Icy Windscreens and Running Engine: These Fines Are Lurking This Winter
Winter driving in Germany comes with strict rules to ensure safety on icy roads. Drivers who fail to clear snow and ice from their vehicles—or ignore other cold-weather regulations—face fines, penalty points, and even criminal charges in severe cases. Authorities enforce these measures to prevent accidents caused by poor visibility or unsafe conditions.
A simple oversight, like driving with a snow-covered licence plate, can lead to a €5 fine. Clearing only a small peephole in the windscreen instead of the full window results in a €10 penalty. Leaving snow on the bonnet or roof carries a €25 fine, while idling the engine to defrost the windscreen without supervision can cost €80.
Faulty or improperly adjusted lights also bring consequences. In towns, drivers pay €25 for lighting issues, but outside built-up areas, the fine jumps to €60 plus one penalty point. Obscured rear windows or unsafe lighting defects typically cost between €20 and €35. If poor visibility leads to endangering others, fines rise sharply—up to €800 and two points in extreme cases. Driving too fast for wintry conditions triggers penalties of €80 and one point, escalating if others are put at risk. Skipping winter tyres in snow or ice results in a €60 fine and a penalty point. The fines grow steeper if obstructed vision or unsafe behaviour causes an accident. In serious cases, drivers may face civil liability for damages or even criminal charges, such as negligent bodily harm.
German traffic laws leave little room for winter negligence. Fines start small for minor oversights but climb quickly when visibility or safety is compromised. Beyond financial penalties, drivers risk points on their licence, legal action, and liability for any collisions caused by failing to prepare their vehicle properly.
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