Caught Speeding In Germany?

sturll

They will not go on your license but when you use ot abroad it essentially becomes 'international' Germany can put points on your license but they wil only mean anything in Germany.

Whilst it is not the same as the IDL it as has been discussed already will be like a 'ghost' license and the points will remain on record.

jaymac_2

The countries in Europe don't YET have the power to get your info from the DVLC and they can't put points on your licence if they don't know who you are. This happened to OH in France in July but he's heard nothing more about it.

beer_tins

Just a few points.

They always take the picture from the front in Germany. This is because they have to prove it was you that was driving (if you contest it). They cannot make you prove your innocence (i.e. guilty until proven innocent) or incriminate someone else, both of which are against the law.

You can't get points on your UK license, but you may in future. Also note the points about the ghost licence.

I don't think you'll be pulled up in a passport queue for not paying a fine, they are fairly strict about data security and control in Germany. A criminal offence might be different.

If you were driving your car, you'll get something through the post if they can get your details and if they can be bothered (may not be worth their while).

If you were driving a hire car, you may hear from your hire company. They may bill your credit card for any fines (as per your agreement with them). If you contest the fine, it may be dropped by the police or hire company (i.e. they'll pay it) rather than going to the bother of getting the photo to you.

Backbiter

beer_tins wrote: »

If you were driving a hire car, you may hear from your hire company. They may bill your credit card for any fines (as per your agreement with them). If you contest the fine, it may be dropped by the police or hire company (i.e. they'll pay it) rather than going to the bother of getting the photo to you.

The only speeding fines I've ever had were in Germany. One was for doing 8km/h over the limit, the other was for doing 5km/h over. They were within 12 hours of each other.
I was in a hire car and knew they'd be able to get the money from the hire firm, who would no doubt have added loads of admin/ small-print charges, so I paid it. I sent cash through the post (to save all the exorbitant charges for international money orders/ bank transfers etc) and asked (in German) for a receipt but never received one.
The fines were really low - around £30 in total for the two - as I was only just over the limit.

dexterlevi

Thanks everyone for your comments many of which I found realy useful. Oh well, only time will tell.

Backbiter

Aricle here about how we don't chase foreign motorists for speeding offences:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7795253.stm

dzug1

beer_tins wrote: »

If you were driving a hire car, you may hear from your hire company. They may bill your credit card for any fines (as per your agreement with them). If you contest the fine, it may be dropped by the police or hire company (i.e. they'll pay it) rather than going to the bother of getting the photo to you.

They shouldn't pay fines for moving traffic offences, which are the driver's responsibility. They are more likely to pass your details to the police and charge you a fee for doing so (which you might interpret as the fine). The police may then decide not to follow up on the grounds of too difficult.

For parking offences (owner's responsibility) they may well bill you.

PT66

Don't know about Germany but I have been flashed in France a couple of times and not heard a thing. I have even heard stories about people going down to Le Mans 24 hour in high powered cars and setting every speed camera off on the way down and back and not hearing anything. You should be OK.

nico26

In spain if in a hire car they will get your details from car hire company. We forgot to pay a fine for parking and as we had property there they added it onto our local rates. Also a new law is if you have an NIE number for Spain you are classed as a regular driver and your licence will be recorded and if you hit 12 points you will lose your licence

Danyúl_II

Jeez - I got flashed (unfortunately not by a couple of beautiful young ladies) twice on the French highway, and also one time on the German autobahn. This was over 6 months ago and I have heard diddly squat.

Don't worry about it.