Just like all other road users, buses are subject to the road traffic regulations (StVO). Anyone who violates the StVO must expect sanctions. This also applies to buses and their drivers. If bus drivers violate the rules of the StVO, they can be subject to fines, points in Flensburg or driving bans. In some cases, the catalog of fines differentiates between buses and cars.

Different sanctions for buses than for cars

In some cases, different sanctions apply to buses than to cars for violations of the StVO, as they are public transport. They are driven by drivers who drive full-time.

The differences in sanctions for buses compared to those for cars are due to various factors:

• Responsibility of the bus driver for the safety of passengers and preventing accidents
• Securing the constant flow of traffic by the bus driver
• high risk of injury in accidents involving buses

Due to the higher risk potential, violations of the StVO are sometimes punished more severely for buses than for cars.

Using cell phones while driving is just as prohibited for bus drivers as it is for car drivers. The fines do not differ. Both car drivers and bus drivers have to pay a fine of 100 euros if they talk on their cell phones and do not use a hands-free system or write a message with their cell phone. This violation will also be punished with one point in Flensburg.

Zero alcohol limit for bus drivers

Unlike other road users, the zero alcohol limit applies to bus drivers. The StVO does not explicitly prescribe the zero alcohol limit for bus drivers. However, the regulation on the operation of motor companies in passenger transport applies to drivers of buses and coaches.

This regulation imposes a strict ban on alcohol for bus drivers. It applies not only while on duty, but also when on duty, when there is no driving but the bus driver must be ready for trips. Bus drivers face a driving ban and fines of up to 10.000 euros.

Compliance with driving and rest times for bus drivers

Just like truck drivers, bus drivers must adhere to the legally required driving and rest times. Bus drivers are not allowed to drive more than nine hours per day. However, it is permitted to increase the driving time to ten hours on two days a week.

The driving time may not be more than 56 hours within a week. Driving times in two consecutive weeks may not exceed 90 hours.

Bus drivers must have a daily rest period of at least eleven hours, although this may be reduced to nine hours on three days a week. The weekly rest period must be at least 45 hours.

After driving for a maximum of 4,5 hours, the driver must take a 45-minute break. The law imposes high sanctions on bus drivers and their employers if they do not comply with the applicable regulations for driving and rest times.

How fast can a bus go?

Because of their weight, buses have a longer braking distance than a car. Accidents can therefore be significantly more serious. The higher risk potential leads to higher sanctions if the speed limit is exceeded. Even exceeding the speed limit of 16 to 20 km/h with passengers on board within a built-up area will result in a fine fined by almost 350 euros and one point in Flensburg.

If the speed is not regulated by traffic signs, the following speed limits apply to buses:

• within a built-up area 50 km/h
• on the country road, outside a town, 80 km/h
• on motorways 100 km/h

On country roads, buses are not allowed to travel faster than 60 km/h if there are not seats for all passengers.

A speed limit of 80 km/h applies on motorways if the bus is not registered for tourist traffic and does not have a 100 km/h speed limit. In order for a bus to use the highway, there must be seats with seat belts for all passengers.

Tip: If a bus driver has been sanctioned with a driving ban, in some cases he can circumvent the driving ban and convert it into a higher fine. This is only possible with the help of a lawyer who specializes in traffic law.

What is required for a driver to drive a bus?

Anyone who wants to work as a bus driver must be at least 24 years old and have held a class B driving license for at least two years. In addition, a bus driver's license, class D driver's license, is required. In order to acquire a class D driving license, the potential bus driver must submit an application. He must have passed an eye test and a medical report. The driver receives a class D driving license after passing the test.

Since bus drivers have a high level of responsibility towards their passengers, they have to do so every five years another eye test and undergo a medical check-up. The bus driving license will be extended for a further five years if the driver submits proof of this to the relevant driving license office.

To drive a bus with a trailer, drivers need one Driver's license Class DE. The same requirements apply to him as for the class D driving license. Anyone who does not yet have a class D driving license and immediately acquires a class DE driving license is automatically entitled to drive buses with and without a trailer.