provide experts with important insights into the question of guilt, but also to help manufacturers to further improve vehicle safety. To prevent serious accidents, various driver assistance systems will also be mandatory in new cars coming off the production line from July: Speed assistance, emergency brake light and emergency brake assistance system, reversing assistant, drowsiness warning system and a lane departure warning system.
9) All green stickers must be inspected
Anyone travelling without a valid general inspection not only risks a fine, but above all insurance cover. That's why it's worth taking a look at the licence plate: The current sticker for all vehicles that have to undergo an MOT in 2024 is green. Anyone who has passed the technical check will receive a blue sticker - for the next appointment after 24 months and in 2026. And the same still applies to all new cars: The first MOT is only due after three years.
10) Stricter rules in Italy and Switzerland
Finally, a look abroad to make sure you don't get into trouble on your next holiday: the German-Swiss police treaty comes into force next year. This means that anyone caught speeding in Switzerland will be asked to pay very quickly because the fines will all be enforced. So: take your foot off the accelerator, because a speed trap in Switzerland is anything but "cool man": you will be fined 120 euros if you exceed the speed limit by 6 to 10 km/h in urban areas.
Italy is also tightening its rules due to the significant increase in accidents: This is why mobile phone use, speeding and drink-driving in particular are being punished more severely. The carabinieri don't take a joke when it comes to parking offences either.
With this in mind, maut1.de wishes you: Ciao and a safe journey on all sides in 2024!
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