Frequently Asked Questions About German Traffic Fines

No, there is no legal remedy against the points themselves. But you can contest the traffic fine (Bußgeldbescheid) that the points are based on. If the fine is overturned, the points never get recorded. You have two weeks from the date the fine is delivered to file a written objection (§67 OWiG).

You have exactly two weeks from the day the fine notice is delivered to your mailbox (§67 OWiG). The objection must be in writing, sent by registered mail or fax to the authority that issued the fine. Email is generally not accepted.

Yes. Points stay on your record for at least 2.5 years and they add up. At 4 points you receive an official warning, and at 8 points you lose your license entirely. Every single point matters, especially if you already have some on your record.

Yes, but only under specific conditions. If you have between 1 and 5 points, you can reduce your score by one point through a voluntary driver fitness seminar, known as a Fahreignungsseminar (§4a StVG). The seminar includes a traffic education component and a traffic psychology component. You can only use this option once every five years.

At 8 points, your driving license is revoked (§4 paragraph 5 StVG). A mandatory waiting period of at least six months follows. After that, you must reapply for your license, which typically requires passing an MPU (medical-psychological assessment), costing approximately 350-750 EUR.

Generally no. In German traffic fine proceedings, file access under §49 OWiG in conjunction with §147 StPO is free of charge. Some authorities charge small copying fees, but the access itself costs nothing. You can also inspect the file in person at the authority's office at no cost.

From experience, it takes 4 to 8 weeks for the authority to compile and send the file. Overloaded offices can take even longer. This waiting time works in your favor because the 3-month statute of limitations (§26 Abs. 3 StVG) keeps running while you wait.

Technically yes, but in practice a first extension is almost always granted. A simple informal letter stating that you need more time to review the matter is sufficient. If the authority rejects it, they would need to provide a reason, which rarely happens for a first request.

Errors in the file are your strongest argument. An expired calibration certificate, an incomplete measurement log, or a missing setup protocol can lead to the case being dropped entirely. If a Bußgeldbescheid is still issued, these errors form the basis of a strong objection (Einspruch).

The three letters work for any violation. For serious offenses with 2 or more points, authorities invest more effort in prosecution. But file access is especially valuable here because it gives you the foundation for a well-grounded objection, even if the case is not dropped on its own.

No. You have the right to remain silent and are not required to incriminate yourself. The Anhörungsbogen is not an obligation to make a statement. You only need to confirm your personal details. Everything else, especially identifying the driver or describing what happened, is voluntary.

Yes. The authority must deliver the Bußgeldbescheid within 3 months of the violation (§26 Abs. 3 StVG). If they miss this deadline, the case is time-barred and the fine can no longer be enforced.

A Verwarngeld is a minor warning fine for small violations up to €55. It comes without a formal Bußgeldbescheid (§56 OWiG) and carries no points on your driving record. A Bußgeld starts at €60 and comes with an official notice that can include points in Flensburg.

In many cases, yes. If the authority cannot identify the driver and you, as the registered vehicle owner, do not provide information, the fine proceedings are often dropped. The worst that can happen is a Fahrtenbuchauflage (an order to keep a driver's logbook), but you avoid the fine itself.

Ignoring a Bußgeldbescheid is not a smart move. Once the 2-week objection period (§67 OWiG) passes, the fine becomes legally binding. After that, you face late fees, enforcement proceedings, and in extreme cases, coercive detention. It is always better to file an objection within the deadline.

You have exactly two weeks from the date the fine notice (Bußgeldbescheid) was delivered to your mailbox to file a written objection (Einspruch) under §67 OWiG. The clock starts the day the letter arrives, not the day you read it.

No. You can write and submit the objection yourself. A simple letter with your case reference number (Aktenzeichen) and the sentence "I file an objection" (Ich lege Einspruch ein) is legally sufficient as a first step. RechtGuard helps you create a complete, well-reasoned objection letter automatically.

If the two-week objection period expires, the fine becomes legally binding (rechtskräftig). You must pay the fine and accept any points on your license. In rare cases, such as hospitalization or being abroad, you can apply for reinstatement of the deadline (Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand).

Filing the objection itself is free. Costs only arise if the authority forwards your case to the local court (Amtsgericht) and you lose the hearing. In practice, many cases are dropped by the authority before ever reaching court, especially when the objection is well-argued.

Yes. Your right to object applies regardless of nationality. If you received the fine at a German address, the same two-week deadline applies. If it was sent to your home country under the EU cross-border enforcement directive, you still have the right to contest it, though the process may involve additional steps.