Price hammer threatens – petrol shock, driver’s licence, car insurance – what all drivers can expect in 2025

Table of Contents

• 1 1. Gasoline prices rise due to higher climate taxes
• 2 2. New car prices could continue to rise
• 3 3. Germany ticket is getting more expensive
• 4 4. Motorcycle registration: Euro 5+ only
• 5 5. Driving license exchange: An important date is coming to an end
• 6 6. Motor vehicle insurance: Many people are at risk with high cost
• 7 7. New inspection requirement for caravans and mobile homes
• 8 8. Higher tax costs

The year 2025 is just around the corner and it will bring not only a new government, but also a price shock, especially for drivers. FOCUS online tells you what to expect.

Anyone who owns a car will have to keep their money even more in the coming year than they already do. It’s getting more expensive in almost every area – new car prices, fuel, insurance. FOCUS online tells you which drivers will be up against them and when.

1. Gasoline prices rise due to higher climate taxes

From January 2025, the CO2 tax will increase from 45 to 55 euros per tonne of CO2. “This is expected to increase petrol and diesel prices by around 3 cents per litre,” said the Autoclub Europa (ACE). The CO2 tax is being levied on top of other fuel taxes and is an additional punitive tax on drivers petrol and diesel vehicles which rise every year.

2. New car prices could continue to rise

Many car manufacturers, especially the German ones, are suffering a big drop in profits and have to save a lot. It is not yet clear what this means for new car prices; However, some manufacturers like Audi will raise their prices again, and especially with petrol and diesel vehicles . For electric cars, on the other hand, there could be a further drop in prices as manufacturers need to push more battery-powered vehicles to market to avoid climate fines in Brussels. Car manufacturers are also considering new purchase bonuses – although experience shows that these are not fully passed on to the customer, but that the manufacturers add part of it their own pockets through previous price increases.

3. Germany ticket is getting more expensive

The German ticket will cost 58 instead of 49 euros in 2025. “It is also expected that the price of the discounted ticket for students will increase from 29.40 to 34.80 euros for the winter semester 2025/2026. In addition, the states can offer additional discounts at their own expense, for example for trainer, school or social tickets,” says the ACE car club. It is not yet clear what will happen to the Deutschlandticket and to be financed after the election by the next federal government. In principle, most parties in the Bundestag support the idea of ​​the Deutschlandticket.

4. Motorcycle registration: Euro 5+ only

New motorcycles must meet the Euro 5+ emissions standard. “This regulation only applies to first registrations. There may be an exception for motorcycles from an expiring series that do not comply with the new standard, provided the manufacturer has applied for approval. These motorcycles can then be newly registered until the end of 2026,” explained the ACE. PUSH – suddenly cardboard away? – Millions of drivers will be pleasantly surprised when they exchange their driving licence

5. Driving license exchange: An important date is coming to an end

Around 43 million drivers must have their old driving licenses changed by 2033 at the latest – many of them earlier. About 15 million Paper driving licenses (issued until December 31, 1998) and approximately 28 million Credit card driving licence (published between January 1, 1999 and January 18, 2013) affected. The reason is EU law, which does not provide for unlimited driving licences. In the future, you will have to renew your driving license again and again as soon as you have switched to the new EU document.

The exchange happens gradually over time. Another deadline will now be January 19, 2025 : Driving licenses for drivers born in 1971 or later should be exchanged. However, anyone caught without an exchange driver’s license only commits an administrative offense – the document does not affect the driver’s license.

6. Motor vehicle insurance: Many people are at risk with high cost

New regional classes will apply to around 9.4 million drivers from January. Unfortunately, this often means too car insurance will become more expensive again . However, for some people with insurance, the contributions will also decrease. If you are affected by an increase, you should consider switching insurance. Promotion gives you a special right of termination.

7. New inspection requirement for caravans and mobile homes

From June 19, 2025, vehicles with liquid gas systems must undergo a gas test every two years. “This particularly affects motorhomes and caravans. Gas testing is carried out by organizations such as TÜV, DEKRA and GTÜ. Vehicles that have not yet been tested can do so before the deadline. If the gas test is missed, you can expect a fine between 15 and 60 euros,” said the car club ACE Europa.

8. Higher tax costs

Anyone who goes on holiday pays higher taxes again – for example in Austria. From 2025, the annual vignette costs 103.80 euros for cars. Prices, which are important for tourists, are also rising. The two-month vignette costs 31.10 euros for cars, the ten-day vignette costs 12.40 euros, the daily vignette costs 9.30 euros ( More information can be found on the website of the motorway operator Asfinag ). The Austrian vignette can also be purchased completely online, so the “sticker” on the windshield is no longer needed. This also applies to some additional toll roads such as the Tauern Autobahn.