What you need to know about changes to German driving laws in 2020
From tougher penalties for reckless drivers and 'gawpers' to safer measures for cyclists, here are some important changes happening this year on Germany's roads.
Tougher fines
Drivers who commit parking offences face being punished more severely. In November, the government passed a new catalogue of fines, which came into force at the start of January.
Those who do not let ambulance and rescue teams through when accidents happen on roads, including the Autobahn, face paying up to €320 instead of the previous €200.
Drivers also face the risk of a one-month driving ban and two points on their licence.
Meanwhile, motorists who double park or park on footpaths or cycle paths could be sanctioned with €100 (they were previously hit with a maximum fine of €55).
Three-minute stops by drivers on protective strips at the side of some roads – the part usually used by cyclists which is separated from traffic by a dashed line – are no longer allowed.
And vehicles with a gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes are only allowed to turn right in urban areas at walking speed (7 to 11 km/h). Those caught flouting the rules can be hit with a €70 fine and a point on their licence.
READ ALSO: 'Not always polite but they follow the rules': The verdict on German drivers
Harsher punishments for 'gawpers'
Using a mobile phone to film or photograph people who have died in road accidents will in future be punishable by fines or even imprisonment of up to two years.
The "production and distribution of a picture that shows a deceased person in a grossly offensive manner" will in future be considered a criminal offence, the government decided in November last year.
These so-called 'gawpers' can obstruct the work of rescue services as well as cause distress.
Until now, criminal law has only protected living people from degrading images. In the case of dead people, such pictures are only considered a violation of personal rights.
However, these kinds of pictures are appearing more frequently due to the amount of mobile phones around and they are easily spread online.
It is also a punishable offence to obstruct any helpers at the scene of an accident.
The Bundestag still has to approve the changes. But if all goes to plan it would come into force in the course of 2020.
The move comes after a German police officer's response to drivers trying to engage in this behaviour went viral.
Carpooling in bus lanes plus parking spaces for carsharing and e-cars
This year cities and municipalities across Germany will be able to open up bus lanes for car pooling. The prerequisite is that cars (or motorcycles with side cars) must be occupied by at least three people.
The aim is to have less vehicles on Germany's roads in a bid to bring down harmful emissions. New road signs marking parking spaces reserved for car-sharing and electric cars are also planned.
Driving licence requirements changing
In order to promote automatic cars and the use of electric cars in driving schools, Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer is planning to change driving licence test requirements.
In future drivers whose licence is only for automatic cars can complete additional training with a vehicle that has a manual gear stick.
They will no longer need to complete a second official test to drive a manual car. The EU Commission approved the planned changes at the beginning of December 2019.
Insurance changes
Around eleven million motorists will be affected by a change in the 'type class' of their motor insurance this year. A total of 4.6 million drivers will benefit from paying less, while 6.5 million car owners will have higher premiums.
Higher e-car purchase premium
This year the purchase bonus for electric cars up to a net cost of €40,000 is to rise from €4,000 to €6,000. For vehicles with a purchase price of up to €65,000, the subsidy will be increased to €5000.
For plug-in hybrids, the subsidy is to rise to €4,500 (new price up to €40,000) and €3750 euros (new price up to €65,000). The adjusted subsidy guideline is to "come into force as soon as possible" following a state aid review by the EU Commission.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about getting a German driving license
More diesel bans on the way?
Diesel bans came into force in German cities last year – and there could be more on the way in 2020. German Environmental Aid (Deutsche Umwelthilfe) is planning to continue to take authorities to court over air pollution.
Boost for motorbike enthusiasts
It is now possible to drive so-called light motorcycles with a car driving licence – but only after extensive training. According to the new regulations, which were passed shortly before Christmas, it is no longer necessary to take a separate driving test for engines with a capacity of up to 125 cubic centimetres and 15 hp.
However, drivers must be at least 25-years-old and have held a Class B driving licence for five years. After nine 90-minute lessons (four theoretical and five practical), they will then be entitled to drive class A1 light motorcycles in Germany. When the plans for the new regulation became known last summer, experts had expressed concern.
Minimum age for scooter driving licence (moped) reduced
At the end of October 2019, the Bundestag decided to permanently lower the minimum age for moped riding. In future, young people will be allowed to obtain their scooter driving licence at the age of 15. However, each federal state may decide for itself whether it will actually implement the new regulation.
More safety and special 'green arrow' for cyclists
This year there's set to be new traffic signs introduced to stop cars from overtaking bicycles when it is unsafe.
Motorists should give cyclists a distance of at least 1.5 metres in built-up areas and two metres outside built-up areas when overtaking.
In future, there should also be a green arrow on traffic lights so they can turn right safely. From this year cyclists are also allowed to ride next to each other if this does not affect traffic.
READ ALSO: Bike nation? How Germany plans to improve cycling infrastructure
Turning assistant system for long trucks compulsory
For new long trucks (18.75 to 25.25 meters long), a turning assistant system (Abbiegeassistent) and flashing side marker lights will be mandatory when driving on German roads from July 1st, 2020. This equipment can help prevent serious accidents at intersections with cyclists.
