Low Emissions Zone Castrop-Rauxel

Welcome to our comprehensive information page about the emissions sticker and environmental zone in Castrop-Rauxel.  
Here you will find everything you need to know about the introduction of the environmental zone in Castrop-Rauxel, the required emissions sticker, exceptions, parking options outside the zone, and other relevant information.

Introduction of the Emissions Zone in Castrop-Rauxel

Since January 1, 2012, a general environmental zone has been established for the Ruhr area, which means that an emissions sticker is mandatory in parts of Castrop-Rauxel. This regulation aims to improve air quality by limiting access to polluting vehicles. If you're looking for information about another German city, you can visit the website for an overview of all environmental zones in Germany.

Map of the Environmental Zone in Castrop-Rauxel

The environmental zone in Castrop-Rauxel is marked in orange on the map and covers most of the city. However, the northern part of Castrop-Rauxel falls outside this zone, allowing you to drive here without an emissions sticker. For a complete overview of the Ruhr area's emissions zone, you can check the page about the Ruhr area.

Exceptions

Similar to the rest of Germany, there are some exceptions within the environmental zone of Castrop-Rauxel. The emissions sticker is not required on the motorways that run through the area, including the A2, A42, A43, and A45. However, this only applies to through traffic. Once you leave the motorway and are still within the environmental zone, an emissions sticker is required.

Parking Outside the Environmental Zone in Castrop-Rauxel

If you don't have an emissions sticker and still need to go to Castrop-Rauxel, you might consider parking outside the zone. A convenient place for this is the spacious parking lot at the Hauptbahnhof (central station), marked as point A on the map. From here, you can easily reach the city centre on foot. If you prefer to park closer, you can park on or east of Ringstraße. This part of the B235 lies on the edge of the zone but is not included in it and is marked with a blue line. Since Castrop-Rauxel is not a busy city, you will generally find a free parking space without any issues.

If you frequently drive to Germany, it’s advisable to purchase an emissions sticker. In many German cities, parking outside the environmental zone is not practical, and public transport to the centre can sometimes be more expensive than the cost of an emissions sticker.

Which Emissions Sticker Do You Need in Castrop-Rauxel?

In the environmental zone of the Ruhr area, including Castrop-Rauxel, the green emissions sticker is mandatory. The red sticker was invalidated in 2010, and since July 1, 2014, the yellow sticker is also no longer valid within the city. Only vehicles with a green sticker are permitted.

Availability of Emissions Stickers for Castrop-Rauxel

Don't have an emissions sticker yet? There are several ways to purchase one:

Order Online (recommended): 

Castrop-Rauxel does not sell emissions stickers directly, but you can easily order one through the order form on the website. The sticker will be dispatched within one working day, and you can pay securely using iDEAL, credit card, or some Belgian payment methods.

Buy On the Go (not recommended):

If you don’t have time to wait for the post, you can also purchase the sticker on the go. DEKRA, TÜV, A.T.U, KÜS, and some car garages in Germany sell emissions stickers. Petrol stations without a workshop typically do not offer the environmental sticker. Be sure to check the opening hours in advance, as they are often limited on weekends. You may also have to wait a bit longer on-site. Therefore, we recommend ordering the sticker online before your trip.

Environmental Zones Near Castrop-Rauxel

In addition to Castrop-Rauxel, an emissions sticker is required in the rest of the Ruhr area. Slightly further south, there are smaller environmental zones in cities like Hagen and Wuppertal. To the north, about an hour's drive away, there is also an emissions sticker requirement in Münster.

Tourism in Castrop-Rauxel

Castrop-Rauxel, a former mining town in the Ruhr area, has increasingly focused on recreation since the closure of the last mines in the 1980s. The city offers a golf course and a yacht club. However, there are limited tourist attractions. Visitors who do come to Castrop-Rauxel often do so for the industrial estate or to visit an abandoned coal mine, which can be a unique experience for adventurous travellers.

With this information, you can prepare well for your visit to Castrop-Rauxel and the associated environmental zone.