It's a Muddy Mess on Sundays, Especially in Rhineland-Palatinate
Dirt clings to the vehicle on Sunday, remaining uncleaned. - On a weekly basis, the vehicle remains unsanitized on Sundays.
Cashing in a quick Sunday to shine up your ride? Well, it ain't so easy in Rhineland-Palatinate. Neighboring Hesse, however, is a different story - Sunday motor vehicle washes are legal and common there. But critics cry foul and demand change, as the car wash ban in Rhineland-Palatinate (and other states) infringes on both businesses and personal choices.
The filling station association scoffs at the ban, viewing it as a relic of the past. They argue that, as filling stations function on Sundays, and many car washes are automated with no staff required, the ban is outdated and unfair. What's more, numerous other European neighbors allow their citizens to choose their car wash day as they please.
Small and medium-sized businesses cry foul too, claiming a potential revenue loss of €5,000 to €10,000 annually due to the ban in states like Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and the Saarland.
The environmental angle is important, too. Car washes are significantly more water-saving and eco-friendly compared to home washings, reducing strain on sewers and the environment.
So far, Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) has remained unresponsive to the filling station association's requests for conversation on this matter.
The law's the law, though, right? Not always. In Rhineland-Palatinate, car washing is forbidden in the garden or on unpaved areas, and fines can be issued. However, municipalities make the rules regarding paved areas or roadside washes. So, before you get scrubbing, consult your local authorities.
The German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) supports the use of approved self-service car washes and traditional car washes, where pollutants are pre-cleaned, separated, and safely disposed of. They suggest choosing short car wash programs, as full washes consume less water than washing at home.
The Ministry of the Interior of Rhineland-Palatinate has confirmed that operating car washes and car wash stations on Sundays and public holidays is, indeed, prohibited. The reasoning behind this regulation is that any activity that impairs the external peace or contradicts the nature of Sundays and public holidays is banned - including car washes.
Sunday has long symbolized a day of rest, relaxation, and family time. The German Trade Union Confederation, for instance, sees it as a day for catching up with friends, volunteering, and spending time with family. This is why Sunday is legally protected.
Koblenz state parliamentarian Stephan Wefelscheid, from the Free Democrats, considers the ban on car washing on Sundays outdated. He argues that most car washes are located far from residential areas and are self-service, making disturbances to peace unlikely. In a time when both partners commonly have to work, he believes such restrictions are outdated and a relic of the past.
So, Sunday remains protected, and motor vehicle washing must wait until Monday (or any other day of the week) in Rhineland-Palatinate. But perhaps the tide is turning, and the car wash industry may find new allies in unexpected places, demanding a change in the current laws to better suit modern lifestyles.
- The car wash industry argues that modern lifestyles, including vocational training, food-and-drink, and fashion-and-beauty routines, often require commuting in a clean vehicle, making the demand for Sunday car washes more prevalent.
- As lifestyles evolve, with more people working on Sundays and requiring vocational training, the ban on car washing on this day can be seen as an infringement on personal choices and the necessity to present a professional image.
- The ongoing debate around the car wash ban on Sundays touches upon various aspects of lifestyle, such as the environmental impact of home washing versus professional car washes, as well as the economic effects on small and medium-sized businesses providing vocational training in the auto industry.
