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Abbiegeassistent

Source: BMDV

This year, too, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is supporting the installation of turn assist systems. As before, there are two ways to apply for financial assistance. Starting today, the de minimis programme enters into a new round – our Funding Programme to Promote Safety and Environmental Protection in Road Haulage Companies Operating Heavy Goods Vehicles. Measures funded under this programme will once again include the installation of turn assist systems for commercial vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes.
In 2024, new applications for vehicles with a permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons and buses with at least nine seats can be submitted again via the funding programme for the installation of turn assist systems.

Federal Minister Dr Volker Wissing:

Every turn assist system that we fund will enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. For this reason, we are continuing to provide financial assistance on two levels. My thanks go to everybody who is already using a turn assist system or is applying for funding now. Everybody who uses such a system sets a good example and protects lives.

Who is eligible to apply?

Funding to fit or retrofit motor vehicles with turn assist systems is based on two pillars:

  • Since 5 February 2024, commercial road haulage operators have been able to apply for funding under the “de minimis programme” to install turn assist systems in heavy goods vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes.

  • All other holders of vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches with more than nine seats (e.g. local authorities, coach operators, local authority companies) can apply for funding under our financial assistance programme for turn assist systems to have their vehicles fitted or retrofitted with turn assist systems. It will provide a total of 9.25 million euros in 2024.

Where can I apply?

Applications can be submitted to the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM).

For more information please visit

For any questions related to the funding programmes and the Turn Assist Scheme you may also email the BMDV at abbiegeassistent@bmdv.bund.de.

When will turn assist systems become mandatory for HGVs?

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport has continuously, and in the end successfully, lobbied the European Commission and the other EU Member States for the mandatory installation of turn assist systems. In accordance with EU Regulation 2019/2144 on type-approval requirements, which was promulgated on 16 December 2019, turn assist systems (referred to as “blind spot information systems” in the Regulation) will become mandatory on 6 July 2022 for new vehicle types and on 7 July 2024 for new vehicles. The ministry has always lobbied for a faster mandatory introduction (2020 for all new vehicles) but was not able to prevail against the other Member States at the European level.

It is thanks to the initiative of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport that, unlike originally planned, all new HGVs, buses and coaches with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes (vehicle categories M2, M3, N2 and N3) will have to be equipped with turn assist systems in the future.