Last update 7.7.2019 | First Published 24.5.2004
Germany is known as the country with ’no limits’ on their Autobahn.
But be aware that a not insignificant part of these roads (around 50%) now have a speed-limit of 130 km/h. And, even if the fines are very low compared to most of Europe, it is still possible to get your license withdrawn.
0.5‰ | €80 | €100 | €30 | €90 |
If you are a foreigner they will usually not withdraw your license: They will instead double the fine. It is possible to pay with a credit card but this comes with a rather hefty fee: I have been told that a fee of 20 Euro is the standard (needs to be confirmed). Speed limits are enforced with a small tolerance. Driving only 3 km/h above the limit is considered a punishable infraction in Germany.
The important numbers : | ||||||
Limit – km/h |
30 | 50 | 70 | 80 | 100 | 130(1 |
Fine +21km/h | €80 | €80 | €70 | €70 | €70 | €70 |
Fine +41km/h | €200 | €200 | €160 | €160 | €160 | €160 |
LICENSE – town. 1-3 months | 61 | 81 | 101 | – | – | – |
LICENSE – country. 1-3 months | – | – | 111 | 121 | 141 | 171 |
1) Around 50% of the motorway stretches have a limit of 130 km/h. The rest is Freie Fahrt – Free speed. |
Member of the European cross-country fine cooperation. Any traffic fine may arrive at your home address.
Fines may automatically be shared between Austria, Chech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
Up to 100 km/h: 3 km/h, over 100 km/h: 3% (rounded up) for fixed speed cameras, 7% (rounded up) for moving speed cameras.
(data are uncertain)
Did you know that the Nazi-era Road Traffic Act of 28 May 1934 imposed the first nation-wide speed limit: 60 km/h maximum in urban areas, but no limit on rural highways or autobahns? They then lowered them in 1939 to save fuel (40 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural). Then, in December 1952 the West German legislature voted to abolish all speed limits, seeing them as Nazi relics (East Germany did not follow). Later, of course, speed limits got more restricted due to high fatalities. In 1972 a general rural speed limit of 100 km/h went into effect — except on motorways.
If you want still more information on German fines, please visit Bußgeldkatalog (in German).
Germany in detail : | |||
Violation | Fine (Euro) | Points | |
+ 1-10 km/h | 15 | – | |
(innerorts) | + 11-15 km/h | 25 | – |
+ 16-20 km/h | 35 | – | |
+ 21-25 km/h | 80 | 1 | |
+ 26-30 km/h | 100 | 1 | |
LICENSE: 1 month | + 31-40 km/h | 160 | 2 |
LICENSE: 1 month | + 41-50 km/h | 200 | 2 |
LICENSE: 2 months | + 51-60 km/h | 280 | 2 |
LICENSE: 3 months | + 61-70 km/h | 480 | 2 |
LICENSE: 3 months | + 71 km/h and more | 680 | 2 |
+ 1-10 km/h | 10 | – | |
(außerorts) | + 11-15 km/h | 20 | – |
+ 16-20 km/h | 30 | – | |
+ 21-25 km/h | 70 | 1 | |
+ 26-30 km/h | 80 | 1 | |
+ 31-40 km/h | 120 | 1 | |
LICENSE: 1 month | + 41-50 km/h | 160 | 2 |
LICENSE: 1 month | + 51-60 km/h | 240 | 2 |
LICENSE: 2 months | + 61-70 km/h | 440 | 2 |
LICENSE: 3 months | + 71 km/h and more | 600 | 2 |
Note:
Fines and reactions may change without any warnings. |
In Germany you start with zero points and lose your license when you have accumulated eight points. You may get your license back after six months and a new test. You then start with 0 points.
In addition to the speeding offences above, there are lot of other offences that comes with points. The system is too complicated to present here. This is the complete list in German.
Shahkhalidk
31.07.2024 @ 04:56
My friend go to yellow in the tenken camera how much fine will bee cominh point please one time mobile camera limite 30km he gone to 49km
Baerzilla
05.03.2024 @ 12:18
They raised the fines quite a bit this year, might wanna update the page.
hamish
26.08.2023 @ 14:26
I got snapped after a bend from a country road slowing down into an urban area. Its total entrapment as they also made sure they don’t allow google maps to show the speed limits so its very difficult as a tourist to the country
i was 7km over in a 50km area and got the fine in the mail for 30 euros. It is not a large amount but it defiantly hurts when we are get butt hurt from every angle at the moment.
