traffic law / road traffic law

Articles and tips that matter to you in Germany.

Driving School in Germany

Tram-track lane violation: new cameras in Berlin

Emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse) violation: fine up to €320 and two points

Offence: Parking on a Public Charging Cable and Cutting the Power

Overweight violation for small vehicles (Campervan): fines and possible penalty points

Dirty, unreadable license plates: an instant fine

Fatigue driving offence (Übermüdung): the police’s new guide

Phone use while driving: The fine isn’t just for calls!

Modified-exhaust noise offence: the police’s new sound-measurement devices

Loud exhaust violation at festivals and classic-car events

Offence: using the hard shoulder to bypass traffic – drone filming

Offence: using automated driving without human attention

Excessive horn use at night: a noise-nuisance fine

Child seat belt offences: fines and penalty points for parents/guardians

Violation: driving on agricultural roads restricted to cars

Risks & violations: cars with unauthorized tinted windows

What happens if a speed camera catches you without clearly readable license plates?

Z-Kennzeichen temporary plates: misuse can cost you your licence

Covering a motorcycle plate by hand: penalties and criminal consequences

Dashcam vor Gericht: Wann kann die Aufnahme Ihren Einspruch gegen ein Bußgeld unterstützen?

Mobile vs. fixed speed cameras: differences when appealing a ticket

Seatbelt-detection cameras: the next safety technology in 2026

Driving without valid third-party liability (Haftpflicht) insurance: fines and possible jail

Driving a classic car (Oldtimer) without H-Kennzeichen inspection

Towing a trailer without a BE licence: penalties for both driver and owner

No valid TÜV sticker: How many days are allowed before a fine?

Traffic fines on a European holiday: do they follow you in Germany?

Fine for cycling against the designated direction on a bike path

Fine for improper use of high beams within city limits

Fines for driving without prescription glasses despite a license requirement

Failing to dim high beams when a vehicle approaches: automatic detection device

Not keeping a safe distance in the rain: the fine is 50% higher.

Not removing snow from the car roof: liability for damage to others

Number of times you can retake the theoretical driving test in Germany

How many times can you retake the practical driving test in Germany?

Red-light violation over 2 seconds: doubled penalty and 2 points

Truck tachograph checks: huge fines for companies

Tire pressure checks and the TPMS warning: when is it considered an offense?

Temporary double parking in front of a bakery: does it count as a real offense?

Charging an electric vehicle in a disabled parking space

30 km/h school zones: doubled penalty points since 2024

Illegal street racing on public roads: penalties up to prison

E-scooter racing in the city center: scooter seizure

Throwing trash out of a car window: an environmental offense and can be recorded on video

Parking a company car in a private residential parking area: a tax violation?

Failing to stop at a police checkpoint: the pursuit scenario

Flensburg points balance: how to check it online for free

Bus driving licence in Germany

Truck (HGV) driving licence in Germany

Heavy truck driving licence (Class C) in Germany

Private car driving licence in Germany

Motorcycle driving licence in Germany

German driving licence Class DE (bus with a heavy trailer)

German driving licence C1E

German driving licence – Class B

German Driving Licence Category D1E

German Driving Licence Category D1

German Driving Licence Category D

German Driving Licence Category CE

German driving licence Class C1

German Driving Licence Category A

Driving licence Category BE

Driving licence Class A2

A1 Driving Licence

Germany’s Category M Driving Licence

Driving licence Class L

Driving licence Class AM

BF17 Driving Licence (Accompanied Driving from Age 17)

German driving licence Classes T and S

B96 Driving Licence

“Fahreranfrage” driver inquiry letter: When may it be ignored?

Rear bike loading mistake that covers the light: when do you get fined?

Guardian penalty: carrying a child on a bicycle without an approved child seat

Towing a Vehicle Without Night Lighting: Doubled Penalties

New 2025 speeding fine table: How much will you pay for each additional km/h?

With three points or more, do you have to take a rehabilitation seminar (FES)?

