Driving without a Driving Licence in Germany

Driving without a driving licence may seem like a straightforward offence. However, there are a few elements to it. These elements involve whether the person ever held a licence, whether they held a licence and were subsequently given a driving ban and consists in providing some level of culpability to the vehicle’s owner.

This offence is regulated under § 21 StVG and states that sanctions can be given to:

(1) Anyone who

• 1.drives a motor vehicle although he does not have the necessary driving licence or is prohibited from driving the vehicle in accordance with § 44 German Criminal Code or § 25 of this Act, or
• 2.as the owner of a motor vehicle, orders or permits someone to drive the vehicle who does not have the necessary driving licence or who is prohibited from driving the vehicle in accordance with § 44 German Criminal Code or in accordance with § 25 of this Act

(2) A prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to 180 daily rates shall be imposed on anyone who

• 1. negligently commits an act referred to in paragraph 1,
• 2. intentionally or negligently drives a motor vehicle although the prescribed driving licence has been taken into custody, seized or confiscated in accordance with § 94 Code of Criminal Procedure, or

3. intentionally or negligently orders or permits someone to drive a motor vehicle as the owner of a motor vehicle although the prescribed driving licence has been taken into custody, secured or confiscated in accordance with § 94 Code of Criminal Procedure.

§ 94 StPO refers to vehicles which may be required as evidence in criminal law cases.

The breaching of such offences can lead to sanctions of heavy fines, penalty points, and up to one year in prison. In cases where the action was negligent rather than intentional, the sentence should be no more than six months, whereas where it has been committed with intention can lead to higher sanctions. However, the facts of the case will play an essential role.

In this case, driving refers to vehicles that have been set into motion with motive power (in this case, with acceleration) and where it has happened in public traffic areas. Therefore, driving without a licence on non-publicly accessible private property (within a familial property, for example) is not liable to criminal liability. Besides on private property, one requires a valid driving licence to use the German road network – whether on the Autobahn (motorway) or in towns and cities.

This licence does not always have to be German; in many cases, foreign licences are recognised as valid for German road use. This is especially the case for licences from other European Union countries. However, foreign non-EU driving licences may need to be converted into German licences should the individual seek to stay long-term in Germany.

In cases involving people driving in Germany with a foreign driving licence, they are still liable for prosecution where they have committed driving offences.

Under § 29 FeV (Driving Licence Ordinance), one can face prosecution when the person driving’s foreign licence has expired or faced a driving ban from their home country. This issue applies even when the person in question does not have their primary residence in Germany.

Regarding which licences are valid in Germany, driving licences available in the European Union are generally valid. Thus, it is not necessary to convert such a driving licence into a German one in most cases. Continuing to drive in Germany with this EU licence does not open the person up to offences concerning driving without a valid driving licence.

In cases involving non-EU licences, the need for a German licence may arise depending on the licence. This need applies especially in cases where the person seeks to establish Germany as their primary residence. Should this requirement be demanded, continuing to drive with a foreign driving licence without conversion can lead to liability for prosecution.

Should a person have been banned from driving in Germany but then drives abroad, they could face penalties under German law per § 7 StGB. However, they must be a German citizen at the time it happens.

In this case, the driving offence must be viewed as a criminal offence in the other country. If it is deemed an administrative offence in the other jurisdiction, it will not be deemed a criminal offence in Germany.

When driving in Germany, one must have the appropriate driving licence for the vehicle in question. Different vehicles require separate licences. Having possession of a standard car licence (B licence) does not provide the same rights as a C (lorry/truck) or a D (bus) licence. Therefore, not holding the appropriate licence can also result in criminal prosecution.

This charge can even apply where the person holds a driving licence but not the vehicle’s appropriate licence. Those operating the business should also be aware of this requirement when hiring drivers for their company. In this case, these companies hold responsibility as the owners of the trucks/lorries.