Also just after getting of the boat from Denmark there was road works and there was a mobil speed camera set up hidden from plain sight and i see that only as a collect for money and praying on new people moving onto german soils
A Germany road trip in the future I think i will pass and spend my money elsewhere in fact i think i will make sure not to buy anything from Germany in the future
Next time we will fly right over that place!
Ahsan shah
21.04.2023 @ 18:25
I was driving in a village side road near fischen near herrsching near munich the limit was 60 and it there was a curve and they were controlling the speed limit but I was driving on 65 there was a mobile speed camera with police officer when I saw camera I suddenly reduce my speed at 50 and then cross them I reduce my speed around 50 metter behind the mobile speed camera
So they send me fine or not plz guide me am in tention
Alex R.
23.12.2023 @ 10:16
Chances are they did catch you, as mobile speed cameras typically see you before you see them. Since you were only going 5 over the limit, and factoring in the tolerance, they probably would not fine you. If they do, it would only be €10.
Abdullah
18.12.2022 @ 14:01
Hello i need help of this.. I drove my car on Autobahn in Germany with a speed or 109 km at a speed limit of 80 km. What will be my fined, and want to know if I will lose my driving license as well.
DenisCZ
14.11.2021 @ 13:13
There are some changes fines in Germany. There are a complete list of it. Thank you for uploading. 🙂 @TeamSpeeding
https://www.adac.de/news/einigung-bussgeldkatalog/
Bilal
17.09.2021 @ 03:48
Hi Guys,
I live in Denmark and i got an overspeeding penalty from Germany in 2019, which i think was a mistake because i was driving 80km/h and limit was also 80. so i ignore to pay it as i was damn sure they made a mistake. After that i never got a reminder or anything. So my question is how to find if that fine still exists to this day or authorities have cancelled it and if not what are the consequences or whom should i ask.
please kindly help me with that!!
yeee boi
05.08.2022 @ 01:20
dont worry about it unless they sent the fine to your residence in denmark
Gerrod Scmicht
26.06.2021 @ 17:11
How do they catch you if you have a one month suspension?
Christian
24.04.2021 @ 13:05
hallo guys,i got german driving license in 2013,in 2019 i got accident and got fined so they took the license. after paying the fine i was asked to bring ersthilfe course certificate again so i did and submitted.
they wrote to me to come and pay an amount to issue another for me,so i did and got it but the date on it as my first driving license was not the same but the 2020 was placed on it.
please any step i can take for it to be changed?
Mihai dumitru Coasta
21.07.2020 @ 08:34
Hi, my name is it Mihai dumitru Coasta, I get penalty on your country, speed camara, I been paid, but you still ask to sent my driving licence, UK police tell us to don’t sent my licence, and ask you why you want my licence,
My car reg it P500MMA, VW phaeton
I need my lincence to go at work,
Please reply back on this mail
coasta_mihai2008@yahoo.com
00447393199915
James
11.05.2020 @ 14:00
New rules in place since April 28: https://www.adac.de/verkehr/recht/verkehrsvorschriften-deutschland/stvo-novelle/
Sebastian Abend
03.05.2020 @ 10:08
Germany has some new “fines” since 28th April. Now your license is taken for +21km/h in town and +26km/h elsewhere, even on a motorway. The fines for the smaller violations were nearly doubled. For those going 41+kmh: Go on, nothing hast changed.
Sian
03.01.2020 @ 13:19
Can you get points on me uk licence for speeding in Germany
Reza
22.09.2019 @ 23:23
Hi,
I just got 1385.50 euros penalty for 171km in 100km speed limit zone in around oberhausen, I was expecting to get a fine for around 650 euros based on my internet research, I have a Dutch driving licence and live in the Netherlands, any suggestion?
Tom
16.12.2019 @ 15:24
Can I ask what happened with this
Josh
03.03.2021 @ 03:17
Holy shit, about 45 over the limit and that fine. Even for DUI it wasn’t that high unless those fines have skyrocketed.
