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Catalog of fines for car drivers - what sanctions can traffic offenders expect?
We have put together for you what sanctions you expect as a traffic offender and a lot more information about traffic law. If you would like to know which sanctions and possibly what fines you can expect after a misdemeanor, you can find out here.
The most important rule in traffic law is: Participation in road traffic requires mutual respect, with constant caution. The Road Traffic Regulations, or StVO for short, regulate all violations.
Stress, time pressure and inattentiveness almost always lead to a violation of road traffic law. Authorities can resort to several sanctions to indicate incorrect behavior and as a measure to educate them. The currently valid 2020 catalog of fines clearly regulates the consequences of an infringement. In addition to fines of varying amounts, driving bans can even be pronounced and points can be allocated in Flensburg.
What does the catalog of fines regulate?
The catalog of fines, or BKat for short, regulates the nationwide punishment of traffic law offenses. It is regularly adjusted to legal requirements. He briefly explains all theoretically possible violations of applicable traffic law and regulates sanctions.
Road traffic regulations are paramount. From the right of way to behavior at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings to speed limits; the road traffic regulations regulate the behavior in road traffic for road users.
The Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (StVZO), the Vehicle Licensing Ordinance (FZV), the Driving License Ordinance (FeV), the Road Traffic Act (StVG), the Ordinance on Administrative Offenses (OWiG) and the Ordinance on Fines Catalog (BKatV) form further important bases for the catalog of fines.
The most important categories in the points and fines catalog are:
- Distance violations
- Alcohol and drug violations
- Speed violations
- Parking and stopping violations
- Red light violations
- Violations of the regulations for turning, reversing or turning
- Overtaking violations
- Right of way violations
How high can fines from the catalog of fines be?
There is no general statement on the question: How high fines can be from the catalog of fines. The range extends from a few euros for parking violations to several hundreds of euros for serious interventions in road traffic. Crossing a level crossing with a closed semi-closet is currently subject to a penalty of 700 euros. In addition, higher fines are possible if a violation is committed repeatedly,
A fine procedure is also opened for every fine that exceeds 55 euros. A fine notice is created with which further fees and expenses are incurred for the pure administrative act. In the case of a fine of up to 55 euros, it is at the discretion of the authorities to issue a warning. In this case there are no fees or expenses. However, if the warning is not accepted and the fine is not paid on time, a fine procedure is opened.
How many points are there in the catalog of fines if there is a violation?
The catalog of fines drawn up by the Federal Motor Transport Authority based in Flensburg also includes the points catalog. The German points system was revised in May 2014. In the meantime, 8 points are enough for a driver's license to be withdrawn.
Since the system was reformed, traffic violations can only be sanctioned with a maximum of three points. When and how many points threaten depends on the severity of the violation.
A simple administrative offense is sanctioned without a point. All traffic-endangering and impairing administrative offenses are sanctioned with 1 point in Flensburg. Administrative offenses with an imposed driving ban, which are accompanied by a criminal offense without the driver's license being withdrawn, are sanctioned with 2 points. Each offense with withdrawal of the driver's license is sanctioned with a maximum of 3 points.
Violations of the parking regulations as well as minor exceeding of the speed limit of up to 20 km / h per hour are rated as simple administrative offenses. All serious traffic violations with a speed exceeding 21 km / h are sanctioned much more severely. Exceeding speeds that are significantly higher - from 41 km / h outside built-up areas and from 31 km / h inside built-up areas - must always be classified as hazardous to traffic. In all cases, they lead to a one-month driving ban.
Points in Flensburg - What impact?
Road users who have collected many points in Flensburg must face the consequences. A high score always points to regular non-observance of the rules, since points are only awarded if negative or administrative offenses that could affect traffic have been identified.
That does not go unnoticed by the Flensburg law enforcement officers. Different steps are taken by the authority. If the vehicle driver does not understand and do not adhere to the rules, further sanctions are applied for each point balance:
- With up to 3 points: The driver is noted. The driver has yet to face any consequences.
- With between 4 and up to 5 points: The driver receives a written warning. In addition, the Federal Motor Transport Authority uses this admonition to reduce points to indicate voluntary participation in a driving aptitude seminar.
- With 6 and 7 points: Here it becomes critical. A warning is issued to the affected person. It is no longer possible to reduce the points.
- 8 points: The driver has reached the maximum score. The driving license is withdrawn. Withdrawal of the license is often linked to a blocking period of 6 months. After that, the driver's license must be applied for again.
When do points expire at the Federal Motor Transport Authority?
Points awarded according to the catalog of fines automatically expire after a few years. The score can therefore not only be reduced by participating in a dismantling seminar. The automatic expiry of points depends on the height of the points. The points in Flensburg expire as follows:
- A single point automatically expires after 2½ years
- Two accumulated points automatically expire after 5 years
- Three accumulated points automatically expire after 10 years
Telephoning at the wheel: This is how the catalog of fines sanctions
Telephoning at the wheel or using smartphones for text messages and selfies is one of the major risks for road safety. This inevitably distracts the driver. For this reason, the sanctions regarding smartphone and telephone use at the wheel were added to the catalog of fines in 2017, adjusted and supplemented.
If the fine was 60 euros before the change in the law, the sanction amount has since been increased to 100 euros. If other road users are endangered in the course of telephone, cell phone and smartphone use, the fine increases by a further 50 euros to 150 euros. The driver earns 2 points in Flensburg. These are linked to a one-month driving ban. The situation is different when using a hands-free system. Correct use of the hands-free system remains free of sanctions.
Since smartphone addiction is not only a problem for drivers, cyclists are also asked to pay for violations. Here, the catalog of fines provides for a fine of 55 euros. Pedestrians remain free of sanctions.
Sanctions according to the catalog of fines for novice drivers during the trial period
The fines catalog provides further sanctions for novice drivers. The individual facts are regulated in two categories. These are categorized according to A and B violations.
The so-called A violation is an administrative offense. The so-called B violation is a serious traffic hazard, but it is not necessarily associated with a direct and immediate threat. However, the trial period is only taken into account if the fine is 60 euros or more. In addition to the A and B violations, the extension of the trial period or the mandatory participation in an advanced seminar can be scheduled.
Driving license is also threatened much faster than is the case with old hands. During the regular trial period, the first A violation results in a two-year extension of the trial period. An advanced seminar is also mandatory. The second B violation also results in an extension of the probationary period by two additional years during the regular trial period.
In the area of the extended trial period, a warning is given for the first A violation and the second B violation. A recommendation to participate in traffic psychological counseling is recommended. The second A violation, two B violations and one A violation and a fourth B violation mean that the driver's license is withdrawn for a period of at least 6 months.
