Exemptions and dispensations

If a public activity of societal interest cannot be carried out, it is in special cases possible for heavy vehicles for private use to get a dispensation for a short time-limited period. If you apply for a dispensation on that basis, all four criteria below must be met:

1. an approved, open particulate filter cannot be fitted to the vehicle (requires documentation from a mechanic/particulate filter fitter) and
2. a public activity of societal interest cannot be carried out and
3. the vehicle cannot be replaced with another vehicle and
4. other circumstances warrant, including that a dispensation will be of secondary importance for the environment and health

Be aware that documentation from the vehicle manufacturer, if there is no original particulate filter available, is not sufficient documentation.

As an owner or user of a heavy vehicle, you can apply for dispensation from the requirement for a particulate filter if the requirement affects you atypically severely compared to the affected group as a whole. This is called expropriation. 

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency must, upon application from the owner or user of a vehicle, grant dispensation from the particulate filter requirement if the requirement affects the applicant in such a way that fulfilling the requirement would entail expropriation.

Please, note that your application for dispensation does not automatically grant your vehicle access to the low emission zones. If you drive in a low emission zone while your application is being processed, you risk receiving a fixed-penalty notice.

You will receive a decision from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency in your digital mailbox. In case you do not have Digital Post or are exempt, the decision will be sent per paper post. It may take up to three months for the case to be processed, but the Danish Environmental Protection Agency will strive to process your application as soon as possible.