German speeding fine — pay or appeal?
Caught by a speed camera, parked wrong, or spotted with a phone at the wheel — and now the Bußgeldbescheid is sitting in your mailbox. You've got two weeks to decide what to do. Most people just pay. Sometimes, though, an appeal is worth it.
What is a Bußgeldbescheid exactly?
An official letter from your city's fines authority or the Federal Motor Transport Authority. It tells you:
- What you allegedly did (e.g. "exceeded the permitted speed limit by 21 km/h").
- When and where it happened (date, time, location).
- The total: fine + administrative fees + possibly points in Flensburg + possibly a driving ban.
Often, before this, you receive an Anhörungsbogen — a heads-up letter asking whether it was you. If you fill that out (or ignore it), the actual fine notice arrives later.
What's in the notice?
The key fields to look for:
When is it worth appealing?
Honest answer: not often. The fines office is usually right, and a lost appeal gets more expensive (extra court costs). But there are situations where it makes sense:
- You demonstrably weren't driving. Classic case: family car driven by someone else. You don't have to name them — you have the right to remain silent.
- The photo is blurry or doesn't clearly show you.
- There's a driving ban and you need your licence for work. Here a lawyer is almost always worth it.
- The notice is formally wrong — date, location or charge don't add up.
- Points in Flensburg are involved and you're close to the 8-point threshold (which costs you your licence).
For amounts under €60 with no points: usually best to just pay. Lawyer and court costs will exceed the fine.
Got legal-cost insurance? If you have Verkehrs-Rechtsschutz (traffic legal insurance), appealing is effectively free. Call them first, get a coverage confirmation, then hire a lawyer. Without insurance, you carry all costs if you lose.
How an objection is typically filed
Informal letter to the authority listed in the letterhead. One sentence is enough:
Hiermit lege ich Einspruch gegen den Bußgeldbescheid vom [date], Aktenzeichen [...], ein.
Date it, sign it, post it (registered mail recommended). You don't have to provide a justification right away — a lawyer can do that later.
Important: the objection has to arrive within the 2-week window, not just be posted.
What can typically happen if there is no response
After the two weeks, the notice becomes final. Three consequences:
- You have to pay. Not paid? Reminder, bailiff, account garnishment.
- Any points get entered in Flensburg (if the offence carries them).
- If there's a driving ban: the licence has to be handed in. Driving anyway risks a criminal charge for driving without a licence.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to appeal?
Two weeks from delivery. The clock starts the day the letter actually lands in your mailbox, not the date printed on it (unlike the Finanzamt). There's no 3-day delivery fiction here — but when in doubt, act sooner.
I can't tell who's in the speed camera photo. Do I still have to pay?
Not necessarily. If you're not clearly identifiable, the authority can't force you to name someone else. You can refuse to make a statement. That said, they often check Halterhaftung (owner liability) — for parking offences, the registered owner pays regardless. For speed offences this only kicks in past a certain point.
Does filing an objection cost anything?
Filing it costs nothing. But if you lose, you will typically pay court costs and, if applicable, lawyer fees. With legal-cost insurance, the insurer covers this. Without it, think carefully whether the amount is worth the risk.
Is it worth driving to the police station to appeal a €20 fine?
No. For small warnings (€5–55) without points, paying is almost always the right call. Even an hour of a lawyer's time costs more.
What if I can't read the letter?
Don't leave it unanswered it. Scan the notice with Postera and you will typically see at a glance: deadline, amount, points. If it looks serious (points, driving ban, large amount), get a lawyer — many offer a free initial consultation.