It should be noted that this requirement for an appropriate licence also includes attaching a trailer to an automobile. Driving a car may require a B driving licence, but this is insufficient for driving with a trailer behind. For this, the driver must hold a BE licence.

As we outlined in our Driving Offences article, one can commit many offences, leading to driving bans in Germany. Driving bans for serious violations (such as DUIs) and repeat driving offences can be given. In such a situation, a person could be banned from driving for a month or longer. During that time, they should not be found behind the wheel of an automobile. This driving ban even extends as far as motorcycles and mopeds. During this driving ban, the person’s driving licence can be officially confiscated from them.

A person deciding to drive while on the driving ban can face serious criminal law consequences. Committing this action demonstrates that the person has committed a deliberate act of breaking a traffic law. Such an action can encourage the prosecuting side to seek heavier penalties for fines, penalty points and imprisonment. Repeat offences can lead to further increases in penalties faced.

Should a person commit serious enough offences and collect enough penalty points, they can face sanctions, including having their vehicle confiscated and being put off the road until they pass an MPU (medical-psychological examination) to allow them to once again apply for a driving licence.

Cases involving the confiscation of a motor vehicle can occur per § 21 StVG, and it refers to cases of repeat offences where the person has already faced a driving ban at least once in the last three years. In such an instance, the court has discretion regarding whether it applies to this confiscation.

If the person in question holds a driving licence but does not have it on their person when questioned by police or at a police check, they could face an administrative charge. Such a charge may result in a small administrative fine, and this is the case even where the person has not committed an offence while driving.

Such offences may include not having a driving licence on hand, losing a driving licence but not reporting it and driving a moped without having the driving licence / appropriate certificate in your possession. Fines in these cases tend to be relatively small at approximately €10-25.

Other administrative offences include not having glasses while driving when needed, some DUI offences and other minor offences.

As a car owner, ensuring that anyone borrowing your car has a driving licence is strongly advisable. Ask them to show you the licence if necessary.

As stated above, under § 21 StVG, the car owner who allows or orders someone to drive their vehicle without a licence or with a driving ban can also face criminal liability.

Companies that provide employees with company cars also need to check their staff once yearly to ensure they have the required driving licence and have not been given a driving ban preventing them from driving.

This requirement also applies where the person who owns the car seeks to rent out their vehicle and commercial rental companies. They need to check that the other person has a valid driving licence.

In such circumstances, they should ensure that the borrower presents their original driving licence and that the licence presented permits the individual to drive this type of vehicle. Such checks should be completed before the handover of the keys for the car.

Regarding the sale of the automobile, the person seeking to sell the car should look for the potential buyer’s driving licence before they are allowed to take a test drive. During the test drive, the seller is still the car’s owner.

Therefore, they need to ensure that the driver of their car has a valid driving licence. However, once the other party has paid for and bought the vehicle, it is no longer the seller’s property.

In cases involving car owners allowing their children to practice driving, the owner can also face criminal liability without them possessing the required driving licence. They can practice in closed, private settings with the car owner’s permission, but it is not permitted in public traffic.

Once the car has been allowed to take part in road traffic, the owner risks fines, penalty points, imprisonment, and even revoking their licence.

Drivers who have committed serious driving offences such as driving without a valid driving licence, driving while under a driving ban, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs etc., can face being banned from driving for lengthy periods. In some cases, such offenders may be banned until they complete a medical-psychological examination (MPU).

This type of test is designed to test the individual to ensure they can move in traffic and drive without endangering other people. It involves testing the person’s knowledge of the road rules and determining whether they can participate in road traffic.

This test must be taken seriously, as failure can result in the person remaining off the road.

This MPU is not restricted to such cases. It is not only used for drivers who have had driving bans or had their licences revoked. The MPU can also be used when applying for a new driving licence from their local office.

Competent drivers aware of the rules of the road should have no problems with such a test but should also take it seriously, as failing it will delay getting the licence.