Raeuberbinger
04.08.2019 @ 18:46
Hi, two things.
1. It is not true that 50% of the Autobahn has a speed limit of 130. The common speed limits are 60, 80, 100, 120 and 130, depending on the stretch of road, the state you’re in and if it’s a special occasion like a construction zone or something like that.
2. The fines are set for negligence. However, the police are able to accuse you of intentional violation of traffic rules, that can double the fine. Usually it’s if you’re speeding very heavily, miss several road signs, speed for a long time or if you’re so dumb that you tell them you do it in purpose. People have been charged for over 1500€ for intentonally speeding and overtaking in a no overtaking zone.
Raeuberbinger
04.08.2019 @ 18:54
Please also be aware that there are traffic crimes in Germany. Street racing, even on unlimited stretches of the Autobahn, are crimes that can land you in jail, your car can get impounded and your license suspended. Tailgating or flashing your brights to get somebody out of your way can be considered a coercion, which is also punishable with jail time at court. Even showing off your car in a city can lead to the police reporting you for “not having the right mentality to drive a car in public” and the department of motor vehicles may decide to suspend your license.
A punishment can also be sending you to a MPU, a medical and psychological test that costs a lot of money where you have to prove that you have the right mentality to drive on public roads before getting your license back.
Sasha
12.06.2019 @ 14:29
Hi,
I got coughs on camera doing 141kph. Got a fine which was paid straight away. Now I have a month ban and I need to send my UK licence. As I need this live eve for my job does this ban apply for UK as well or just Germany.
How do I send my licence and get it back.
I have 4 months to send my licence to them, is this from the date on the letter I received or from the original date of the offence?
Can anyone help please.
salt
09.10.2019 @ 20:06
the exact thing happened to me. how did the case work out for you?
Maria
19.10.2020 @ 22:39
Hi Sasha!In the same situation like yours is my husband now.Did you sent your uk driving license in Germany how they asked?the ban was only for Germany?They can get points from uk driving licence.your answer can be very useful for me.thank you very much
ailands
26.10.2020 @ 13:23
Hello I have the same thing fine and 1months ban what happend is it just for Germany ban or for UK aswell
goetze
09.05.2019 @ 11:30
Does anyone has any idea what should I do in the following case?
I was driving in Germany last summer I have been caught by speeding camera (122 km/h where limit was 100 km/h on motorway). I have received letter from German authority but there was an information that I have the chance to explain why I have broken speed limit (and eventually fill the form if the car has been driven by someone else) but there was not information about fine. Until now (9 months later) I have not received any other letters. If I will go to Germany and I will be stopped by the police may be fined fer breaking speed limit a few months ago?
Vini
25.11.2019 @ 07:02
Same happend to me, but I took a shorter route just through the fines in the been and all will be forgotten just be careful when u drive again in Germany
jennifer
03.01.2020 @ 17:28
snapchat user id: jenniferwgi2020
Read more at: https://www.speedingeurope.com/germany/ – copyright © http://www.speedingeurope.com
Christopher Koch
09.04.2019 @ 14:55
I have a question I was maybe caught by a camera today the zone was 100 I think I was driving 118but breaked as well how close does the camera register and take a picture?
Meghan Gonzalez
04.03.2019 @ 11:05
I was flashed by a camera today, pretty sure it was a speed camera because I was in a construction zone but never saw a speed limit sign. How do I find out if I recieved a ticket? Where do I pay this ticket? And how can I find out how much the ticket is? I’m not sure how fast I was going or what the speed limit even was? Please help. I’m a U.S. driver and am renting my car.
Marsha
22.05.2019 @ 15:39
Hi I was also flashed by a camera in Germany whilst driving my hire car. The Car hire company wrote to me to explain that I had a violation and will need to pay 20euros to cover their administration fee. This fee was taken from the card I used to hire the vehicle. Since then I have received a letter from Germany asking what I think is 15 euros as I was only 9km over the limit. The only problem I have is that the letter is in German and I haven’t got a clue what or how to pay the fine. I’m thinking just take it to the post office in the UK where I live, any one with any ideas?