Sudden stopping to take photos on the bridge: safety violations

Last-second lane change at an Autobahn exit

Car modification without an ABE: the spontaneity that could cost you €2,000

Forging the Umweltplakette: direct criminal penalty

Forging CO₂ labels in instant registration: costly manipulation

Non-approved LED lights: Night police check

Passing a school bus while children are getting off: a mistake that can cost you a lot

Avoiding tolls by using rented foreign license plates

Overtaking a funeral or wedding convoy: violations of road courtesy rules

Overtaking a street sweeper at work: fine and penalty points

Overtaking a postal or garbage vehicle in a narrow residential area

Crossing the railway tracks at flashing red lights

Overtaking an ambulance with blue lights is an unforgivable mistake

Exceeding the 2.8 m limit in shopping car parks: new measurement cameras

Speeding by more than 50 km/h: the fast track to a one-year licence suspension

Overtaking trucks on a blind bend: doubled fine

Exceeding the speed limit by 21 km/h in town: when is your licence taken away immediately?

Ignoring “30 km/h” speed bumps in new play areas

Ignoring the bike lane when turning right: accidents and fines

Ignoring temporary speed limit signs in construction zones

Ignoring fire extinguisher and first-aid checks: a small fine but mandatory

Ignoring wind warnings at Werder Bridge: accidents and fines

Ignoring the time-limited parking disc “Parkscheibe”

Selling Flensburg points online: a fraud subject to prosecution

Neglecting the safety distance to the front rider on a motorcycle

Neglecting brake maintenance and its detection during random roadside checks

Types of driving licences

Parking on the cycle lane: Why is the fine now €100?

Parking in front of EV charging points without charging: fine and towing

Unsecured furniture on the car roof: a falling load means a heavy fine

Weaving between lanes on highways: When is it considered aggressive driving?

Drugs in blood tests: THC limits and the future of your driving licence

Overnight stays in a camper outside designated parking areas

Driving without valid insurance cover (Versicherungsschutz): fine and criminal charges

Driving the wrong way in a roundabout (Kreisverkehr)

Riding an e-scooter without a helmet: fine and penalty point

Driving with an expired foreign licence: potential criminal penalty

Driving with unsuitable footwear (sandals, heels) – is it really an offence?

Driving with an online fake licence card – traffic fraud offences

Riding an S-Pedelec on the sidewalk: a serious traffic offence

Driving with electric skating shoes on public roads

Fully automated driving in tunnels using Autopilot

Driving during the environmental curfew (Feinstaubalarm) in Stuttgart

Wrong-way driving on the motorway (Geisterfahrer): severe penalties

Driving a diesel vehicle on fine-dust ban days

Driving without daytime running lights (DRL) in dense fog

Driving with a trailer in the left lane on the Autobahn

Illegal towing of your friend’s car in the city

WhatsApp voice messages while driving – are they a traffic offence?

Odometer tampering at the time of sale: civil and criminal liability

Covering the Taxi sign during private use

Toll evasion on the Autobahn using repeated exits

Sudden lane change without using the indicator: how do the police prove the violation?

The theoretical driving test in Germany

The practical driving test in Germany

Bypassing “Konter gates” on mountain roads to save money

Appealing a traffic fine via a digital lawyer – is it worth it?

Slick tyres on public roads – immediate confiscation

Mandatory winter tyres: is the fine per wheel or per vehicle?

Challenging a fine online via the Owi-Portal – step-by-step guide

Using a disabled parking space without a permit: fine and immediate towing of the vehicle

Suspected illegal tuning: what can the police confiscate?

Using the carpool lane without additional passengers

Using car sharing without registering an additional driver: who is liable for traffic offences?

Misuse of hazard warning lights (Hazard) while waiting

Committing an offence during the probationary period (Probezeit): mandatory courses

Launch control acceleration tests in residential areas with acoustic monitoring

Leaving the engine running while waiting: an unexpected environmental penalty

“Play Street” (Spielstraße): Driving at 10 km/h could cost you 100 €

“Carbon-free environment”: Violation for entering an Umweltzone without a green sticker

“Switching off the engine while waiting at long traffic lights – can you be fined?”