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Theory topic 3 · Düsseldorf

Topic 3: The legal framework

When you drive in Germany, you're working inside a clearly defined set of rules. Topic 3 explains the three main ones: the road traffic regulations (StVO), the driving licence regulations (FeV) and the vehicle construction and use regulations (StVZO). It also shows what points, the probationary period and the official list of fines mean for you.

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In class
90 minutes, as often as you like
This is topic 3 of 14. You can come to this double lesson as many times as you like.
Flexible times
8 theory classes a week
Lessons run on six days a week. The 14 topics follow on from each other in a loop, so you simply join at the next lesson.
Three languages
German, English, Arabic
Lessons are taught in German. If something isn't clear, you can ask in English or Arabic.

What you learn

What topic 3 covers

This is what's on the plan in the lesson, and it's what the theory test (Theorieprüfung) will ask you about.

  • What the StVO, the FeV and the StVZO each cover on German roads
  • What your duties and your rights are as a driver
  • How the points system in Flensburg works (1, 2 or 3 points per offence)
  • When your probationary period gets longer, and what happens if you break the rules during it
  • What a driver improvement course (Aufbauseminar, ASF) and an MPU are, and how to avoid them
  • What you have to do after damage or a crash: stop, help, and call the police
  • Which documents you must always carry: your licence, the vehicle registration document and, where needed, proof of insurance

The key rules

What you need to know for sure

A lot of the test questions on this topic come back to these points.

  1. Three sets of rules form the basis

    The StVO covers how you behave on the road, for example speed limits and right of way. The FeV covers who is allowed to drive, so licences, classes and the probationary period. The StVZO mainly covers the technical requirements for vehicles, while registration is now dealt with in a separate regulation, the Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV).

  2. Your probationary period lasts 2 years

    It starts on the day you're given your licence. If you commit one serious offence (an A offence) or two less serious ones (B offences), the authority orders you onto a driver improvement course and your probationary period goes up to 4 years. If it happens again, you get a written warning advising you to see a traffic psychologist. The third time, your licence is taken away (§ 2a StVG).

  3. Points: at 8 points you lose your licence

    You get 1 point for certain offences, for example using your phone at the wheel or driving a car 21 km/h or more over the limit. You get 2 points for particularly serious offences, which usually come with a driving ban, or for a traffic crime where you keep your licence. A crime that costs you your licence, or comes with a period before you can reapply, means 3 points. At 4 to 5 points you get a written reminder, at 6 to 7 points a written warning, and at 8 points your licence is taken away. If you have 1 to 5 points, a voluntary driver improvement seminar (Fahreignungsseminar) takes one point off, but you can only do that once every 5 years.

  4. Always carry these papers

    Whenever you drive, you need your licence and the vehicle registration document, which in Germany is called the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I. The sticker from the vehicle's last official inspection (HU-Plakette) has to be on the rear number plate.

  5. Your duties after a crash always apply

    You stop, make the scene safe with your hazard lights, a hi-vis vest and a warning triangle, give first aid, call 112 or 110 if needed, and swap details. Leaving the scene of an accident (§ 142 StGB) is a criminal offence even if only property is damaged. It carries a fine or up to 3 years in prison, and if someone is injured or the damage is significant, you'll normally lose your licence too.

Common mistakes

Where the test often trips people up

In these places a question often means something different from what it seems to say when you read it quickly.

Mixing up the StVO and the StVZO
This one comes up in the test all the time. An easy way to remember it: the StVO is about how you behave on the road, and the StVZO is mainly about the technology in the vehicle.
Mixing up A and B offences in the probationary period
A offences are the serious ones, such as ignoring right of way, driving a car 21 km/h or more over the limit, tailgating, going through a red light or using your phone at the wheel. B offences are less serious, for example driving on worn tyres. Only offences that go onto the driving record (Fahreignungsregister) count. One A offence or two B offences mean a longer probationary period.
Thinking a small parking scrape doesn't matter
Any damage to property, even a scratch on a parked car, means you have to wait for the owner or tell the police. Leaving a note on the windscreen isn't enough to meet that duty.
Not knowing the points thresholds
Many learners think you lose your licence as soon as you get 1 point. In fact that only happens at 8 points. Before that you get a written reminder (4 to 5 points) and a written warning (6 to 7 points).

Sample questions

What the questions in the theory test look like

Click on a question to see the answer. You can practise the full set of official questions with our learning app.

You cause a crash that damages property. What do you have to do?

Stop, make the scene safe, give first aid if needed, and either wait a reasonable time or tell the police. Just leaving your details isn't enough.If you simply drive off, even when only property is damaged, you're committing the offence of leaving the scene of an accident under § 142 StGB.

How long is the probationary period?

2 years from the day you're given your licence. With one A offence or two B offences, it goes up to 4 years.With BF17 you can be given your licence from your 17th birthday, so your probationary period starts earlier rather than at 18.

How many points in Flensburg mean you lose your licence?

8 points.Before that, you get a written reminder at 4 to 5 points and a written warning at 6 to 7 points.

In the driving lesson

Where you'll meet topic 3 again in the car

A hi-vis vest, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit have to be in the car, and you should know how to use them to make an accident scene safe. You'll also keep coming across places where the StVO is especially strict, such as zebra crossings, junctions and traffic-calmed areas.

Questions and answers

Common questions about topic 3

Short answers to questions around this topic.

What happens if I commit an A offence in my probationary period?

You're ordered onto a driver improvement course and your probationary period goes up to 4 years (§ 2a StVG). If it happens again, you get a written warning advising you to see a traffic psychologist. The third time, your licence is taken away.

How can I get rid of points?

If you have 1 to 5 points, a voluntary driver improvement seminar takes one point off, but you can only do that once every 5 years. Apart from that, entries are deleted after fixed periods set by law, and the length depends on how serious the offence was.

Do I need proof of insurance in the car?

Not necessarily for your own car, because the police can check the insurance through the number plate. In a hire car, a car-sharing car or a foreign-registered vehicle, you should always have it with you.

What is an MPU and when can I be made to take one?

MPU stands for Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung, a medical and psychological assessment of whether you're fit to drive. It's ordered from 1.6 ‰ of alcohol, among other cases, and also after repeated drug offences. You'll normally need one before you can get a new licence after losing it at 8 points. For traffic crimes, the authority can order one.

Where can I find the current list of fines?

The list of fines (Bußgeldkatalog) is an annex to the Bußgeldkatalog-Verordnung, and you'll find the current text on gesetze-im-internet.de. The Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) also publishes the nationwide list of offences on kba.de. The list is updated regularly.

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