Ahmed
24.02.2019 @ 22:53
Hi I was driving 41 and the speed it should 30 and I catch by spend camra and I have British driving license and the car it was reant ..I’m I gonna loss points and how much i have to pay
Muhammad Rizwa
19.12.2018 @ 16:18
Hello,
I have saudi arabian license which i have to convert to german in first 6 months but now its already 9 months and now i received the ticket of 70€ and 1 point. What will happen in my case? Please guide.
Regards
Christian I.
11.12.2018 @ 18:09
A resident in Germany, that has a new driving license probably less than 4 month and travel to Switzerland, got caught with fix camera in an high way or motor way of 120 km/h meaning speed limit is 120 on this motor way in Switzerland will it affect is driving license in Germany ….?
Mr Bela Gonda
28.10.2018 @ 09:55
hello
I would like to ask how able to pay seeding penalty from uk . The seeding has been in germany and i just now received penalty letter . Needs to be payed 20 euros , so its not too much ,,just i would pay by online
thanks yuor answer
pleased regards
Andy R
11.04.2019 @ 10:19
Same thing has happened to me , how did you pay ? Totally confusing !!!
Alex
24.10.2018 @ 13:19
Like many of the commenters I was caught on the autobahn – doing 150 in what I hadn’t realised was 100k zone.
I was fined €165 on the spot and received a month ban that had to be served by the end of the year and which I chose to serve this month. I sent my licence to Germany expecting them to keep it for a month but received it back a couple of weeks later with a letter stating I was banned in Germany until a date a month after they initially received it.
I’m unsure as to whether I am also banned from driving in the UK too. I’ve been avoiding driving, and there’s no recored with the DVLA that I know of, but there doesn’t seem to be any clarity over the ban and various translations of the letters have produced mixed results around the exact meaning.
Anyone know if the ban is in effect across Europe or affects insurance?
(UK Citizen, UK car)
Ino
10.11.2018 @ 23:04
Hi Alex, you’re only banned in the country that confiscates your license. Agreements to exchange car ownership’s information only extends to enforcing the tickets. Greetings, Ino
Maria
19.10.2020 @ 22:55
Hi Alex!The same situation for me this year.Did you find out if there is same records for DVLA for this cases?thank you very much!
Dirk
19.10.2018 @ 23:15
So to clarify all this.
If you are caught by a speed camera and you’re a UK driver. There is no repercussions to your license even if you pay fine. Meaning admit guilt?
Correct?
Bob
28.09.2018 @ 17:07
Hello I’ve been living in Germany and have about 6 speeding tickets now, 4 of which have been 30 km over speed limit. All have been outside on highway. Will I lose my license for these? If so, how long would I lose it for?
Bob
28.09.2018 @ 17:08
Also, the tickets don’t have a amount on them. How do I pay them if I don’t know the amount? Thanks
Samet sametov
16.07.2018 @ 15:47
I recieved a letter to my UK address from german police and it says i did exceeded the speed limit by +30 and they also put a picture of me on the letter as their camera flashs on face.They didn’t mention about amount of the penalty but they asked me to fill the form at the rear of the letter.what does that mean?What am i supposed to do now?
Guido
15.08.2018 @ 13:38
The German Police gives you an opportunity to explain yourself: If there are some reasons this is an asserion is without substance you will be well advised to contact the sender fill in the form and send it back. IMPORTANT NOTE: you must get all offical letters in your native language, answer in your language, which is regulated by European law. Maybe it would be too complicate to correspend witz you in English, if you will not contact them you will have to pay the penalty. Good luck
Katie Yiacoumi
20.09.2018 @ 22:15
hi samet, the exact same thing happened to me a day after you! and because i was away i did not see the letter and it has passed the expiry date. could you please explain what happened as i do not know what to do!
Erol
21.11.2018 @ 08:42
Hi Katie
Iv just seen your question same thing happened to me got a letter from Germany for speed but I think has past the date as I was away for 2 month
Please let me know what to do ?
All the best
My email
Istan34@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you
Erol
Mike
04.06.2018 @ 13:54
I got flashed by a speed camera in a 30kph zone, doing 50kph. It my first time in Germany and I didn’t see the school sign, but that’s no excuse. I was driving a uk registered car, so should I expect a letter in the post in a couple weeks?
