German driving laws – fines for speeding, drunk driving, parking etc.

German traffic laws for foreigners

Regarding the question, whether Germans are considerate or rather reckless drivers, everyone will have a different answer after a visit to Germany. That is not surprising considering there are 43 million registered cars in Germany after all. And there are a variety of differences between their drivers. Therefore, the “German driving style” can hardly be evaluated, because there is no such thing as “a German driver”.

According to a recent survey conducted by an insurance company, 96% of all German drivers consider themselves as “very good” or at least “quite good” drivers. Admittedly, the number of traffic deaths is declining every year, but nevertheless, the proportion of traffic deaths in other countries like the UK or the Netherlands is still smaller than in Germany. In spite of that, you can give credit to the Germans that only a sixth of the 43 million car drivers has got so called Punkte in Flensburg (points in Flensburg).

The Flensburger Konto (account in Flensburg) generally records, if someone committed traffic violations like speeding. The bigger the hazard caused by the misbehaviour, the more points will be recorded on the account. If a traffic offender has gathered 8 points, he or she must hand in the driving licence permanently.

The points also apply to foreigners

Under German law, foreigners travelling through Germany are able to collect points in Flensburg as well, if they commit a violation according to the schedule of fines. The rules regarding the points apply to foreigners just like they do to natives. Additional to the points, there are further penalties which can be imposed on foreigners.

• For instance, a fine which is sent as a penalty notice to foreign countries as well. If the recipient does not pay the fine, it will also result in enforcement proceedings – at least in the EU.
• Furthermore, car drivers who committed certain violations like running a red light may be punished with a temporary driving ban which usually lasts for one to three months.

The German schedule of fines is a unified compilation of all German traffic violations and fines according to German driving laws. It also states which additional penalties are imposed on offenders. The schedule of fines defines if the violation entails a driving ban and how long this ban will last. It also determines if points are being recorded and how many.

Furthermore, the German law states that criminal offences like drunk driving can already result in the revocation of the driver’s licence – even if the offender has not gathered 8 points on the account in Flensburg yet. A so called MPU is one of the steps to regain the driver’s permit. It is short for Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung (medical-psychological examination) and requires a report which must attest the offender a more careful driving style in the future. It is often not that easy to receive one. As long as this report is not issued, the offender cannot drive a car in Germany with his or her previous driver’s licence.

In this instance, the traffic offender can lose his or her driving permit abroad as well. The EUCARIS (European Car and Driving Licence Information System) has the data of holders of a driver’s licence from many European countries and provides authorities abroad with it. Thus a driving ban can be enforced there. A general statement if this will happen in other countries is not possible though.

If it happens, there is the possibility that only the violatioin against the regulation of “carrying a driving licence” is punished abroad as sometimes the criminal offence “driving without a driving licence” does not exist in this country.

Revocation of a foreign driving permit

German driving laws allow for two different kinds of driving bans. In the case of a temporary driving ban, the driver’s licence will be revoked as a penalty for a period of up to three months. Afterwards, the holder reacquires it from the authorities. This procedure is also legitimate with a foreign driver’s permit. The ban is usually marked on the concerned licence.

Even if someone is in Germany for just a short time – as a tourist for example – and is punished with a driving ban, the traffic offender cannot unmake it by leaving Germany. The temporary ban prohibits driving in Germany for the defined period of time. If an offender drives during the ban, her or she can be charged with driving without a licence upon re-entry into Germany. This is a criminal offence by German law which is punished with a fine or even a prison sentence of up to one year.

A permanent driving ban for the holder of a foreign driver’s licence is regulated by section 69b in the StGB (German criminal code). It states that the preliminary permission to operate a vehicle in Germany with a foreign driving permit is revoked with the driving ban. Furthermore, it is not possible to get a German driving licence within a retention period set by the authorities.

If the offender is from an EU country, his or her seized driver’s permit will be sent to the appropriate authority in their home country. In some cases, it might even be sent to the home address of the offender. If not, the ban will be noted on the licence itself – the licence then will not be valid anymore in Germany.

Again, if someone drives a car in spite of that, he or she commits a criminal offence. This driving without a licence will not be treated as a traffic violation according to the schedule of fines, but as an offence as per German law. This also means the case will be taken to court. Legal consequences differ from country to country, if you drive without a licence outside of Germany.

Do I need a German driving licence?

