Abbiegeassistent Berlin – Funding for equipping and retrofitting vehicles with turn assistance systems

Serious accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) making turns are becoming an ever more frequent occurrence on the roads of large cities – and are mostly down to the vehicles' blind spots. Despite the numerous mirrors attached to the vehicle, road users are not always spotted in time when these vehicles are turning. Cyclists and pedestrians are particularly affected.

Turn assistance systems are technology solutions which can save lives in serious cases and take some of the load off HGV drivers in critical road situations. Using visual and acoustic signals, they draw the driver's attention to people who are hard to spot when turning.

With its "Abbiegeassistenzsysteme" initiative, the State of Berlin has created a funding scheme which helps self-employed persons and companies retrofit their HGVs with turn assistance systems by providing financial assistance of up to €1,500 per system.

You can find the State of Berlin's Terms and Conditions for Abbiegeassistent Berlin funding in the Funding Guidelines (pdf - only available in German).

What does the funding cover?

The Senate Department for Economy, Energy and Businesses gives companies which operate HGVs in the capital and want to retrofit their vehicles with turn assistance systems a grant for system and installation costs. Funding supports the purchase or leasing of turn assistance systems which have a camera-monitor system or sensor system, including visual or acoustic warning signals. These are currently considered the safest solution. The turn assistance systems must have been approved by the KBA and be installed in commercial vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of at least 3.5 t. A maximum of 20 individual measures will be funded as part of this scheme.

Who is eligible for funding for turn assistance systems?

All companies, self-employed persons and non-profit organisations which operate an HGV in Berlin (at least 3.5 t maximum authorised mass) can apply for funding. Funding also covers rental and leasing vehicles which are operated for commercial, freelance or non-profit purposes.  

Persons or organisations which:

• Own
• Lease
• Rent

heavy goods vehicles registered for road use in the Federal Republic of Germany may apply.

Amount of funding available for turn assistance systems

The "Abbiegeassistent Berlin" funding scheme provides a non-repayable co-financing subsidy.
A total of max. 20 individual measures per applicant (individual or company) can be funded, where each fitting of an eligible vehicle is considered an individual measure.

Total funding per turn assistance system is 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,500.

Subsidies do not cover any VAT that is deductible as input tax pursuant to Sec. 15 German VAT Act (Umsatzsteuergesetz).

• Funding for owners of vehicles

All system and installation costs incurred by the owner during the approval period are eligible for funding. The cost subsidy of 80% is calculated on this basis.

• Funding for individuals or organisations renting or leasing an eligible turn assistance system

If the applicants are leasing or renting their eligible turn assistance system, the installation costs and leasing/rental costs for a maximum of two lease/rental years can be subsidised. The subsidy of 80% is calculated on this basis.

Apply

Applications can be submitted easily online using the electronic application and management system. Please ensure that all necessary documentation is submitted in full. Funding will only be paid out after the turn assistance system has been installed.

Please note that applications can only be submitted in German. Please familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria and necessary documents (only available in German) before applying!

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