Thinking of taking your vehicle to Germany?

An ever increasing number of towns/cities are acquiring environmental zones (Umweltzonen); areas into which you can't drive your car unless it bears a windshield sticker certifying that it has an acceptable emission level. Cars found in an environmental zone without an appropriate sticker are subject to a €40 fine. Foreign plated cars are also required to have the stickers. They can be had, for €5, at vehicle registration offices and vehicle inspection stations (TÜVs) on presentation of your car's registration V5, which usually has data on its pollution level, or VE103B Vehicle on Hire Certificate, if it's a lease car. Authorized garages also supply them, but possibly will charge more than €5.

More info here: http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/countries-mainmenu-147/germany-mainmenu-61

It's also possible to order one in advance of travel online for €12.50: http://www.tuev-nord.de/de/verkehr/ENGLISH_Low_Emission_Zone_8648.htm

Usually, local motoring organizations, such as the RAC or AA can supply these as well, just with your vehicle's VIN number or complete model description. The Yeti gets a green sticker, so yopu can drive everywhere in Germany in it.

Italy is a lot more tricky. They also have restricted zones in some cities, but the signs are difficlut to read and not very obvious. Adding to the problem is that foreign vehicles basically cannot get the appropriate sticker, so watch out.

It seems to me that this would be a perfect EU environmental project: One sticker that woprks all over the EU.

Wishful thinking - I know.