Someone who is staying in Germany for extended periods of time and is driving a car here, may want to get a German driving licence. According to German driving laws, this is not necessary if the stay is a short one! The foreign driver’s licence is valid in Germany in the first few months, especially if you are from an EU country. You should check the age limits or time restrictions for the different kinds of licences in Germany. A driver’s licence class C1 and C1E for example needs to be renewed every five years.

Drivers from one of the member states of the EU or a contractual state of the European Economy Area (EEA) will have less problems having their foreign driver’s permit validated in Germany. A translation of the driver’s permit into German is not necessary in these cases. A driver’s licence acquired and issued in such a country will still be valid, if the holder registers a new place of residence in Germany as per German law.

But heads up: the termination date of the driving permit remains valid! Possibly, you have to request an extension with the German authorities. Since the processing will take some time, you should contact the authorities opportunely. You will receive the German documents together with the extension of your driver’s licence, provided that your registered residence is in Germany and you spend at least 185 days a year there.

Driving permits from non-EU countries

So a driver’s licence which was issued within the EU is usually applicable in Germany without any problems. If you have a foreign driver’s permit, though, which was not issued in a EU country nor an EEA country, we strongly advise you to get professional consulting at your local admissions office. According to German driving laws, your current driver’s licence will be valid for the first six months when you have registered a German residency. After that time it will expire. You will have to apply for a German driving licence in due time.

The regulations for acquiring the German driving licence depend on the country the original driver’s licence was issued in. You can find out the regulations for your country at your local driving licence office. Provided that you are not staying longer than a year in Germany, you can get a special permit; thereby you do not have to get a new licence. This special permit must be recorded in your documents; otherwise you might get into trouble at a traffic check.

Speed limits in Germany

Germany has a speed limit of 50 km/h within built-up areas and 100 km/h outside built-up areas – like most European countries. On the other hand, there is no speed limit on the German Autobahn (motorways) – just a recommended speed of 130 km/h. Car drivers are required to drive according to the weather conditions, though. For instance, ice and snow can make it necessary for drivers to drive slower. Consistently, there are heated discussions on establishing a speed limit on the German Autobahn as well. Up to now, this is not the case though.

However, there are traffic signs indicating a speed limit on many street sections and on the motorways as well. Drivers who are speeding in Germany may be caught by a speed trap. The driver must be recognizable on the photo which can be automatically taken by the radar trap. In Germany it is the driver that is liable, which lies in contrast to other countries. Therefore, the registered keeper of the vehicle does not always receive the penalty notice, but it must be undoubtedly clarified on the basis of the photographic evidence that the suspected person was in fact driving.

The following table contains some fines for speeding violations against German driving laws along with the related point and shows if a driving ban is imposed.

German speeding fines

How fines changed due to the new StVO:

Parking violations

Many tourists do not know the regulations when it comes to parking in Germany. That is not surprising, since there are a lot of rules to follow: it is stated in the StVO (German driving laws) that it is forbidden to park 5 m in front of crossovers or side roads (8 m if there is a cycle path). Lowered kerbs are also off-limits. Moreover, drivers are supposed to park in a space-saving way and must not park in front of a driveway, bus stop signs or on manhole covers. Overall, parking is not allowed in a lot of places pursuant to German driving laws. If these regulations are violated, the driver will get a parking ticket. Parking is permitted at places with a blue traffic sign with a white “P” on it. Sometimes you will have to get a pay-and-display-ticket first, though.

Safety regulations in the car

It is advisable to equip your car according to the safety regulations before driving in Germany. It can be inspected at a traffic check, if you have

• a reflective vest
• a first aid kid
• a warning triangle

in your car. This equipment is obligatory in Germany just like in most EU countries. Furthermore, the condition of the tyres is sometimes checked as well. The minimum tread depth in Germany is 1.6 mm as per German law; it also is mandatory to have winter tyres, if the weather conditions dictate it.

There is a seatbelt requirement in Germany, too: all passengers must wear a seatbelt while driving. By the way, this also applies to coaches!

Passengers of full age are punished with a fine of € 30, if they do not wear a seatbelt in a moving car. In accordance with German driving laws children smaller than 150 cm have to be double secured: with a seatbelt and a children’s, baby or booster seat. As soon as one of the obligatory safety measures is violated, a fine of € 30 is inflicted. If a child is detected with no safety device whatsoever, the driver will have to pay a fine of € 60 and will get a point in Flensburg. If several children are not secured at all, the fine will increase to € 70.

Drunk driving and drug driving

It is undisputable that the consumption of drugs and alcohol limits the ability to respond. Therefore, the risk to get into a car accident increases enormously. This way, you not only endanger yourself, but also others on the road.