Dylan
30.04.2018 @ 14:31
I live and work in germany but frequently travel back to the uk. Im a uk citezen driving my uk car in germany. I borrowed my car to a friend who went through some form of speed camera doing 122km in a 60km. I beleive it was on a motorway and the speed limit had changed without his knowing. 3 weeks after the offence i recieved a letter to my uk address with a fine of €440. It gives me the option to fill out the drivers details however i am no longer in cotact with that person as they now on a job in the middle east working in kuwait. I have no cotact details and no way of finding out their address all i know is their name. What will be the outcome of sending off the reply form with only a name on and no further details? What happens if i just ignore it?
Bernd Solomon
30.08.2019 @ 01:06
Hi, please let me know what the out come was?
Cheers
Bernd
LordVader
28.04.2018 @ 12:15
I never get any ticket from Germany as i was driving 300km/h on Autobahn.Just decrease speed always when you see speed limit 130,120,100,80.Other than that you can fly even 500 if you have machine for it.
Potocki
04.05.2018 @ 01:55
That’s what we love Germany for!
agowdews
04.04.2018 @ 02:01
I consider, that you commit an error. I can prove it. Write to me in PM, we will talk.
pounded gangbang
mark
18.01.2018 @ 20:13
hi
i got a ticket for 160 in a 130kmh limit – im a uk citizen
is there a time limit on tickets for issue??
ticket was mid oct 2017 i received letter today but dated 12 1 2018
uk tickets are time sensitive, are german ones?
intend to pay fine if enforced but if theyve ran out of time…….?
thanks
mark
Isaac Kip
28.01.2018 @ 17:58
Does the letter have a text which you do not understand? they usually tell you to pay before xxxx
TD
04.01.2018 @ 20:03
Hi, I received a fine for doing 50% over the speed limit in Germany in a hire car, I had not seen any signs indicating the speed so was driving at a speed I thought was for the condition of the road (wide, double lane each way) and anyway, I have received a letter from the Stuttgart Council, not the police. I am wondering what the repercussions are of just ignoring it. I actually don’t understand the letter as its written in German.
Isaac Kip
28.01.2018 @ 18:00
can help you. but be careful. my in-law ignored a €100 ticket in Slovakia. One year later, German police came for him in his house in Germany. €220 fine, 3 points and license lost for 3 months
John Ward
15.03.2018 @ 23:37
Did you get any points?
JP
15.11.2017 @ 23:07
I got flashed at by a temporary camera. I was driving my own car from Sweden. I am a resident in Germany. How and when should I expect my letter?
NV
06.11.2017 @ 12:48
Hi there, I had a mishap in Germany a couple months ago where I misunderstood the autobahn rules and have been caught for some traffic violations according to my rental company (Avis). Avis issued my details to the authorities apparently (within 2 weeks of the alleged offence), but I am yet to hear anything from authorities. It’s rather nerve wrecking waiting for something to drop through the post… is there a maximum time which they have to issue the penalty by?
Stadex
01.10.2018 @ 12:51
Let me guess you mistakenly thought German highways are unlimited everywhere WRONG. Only specific parts of German highways are unlimited and it is a white and black sign with a black line going through the middle that indicates this. Those highways often have bigger guard rails.
james
23.09.2017 @ 14:28
I have been caught speeding in Germany. The speed limit was 100 km/h i was speeding with 149 km/h.
I live in the United Kingdom and fully licensed .
What are the fines?
Can i get my licence taken away?
What happens if you don’t pay the fine?
Al
05.10.2017 @ 13:48
first you have to comment if you have driven the (rental?) car, if you agree that is you on the b/w photo taken then you will receive the penalty of approx. 200-300 EUR incl. a ban from driving a licensed vehicle in Germany for at least 1 month. If there were dangerous circumstances the penalty can be extended.
but you do not have to send your driving licence to Germany a copy should be sufficient and don’t forget to specify which entire month you would like to chooce for the driving ban. e.g. you receive the penalty during october driving ban could start within November 2017, or December 2017, or January 2018, …. if you get caught driving a vehicle during that specified period you will be in real trouble! The driving ban in Germany should have no impact to your UK licence.
