Denmark travellers beware: Cars and motorhomes also affected

Strict rules have been in place for trucks and buses in the Danish low emission zones for some time. The vehicles need Euro standard 6 and must be registered from January 2015. Since the beginning of this summer, the rules for vans with Euro 6 and an even later first registration date (September 2016) have also been very strict. 

Now the rules are being tightened once again: From 1 October, diesel cars and motorhomes, i.e. vehicles in the M1 category, will also be affected. They must not be older than January 2011 and must meet at least Euro standard 5. All these vehicles may enter the four Danish low emission zones in Aarhus, Aalborg, Copenhagen and Odense without registering first. 

Older vehicles require registration. The following rule applies: if the vehicle meets the Euro 5 (for passenger cars) or Euro 6 (for other vehicles) standard, but the vehicle was registered before the cut-off date in 2011 (passenger cars), 2015 (trucks and buses) or 2016 (vans), registration is required. If the vehicle does not meet the Euro standard, registration is also necessary, but can only be carried out if the vehicle also has a particle filter. 

Since the environmental zones are controlled by a camera system, almost every vehicle entering is checked. The hefty fines for entering with an older vehicle without registration are 1,700 euros. 

So consider this before you travel to this popular holiday destination and register your vehicle if necessary! All information about the four Danish environmental zones and registration can be found on green-zones.eu and in our free app.