The German alcohol laws and drug laws are very strict, thus the punishment for drunk driving or for driving under the influence of drugs is particularly harsh. The fines go from € 500 to € 1500. Additionally, long driving bans are imposed and multiple points are recorded.

A driver who is caught with 1.1 mg/ml or higher commits a criminal offence and is taken to court. A car driver who is at least 21 years old and has his or her driver’s licence for at least 2 years has a legal alcohol limit of 0.5 mg/ml. There is no traffic violation existent up to this limit, as long as the driving style is not suspicious or endangers others. Adolescents under 21 have a legal limit of 0.0 mg/ml: they are not allowed to drink any alcohol, if they want to operate a vehicle afterwards. The same is valid for new drivers, who have had their licence for less than two years.

The use of marijuana is also prohibited by law in Germany. Therefore, drug driving can not only result in prosecution, but a driving ban as well.

Fines for cyclists and pedestrians

Most of the violations mentioned in the schedule of fines refer to drivers of power-driven vehicles. Pursuant to German driving laws, pedestrians and drivers of non-motorised vehicles can receive a penalty notice as well, though. Cyclists whose bike is not equipped with the proper lighting have to pay a fine of up to € 25. Pedestrians have to pay a warning fine of € 5, if they cross against the red light. Cyclists get a point and a fine of € 60 for this violation. Helmets are not mandatory for cyclists in Germany. By the way, a ride with the bike with over 1.6 mg/ml or a suspicious driving style with at least 0.3 mg/ml can already lead to a criminal charge! Additionally, the offender gets 3 points.

German driving laws are mostly only slightly different to the regulations in other countries. All these sets of rules, like the StVO, are intended for the same thing: increase traffic safety so most accidents can be prevented. Car drivers who are on the road in Germany can do little wrong, when they stick to the prescribed guidelines in section 1 of the StVO: All road and transport users are urged to be considerate of others and drive carefully at all times. Everyone who takes these principles to heart will have no problems while driving in Germany or elsewhere.

Über den Autor

Thomas R.

Thomas hat einen Abschluss in Politikwissenschaften von der Universität Jena. Er gehört seit 2018 zum Team von bussgeldkatalog.org und verfasst News und Ratgeber zu verschiedenen Themen im Verkehrsrecht.

(98 Bewertungen, Durchschnitt: 4,30 von 5)

German driving laws – fines for speeding, drunk driving, parking etc.

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1. Den

   Am 26. März 2021 um 13:55

   Are there any time limits on how long can a car be parked in the street? E.g. just a street with houses, not restricted to park (with “no stopping” or “no parking” sign and with no additional parking conditions (like residents only, 2 hours max with parkschein etc).

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2. lochan P

   Am 24. März 2021 um 20:50

   i got fine for crossing red light in Berlin. i got two letter with different file number,what should i do? its 128 euro for each.

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3. mustapha f

   Am 19. Februar 2021 um 2:06

   Ich möchte meine Trans-Traffic-Zahlung bezahlen

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4. Stephen

   Am 6. Februar 2021 um 14:01

   Hello,

   Last night I got pulled over and the police took me to hospital to get my bloods checked. I had taken around 4gs of Magic Mushrooms earlier in the day but wasnt driving dangerously or anything. They said I will probably lose my license for 1 month and a 500 euro fine but this seems pretty light to me. Will it be a longer driving ban? Have to wait 2-3 weeks to find out!
   Thank you!

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5. Barbara

   Am 22. Januar 2021 um 19:09

   Did any of you take a driving test or read the German driving rules before getting your drivers license? Reading these posts explains a lot of why my car is full of scratches and dents from hit and runs. Also this is why the rules get harder and harder on others. Grow up people and become a responsible citizen. You’re not in “Kansas anymore Dorothy”

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6. Jihan

   Am 31. Dezember 2020 um 16:32

   Hi. My husband got a right side right of way ticket by police. When i as a passenger tried to explain that the police car was far away into the street and we were already crossing the function and not in fault. He began shouting and giving rude orders to me to shut up when talking to the driver, my husband. Is that legal for him to use his authority by screaming to us like criminals or kg1 kids? Thx

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7. Alagie C

   Am 30. Dezember 2020 um 22:04

   Hello I want to know the punishment for driving after you driving licence have taken away.i was haven driving licence but they take it now I have to do mpu tests but they control me without driving licence,what is that punishment?

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8. Jack

   Am 2. November 2020 um 12:56

   How did you go with this situation? I may be facing similar.

