In 2023, motorists will see some changes. A transitional period ended in January. There is an expensive innovation for electric vehicles.
The turn of the year 2022 already brought numerous new rules for drivers. How echo24.de reported, new traffic signs, such as the halved car with four figures, have also repeatedly caused uncertainty. And numerous new laws have already been announced for 2023, all about cars.
One topic that will continue to accompany drivers into 2033 is the exchange of driver’s licenses. January 2023 is the deadline for the next years. Anyone who misses this must expect a fine.
Mask requirement in the car – first aid kit will look different in 2023
Anyone driving a car in 2023 will have to prepare for a mask requirement. Although the new DIN standard for the first aid kit has been in force since February 1, 2022, there is still a transitional period until January 31, 2023. Motorists have until the deadline to retrofit everything.
Means: In the future, there must always be two masks in the first aid kit in the car. The FFP2 mask is not mandatory. As the trade journal Auto-Motor-Sport writes, one costs “Non-existent or incompletely equipped first-aid kit five euros warning money, ten euros the owner pays if he leaves the vehicle to another driver without a first-aid kit or with an incomplete first-aid kit”. However, two triangular scarves are omitted. One is enough. And the bandage cloth is completely deleted.
These cars have to be inspected by TÜV in 2023
A look at the license plate can also protect you from high fines in 2023. According to § 29 of the StVZO, motorists who have a pink sticker stuck to their sign are due for their main inspection (HU). Missing the moment can be expensive. If you are more than two months there, you pay a fine of 15 euros. For two to eight months, it costs 25 euros. If you exceed that, you face a fine of 60 euros and a point in Flensburg.
Anyone who has then successfully brought their car through the HU and is allowed back on the road will receive an orange sticker. With this you have until 2025 again. According to the report by the experts from Auto-Motor-Sport, new vehicles (cars and mobile homes up to 3.5 tons) have a three-year period (blue sticker).
Insurance for motorists – from 2023 there will be new type class classifications
In 2023, motorists will also be faced with new regulations for insurance. As the General German Automobile Club (ADAC) writes, after the “According to current figures in motor liability insurance, the type classes are more expensive for 8.1 million vehicle owners, but cheaper for 4.8 million. For 29.3 million, the 2023 type class will not change“.
General Association of the German Insurance Industry (GDV) determines type classes
According to the ADAC, in motor vehicle liability insurance, the benefits for injured parties involved in an accident are decisive when calculating the type classes; in comprehensive insurance, the value of the vehicle plays a role, among other things. That is why many high-powered luxury class models and SUVs have a high type class, while older models and small cars tend to have a lower class.
According to the ADAC report, the type class statistics of the GDV include a total of around 32,000 different models and their damage balance sheets from 2019 to 2021. The system behind it: If a car model causes comparatively little damage and low repair costs, it is given a low type class with a lot of damage and high insurance benefits.
The traffic experts explain that the type classes for most models usually go “just one class up or down”. The Škoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI and the Toyota C-HR Hybrid 2.0 made bigger leaps in 2022 – they even improved by three classes – while on the other hand the Nissan Leaf and the Mercedes Benz GLC 250 Coupe 4Matic each improved by two Type classes deteriorated.
New regulations for plug-in hybrid vehicles – the subsidy will end in 2023
The year 2023 will also be worse for drivers of certain electric cars. Government funding for plug-in hybrids will end on January 1st. Anyone who then wants to buy such a car will only be supported with lower premiums.
The ADAC has created an overview on the topic of funding for plug-in hybrid vehicles from January 2023:
- From January 1, 2023, plug-in hybrid vehicles will no longer receive environmental bonus funding.
- The federal part of the funding will then be 4,500 euros for battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles with a net list price of up to 40,000 euros instead of 6,000 euros, and with a net list price between 40,000 euros and up to 65,000 euros instead of 5,000 euros only 3,000 euros. Electric vehicles with a purchase price of more than 65,000 euros will continue to receive no funding.
- According to the ADAC, from September 1, 2023, funding will be limited to private individuals. An extension to small businesses and non-profit organizations is currently being examined.
Petrol and diesel prices: New CO2 taxes in 2023
Motorists can at least breathe a sigh of relief when they have to drive to the gas stations in 2023. Actually, the CO2 taxes for petrol and diesel would have been raised to the next more expensive level in 2023. Due to the current situation, however, energy costs have risen excessively.
The federal government has therefore decided to suspend the annual, gradual CO2 tax increase for 2023. Motorists therefore do not have to expect the levies to climb from 30 to 35 euros per tonne of CO2. According to Auto-Motor-Sport, the price of 55 euros per tonne will not be reached until 2027.
