German traffic fine check: objection deadline, limitation, points

Caught by a speed camera, or a hearing form (Anhörungsbogen) or fine notice (Bußgeldbescheid) in your letterbox? Three questions matter: until when can you object? Did the letter come in time? When will the points be gone? Calculate all three here.

1. Objection: two weeks from service

You can object to the fine notice within two weeks of service – in writing, no reasons needed (§ 67 Abs. 1 S. 1 OWiG). The date is on the yellow envelope. After that the notice becomes final and can be enforced (§ 89 OWiG).

2. Limitation: 6 months from the offence

For traffic offences under § 24 Abs. 1 StVG, prosecution becomes time-barred after 6 months (§ 26 Abs. 3 S. 1 StVG); the period starts with the offence (§ 31 Abs. 3 OWiG). Many sites still say "three months until the fine notice" – that is not the current wording.

• A hearing form or the fine notice interrupts the limitation period; it then starts again (§ 33 Abs. 1 OWiG, § 33 Abs. 3 OWiG).
• At the latest 2 years after the offence it is over – unless a court has already decided at first instance (§ 32 Abs. 2 OWiG).
• Steps by the authority you do not know about also interrupt. That is why the calculator never says "time-barred", only "may be time-barred – have it checked".

3. Points: when they are deleted

One point is due for deletion 2 years and 6 months after the notice became final, two points after 5 years (§ 29 Abs. 1 StVG, § 29 Abs. 4 StVG). The entry is deleted after a further one-year retention period (§ 29 Abs. 6 StVG).

More: Fine notice.

More: Hearing form.

General information, not legal advice. With points, a driving ban or doubts about the measurement: a traffic lawyer or your legal expenses insurance.