Speeding on German autobahns is punishable by a fine.

This article is dated as shown. Laws, fees and prices have changed since then. Check the figures before you rely on them.

Fines for speeding offences on German autobahns.

This article was published on 16.04.2018. Its examples of fines and distances to speed cameras refer to the earlier text and do not serve as current guidance. While driving, observe the speed limits in force and take road conditions into account. The consequences of a specific offence must be checked against the current definition of that offence.

Speed limits in Germany.

Taking part in road traffic involves various dangers. Without rules that all road users must follow, those dangers would be even greater. The legislation for road users is laid down in the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO). One of these necessary, if not always popular, traffic rules is the speed limit. I often get caught for speeding, but it has always been for exceeding the limit by 15 km/h. More on fines a little further down. A frequent cause of accidents with property damage and injuries is excessive speed. With this argument the road authorities explain why speed restriction signs are put up so often. Sometimes a driver in Germany feels wrongly fined when the camera is close to the sign. People contest their offences in court.

What should a speed limit sign look like?

Speed limits within built-up areas or in places that are particularly dangerous to life always make sense, as they defuse a foreseeable hazardous situation for motorists. Speed limits in front of schools and hospitals are useful, and hardly anyone will argue with that. To achieve road safety, the sign must be positioned so that the driver sees it as early as possible. The motorist must have enough time to react and slow down without endangering the vehicles behind by braking suddenly. One of my fines was for driving in a pedestrian zone, or more precisely at a speed of no more than 7.5 km/h. I was stopped and asked why I was moving faster than the pedestrians, since that is not allowed on this stretch. I refused to sign any documents and handed the papers to a lawyer. Unfortunately I had to pay a fine of 25 euros. Had I agreed straight away, I would have paid only 15 euros. But I was stubborn = ).

When should a driver expect a speed limit?

Objections to the measurement or the procedure require an assessment of the files of the specific case. You cannot count on a fine being cancelled automatically just because of the assumed distance between the sign and the camera. The speed limit must be observed regardless of where the check takes place.

Examples from the federal states.

The distance to the camera from the 2018 article is not a licence to carry on at the previous speed after the sign. From the article of 16.04.2018: “In cities such as Berlin, Hamburg or Bremen, the distance to the sign is 75 to 100 m in poor road conditions.”

From the article of 16.04.2018: “The distance in Bavaria and Thuringia is fairly generous. In the forested and mountainous federal states the driver has 200 m to adjust the speed before the limit sign.”

From the article of 16.04.2018: “In Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt. A speed camera is installed just 100 m after the sign that limits the speed.”

From the article of 16.04.2018: “In the other federal states the camera will be installed after a distance of about 150 m, if a speed limit is put in place.”

Facing a fine for speeding: consult a lawyer. Have you noticed that I always recommend seeing a lawyer? Yes, that is right, they know better what to do in any given situation.

How does it all work?

If you have received a notice, study the details of the offence and the deadlines stated. If you have doubts about the measurement or the procedure, you can seek legal advice. The position of the camera in itself does not guarantee that the case will be dropped.

The tables show the fines from the article of 16.04.2018. For a current offence, check the fines catalogue in force.

• Outside built-up areas
• Within built-up areas

*as a rule for a repeat offence within 1 year

*as a rule for a repeat offence within 1 year

We have given examples only for passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes without a trailer.

Fines do not always reach the CIS countries.

We wish you a trouble-free collection of your car from Germany and no unpleasant fines.

Kind regards, Destacar.