Other possibility is to send your UK driving license to Germany but in this case you are not to drive in UK.
Alonzo
17.10.2017 @ 00:03
Thats really helpful, thanks. What about the points?
Pati
09.02.2018 @ 18:28
My partner got a penalty charge in germany last year. We got the letter, in german of course. I have managed to find out via email what to do. We paid the fine, now got a letter to send the driving licence in! As he is banned for a month. He needs to drive for work, really hoping they can accept the copy of it.
Ilir
05.08.2018 @ 14:58
hi James.
i’m in a similar situation now for speeding in Germany, can you please advise how did you you deal with your scenario?
Erol
21.11.2018 @ 08:45
Hi James Iv just seen your question same thing happened to me got a letter from Germany for speed but I think has past the date as I was away for 2 month Please let me know what to do ? All the best My email Istan34@hotmail.co.uk Thank you Erol
Read more at: https://www.speedingeurope.com/germany/ – copyright © http://www.speedingeurope.com
Vedran
26.11.2016 @ 23:32
Dear ,
Question,
1.) Is German police connected with Polish police for speed tickets ?
2.) Are they making 10% reduction of speed as machine mistake tolerance ?
( I had a blitz by radar = 120/h km was rule, I drive 143 km/h )
Thank you for reply
Vedran
Potocki
03.02.2017 @ 10:29
Hi,
1) Definitely no. If you get a ticket in Poland, its Polish police to to take care of it, if in Germany, its the German police. They both may however send you the ticket home to both Germany and Poland. (in this sense its a link).
2) I think so. I got calle by blitz radar, then they closed the motorway. I was 25 kmh over the limit, but they told me the tolerance was 4 kmh, so I had to pay 95 EUR for +21kmh.
Speed safely!
P
JK
15.06.2017 @ 13:35
This makes me very happy. I have just been caught doing 22kmh over a 60kmh speed limit. So in theory, this subtraction of 3kmh would put me in the 16-20kmh threashold meaning I wouldnt get any points
Maxim
07.11.2016 @ 13:32
Hi there,
can you please advice advocate in Germany to close traffic /speed fine
tnx
marc andre
28.07.2016 @ 00:14
The German motorways are generally intended to be without speed limits, unless otherway stated by means of a speed limit sign or through a Autobahn lcd panel above which in this case has priority over a standard metal speed limit sign.
The speed limit is intended to be lifted after a white metal sign with a Black traverse sign , meaning all speed limits canceled.
If you see the white sign it is strongly suggested by my experience to stay as soon as possibile on the right or middle lane, since the drivers as they respect the speed limits when present, do promptly return to quite High speeds.
Torben
15.10.2016 @ 16:41
In Germany, you do not loose your drivers license by speeding km +40 outside City.
As german citizen you loose the right to drive a car for xamble for 4 weeks by speeding more than km 41-50 outside City limits.
As german citizen you turn in your license by post to the Police within six months, when you want and after four weeks you receice by post your drivers license aut. without any test etc.
As a tourist speeding km +40-50 etc. you just pay a fine in cash and continue your travel…
Important to know. The Police check distance and the fines for lack of distance to car in front of you is much higher than for speeding. I think a lot of countries could learn from this…
Potocki
03.02.2017 @ 10:26
“The Police check distance and the fines for lack of distance to car in front of you is much higher than for speeding. I think a lot of countries could learn from this…” Very, very true! Unfortuantely most of the countries see only one danger SPEEDING….
G
05.04.2018 @ 21:26
I leave in the Kaiserslautern area where a lot of Americans are stationed because of the airbase. They suspended many licences also to Americans for months. They had to turn in their licences because in possession of German plates released by the base. If you drive a car with German plates and speed up more than 40 kmh, it’s my understanding that you will be requested to turn in your driving licence, no matter which is your citizenship.
Babushi
05.09.2018 @ 07:36
I got a speed camera fine in Germany A61 near Frankfurt the speed was 100km i was 142km , they send me a leter they want to know who was driving that time , how much do you think will be the charge for 42 km
Am a british driver with british car