Legal following-distance requirements by speed
Distance requirements by speed
In general, the law (StVO § 4) requires drivers to keep a sufficient safety distance so they can stop safely if necessary. The required distance varies with speed and is often measured using the rule of thumb “half the speedometer reading”, for example:
At 100 km/h: distance ≥ 50 m
At 130 km/h: ≥ 65 m (mtonroad.com)
How rain affects the required distance
The law does not automatically increase fines, but the final part of § 4 StVO states:
“The safety distance must be increased when weather conditions are unfavorable – such as rain or snow.”
Meaning: In rain, you should increase the distance beyond the legal minimum, so your behavior does not become irresponsible in an emergency.
Penalties for insufficient following distance
If police or a traffic camera determines you did not keep enough distance, the penalties are as follows:
| Violation range | Fine (€) | Points | Driving ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 0.5× (half the speedometer value) | €75 | 1 | No |
| Less than 0.4× | €100 | 1 | No |
| Less than 0.3× | €160 | 1 | 1 month |
| Less than 0.2× | €240 | 1 | 2 months |
| Less than 0.1× | €320 | 1 | 3 months (mtonroad.com, bussgeldkatalog.org) |
For speeds below 80 km/h, the fine starts at €25 and can rise to €35 if it causes danger or damage (adac.de).
What if you are driving in the rain?
No extra fine simply because it is raining.
However, if it is proven you did not increase the safety distance despite rain, the offense may be classified as serious reckless behavior, which may lead to:
the base fine + €30
one or more points on your record
even a driving ban in cases of repetition or if an accident occurs
Practical tips
Increase the distance to two or three times the legal minimum in rain or fog.
Use the two-second rule: pick a fixed object (post/sign) and make sure you pass it at least two seconds after the vehicle in front.
In heavy rain or spray, increase the distance further because water resistance can increase the stopping distance.
Conclusion
In rain, the law requires you to increase the safety distance, but it does not raise fines by a fixed rate automatically. If you fail to adjust to the conditions, it may be treated as a dangerous risk and punished more strictly.
Solution: keep a much larger gap and follow the “double-distance” approach to protect yourself and others.
— The writers and editors strive for accuracy through extensive research, yet mistakes or unconfirmed information may occur. Please treat this as an initial reference and consult the competent authorities for confirmed information.