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9. Shahzad A

   Am 22. Oktober 2020 um 17:57

   Hello my name is amir and before 3 day police controlled with speed camera and its one way road 2 track the in the city the speed limit is 60 but am i drived 105kh 45 plus the police say 1 mont licence bend and 200 euro fin and that time i am t jab im with pizza with have oder i told them that i have 2 oder thats why im driving fast my question is can i pay extra if thay dont ben my licence because if they ben my licence 1 month then i can’t do my job and its first time in Germany and i have itlian license and how many points i los

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10. Alex N

    Am 10. Oktober 2020 um 10:19

    hi,i received a speeding ticket in 2017 ,while driving a uk registrated car .i received the letter from the german police at the uk address, i sent it back but never got a reply back.is there anywhere online where i can check and pay the fine? will i be able to pay the fine if the police stops me in germany?

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11. Samuel

    Am 8. Oktober 2020 um 15:33

    Hallo,
    I got my driving license in Germany Last Month.and I bought a car last two weeks.my friend has a driving test next week.he asked me that I learn him how to parking.and I learned him once in small street.but someone took a picture and sent the photo to a police.The police caught me and my friend.now we are waiting our punishment.i am Stress now.what is my punishment please ?

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12. Sunday

    Am 20. Juli 2020 um 17:39

    Hallo l just got my driving license and whiles l was trying to park our company car it scratched a car without my notice. The next police invited me to fill all my information. What should l expect?

    Antworten
13. Watson

    Am 6. Juli 2020 um 16:04

    Wie ist Strafe für 1.64mg alcohol am Steuer?

    Antworten
14. Bob

    Am 28. Juni 2020 um 14:16

    Hello,
    I received the court proceedings for negligent driving without driving licence. I am Canadian living in Germany, I did not that I have to exchange my driving licence to German, and drove the rental car randomly over 1.5 years. What happened was that after 1 year living in Germany, I drove the car for over speed, got the speeding fine, and paid for it, at same time I applied for exchange and got my Germany licence. However, the police knew that I did not have Germany driving licence from the case, and sent me the form for explanation, I did explain that I really did not know the exchange of driving licence which only cost EUR50. Today, I just received the court letter for the court proceedings which is against me for negligent driving without driving license. My questions is that can you tell me that what would be the court decision? If they give me a fine, what would be the fine amount? I just lost my job in Germany, and plan to go back to Canada before the end of this year.

    Thank you very much!
    Bob

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15. Igor

    Am 18. Juni 2020 um 15:57

    Hello im 7months in germany amd i haved macedonish driving licence.Because of corona sitiation i dont changed on time and was stoped by police they say i will have punish.How much will be and what is it

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16. Jasper

    Am 14. Juni 2020 um 6:06

    Hello I was drving a rental car with my friend last year and total got 4 tickets. Rental car company submitted my information and 2 bills have been posted to my home cotunry and i have paid for the fine. Meanwhile another two i didnt receive any letter, is there anyway i can check and pay for the ticket? Thanks

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17. Amit P

    Am 2. Mai 2020 um 23:44

    Hallo, I have received two points because of over speeding in Germany. One point I received was in May, 2017 and the other in Sep, 2017. Never received any point after that. Have my points expired?
    The website [Link entfernt] says: “””A single point automatically expires after 2½ years and Two accumulated points automatically expire after 5 years”””. I am confused regarding the second statement. Though, I have 2 points, but received on separate occasions.
    Can anyone provide some perspective?
    Thanks a lot

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18. Aiyubi

    Am 26. März 2020 um 16:41

    Hallo,

    I was sleeping at home one of my friends took my car key without my permission and drove my car in the city and caught by speeding camera, now what is the solution I will pay the fine or my friend will pay? If he will do again such actions and drive my car without my permission if the police stop him what will happened to me as the owner of car ?

    Please answer to me.

    Thanks and Regards

    Antworten
19. Dave

    Am 29. Februar 2020 um 15:46

    Hi I was wondering what would happen if I was caught towing a caravan on my b category which in fact needed a B+E category which I don’t have:( are there any fines/points or prison sentences?

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20. C.H

    Am 18. Februar 2020 um 17:35

    Is there an email address to report cars parked in a forbidden parking area. Every day there are cars parked in a “verboten” street. Nobody controls it.

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21. Lara

    Am 28. Januar 2020 um 0:25

    Hello,

    I was driving 22km/h to fast in Germany. I’m from Belgium (Flandern). I received the letter in French.
    I have to pay 70 euro. I found out that this is correct.
    BUT they said that I have to pay a tax and fee charge of 30 euro extra. Is that correct? In my last fine (20 Euro, 17km/h) I didn’t had to pay any taxes and fees.

