That will change for drivers in 2024: driving licenses will be more expensive, fuel will be more expensive, M+S tires will be banned

Driving license exchange

Anyone born between 1965 and 1970 and still has a pink or gray driver’s license must exchange the document for a forgery-proof credit card driver’s license by January 19, 2024. Anyone who is caught with the old driver’s license risks a fine of ten euros and then has to subsequently present the exchanged driver’s license to the police – otherwise there will be another fine.

The new driving license is limited to 15 years and costs 25 euros. From January 19, 2025, driver’s license holders born in 1971 or later will have to exchange the “rag”. You can find the issue date on the front of the card format driving license under point 4a. For all driving licenses that were issued after January 18, 2013, you will already find an expiration date under point 4b.

Driving license amendment

The EU driving license directive is due to be adopted at the end of 2023. In various proposals, it provides for an expansion of the B196 driving license, a weight limit for novice drivers, new rules for learner drivers and changes to the truck driving license. A time-limited validity of the driving license, especially for seniors, is also being discussed.

Driving license test

Before the turn of the year 2023/2024, novice drivers could potentially have to pay higher test fees. An adjustment to the fee schedule provides for an increase of eleven percent.

This would increase the fee for the theoretical exam to just under 25 euros. For the practical test for driving license class B, candidates would then have to pay around 130 euros instead of around 117 euros. The change to the regulation should be decided on December 15, 2023 and come into force immediately.

HU plaques

Anyone who has a green “TÜV” sticker on their license plate must undergo a general inspection in 2024 in accordance with Section 29 of the StVZO. After successful testing there is a blue badge. The vehicle must then be presented again in 2026. A three-year deadline (yellow sticker) applies to new vehicles (cars and mobile homes up to 3.5 tons).

By the way: Anyone who delays the general inspection by more than two months will pay a fine of 15 euros; between two and eight months it will cost 25 euros. If you overdraw for more than eight months, you face a fine of 60 euros and one point in Flensburg.

Tires

From October 2024 onwards, only winter and all-season tires with the “Alpine symbol” (snowflake and mountain) may be used in winter conditions. From this point on, tires with “M+S” markings, which have no longer been produced since 2018, may no longer be used. Tires that bear both designations are still permitted.

Assistance systems

From July 7, 2024, all newly registered cars must have a variety of assistance systems on board as standard in addition to the already required assistants such as ABS, ESP or tire pressure systems. These include, among other things, an intelligent speed assistant, data recording in a black box and an emergency braking assistant.

Wallbox funding

The funding program for private charging stations with solar power will enter a second round in 2024. After the budget of 300 million euros was exhausted within one day at the end of September 2023 with over 33,000 approved applications, the development bank KfW 2024 is launching the program again with 200 million euros. The timing for the new procedure, which will probably again run on a first-come, first-served basis (whoever applies first will receive funding first), is not yet fixed. Here are the most important requirements for wallbox funding.

Car insurance

From 2024, the type class classifications for motor vehicle insurance will change. Around 13 million drivers are affected. Higher classifications will apply to over 7.4 million in 2024, and 5.4 million drivers will benefit from better type classes.

E-car funding

From January 1, 2024, the federal share of the funding for battery-electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles with a net list price of up to 45,000 euros will only be 3,000 euros. From this point onwards, vehicles with a higher net list price will no longer receive any funding. The circle of those eligible to apply remains limited to private individuals. The date of the funding application, which requires vehicle registration, remains decisive for the funding. The funding pot is to be reduced to 810 million euros.

THG-Quote

In 2024, electric car owners will be able to sell GHG certificates again. To apply, the owner only needs the vehicle registration document, which is officially called the registration certificate Part I. The payment is made once a year – the amount fluctuates due to the constantly changing legal and economic conditions. For private individuals, the proceeds are not subject to income tax. This income is only taxable if the electric car is a business asset.

Fuel prices (CO₂ tax)

The next stage of the CO₂ tax will come into force on January 1, 2024. According to the federal government’s decision, this amounts to 40 euros per ton. According to the foreign trade association for mineral oil and energy, gasoline and diesel at gas stations are becoming more expensive by around three cents per liter. To save on refueling, we recommend ours More fuel app.

Because of the high energy costs in 2023, the federal government decided to suspend the planned increase from 30 to 35 euros. For 2025, the CO₂ tax is expected to rise to 50 euros per ton.

Traveling with children

From January 2024, a conventional passport with an integrated chip will be required for traveling with children under the age of twelve outside the EU. The price is 37.50 euros and the validity period is six years. Previous children’s passports, provided their expiry date has not yet been reached, generally remain valid. However, it should be noted that, according to the ACE auto club, not every country continues to accept these passports.

For children under 16 years of age, an ID card is sufficient for traveling within the EU or the Schengen area. This is available for just under 23 euros, but is also valid for just six years. The ACE recommends applying for papers in a timely manner, as passport processing times can take several weeks.

Travel

The new vignettes for Austria (2024 in yellow) are valid from December 2023 to January 2025. The price for the annual vignette is currently 96.40 euros for cars and 38.20 euros for motorcycles. The 2-month vignette costs 28.90 euros for cars, the 10-day vignette costs 11.50 euros for cars. A new daily vignette costs 8.60 euros.

For Switzerland, drivers must also present an annual vignette. The color for the vignette 2024/2025 (available from December 1st, 2023) has not yet been determined. There has also been a digital vignette since August 2023. The price is 40 Swiss francs.