Turn assist systems

Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) continues road safety programme

This year, too, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is supporting the retrofitting of turn assist systems. As before, there is one way to apply for financial assistance. Applicants can apply for funding for the purchase of turn assist systems via the Funding guidelines for the installation of turn assist systems in motor vehicles. This funding programme, which was launched as part of the Turn Assist Scheme, has been providing financial support for the installation and retrofitting of turn assist systems since 2019.

Who is eligible to apply?

In 2025, new applications for vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, buses with at least nine seats and vehicles used for freight transport subject to tolls can still be submitted via the Turn Assist Systems funding programme. Since 7 July 2024, it has been mandatory for newly registered vehicles to be equipped with turn assist systems. The Funding guidelines for the installation of turn assist systems in existing motor vehicles have been extended until 31 December 2025 (Federal Gazette, Official Part, 30 December 2024, B5).

Where can I apply?

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

For more information please visit (German only).

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) have been mandatory since 6 July 2022 for new vehicle types and since 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.