Germany is known for its strict traffic laws and high fines for speeding, and these have recently become even stricter. The revised penalty rate makes the fines even stricter, which applies not only to individual drivers, but also to professional drivers and transport companies. Given Germany’s key role in European road traffic and as an important transit country, it is important to keep up with the current legislation.
Speeding fines in Germany
Speeding does not result in an immediate loss of your driver’s license or a ban on driving, the most common punishment is a fine and the corresponding number of penalty points. It all depends on how much the speed was exceeded, on which road, and what vehicle the driver was driving.
Fines and penalty points for speeding in populated areas in Germany
What is the fine for speeding in populated areas in Germany? The fine depends on how much the driver exceeded the speed limit:
- exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 km/h – 30 euros, no penalty points
- 11-15 km/h – 50 euros, no penalty points;
- 16-20 km/h – 70 euros, no penalty points;
- 21-25 km/h – 115 euros, no penalty points;
- 26-30 km/h – 180 euros, 1 penalty point;
- 31-40 km/h – 260 euros, 1 penalty point;
- 41-50 km/h – 400 euros, 2 penalty points;
- 51-60 km/h – 560 euros, 2 penalty points;
- 61-70 km/h – 700 euros, 2 penalty points
- over 70 km/h – 800 euros, 2 penalty points.
In some cases, the driver may also lose his license for 3 months.
Speeding outside built-up areas in Germany – what is the penalty?
Speeding outside built-up areas is also punishable by a fine and points. In this case, it is also easy to lose your driver’s license. If you exceed the speed limit by 61 km/h, you lose your driver’s license for 2 months. How much does it cost to break the speed limit outside built-up areas?
- up to 10 km/h – 20 euros;
- 11-15 km/h – 40 euros;
- 16-20 km/h – 60 euros;
- 21-25 km/h – 100 euros;
- 26-30 km/h – 150 euros;
- 31-40 km/h – 200 euros;
- 41-50 km/h – 320 euros, driving license suspension for one month
- 51-60 km/h – 480 euros, driving license suspension for one month
- 61-70 km/h – 600 euros, driving license suspension for 2 months
- over 70 km/h – 700 euros, withdrawal of driving license for 3 months.
Germany has traffic regulations (StVO), which also determine the amount of fines for a particular offense. Standard rates for speeding range from 20 to 800 euros. The highest fine is imposed on drivers who exceed the speed limit in built-up areas by 70 km/h. Such speeding in Germany is punishable by a fine of 800 euros and two points. A three-month driving ban is also possible.
Fines on the autobahn in Germany
In Germany, there is no speed limit on the autobahn for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes, but it is recommended not to exceed 130 km/h. This is not an order, but only advice. For heavy goods vehicles, different rules apply: on the autobahn the maximum speed is 80 km/h, but in certain situations, for example when driving in a convoy, it can be limited to 60 km/h. On German expressways the speed is up to 100 km/h for light vehicles and up to 60 km/h for heavier vehicles.
Additional offenses and penalties in Germany:
- Exceeding the deadline for passing the TÜV technical inspection by more than eight months: 60 EURO
- Violation of the obligation to use winter tires: 60 EURO
- Improperly secured cargo: 60 euros
- Creating a danger to pedestrians: 60 EURO
- Improper restraint of children in a vehicle: up to 70 euros
- Failure to give way in traffic: 70 EURO
- Failure to comply with police requirements: 70 EURO
- Driving without a license: 70 EURO
- Running a red light: 90 EURO
- Entering the ecological zone without the required badge: 100 euros
- Using the phone while driving: 100 EURO
- Drunk driving: up to 1,500 euros, 3 penalty points, possible loss of driving license or imprisonment
Fines for truck drivers in Germany
| Offense | Offense | Fine amount | Number of penalty points |
| Exceeding the permitted daily driving time: | maximum for one hour | 30 euros | 0 |
| maximum of two hours (fine for each additional half hour or part thereof) | 30 euros | 0 | |
| for more than two hours (fine for each subsequent half hour or part thereof) | 60 euros | 0 | |
| Failure to comply with daily rest time: | maximum for one hour | 30 euros | 0 |
| up to three hours (fine for each subsequent hour or part thereof) | 30 euros | 0 | |
| more than three hours (fine for each subsequent hour or part thereof) | 60 euros | 0 |
| Offense | Fine amount | Number of penalty points |
| No driver card, which made verification impossible | 250 euros | 0 |
| Overloading the vehicle to 7.5 more than 30 percent | 235 euros | 1 |
| Vehicle overload above 7.5 more than 30 percent | 380 euros | 1 |
| The overtaking ban for trucks over 3.5 tons is being ignored | 70 euros | 1 |
| Movement at a speed of more than 50 km/h at a distance of < min. distance 50 m | 80 euros | 1 |
| Without reflective vest | 15 euros | 0 |
| Violation of the Sunday driving ban | 120 euros | 0 |
What speed are trucks allowed to drive in Germany?
