What is the Tempo 100 approval?

The Tempo 100 approval allows car-and-trailer combinations to drive at 100 km/h instead of the normal 80 km/h on German motorways and expressways. The requirements are set out in the 9th Exemption Regulation to the StVO (German road traffic regulations).

What is the X-factor and how is it calculated?

The X-factor sets the maximum permitted mass ratio between trailer and tow vehicle. It is multiplied by the kerb weight of the tow vehicle. There are 3 levels: X = 0.3 (unbraked or without shock absorbers), X = 1.1 (braked with shock absorbers) and X = 1.2 (with additional stabilisation). Example: with X = 0.3 and a kerb weight of 1,500 kg, the trailer may have a GVW of at most 450 kg.

Which requirements must the tow vehicle meet?

The tow vehicle must have ABS (or ESP) and may have a gross vehicle weight of at most 3,500 kg. In addition, the tow vehicle’s permitted towing capacity must be at least as high as the trailer’s GVW.

Which requirements apply to the trailer tyres?

The tyres must have at least speed index L (120 km/h) and must not be older than 6 years. You can tell the tyre age from the DOT number on the tyre sidewall (e.g. DOT 2519 = calendar week 25 of 2019).

How do I know whether my trailer has shock absorbers?

On braked trailers, hydraulic shock absorbers are usually fitted to the axle and look like small cylinders. Check the vehicle papers or ask the manufacturer. Important: not all trailers have shock absorbers – unbraked trailers typically have none.

Does the Tempo 100 approval apply abroad too?

No, the German Tempo 100 approval only applies in Germany. Abroad, the respective national traffic rules apply. In most EU countries, 80 km/h is the rule for combinations.

Do your motorcycle trailers have the Tempo 100 approval?

Yes! All our unbraked motorcycle trailers come with the Tempo 100 approval from the factory, with a valid sticker and tyres with index L. Important: because our trailers are unbraked and have no shock absorbers, X-factor 0.3 applies. Your tow vehicle therefore needs a kerb weight of at least 2,500 kg to be allowed to drive at 100 km/h.

What does the Tempo 100 approval cost at the TÜV?

Inspecting and entering the Tempo 100 approval costs between €50 and €80, depending on the inspection organisation. Our trailers already have this approval from the factory – so you save yourself time and money.

Tempo 100 calculator

Check for free whether your combination may drive at 100 km/h on the motorway.

Renting from us? → just 1 question

Which trailer do you have?

Choose your trailer type. It determines the X-factor for the calculation.

Chosen X-factor:× 0.3

Your tow vehicle

What does your tow vehicle weigh empty?

Registration certificate: field G (Part I)

The basis for the permitted trailer weight. Including the driver (75 kg) and fluids.

What is the gross vehicle weight of your car?

Registration certificate: field F.1 or F.2 (Part I)

Must be ≤ 3,500 kg for Tempo 100.

How heavy an unbraked trailer may your car tow?

Registration certificate: field O.2 (unbraked) (Part I)

Unbraked trailers are limited to max. 750 kg GVW.

Your trailer

What is the gross vehicle weight of the trailer?

Trailer papers: field F.1 (or the type plate)

The GVW is also on the type plate on the trailer.

Technical requirements

All of these points must be met for 100 km/h to be allowed.

Does your car have ABS or ESP?

Anti-lock braking system or stability programme (mandatory since 2004)

Please choose

Does the trailer have a Tempo 100 sticker?

White sticker with "100" on the back of the trailer

Please choose

Do the trailer tyres have index L or higher?

Speed index at least L (120 km/h) on the tyre sidewall

Please choose

Are the trailer tyres less than 6 years old?

Check the DOT number (e.g. DOT 2519 = week 25/2019)

Please choose

Sources & legal basis (in German)

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9th Exemption Regulation to the StVO

May I drive my combination at 100 km/h?

