Germany · Road laws
Germany road traffic laws and penalties
German speeding bands, alcohol and phone penalties, plus Autobahn, rescue-corridor and bus rules.
- Country
- Germany
- Topic
- Road laws
- Last reviewed
- 24 August 2026
- Official source
- Open source ↗
Key rules
• Traffic keeps to the right. Keep right except while overtaking and obey every posted or variable limit. Some Autobahn sections have no general mandatory limit for eligible vehicles, but 130 km/h is the recommended speed and conditions can require much less.
• When visibility is less than 50 metres because of fog, snow or rain, the maximum is 50 km/h unless an even lower speed is necessary.
• The general alcohol threshold for an administrative offence is 0.5‰. A zero-alcohol rule applies to drivers under 21 and during the probationary period. Unsafe driving can be prosecuted at lower alcohol levels.
Passenger-car speed fines
Inside built-up areas, the standard fines for up to 10, 11–15, 16–20, 21–25, 26–30 and 31–40 km/h over are respectively €30, €50, €70, €115, €180 and €260. The 31–40 band also brings a one-month ban. The next bands are €400 plus one month for 41–50, €560 plus two months for 51–60, €700 plus three months for 61–70, and €800 plus three months for more than 70 km/h over.
Outside built-up areas, those bands are €20, €40, €60, €100, €150, €200, €320 plus one month, €480 plus one month, €600 plus two months, and €700 plus three months. Different tables apply to trailers, heavy vehicles and hazardous-goods transport, and repeat speeding can affect bans.
Phone, alcohol and safety penalties
Improper use of a hand-held electronic device normally costs €100. If it creates danger the sanction is €150 plus a one-month ban; with property damage it is €200 plus a one-month ban.
A first offence at or above 0.5‰ normally costs €500 plus a one-month ban. The standard second and subsequent sanctions rise to €1,000 plus three months and €1,500 plus three months. A zero-alcohol violation by a novice or under-21 driver costs €250. Criminal charges and longer disqualification are possible for impairment or higher readings.
Failing to wear a seat belt normally costs €30. Carrying a child without the required restraint normally starts at €60.
Rules visitors often miss
• In stationary or walking-pace traffic on an Autobahn or another multi-lane road outside a built-up area, immediately form a Rettungsgasse rescue corridor between the far-left lane and the lane beside it. Failure starts at €200 plus a one-month ban; obstruction, danger or damage raises the fine. Driving in the corridor without authority starts at €240 plus a ban.
• A device intended to show or disrupt speed-enforcement measures must not be operated or carried ready for use by the driver. The standard fine is €75. This includes prohibited radar-warning functions; configure navigation software lawfully.
• When a bus or school bus approaches a stop with hazard lights on, do not overtake it. Once stopped, pass only at walking pace and without endangering passengers; the walking-pace rule can also apply to oncoming traffic on the same carriageway.
Source and scope
Reviewed on 24 August 2026 against the official German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) and the federal fine catalogue (BKatV), including the January 2026 amendments. Catalogue fines can be accompanied by fees, points or case-specific action. Check the linked official source before travel.
• Traffic keeps to the right. Keep right except while overtaking and obey every posted or variable limit. Some Autobahn sections have no general mandatory limit for eligible vehicles, but 130 km/h is the recommended speed and conditions can require much less.
• When visibility is less than 50 metres because of fog, snow or rain, the maximum is 50 km/h unless an even lower speed is necessary.
• The general alcohol threshold for an administrative offence is 0.5‰. A zero-alcohol rule applies to drivers under 21 and during the probationary period. Unsafe driving can be prosecuted at lower alcohol levels.
Passenger-car speed fines
Inside built-up areas, the standard fines for up to 10, 11–15, 16–20, 21–25, 26–30 and 31–40 km/h over are respectively €30, €50, €70, €115, €180 and €260. The 31–40 band also brings a one-month ban. The next bands are €400 plus one month for 41–50, €560 plus two months for 51–60, €700 plus three months for 61–70, and €800 plus three months for more than 70 km/h over.
Outside built-up areas, those bands are €20, €40, €60, €100, €150, €200, €320 plus one month, €480 plus one month, €600 plus two months, and €700 plus three months. Different tables apply to trailers, heavy vehicles and hazardous-goods transport, and repeat speeding can affect bans.
Phone, alcohol and safety penalties
Improper use of a hand-held electronic device normally costs €100. If it creates danger the sanction is €150 plus a one-month ban; with property damage it is €200 plus a one-month ban.
A first offence at or above 0.5‰ normally costs €500 plus a one-month ban. The standard second and subsequent sanctions rise to €1,000 plus three months and €1,500 plus three months. A zero-alcohol violation by a novice or under-21 driver costs €250. Criminal charges and longer disqualification are possible for impairment or higher readings.
Failing to wear a seat belt normally costs €30. Carrying a child without the required restraint normally starts at €60.
Rules visitors often miss
• In stationary or walking-pace traffic on an Autobahn or another multi-lane road outside a built-up area, immediately form a Rettungsgasse rescue corridor between the far-left lane and the lane beside it. Failure starts at €200 plus a one-month ban; obstruction, danger or damage raises the fine. Driving in the corridor without authority starts at €240 plus a ban.
• A device intended to show or disrupt speed-enforcement measures must not be operated or carried ready for use by the driver. The standard fine is €75. This includes prohibited radar-warning functions; configure navigation software lawfully.
• When a bus or school bus approaches a stop with hazard lights on, do not overtake it. Once stopped, pass only at walking pace and without endangering passengers; the walking-pace rule can also apply to oncoming traffic on the same carriageway.
Source and scope
Reviewed on 24 August 2026 against the official German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) and the federal fine catalogue (BKatV), including the January 2026 amendments. Catalogue fines can be accompanied by fees, points or case-specific action. Check the linked official source before travel.