For existing vehicles, retrofitting will be mandatory from July 1st, 2022.
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Tougher fines
Drivers who commit parking offences face being punished more severely. In November, the government passed a new catalogue of fines, which came into force at the start of January.
Those who do not let ambulance and rescue teams through when accidents happen on roads, including the Autobahn, face paying up to €320 instead of the previous €200.
Drivers also face the risk of a one-month driving ban and two points on their licence.
Meanwhile, motorists who double park or park on footpaths or cycle paths could be sanctioned with €100 (they were previously hit with a maximum fine of €55).
Three-minute stops by drivers on protective strips at the side of some roads – the part usually used by cyclists which is separated from traffic by a dashed line – are no longer allowed.
And vehicles with a gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes are only allowed to turn right in urban areas at walking speed (7 to 11 km/h). Those caught flouting the rules can be hit with a €70 fine and a point on their licence.
READ ALSO: 'Not always polite but they follow the rules': The verdict on German drivers
Harsher punishments for 'gawpers'
Using a mobile phone to film or photograph people who have died in road accidents will in future be punishable by fines or even imprisonment of up to two years.
The "production and distribution of a picture that shows a deceased person in a grossly offensive manner" will in future be considered a criminal offence, the government decided in November last year.
These so-called 'gawpers' can obstruct the work of rescue services as well as cause distress.
Until now, criminal law has only protected living people from degrading images. In the case of dead people, such pictures are only considered a violation of personal rights.
However, these kinds of pictures are appearing more frequently due to the amount of mobile phones around and they are easily spread online.
It is also a punishable offence to obstruct any helpers at the scene of an accident.
The Bundestag still has to approve the changes. But if all goes to plan it would come into force in the course of 2020.
The move comes after a German police officer's response to drivers trying to engage in this behaviour went viral.
Carpooling in bus lanes plus parking spaces for carsharing and e-cars
This year cities and municipalities across Germany will be able to open up bus lanes for car pooling. The prerequisite is that cars (or motorcycles with side cars) must be occupied by at least three people.
The aim is to have less vehicles on Germany's roads in a bid to bring down harmful emissions. New road signs marking parking spaces reserved for car-sharing and electric cars are also planned.
Driving licence requirements changing
In order to promote automatic cars and the use of electric cars in driving schools, Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer is planning to change driving licence test requirements.
In future drivers whose licence is only for automatic cars can complete additional training with a vehicle that has a manual gear stick.
They will no longer need to complete a second official test to drive a manual car. The EU Commission approved the planned changes at the beginning of December 2019.
Insurance changes
Around eleven million motorists will be affected by a change in the 'type class' of their motor insurance this year. A total of 4.6 million drivers will benefit from paying less, while 6.5 million car owners will have higher premiums.
Higher e-car purchase premium
This year the purchase bonus for electric cars up to a net cost of €40,000 is to rise from €4,000 to €6,000. For vehicles with a purchase price of up to €65,000, the subsidy will be increased to €5000.
For plug-in hybrids, the subsidy is to rise to €4,500 (new price up to €40,000) and €3750 euros (new price up to €65,000). The adjusted subsidy guideline is to "come into force as soon as possible" following a state aid review by the EU Commission.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about getting a German driving license
More diesel bans on the way?
Diesel bans came into force in German cities last year – and there could be more on the way in 2020. German Environmental Aid (Deutsche Umwelthilfe) is planning to continue to take authorities to court over air pollution.
Boost for motorbike enthusiasts
It is now possible to drive so-called light motorcycles with a car driving licence – but only after extensive training. According to the new regulations, which were passed shortly before Christmas, it is no longer necessary to take a separate driving test for engines with a capacity of up to 125 cubic centimetres and 15 hp.
However, drivers must be at least 25-years-old and have held a Class B driving licence for five years. After nine 90-minute lessons (four theoretical and five practical), they will then be entitled to drive class A1 light motorcycles in Germany. When the plans for the new regulation became known last summer, experts had expressed concern.
Minimum age for scooter driving licence (moped) reduced
At the end of October 2019, the Bundestag decided to permanently lower the minimum age for moped riding. In future, young people will be allowed to obtain their scooter driving licence at the age of 15. However, each federal state may decide for itself whether it will actually implement the new regulation.
More safety and special 'green arrow' for cyclists
This year there's set to be new traffic signs introduced to stop cars from overtaking bicycles when it is unsafe.
Motorists should give cyclists a distance of at least 1.5 metres in built-up areas and two metres outside built-up areas when overtaking.
In future, there should also be a green arrow on traffic lights so they can turn right safely. From this year cyclists are also allowed to ride next to each other if this does not affect traffic.
READ ALSO: Bike nation? How Germany plans to improve cycling infrastructure
Turning assistant system for long trucks compulsory
For new long trucks (18.75 to 25.25 meters long), a turning assistant system (Abbiegeassistent) and flashing side marker lights will be mandatory when driving on German roads from July 1st, 2020. This equipment can help prevent serious accidents at intersections with cyclists.
For existing vehicles, retrofitting will be mandatory from July 1st, 2022.
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