Normally, a speed limit of 80 km/h applies on the motorway for cars with a trailer. With a Tempo 100 approval, however, you may drive at 100 km/h – if certain requirements are met. Our calculator checks the mass ratio (X-factor) and all other conditions for you.

Requirements for the Tempo 100 approval – in short:

✓ The mass ratio is right: X-factor × kerb weight of the tow vehicle is at least as high as the gross vehicle weight of the trailer
✓ Tow vehicle with ABS or ESP and a gross vehicle weight of at most 3,500 kg
✓ Trailer tyres at least index L (120 km/h) and not older than 6 years
✓ A valid Tempo 100 sticker on the trailer

If all points are met, you may drive at 100 instead of 80 km/h. Our unbraked trailers have the Tempo 100 approval from the factory (X-factor 0.3) – 100 km/h is possible with a suitable tow vehicle with a kerb weight of approx. 2,500 kg or more.

X-factors by trailer type

The X-factor determines how heavy your trailer may be in relation to the tow vehicle. Under the 9th Exemption Regulation to the StVO:

Trailer type	X-factor	Example (1,500 kg kerb weight)
Unbraked / without shock absorbers Our trailers Unbraked motorcycle trailer, max. 750 kg GVW	0.3	Max. 450 kg GVW (at 1,500 kg)
Braked + shock absorbers e.g. braked motorcycle trailers with hydraulic shock absorbers	1.1	Max. 1,650 kg GVW
Braked + shock absorbers + AKS/stabilisation With an anti-sway coupling (AKS) or tow vehicle ESP	1.2	Max. 1,800 kg GVW

Trailer type

X-factor

Unbraked / without shock absorbers Our trailers

Unbraked motorcycle trailer, max. 750 kg GVW

0.3

Braked + shock absorbers

e.g. braked motorcycle trailers with hydraulic shock absorbers

1.1

Braked + shock absorbers + AKS/stabilisation

With an anti-sway coupling (AKS) or tow vehicle ESP

1.2

Formula: tow vehicle kerb weight × X-factor = maximum permitted trailer GVW

Example: 1,500 kg × 1.1 = 1,650 kg → your trailer may have a GVW of max. 1,650 kg.

Good to know

The Tempo 100 rule is based on the 9th Exemption Regulation to the StVO. The final inspection and sticker are issued by TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or KÜS. Violations can mean fines and, in the worst case, penalty points in Flensburg (the German driving offences register).

When does 100 km/h NOT apply?

• Abroad – national rules apply there (usually 80 km/h)
• When the mass ratio (X-factor) is exceeded
• With tyres older than 6 years or an index below L

Frequently asked questions about the Tempo 100 approval

Tempo 100 approval from the factory

All Trailer Swarm motorcycle trailers come from the factory with a valid Tempo 100 sticker and tyres with speed index L – you save yourself the TÜV appointment. Whether your combination may then drive at 100 km/h depends on the tow vehicle: because our trailers are unbraked, X-factor 0.3 applies – your car needs a kerb weight of at least 2,500 kg for that. The calculator above tells you whether it works.

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Tempo 100 calculator for trailers – everything at a glance

Our free Tempo 100 calculator helps you check whether your car-and-trailer combination meets the requirements for 100 km/h on the motorway. The calculation is based on the 9th Exemption Regulation to the StVO and takes all relevant factors into account: mass ratio (X-factor), permitted towing capacity, the ABS requirement and the tyre requirements. All unbraked Trailer Swarm motorcycle trailers come with the Tempo 100 approval from the factory (X-factor 0.3) – with a tow vehicle with a kerb weight of approx. 2,500 kg or more, that makes 100 km/h possible. Want to rent a motorcycle trailer straight away? Here you will find all locations and current availability.

Status & last update

Created: 1 November 2025

Last updated: 6 July 2026

Note: the rules on the Tempo 100 approval can change. What is binding is always the current version of the 9th Exemption Regulation to the StVO and the inspection and confirmation by a recognised inspection organisation (TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS).