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.

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

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1. Love

   Am 19. Februar 2019 um 3:18

   Hi,
   I came from Ghana and I have been using my Ghanaian driving license for 2years now, I had an accident and was told to do a German driver’s license but when I took my document to the license office they said I have 5 points and illegal driving license so they cant take my document. Please I need help what is the necessary thing for me to do. Thanks

   Antworten
2. Stephan h

   Am 15. Februar 2019 um 10:31

   I was driving and got a random traffic control. They said I was driving 3 days over my 6 months. What will happen?

   Antworten
3. Janis

   Am 8. Februar 2019 um 17:24

   Hello,my situation was in 2014,for alcahol driving.So now everything is gone only, I have outstanding fine 1500 euro what I want pay.

   I want drive in Germany,but don’t think it’s good idea before I didn’t pay my fine.

   Did there is some website where I can confirm for fine or know some info?

   Thanks

   Antworten
4. Chris

   Am 5. Februar 2019 um 12:35

   Got a letter saying they caught me with 105km/h in a 80km/ limit zone. What charges can I expect to get?

   Antworten
5. Irma

   Am 2. Februar 2019 um 21:47

   Hello,

   Year 2017 i was stopped by police being drunk having EU draving license but not German.The police took my license. I was banned for 8 months driving”, the fine and MPU as well if I want to drive in Germany. The fine is paid. I still don’t drive. The driving license i have from my country back. No signs on it limiting driving in Germany. In my EU country driving license portal is writen “Valid”.

   My question is: “Should I go through the MPU getting exactly German driving license or in any case if i want to drive in Germany? What can happen if the police would stop me with my valid driving license which I have from 2015?”

   Thank You in advance,
   Irma

   Antworten
6. Jeeba

   Am 1. Februar 2019 um 13:05

   Hallo,
   My friend was driving my car which is under my company registration in a 30km/h zone. The speed was definitely between 40km/h-50 km/h. He got a red flash.Will the ticket come to my company or to my personal address? The insurance is paid by me and the registration of the car is under my Company.
   Thankyou so much in advance.
   Regards,
   Jeeba

   Antworten
7. Uros

   Am 1. Februar 2019 um 11:13

   Hi there and thank you in advance for providing advice. Friend of mine was pulled over in Germany, tested for drugs and was positive on amphetamines. After processing him and confiscating all his money they gave him his car back with only enough fuel to leave Germany, not to come back home. There was no preventive detention or driving ban or anything. Couple hours later he was in a sever car crash and suffered heavy injuries as a result of being tired, without food or enough money to sleep somewhere. Were they allowed to not detain him to sober up and send him back on road when he was clearly under the influence, even the test shows so?

   Thank you!

   Antworten
8. teja

   Am 1. Februar 2019 um 0:27

   Hi,

   I got a speeding ticket when I was in vacation, but I saw the letter now which is 2 weeks over the deadline. What should I do in this case ?

   Do I need to inform the authorities about the situation and pay the current fine or should I have to wait for another letter with new fine ?

   Thanks in advance.
   teja

   Antworten
9. George

   Am 29. Januar 2019 um 21:17

   Hello,

   I work as a cabin crew with an airline based in Dubai. I was in Germany in December and have exceeded the speed limit by 25 km. The car belongs to my friend’s mom and now they got a ticket with my photo on it. What can I do not to cause them troubles?

   Thanks

   Antworten
10. Martin

    Am 25. Januar 2019 um 13:14

    Hi, I’m a UK resident on a full UK driving license. I was away on business in Germany last week and hired a car to get from Hamburg to Bremen for my meeting. I was nabbed by a fixed speed camera at 23:30 and it is alleged that I was driving 40km/h over the posted speed limit (50km/h) – unfortunately I wasn’t aware that the limit had changed and wasn’t aware of any posted signs notifying drivers as such. The offence occurred on 15.01.19 and I have just received notification this morning. I am not contesting that I was driving but unfortunately it was an unfamiliar area and vehicle which played a part. Everything was obviously worded in German in the documentation, I have asked the relevant office to send the documentation in English, are they likely to do this? What are the time limits?

    Thank you…..

    Antworten
11. Pawel

    Am 23. Januar 2019 um 12:20

    Hi,

    i was travelling though germany and speed camera catch me. The speed limit was 100 km/h on motorway and I was driving 161km/h.

    I’m back in UK now, the question is if I will get just points and fine or that will be also ban? If Ban then that will be ban just in Germany or in UK also?

    Antworten
    • Haptic

      Am 5. April 2023 um 16:27

      it may take a long minute but if the car is registered to you, you will receive a letter with details of what to do. if it was rented, it will take a long hour – but you’ll still get a letter. So wait till that comes.

      Antworten
12. rad

    Am 20. Januar 2019 um 1:53

    hello… i have uk licence. was driving on german motorway in june 2018. got stopped for speeding. paid on spot penalty fee. also got letter saying i have 1 month driving ban in germany. do i have to send my licence somewhere? letter was in german which i dont speak. i have also lost the letter since. can you tell me if i have to send my licence away and if so on what address? please! it happend on A93 in bavaria. thank you!

    Antworten
13. rad

    Am 20. Januar 2019 um 1:43

    hello! i was speeding on german motorway. paid on spot penalty fee. i have also got one month driving ban. i have lost the letter since and not sure where to send my driving licence. can you help me please!?

    Antworten
14. Jim N.

    Am 11. Januar 2019 um 23:08

    Hi,

    I was in Germany on June 2018 and rented a car from Hertz. On July I got a letter from Hertz saying that I made some traffic violation and another report will follow. I never got the another report. Hertz couldn’t provide more details when I asked them. How can I check what kind of traffic violation did I make? Can I contact some general authority in Germany with my passport license and ask them to check?

    Jim

    Antworten
15. Jim N.

    Am 11. Januar 2019 um 23:03

    Hi,

    I was in Germany on June 2018 and rented a car from Hertz. On July I got a letter from Hertz saying that I made some traffic violation and another report will follow. I never got the another report. Hertz couldn’t provide more details when I asked them. How can I check what kind of traffic violation did I make? Can I contact some general authority in Germany with my passport license and ask them to check?

    Jim

    Antworten
16. bussgeldkatalog.org

    Am 11. Januar 2019 um 11:20

    Hello sam,

    normally, the administration will dispossess the license after someone has been pulled over because of drugs.

    The Team of bussgeldkatalog.org

    Antworten
17. Niki

    Am 8. Januar 2019 um 21:44

    Hi.
    I’ve a question.
    What is the fine if somebody drive in the line of on coming cars by mistake and going back to his line quickly?

    Thank you so much in advance for your reply.

    Antworten
18. John M.

    Am 5. Januar 2019 um 12:49

    Thank you for sharing superb information. I am impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. This is very useful information when you are driving in Germany and you should follow all the rules and regulation while driving.

    Antworten
19. bussgeldkatalog.org

    Am 2. Januar 2019 um 16:47

    Hello Rajendra,

    if it is your first driving ban within two years you can chose when to start the driving ban – provided, that you chose a date within 4 months after the driving ban is final.

    Your Team of bussgeldkatalog.org

    Antworten
    • rad

      Am 20. Januar 2019 um 2:31

      what if i dont choose the date? when does the driving ban starts? do i have to send my licence in?

      Antworten