In Germany, speed limits for trucks are:
- in populated areas the maximum speed allowed is 50 km/h ,
- outside built-up areas, the speed limit for vehicles weighing from 3.5 to 7.5 tons with a trailer is up to 80 km/h ,
- outside built-up areas, vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of 7.5 tons or more have a speed limit of 60 km/h
Table of fines for heavy goods vehicles for speeding in Germany
If you exceed the speed limit in a heavy goods vehicle in Germany, you may be fined according to the following rates. If you exceed the speed limit twice, the fine increases accordingly, and for a third speeding offense, you may lose your driving license in Germany .
| Exceeding the maximum permissible speed | Penalty points | Fine (€) | Driving ban |
| up to 10 km/h – in populated areas | 0 | 40,- | NO |
| 11 – 15 km/h – in populated areas | 0 | 60,- | NO |
| up to 15 km/h – in populated areas (drive at this speed for more than 5 minutes) | 1 | 160,- | NO |
| 16 – 20 km/h – in populated areas | 1 | 160,- | NO |
| 21 – 25 km/h – in populated areas | 1 | 175,- | NO |
| 26 – 30 km/h – in populated areas | 2 | 235,- | 1 month |
| 31 – 40 km/h – in populated areas | 2 | 340,- | 1 month |
| 41 – 50 km/h – in populated areas | 2 | 560,- | 2 months |
| 51 – 60 km/h – in populated areas | 2 | 700,- | 3 months |
| over 60 km/h – in populated areas | 2 | 800,- | 3 months |
| up to 10 km/h – outside populated areas | 0 | 30,- | NO |
| 11 – 15 km/h – outside populated areas | 0 | 50,- | NO |
| up to 15 km/h – outside populated areas (driving at this speed for more than 5 minutes, confirmed twice) | 1 | 140,- | NO |
| 16 – 20 km/h – outside populated areas | 1 | 140,- | NO |
| 21 – 25 km/h – outside populated areas | 1 | 150,- | NO |
| 26 – 30 km/h – outside populated areas | 1 | 175,- | NO |
| 31 – 40 km/h – outside populated areas | 2 | 255,- | 1 month |
| 41 – 50 km/h – outside populated areas | 2 | 480,- | 1 month |
| 51 – 60 km/h – outside populated areas | 2 | 600,- | 2 months |
| over 60 km/h – outside populated areas | 2 | 700,- | 2 months |
Keeping the right distance in Germany
Due to their size, trucks have a long braking distance. It is therefore extremely important to maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicles in front. German traffic regulations stipulate a safety distance of at least 50 m on German roads for heavy goods vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of over 3.5 tonnes and travelling at speeds of over 50 km/h. According to the fine schedule for trucks, violating these rules can result in a fine of 80 euros and one penalty point.
Truck overtaking ban in Germany
Overtaking trucks is prohibited in certain places on German roads. This is indicated by the German road sign 277 (Overtaking prohibited for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons). If a truck driver ignores the sign and is caught overtaking on a prohibited road, he will be fined 70 euros and receive one penalty point .
Proper cargo securing for transportation in Germany
The load must be properly secured for transport. In addition, the vehicle must not be overloaded. In case of violations, fines are imposed on the driver and owner, and in more serious cases, penalty points. We remind you that if the BALM inspector finds that the vehicle is overloaded by more than 10% – in addition to paying a high fine on the spot – it will also be necessary to reload the excess onto a second vehicle.
Driving time compliance in Germany
In addition, truck drivers must adhere to the so-called driving and rest times. They must not exceed a certain daily driving time and must take regular breaks. Those who do not comply with these rules face sanctions according to the catalogue of fines for trucks. In this case, the fine is imposed on both the driver and the transport manager. The size of the fines depends on the type of violation.
Truck traffic ban on Sundays and public holidays in Germany
In Germany, all trucks weighing 7.5 tons or more are prohibited from driving between 0:00 and 22:00 on Sundays and public holidays . The exception is the transport of fresh milk or perishable goods.
How to pay a fine from Germany?
There are several ways to pay a fine. You can pay a fine from Germany using a currency transfer service. You can also transfer money at a bank branch and by postal order, but this solution simply does not pay off due to the costs and time. In this case, the best method is to use electronic banking.
More recently, instant international transfers have become available, allowing fines to be paid almost instantly. Such transfers, although more expensive, are particularly useful in cases of short payment deadlines.