Road users will also have to prepare for new changes in the coming year: Whether reduced subsidies for e-cars or deadlines for the exchange of driver’s licenses. In addition, the 49-euro ticket is to come. The ADAC has summarized the most important changes.

Driving license exchange
Right at the beginning of the new year, the next step in the exchange of driving licenses is due. By January 19, 2023, those born between 1959 and 1964 must have exchanged their driver’s license for the EU driver’s license in credit card format. In this way, all driver’s licenses will gradually become forgery-proof and uniform throughout the EU to prevent misuse.

Reduced subsidies for electric cars
From January 1, 2023, the subsidy for purely electric vehicles will be reduced. Battery-powered vehicles with a net list price of up to 40,000 euros will then only receive a subsidy of 4,500 euros instead of 6,000 euros. Vehicles with a net list price between 40,000 euros and up to 65,000 euros will then be subsidized by 3,000 euros (previously 5,000 euros).

Plug-in hybrids will no longer receive any subsidy. From September 1, 2023, subsidies for e-cars will be limited to private individuals.

49-euro ticket for public transport
Good news for users of local public transport: The 49-euro ticket for local public transport, valid throughout Germany, is to be introduced next year. This was decided by the Conference of Transport Ministers in October 2022, but a start date has yet to be set.

The original target date was January 1, but for organizational reasons the current date is April 1. The point of contention is the financing: The federal and state governments are giving three billion euros. Nevertheless, the transport companies assume that there will be a loss of revenue, which is why they are demanding additional compensation for this.

First-aid kit
New first-aid kits must now contain two medical masks. The corresponding DIN 13164 standard has already been updated this year. The StVZO has not yet been adapted accordingly, but according to information from the Federal Ministry of Digitalization and Transport, the new first-aid kits may already be used. Replacement is not necessary: First-aid kits with the previously valid editions of DIN 13164 (January 1998 and January 2014) may also continue to be used.

Drugs behind the wheel
The legalization plans for cannabis are becoming more concrete. As early as next year, the purchase of cannabis could be legalized or at least made easier – there is no specific date yet.

However, this does not mean that driving under the influence of cannabis will be allowed. Under discussion is a limit (comparable to the per mille limit for alcohol), under which driving after cannabis consumption is allowed.

CO2 tax remains the same
Originally, the CO2 levy was to be increased from January 1, 2023. This would have meant an increase in the price of gasoline and diesel fuels. Now, however, the price for one ton of CO2 emitted will remain at 30 euros, rising to 35 euros at the beginning of 2024. Converted, this results in a surcharge of around 1.5 cents per liter of gasoline or diesel.

NCAP tightens ratings
The safety criteria are also to be tightened in the coming year. The crash test organization Euro NCAP is adjusting the ratings accordingly. In particular, more attention is to be paid to predictive assistance systems. This will make it more difficult to get a five-star top rating.