Prohibition of driving in Europe's cities: This is how you avoid expensive punishments!

Prohibition of driving in Europe's cities: This is how you avoid expensive punishments!

In Europe, different access rules apply to drivers in cities that require careful planning. As vienna.at , provisions such as environmental badges, driving ban zones and toll fees are crucial to avoid high penalties. This applies not only to private vehicles, but also rental cars and electric cars that can also be subject to regional regulations.

In Germany, a green environmental badge is required in order to be able to enter 36 environmental zones, including large cities such as Berlin, Munich and Cologne. This badge must be attached to the windshield. In France too, drivers must apply for the "Crit’Air" badge for cities such as Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg, which is only available online.

prohibition zones and environmental zones

Especially in Italy, where the "Zona a Traffico Limitato" (ZTL) consists in cities such as Rome, Florence and Verona, caution is required. Driving without permission to these zones can be punished with high punishments. Such exceptions can often be applied for directly via the hotel. In Milan, Stockholm and London, drivers must also expect a city toll that can be paid online or via an app.

in Belgium is required for environmental zones in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent, also for rent vehicles. Similar registration systems exist in Norway and the Netherlands. According to ÖAMTC.AT it is important to check the applicable regulations in advance, since the non-fulfillment can result in high fines.

temporary environmental zones and restrictions

In addition to permanent regulations, there are temporary environmental zones that only come into force in the event of air pollution alarm. In France, such situations are often announced in large metropolitan regions or entire departments with electronic ads and media reports. In these times there can also be driving bans for vehicles without a valid crit’air badge.

Another important detail is that electric cars in German environmental zones also need a green badge. In addition, it is crucial to observe the specific entrance and parking rules of each city, since disregard can lead to double penalties, since both driving and parking in zones are sanctioned without permission. In many cities, such as Milan, the rules may be more flexible, so that it is allowed to enter according to certain times from 7:30 p.m.

travelers should therefore obtain information about the applicable regulations in good time. The website about-travel.com recommends to inform yourself comprehensively, because the regulations vary greatly between different cities and can often be updated. Careful planning helps to avoid nasty surprises and ensure that the trip runs smoothly.