Laws and Consequences
Introduction
Driving a car without a driving licence (Führerschein) in Germany is a criminal offence and is regarded as a serious public safety issue. German law is strict in this area and imposes potentially severe penalties on offenders.
If you drive a car without a licence, you may face a range of legal sanctions, including:
Fines (Bußgelder):
Substantial fines are imposed on individuals who drive without a licence. Depending on the circumstances, these fines can vary in amount and may reach several hundred euros.
Points on your record (Punkte in Flensburg):
Points may be added to your record in the central register in Flensburg, which can lead to an accumulation of points and ultimately to a driving ban.
Imprisonment (Gefängnis):
In serious cases, the penalty may include imprisonment. If a person drives recklessly or repeatedly without a licence, the sanctions become more severe and, depending on the applicable legal provisions, a prison sentence of up to one year or more may be imposed.
If your licence has been revoked or you are subject to a driving ban, you should be aware that in some situations you may drive a vehicle without a licence, but only under specific conditions:
Restriction to certain vehicle types:
If the ban or revocation is limited to certain categories of vehicles, you may continue to drive other vehicle classes for which you still hold a valid licence – for example a motorbike – provided that this class is not affected by the ban.
Owner’s consent (Zustimmung des Eigentümers):
If you are driving a private car on non-public premises, you may be allowed to do so with the owner’s consent. However, this exception does not apply to driving on public roads.
It is also important to note that vehicle owners (Fahrzeughalter) may themselves be held legally liable if they allow someone to drive their car without a valid licence. Owners must ensure that the person they permit to drive their vehicle holds a valid licence. If they are found to have knowingly allowed an unlicensed person to drive, they too may face penalties.
If your licence has been withdrawn, you may be required to undergo an assessment known as the MPU (Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung). This is also referred to as a “medical-psychological aptitude test”. It is used to determine whether you are fit to regain your driving licence after serious offences, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The MPU includes an evaluation of your psychological and physical condition as well as an assessment of your past behaviour on the road.
In conclusion, driving without a licence in Germany is a criminal offence that must be avoided. Drivers should always ensure that they hold the appropriate licence before getting behind the wheel, and it is advisable to comply strictly with the law in order to safeguard public safety. Being familiar with the relevant laws and regulations is essential to protecting both yourself and others.
The editorial team of this website makes every effort to provide accurate information based on extensive research and the consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or information may be included that is not fully verified. Therefore, please regard the information in this article as an initial guide only and always consult the competent authorities or qualified professionals for definitive and legally binding advice.