    Does anyone know if that is correct?
    Thanks in advance

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22. denka

    Am 7. Januar 2020 um 21:44

    greetings.

    in august 2006 i was stopped by the german police in a rental car.
    i am not german and my sweat was tested for drugs and proved positive.
    my blood was taken and the police told me they would send the results to my address in spain.
    i never received any news from the police.
    i emailed the police last week and received no reply.
    lawyers want 2.500 euros or more just to ´´help me´´.
    would i need to contact the Bundeszentralregister?

    regards

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    • Haptic

      Am 5. April 2023 um 16:24

      Wait to hear from the police before you consider yourself in need of “help”.

      Antworten
23. Jac

    Am 15. November 2019 um 9:42

    Can I new driver loose his driving license with 1 point ?

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24. Edrian

    Am 13. November 2019 um 23:00

    Hallo,
    ich habe eine fragen, ich bin heute Auto gefahren ohne Fahrerlaubnis und die Polizei hat mich kontrolliert. Ich habe die Theorie Prüfung bestand, auch fertig mit fahr stünde und fällt noch die praktisch Prüfung das bald stattfinden. Was kann ich jetzt tun, soll ich weiter die Prüfung oder nicht?

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25. Manuel

    Am 25. Oktober 2019 um 19:51

    Hello, Is it possible for anyone to call the police and say for example“ The car with xxxx number plate is driving over the speed limit, or is running a red light, or is behaving badly in traffic“ ? How could the police verify their statement? Will the driver get a fine just because someone told on him? What if I just want someone to get fined and i lied about him? Can I lie? how could he demonstrate the contrary?

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26. Ravindra

    Am 24. Oktober 2019 um 12:33

    Hallo All,
    I had a strange situation today morning. I had to rop my kid at school and all the park places are full.
    Hence I had to park my car for 5 minites infront of garage. Meantime the owner of the house came out and taking photos, when I retrned ge was taking pictures and I said sorry and left the place.
    The owner is not police, will he go to police to complain about me?
    Now my question is will I get the fine for parking?
    I have not blocked any vehicle, no damage etc…
    Many thanks in advance.
    Regards
    Ravi

    Antworten
    • Kishore

      Am 15. September 2022 um 15:12

      I too had similar situation. How to deal this issue. Do we receive any letter?

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27. Zohair

    Am 18. Oktober 2019 um 13:09

    Hello,
    I am a student in Bremen, Germany. I was on my bicycle and there were two signals next to each other one was red and the other was green. I crossed the road, a police officer stopped me and ask for my details and now I got a fine of 128 euros. It is too much as I am a student, is there any way to reduce the fine or get an exemption. If not can I pay the fine in installments if yes, then from where I can make the installments ??

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28. HP

    Am 30. September 2019 um 15:50

    When i was trying to park the car. I was too close to a car that was parked in my back.

    I breaked hard as i heard my Parking distance sensor was intimating me that i was too close. Since i was worried that Sensor intimation was too close,I moved the car a little far away on the same road and checked if i had hit with my car. There was no signs that there was a touch from my car. since i dint feel the touch and there was no scratch or hint of touching i drove the car away. This was the first time i was driving my new car and its first time i came very close with another car during parking, hence dint know if i had to stay as i had not hit the car.
    Next day, i had Police come to my house for a Hit and run. I explained that there was no touch that i felt and there is no touch on my car.
    Even the Police checked and confirmed the same. I am not sure of the status of the case now. Could you please let me know what would be the consequence of this?

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29. Aleksandar

    Am 24. September 2019 um 1:26

    Hi. I got cought by a radar in Koln, I was driving around 45 in a 30kmh zone… That was back in May but I never recived a ticket for that? is this normal or what? because I was caught by radar before and I never waited more than a month for a ticket.

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    • bussgeldkatalog.org

      Am 25. September 2019 um 11:44

      Hello Aleksandar,
      in Germany fines usually have to be sent out within three months.

      The team of bussgeldkatalog.org

      Antworten
30. Wei

    Am 23. September 2019 um 16:33

    Hallo,

    Is there a way to check pending traffic violations/tickets in Germany online? Danke!

    Wei

    Antworten
    • bussgeldkatalog.org

      Am 25. September 2019 um 11:40

      Hello Wei,
      so far there is no way to check pending traffic fines in Germany online.

      The team of bussgeldkatalog.org

      Antworten